Summer is one of the best times of the year for families. The pace slows down a little. Kids get a break from early mornings, homework, tests, and the busy rhythm of the school year. And honestly, they need that.
But there is one thing parents should not ignore during the summer months: the “summer slide.” The summer slide, sometimes called summer learning loss, is what can happen when students go several weeks without practicing the academic skills they worked hard to build during the school year. It does not mean a child forgets everything. It does not mean every child falls behind in the same way. But it does mean that, for many students, skills can get rusty—especially in math, reading fluency, vocabulary, spelling, and multi-step problem solving. NWEA, the organization behind MAP Growth assessments used by many schools, describes summer slide as students losing or forgetting academic skills from the previous school year over the summer. In a 2026 NWEA article, researchers found that, on average, math scores drop during the summer, especially in elementary grades. Their estimates showed math drops of about 2 to 7 RIT points, which they said is roughly equal to 10% to 30% of what students typically learn in a school year.
That matters.
Brookings has also reviewed research on summer learning loss and noted that one study of more than half a million students in grades 2–9 found students lost, on average, 25% to 30% of their school-year learning over the summer. Brookings also pointed out that the research is mixed, meaning summer slide does not affect every student the same way, in every subject, or in every grade.
That is an important point for parents. Summer slide is real, but it is not hopeless. It is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to be intentional.
Think about the brain like a muscle. If someone goes to the gym every day for months, they build strength. But if they stop working out completely for several weeks, they usually do not lose everything—but they do lose some sharpness, strength, and stamina. The brain works in a similar way. Reading, writing, math facts, problem solving, and focus all stay stronger when they are used consistently.
The good news is that summer gives families a powerful opportunity.
During the school year, many students are trying to keep up with the “school bus.” If a child is already behind academically, it can feel like they are running behind the bus while it keeps moving down the road. Every day brings new lessons, new assignments, new tests, and new pressure. It is hard to catch up when the bus never stops. But during the summer, the bus is stopped. That makes summer one of the best times of the year for a student to close gaps, rebuild confidence, strengthen weak skills, and get ready for the next grade. A child who struggled in reading can use the summer to improve fluency and comprehension. A student who felt lost in math can go back and rebuild the foundation. A high school student preparing for the ACT can learn strategies before the pressure of the school year returns.
And it does not have to mean turning summer into school.
Small, consistent steps can make a real difference. Read together. Ask questions about what your child is reading. Practice math facts in the car. Let your child help with measuring while cooking. Play games that involve strategy, memory, or numbers. Visit the library. Limit the amount of time spent on passive screens. The goal is not to take away summer. The goal is to keep the brain active.
For some students, though, a little more structure is needed. That is where outside support can help.
At Huntington Learning Center of Russellville, we work with students in reading, math, writing, study skills, phonics, ACT prep, SAT prep, and more. But what we really do is bring the student’s support system together. We listen to parents. We communicate with families. We identify where the gaps are. Then we build a plan to help each student grow in confidence and skill.
We are also excited to now offer Microschool powered by Huntington, a small-group learning option designed to give students a more personalized educational experience. For families looking for structure, support, and a learning environment where their child can be truly known, our Microschool provides another way for us to come alongside students and help them succeed.
Since opening in November of 2024, we have been so grateful for the support our community has shown us. Russellville and the surrounding area have welcomed us, encouraged us, and trusted us with something incredibly important—the education and confidence of their children.
We do not take that lightly.
We love this community. We believe in our students. And we know that when parents, teachers, tutors, and families rally around a child, real progress can happen. So this summer, let your kids rest. Let them play. Let them enjoy being kids.
But also remember: the bus is stopped right now.
And that makes this the perfect time to catch up, strengthen skills, and start the next school year with confidence.
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