Bridging Summer Learning Gaps Across Indiana: How Indy Summer Learning Labs is Driving Academic Gains and Replication Statewide
Shared in partnership with The Mind Trust
Each summer, thousands of Indiana students experience what’s known as the “summer slide,” a well-documented learning loss that can set students back in reading and math, especially for those from low-income backgrounds. But in Indianapolis and now in communities across the state, there is a commitment to reversing that trend.
Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL), a free or low-cost, five-week academic and enrichment program, has transformed what summer looks like for students since its launch in 2021. Built on strong community partnerships, a rigorous curriculum, and a commitment to fair and equal education, the program has consistently helped students achieve double-digit learning gains in both reading and math.
Originally designed to combat pandemic-related learning loss, ISLL has become a proven model for high-impact summer learning, and now, thanks to funding from the Indiana Department of Education’s Expanding What Works grant, it’s replicating its success in communities across the state.
A Model That Works
ISLL is a collaborative initiative powered by The Mind Trust, in partnership with local schools, community-based organizations, and national curriculum experts at the Lavinia Group. The program offers daily instruction in English Language Arts and math, led by licensed teachers and supported by classroom assistants, alongside enrichment activities like art, STEM, fitness, and more. Each partner has the flexibility to be creative and tailor enrichment opportunities to the specific interests and grade levels of their respective students. This allows activities to be unique and vary by site.
Since its start, ISLL has served more than 5,000 students in Marion County and shown consistently strong academic results. Data from the past four years shows that students who attend the full program have achieved double-digit learning gains in math and reading proficiency, equivalent to months of academic growth packed into a few weeks.
Expanding What Works: Bringing Summer Learning Labs to More Communities
In 2024, through Expanding What Works, a grant offered by the Indiana Department of Education, The Mind Trust partnered with four local organizations to expand the Summer Learning Labs model beyond Indianapolis. In each region, anchor partners serve as the principal program coordinators, recruit site partners, ensure proper staffing, and are responsible for overall program management in their service area.
In 2024, Expanding What Works grant recipients included:
- Northwest Summer Learning Labs, which served more than 700 students
- Anchor partners: Urban League of Northwest Indiana and DHB & Associates
- Service areas: East Chicago, Gary, Hobart, and Merrillville, Indiana
- Boys & Girls Club Summer Learning Labs, which served more than 2,500 students.
- Anchor partners: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Indiana Corridor
- Service areas: Huntington, Logansport, Mishawaka, Monticello, Seymour, South Bend, and Walkerton, Indiana
- Wabash Summer Learning Labs, which served more than 200 students.
- Anchor partners: Wabash County YMCA
- Service areas: North Manchester and Wabash, Indiana
- Southeast Summer Learning Labs, which served over 50 students.
- Anchor partners: Creating Avenues for Student Transformation (CAST)
- Service areas: Salem and New Pekin, Indiana
Each partner received support, curriculum, teacher training, and assessments from The Mind Trust and the Lavinia Group.
Supporting Educators and Building Capacity
One key to the program’s success is its investment in teachers. ISLL hires licensed educators and classroom assistants, offering competitive pay, robust training, and ongoing instructional coaching from Academic Deans throughout the summer. The result? Teachers are set up for success, and students benefit from consistent, high-quality instruction.
In 2025, ISLL expects to hire approximately 350 educators across 50 sites in Marion County alone. Teachers receive scripted lessons, classroom materials, and data tools to track student growth in real time, ensuring every student gets the support they need to thrive.
What’s Next for Summer Learning in Indiana
The success of the Summer Learning Labs expansion in 2024 shows the power of investing in research-based, community-driven models. As Indiana continues to explore solutions for learning recovery, The Mind Trust is working to build more partnerships with schools and organizations statewide.
For families and educators, programs like Indy Summer Learning Labs represent something critical: a bridge between school years that doesn’t just prevent learning loss, it accelerates learning, builds student confidence, and connects youth with caring adults who believe in their potential.
To learn more about Indy Summer Learning Labs, visit indysummerlearninglabs.com