Elementary
Summer Program
Since 1993 S.P.I.E.S. has been providing exceptional summer educational services to students who had experienced difficulty in reading and writing at the elementary level. The program started with 60 students and 4 dedicated teachers. Since then, the program has not only grown in size, but has grown to provide additional services to meet the needs of our students. We now have over 200 students enrolled in our program, 19 teachers, 1 librarian aide, and numerous student teachers and volunteers. Although not officially S.P.I.E.S. students, we do welcome students in the Extended School Year (ESY) program to Belmont Hills during the summer.
Our students come mainly from our six elementary schools, but the program is open to all Pre K-5 students residing throughout Lower Merion Township. The S.P.I.E.S. program runs for six weeks, from the last week in June to the first week of August. The school day begins at 9 AM and ends at 1 PM. The typical day includes 150 minutes of reading and writing, 30 minutes of mathematics and 30 minutes of activities involving computers, music, and the library. The remaining 30 minutes are used for lunch and both morning and afternoon activities.
Though this is a traditional schedule, many of our students are provided alternative schedules to meet their specific needs. Students needing additional reinforcement in math, reading and writing are scheduled for additional support services. Since education is a social process, students are given opportunities to engage with their friends and classmates within structured recess time. In addition to their academic schedule, students also have the opportunity to participate in field trips that enrich their summer experience at no additional cost.
About the SPIES Program
