As summer approaches, many families are beginning to map out camps, vacations, and time to relax together. After a long school year, the idea of giving kids a break feels well-deserved. However, as a long-time educator and owner of four Mathnasium centers with over 15 years of experience working with thousands of students, I want to offer an important perspective as you finalize those summer plans.
Summer is one of the most critical seasons in your child’s academic journey—particularly when it comes to math.
When formal education pauses in June, so does regular, structured exposure to core math concepts. For many students, this leads to what’s commonly known as summer learning loss. Without consistent practice, children can lose two to three months of progress, causing them to return to school in the fall feeling behind and uncertain. That gap can widen each year if not addressed, especially during the pivotal upper elementary, middle, and high school years.
Contrary to what many might assume, students do not need a break from math over the summer. What they need is a balanced, consistent approach that reinforces skills, builds confidence, and keeps them moving forward—without overwhelming their well-earned summer freedom.
Whether your child is preparing for multiplication mastery, pre-algebra, or SAT readiness, the summer months offer a valuable opportunity to:
Prevent skill regression
Strengthen areas of weakness
Build confidence in a low-stress environment
Enter the next grade level with momentum instead of anxiety
To support families in making informed decisions, here’s a grade-level guide outlining what’s recommended for students at every level—from early elementary through high school—during the summer months.
Kids in elementary must continue to practice key foundational skills that were introduced during the previous school year. For many kids, the concepts were covered quickly, and there was not much time for mastery. Even if the end-of-unit test scores and report cards reflect positive results, deep understanding and long-term retention need to be cultivated.
The long summer break can be detrimental during these formative years, which set the stage for future success in core areas like multiplication, division, fractions, and problem-solving.
Goal: Introduce skills from the next grade level to build confidence and engagement.
Bonus Tip: Kids love being the first to raise their hand when a new concept is introduced at school—early exposure gives them that edge.
If your child is entering 4th grade or higher and has not yet mastered their multiplication facts (1–12), this must be a summer priority.
The main goal of middle school math is to teach students how to apply foundational skills from elementary school to pre-algebraic thinking. These are the years when students learn fractions, decimals, percents, integers, order of operations, and an introduction to linear equations—all of which are crucial for future Algebra success.
Unfortunately, many students who struggle in Algebra later on missed or never mastered these key pre-Algebra skills.
Goal: Reinforce and review 6th–8th grade topics to ensure confidence and fluency.
Summer is a great time to solidify understanding and build stamina before high school math kicks in.
Success in high school math hinges on a strong grasp of prerequisite skills. Whether it's Geometry, Algebra 2, or Pre-Calculus, most challenges stem from earlier gaps in knowledge or long stretches without practice.
For example, many students enter Geometry with little background in theorems, postulates, and logical proofs—which aren’t heavily introduced in earlier grades. Algebra 2 students often face a gap year after Algebra 1, leading to rusty skills.
Goal: Refresh, preview, and practice essential concepts to stay ready for rigorous content.
Even two hours a week can make a huge difference in test scores, class participation, and college readiness.
At every level, summer is a valuable window of time. It can also be busy and unpredictable. That’s why Mathnasium offers flexible options to help your student stay on track without giving up summer fun:
Expanded session times
Online and in-person options
Customized learning plans
Coordination around camps, vacations, and sports schedules
📖 Want to dive deeper into why summer math works?
👉 Click here to read this research-backed article from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
If you have any questions about how to make the most of your child’s summer, we’re here to help. Just send us a text to schedule a conversation with one of our directors—we’ll work with you to map out a plan that fits your goals and your calendar.
With just a little structure and a lot of encouragement, we can make this summer count.
Starting June 16th
All Centers Open Mondays–Thursdays: 2:30PM – 7:30PM
Mathnasium of Plymouth-Canton – (734) 459-6284
Mathnasium of West Bloomfield – (248) 851-6284
Mathnasium of Birmingham – (248) 723-2225
Mathnasium of Commerce – (248) 880-6798
Kimberly Smith & La Shawn Hart – Owners
Kevin Steinhelper & Tevin Leggs – Center Directors
Emily Schlansker – Assistant Center Director
(248) 723-2225
(248) 723-2225
