Summer Academy

Location

Preschool and Elementary Programs are held at Grafton Bethel Elementary School (BMES, CES, DES, GBES, MVES, SES, TES, and YES students) and Waller Mill Elementary School (MES and WMES students).

Middle School Programs are held at Grafton Middle School (GMS, TMS, and YMS students) and Waller Mill Elementary School (QLMS students).

High School Programs are held at Grafton Middle School

Dates

Summer Academy will be held from June 22 - July 22, 2026.

Registration

The Summer Academy Registration is completed through a Microsoft Form link found on the Summer Academy Parent Interest letters sent home to students selected for the Summer Academy. Summer Enrichment Camps registration is completed through SchoolCash Online.

Phone Numbers

Preschool and Elementary School Summer Academy: 757-890-5011

Middle and High School Summer Academy: 757-890-5012

Prior to June 22, please contact the appropriate summer program administrator listed below.

Transportation

Transportation will be provided at designated stops throughout the county. These may differ from the current school year bus stops. Bus routes for summer academy can be found online using the E-Link Bus Routes Lookup system. Families can also track the bus using the My Stop App.

Attendance

Students enrolled in Summer Academy are expected to attend classes each day. Parents may request permission from the program principal for excused absences.

Special Education

Students with an identified disability enrolled in Summer Academic Programs will be provided accommodations by YCSD staff.

Tuition

Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School Summer Academy Programs are offered tuition free. Summer enrollments for middle school Career Investigations and high school credit courses are offered on a tuition basis. Summer Enrichment Camps are offered at no cost to select students who meet eligibility requirements.

Books/Materials

Textbooks, instructional resources, and library services are available during Summer Academic Programs. All textbooks, library books, and resources must be returned in the condition that they were borrowed.

Technology

Students who enroll in Summer Academy may require access to a computer or laptop with Internet access. Students may continue using the York County School Division issued device during Summer Academy.

Assessments

End of Course Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments will be administered for all high school credit bearing courses as listed in the program.

Conduct

Students participating in summer academy programs must abide by the York County School Division Student Handbook & Conduct Code and Acceptable Use Policy.

Food Service

Students will be charged their normal rate if they choose to purchase breakfast and/or lunch at Summer Academy. Students who receive free meals during the school year will receive free meals during Summer Academy.

Summer Academy is a great way for students to participate in enriching and engaging experiences that will help them to develop skills, explore interests, and prepare for the upcoming academic year. Students are referred to Summer Academy based on their demonstrated proficiency in grade level skills using a variety of measures. Families of selected students are notified by the student's home school. See the Summer Academic Programs catalog for specific Summer Academy information.

• Summer Academy VHS Course Offerings (High School Credit Bearing Courses)
• Summer Academy VHS Course Request Form (High School Credit Bearing Courses)
• Transition Tuesday
• AP BootCamp*
• The Game of Life Summer 2026 (closed)

*Coming soon

Select summer camps are being offered this year through grant-funded initiatives, allowing us to provide these opportunities at no cost to families. Families will receive an email from the division with camp-specific details if their student is selected to participate, including offerings such as World Language and STEM camps supported through DoDEA funding, as well as grant-funded middle school band and middle school math camps. That communication will include information about registration through SchoolCash Online. For questions regarding camp registration, contact Melissa Dickerson.

Camps are offered in four- or seven-day sessions. All associated costs are fully covered through grant funding, at no cost to families. Students will be charged their normal rate if they choose to purchase breakfast and/or lunch at Summer Academy. Students who receive free meals during the school year will receive free meals during Summer Academy.

Event Name and Description	Grade	Date & Time	Location
Bite of Reality: The Bite of Reality® is a FREE interactive financial literacy simulation which gives students a taste of real-world financial challenges. It is a fun exciting way to introduce money and finances to the younger generation. Students will learn how to make good financial decisions and understand the challenges of living on a budget. Teens are given an occupation, credit score, family, and debt, and experience "purchasing" housing, cars, food, and other expenses.	Current Grades 6-11	June 23 6-7 p.m.	Bruton High School
Bite of Reality: The Bite of Reality® is a FREE interactive financial literacy simulation which gives students a taste of real-world financial challenges. It is a fun exciting way to introduce money and finances to the younger generation. Students will learn how to make good financial decisions and understand the challenges of living on a budget. Teens are given an occupation, credit score, family, and debt, and experience "purchasing" housing, cars, food, and other expenses.	Current Grades 6-11	June 25 6-7 p.m.	Grafton Middle School
STEM Night: YCSD is collaborating with NASA to host a STEM event where families rotate through hands-on activities led by NASA professionals.	Current Grades 6-11	June 30 6-7 p.m.	Grafton Middle School
From Learning to Read to Reading to Learn - The Jump from 2nd to 3rd Grade: This parent/guardian and student session will provide information to help current 2nd graders get ready to enter 3rd grade.	Current Grade 2	July 7 6-7 p.m.	Grafton Bethel Elementary School
Transitioning to High School: Join a panel of experts that will share tips on preparing your rising Freshman for his/her first year of high school. Find out what to expect the first days of school, organizational tips for teens, explore curriculum to gain perspective on which classes will best support student's goals, how to balance extracurricular commitments with academics, and review state graduation requirements are a few of the topics for discussion.	Current Grade 8	July 14 6-7 p.m.	Grafton High School
Mariner's Museum STEM Event: Join us for two hours of science stations including "Macroinvertebrate Mayhem" and "Buoyancy: How a Boat Floats." Students will learn about the Mariner's Lake ecosystem and identify organisms that live within this habitat. They will also test principles of buoyancy by designing and building a sailboat.	Current Grades K-8	July 15 2-4 p.m.	Mariner's Museum
Bingo for Books: In this session, families get to play Bingo and win books while also exploring strategies to help build foundational reading skills for our younger students as well as continue to develop strategies to deepen older student's understanding of grade level text.	Current Grades K-5	July 21 6-7 p.m.	Grafton Bethel Elementary School

Register/sign up for reminders and additional information about the events. Registration is not required, but highly recommended.

• Summer Academic Programs Catalog
• E-Link Bus Routes Lookup
• Canvas LMS