What is SES? "Supplemental educational services are additional academic instruction designed to increase the academic achievement of students in schools in need of improvement.  These services may include academic assistance such as tutoring, remediation and other educational interventions, provided that such approaches are consistent with the content and instruction used by the local educational agency (LEA) and are aligned with the State’s academic content standards.  Supplemental educational services must be provided outside of the regular school day. Supplemental educational services must be high quality, research-based, and specifically designed to increase student academic achievement ."  - U. S. Department of Education

As a parent you have many choices when selecting an SES provider for your child.  You want to feel certain that the program you select will provide them with a positive experience on many levels:
 

• Individual attention in a program designed to fit their specific needs.

• Tutors who are knowledgeable professionals, as well as caring and kind.

• A program that makes learning exciting and enjoyable.

• Improvements in your child’s academic work, their attitude towards       learning and self-esteem.

• To be kept informed of your child’s progress every step of the way. 

Vacamas Programs for Youth’s SES services can provide all of this and much more.

Who is Eligible? The Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program is funded through the “No Child Left Behind Act” which is aimed at providing free tutoring to children who attend schools which have been designated “in need of improvement.”  If your child attends a school in need of improvement and is eligible for the free or reduced lunch program, then s/he can receive free tutoring under the SES program.  

How Do I Apply? It is the responsibility of your child’s school district to mail you information on the SES program and to supply you with a list of providers.  If you would like your child to participate in the Vacamas program, you must select Vacamas as your preferred provider.  Once you have selected Vacamas as your SES provider, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Vacamas staff, as well as a representative from the school district in order to design and  schedule your child’s tutoring experience.  

What We Offer

• Small group (5 to 1 ratio) and individual instruction for children in
    grades 1 - 8.   

• Comprehensive programs in English Language Arts, Reading and Math.

• State-certified teachers and experienced instructors.

• Transportation to and from Camp Vacamas or Camp Top of the Pines.

• Activities held on weekends and during school holidays and
    summer break.

• Monthly progress reports for parents.

• Hands-on programs which help children to better understand concepts.

• Excellent facilities, which include a computer lab with 30 iMac
    computers, full   high and low ropes course and climbing wall, nature
    center, library, theatre, working farm and 60-acre lake.

• Close collaboration with your child’s classroom teacher to insure that
    all educational needs are being met.

• Over 80 years of experience.
  
   

 What Makes Us Unique? It is a universal truth that people learn best by “doing.”   Hands-on education programs make learning come alive for children and at Vacamas children participate in every aspect of the learning process.  In addition to providing tutoring in your child’s school, we also allow our students to use Camp Vacamas’ 560 acres as their classroom.  Our students learn about ecosystems by studying the living things in the environment.  They learn to add and divide fractions while making chocolate chip cookies in the creative kitchen.  They perfect their language arts skills by composing a newsletter or performing in a play.  They improve problem-solving skills on the ropes course, develop computer skills on one of our iMacs and improve their self-esteem by setting and achieving personal and academic goals.

Proof of Our Success

Over the past few years, Vacamas has helped students to achieve the following educational outcomes:

• Students in our summer program received a minimum of 76 hours of additional instruction, scored an average of 12.7 points higher on standardized tests and showed an improvement of .5 grade points.
   

• 100% of the 6th graders in our Vacamas Academy alternative education program passed the math requirements on their basic skills test.
   

• 82% of the seniors in our college prep program were accepted to either a two-year, four-year or vocational training college
   

• Our attendance improvement drop-out prevention programs resulted in an average improvement in school attendance among participants of 6 percentage points, with the average daily attendance rising from 86% to 93%.
   

• Parent surveys revealed that over 75% of parents whose children participated in our summer program felt their children were better prepared for the school year and 60% said they noticed a positive change in their child’s attitude toward school.

Vacamas Programs work.  Give your child the opportunity to achieve their educational goals through our SES program, which emphasizes hands-on learning in an outdoor education setting.

For more information please contact our SES Coordinator at 877-428-8222 ext. 6619 or by e-mail: SES@vacamas.org