Summer Learning Program

We teach Kindergarteners to be Kindergarteners!

The KidsBridge Summer Learning Program provides rising kindergartners who have not yet had a high-quality early learning experience with a six-week full-day program, to help them learn the norms and routines of school. The program will be offered free of charge to students who are registered for Kindergarten for the upcoming school year.

Thank you to our 2024 partners 15-Minute Field Trips, Community Libraries of Providence, Providence Public Library, Eat Play Learn, Providence Promise, Dorcas International, Books Are Wings, Lisa Libraries, South Providence Health Equity Zone and funders Providence Public Schools, City of Providence, and Rhode Island Department of Education’s All Course Network!

KidsBridge participants attend school for six hours per day, five days per week to adjust to the routines and procedures of kindergarten to help them transition into school. The program is fun and engaging and children learn through play! Parents/family members are also supported through ongoing parent engagement events and workshops.

The program is taught by certified, experienced teachers with support from Providence’s high school workforce and trained community volunteers. See our 2024 program summary and results here. En español

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, your student must be attending Kindergarten this Fall, age 5 on September 1. Priority is given to students who have not attended preschool and are registered for Kindergarten in public schools.

Outstanding Results

The KidsBridge Summer Learning Program is a research-based summer kindergarten readiness program that focuses on the social-emotional needs of students and their families as they transition to kindergarten.

• 89% of our students showed growth in overall Early Literacy and Math Scores; We observed significant growth in students’ understanding of norms and routines of school.
• All of our students were clear on school-wide expectations for transitions and classroom behaviors by the end of the six week program.
• Our initially timid students came out of their shell and were actively engaged in activities.
• Parents who had concerns about their child’s readiness for school were impressed by how ready they were by the end of the summer.