NEW YORK – Today, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor David C. Banks, and New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard announced that the application for 2024 Summer Rising seats will open today, March 4, and will close on March 25, more than one month earlier than last year, allowing for families to better plan for the summer months.

This year’s Summer Rising program represents approximately $80 million in additional city funding from the Eric Adams Administration to support the continuity of the previously stimulus-supported program. Also new this year is a new enrollment process housed within MySchools. By streamlining the system into a platform that families are already familiar with, this shift will make applying for the program easier and more accessible for more families. As introduced last year, the enrollment process is not first come first serve, so families have the entire application window to apply.

“We are gearing up for a summer of academic support and fun with the return of the popular Summer Rising program. Applications are going live today, just in time for families to plan their summer months,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This year, our administration invested $80 million in additional city funding to ensure families feel supported all year round. Up to 110,000 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade, will have the chance to grow, learn, and explore their talents and imagination. We can’t wait to welcome them back!”

“Our schools are the centers of our communities, not only from September to June, but year-round. From arts activities to hands-on science projects to visits to museums and cultural institutions, Summer Rising sparks students’ curiosity and love of learning as they explore all this city has to offer—in addition to robust reading and math instruction, breakfast and lunch every day, and an environment of caring adults,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “The summer months provide a unique opportunity for young people to catch up or get ahead, and I am grateful to our city for putting our young people first and sustaining funding for this program this year.

"Summer Rising has become an essential program for families across all five boroughs, serving as academic and social enrichment for young people who are still catching up from pandemic learning loss and as childcare for our working families,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this program and am thrilled to see it continue this year.”

“With historic investments in young people and new city funding for Summer Rising, Mayor Adams is sending a clear message about his youth agenda: educating young New Yorkers, promoting creative and enriching programming, and keeping young people safe throughout the year. Summer Rising works hand in hand with initiatives like DYCD’s Summer Youth Employment Program and Saturday Night Lights to engage youth in life-changing opportunities—especially during summer months when they could lose focus or face trouble outside the classroom,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “DYCD is excited to join Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, and our outstanding community partners in launching another stellar season of Summer Rising.”

Any student attending school in New York City, who is currently in kindergarten through eighth grade (in the 2023-2024 school year) is eligible for Summer Rising. Similar to last year, placements will be assigned with a focus on equity, including prioritizing students with academic needs, students in temporary housing and foster care, 12-month Individualized Education Program (IEP) programs (Chapter 683, Extended School Year, and Autism Nest or Horizon), and with a local connection to a school-year CBO program or school community.

In addressing the needs of young people, Summer Rising stresses "cultivating curiosity" and a lifelong joy of learning through:

• Activities to develop their interests, build skills, foster conversations, and generate new experiences;
• Helping young people feel more socially connected to their peers, caring adults, school community, and city; and
• Social, emotional, and academic support.

Kindergarten through grade eight students will also have access to other resources and academic support, including teacher-led English language arts and mathematics activities tailored to meet their needs, alongside field trips and arts activities. DYCD-funded community-based organizations will provide kindergarten through eighth grade programming at New York City public schools in all five boroughs.

Six weeks of programming for middle schoolers, operating Monday through Thursday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM, and seven weeks for elementary school students, operating Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 6:00PM, will be available in July and August. Both programs will begin on July 2, with middle school programming ending on August 8 and elementary school programming ending on August 16.

Applications will open this afternoon and the application window will close on March 25, and placement confirmations will be communicated via MySchools and schools in mid-April.