Baltimore Private, Public Schools Collaborate for Summer

Foundations finance summer schools that target students doing just ‘OK.'

Baltimore

The opportunity to swim, dissect sheep organs and crayfish in science class, and read interesting books is a big draw for Baltimore students attending an academic summer school program jointly run by private and public schools.

The 2-year-old Middle Grades Partnership served 400 public school children this summer, up from 150 last summer, and is run by teachers and administrators from both independent private schools and public schools. Ten Baltimore foundations pick up the $2,000-per-student tab. The private schools provide the classroom space.

The program targets students going into the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades who are either high achievers or doing OK in school but are still at risk of...