Our Mission
The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) works to ensure all of America’s students, regardless of background, income, or zip code, can access and benefit from a high-quality summer learning experience every year.
For more than 30 years, NSLA has worked to combat summer learning loss and close the opportunity gap which research shows grows most dramatically between lower and higher income students over the summer months.
NSLA supports, trains and collaborates with a broad and ever-growing network of 35,000+ leaders representing school districts, youth serving government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporate partners all focused on improving the lives of young people and their families.
NSLA Training & Development
Brodrick Clarke, NSLA Vice President of Programs & Systems Quality is available to help partners train staff, plan, prepare, and measure effectiveness for the coming summer with our new Destination Summer Learning: A Guide to Program Innovation and Student Success including:
- Summer Community Landscape Reports
- Program Planning and Management Support
- Staff Training in Positive Youth Development
- Leading from the Point of Service
- Advancing Youth Development
- Tailored and Updated “Summer Starts in September” Workshops
NSLA Key Initiatives
NSLA Summer Policy Internship Program
National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI)
NSLA hosts a one-week, overnight leadership training institute at American University in Washington, DC for high school students and staff members from national award-winning programs across the US.
NSLA Summer Innovation Fellowship
NSLA offers a six-month Summer Innovation Fellowship to emerging leaders working within an existing organization to help create new and innovative learning opportunities for more young people.
NSLA Discover Summer Website and National Media Campaign
Created by NSLA, Discover Summer is an online resource that makes it easy for families to search for programs near them and gain tips on how to engage their child in fun summer learning.
Professional Summer Learning Communities
Planned, led, and facilitated by NSLA program staff and a skilled NSLA Field Consultant, each PLC regularly convenes and trains youth development staff across the U.S., and hold quarterly training meetings on key topics affecting youth.
Our Supporters
