Many schools are “ghost towns” during summer break, Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) were abuzz with activities in preparation for the coming school year. For the first time ever, Summer Bridge includes welcoming students to three campuses. Our growing network of free, public charter schools now includes Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) in Lawndale, Environmental Charter Middle School (ECMS-G) in the Harbor Gateway North/Gardena area of Los Angeles and Environmental Charter Middle School in Inglewood (ECMS-I).
Some 400 students were involved in an innovative Summer Bridge orientation program for new ECS students. For two weeks, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th graders were mentored by juniors and seniors to help the younger students get a head start on finding their way around campus, meeting teachers, understanding the ECS “culture,” getting to know fellow students and starting to build their social networks.
Having completed its tenth summer, students and teachers rave about the positive results of the innovative program.
