LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With summer break underway, some students may experience the summer slide—forgetting some of what they have already learned.

What You Need To Know

  • Jefferson County Public School's Backpack League helps students avoid forgetting information they have already learned

  • 6,500 JCPS students attend the supplemental enrichment learning program 

  • The program is open to all incoming JCPS first through eighth graders, but priority registration is open for students who need additional support in literacy and math

James Ford is testing out remote-controlled robotic balls. The incoming Jefferson County Public Schools fifth grader is learning about coding and other sciences.

“It’s actually really fun. You can like play tag with them. You can have races, obstacle courses. You can even like, say I’m over here on my phone, like, my friends are all the way over there,” Ford said.

Ford is one of about 6,500 JCPS students attending the school district’s Backpack League. The program gives incoming first through eighth graders an opportunity to get ready for the incoming school year.

“I’m not going to forget a lot of things because, like most people, they forget a bunch of things when they go back to school.”

The Backpack League aims to help students feel ready when the first day of school rolls around. But it isn’t the same as entering the classroom during the school year. 

These kids are exploring things like robotics and coding and other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities. 

“Study after study indicates that engagement and learning activities during the, during the summer months will prevent that summer slide and improve academic learning outcomes during the regular school year. And that’s what we are here for. We want to give our students that advantage,” said Chris Burba, the executive director for student programs and student learning for JCPS.

Ford said he has enjoyed meeting new friends while he learns and engages in new activities. 

“But I feel like when I do this, I’m not going to, I’m not going to forget a lot of things.”

The program is open to all incoming JCPS first through eighth graders, but priority registration is open for students who need additional support in literacy and math. The Summer Backpack League is the district's largest summer program. They are partnering with Evolve 502, a nonprofit working to help students succeed. 

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