Summer Discovery program offered to schools

Schools in Macomb County have a few more weeks to apply for the Summer Discovery program provided by the Ballmer Group and United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

There is $2,000 per student available.

“We have had schools from all of the other counties, but none for Macomb,” said Jerome Espy, a spokesperson for the program that will provide summer learning and activity opportunities for traditional and charter schools in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties at no cost to families.

Summer Discovery program was launched in January

and in its first year will provide learning and activity opportunities to students completing grades K-8 in spring 2024, and to ninth-grade the following year.

Any school that meets the following criteria may apply:

• Conduct in-person instruction and enrichment

• Serve at least 50% free lunch population

• Serve at least 50 students during the school year

• Serve students completing any grades within the range of K-8 in spring 2024.

“Ballmer Group is proud to invest in summer learning and exploration for students in Southeast Michigan,” said Steve Ballmer, cofounder of Ballmer Group.

According to a recent survey conducted by United Way for Southeastern Michigan, 76% of parents and 82% of community leaders agree there are not enough summer enrichment programs for students in the region, and 68% of parents cite transportation and cost as barriers to enrolling their children in the limited programs that are available.

“We know the importance of summer in maintaining students’ progress and providing enrichment,” Ballmer added. “We’re supporting schools to offer opportunities to kids in Southeast Michigan who wouldn’t have the same chances as kids in other parts of Michigan. The importance of access to opportunity cannot be overstated.”

Macomb County schools interested in becoming a Summer Discovery site must apply on the program’s website by March 1.

For more information or to apply visit summerdiscoverymi.org.