When the school year is done, not everyone goes on vacation. More than 600 special education students attend Erie 1 BOCES summer program every year.

K-12 students are offered a summer program at Mill Middle School, West Seneca West Middle School and Maryvale Intermediate School.

“My favorite part of summer school is seeing students that normally do not enjoy school so much,” said Heather Cronin, an Erie 1 Boces High School Social Studies teacher. “Come in every morning with a smile on their face and a positive attitude. And sometimes they're like squealing because they're so excited to be.”

This summer, she’s teaching at West Seneca West Middle School. Students here are on an Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs, and it’s a six week program. Cronin says she modifies her lesson plans based on academic age and academic skill set.

“I turn them into a lot of hands on and group activities,” Cronin said. “So they are not only engaged academically but working well with others in groups, working on those life skills that they'll need.”

The special education students learning here this summer aren’t just learning academic skills.

“Physical, social, emotional and just kind of a comprehensive program to make sure that students are ready for school,” said Erie 1 Boces Summer School Principal Lindsey Meyers. 

The extended year program isn’t what you typically might imagine for school. It includes activities like Water Wednesdays, where students can swim, use water slides, have foam parties and more.

Educators say summer school like this is important to help students avoid the summer slide.

“You're really working to make sure that students are continuing their rate of progress, and without any practice or opportunity for further instruction, they can lose those skills,” Meyers said.

It’s even more necessary for special education students who can also take part in occupational therapy or physical therapy.

“Our special education students tend to thrive from consistency. So that's really important and that's what we try to maintain,” Cronin added.

The summer program runs Monday through Friday through Aug. 18.