What Is Summer Rising NYC?
Are you an NYC parent who’s wondering what your kids will do this summer?Summer Rising NYC is New York City’s free summer program for students in grades K–8. It is a massive, collaborative partnership between New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Combining academic support with traditional camp activities, the program bridges the summer learning gap by hosting full-day camps directly inside local public school buildings. Co-run by school principals and community-based organizations (CBOs), Summer Rising provides NYC students with free math and literacy enrichment, along with field trips, sports, and arts. (Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí)
When Does Summer Rising NYC Begin?
Summer Rising NYC begins on July 1st, 2026, for all grade levels. Participants in K-5 will be in camp until August 14th, whereas older students (grades 6-8) will end camp on August 8th. Please refer to your specific provider for further details (and note that all camps will be closed on July 3rd for Independence Day).
What does a typical day of Summer Rising look like?
A typical day of summer rising will be divided into two sections:
- Meals: Free breakfast, lunch, and a daily snack are provided for every student.
- Morning (Academics): Students will receive academic support through math, literacy, and social/emotional (SEL) learning curriculums led by licensed NYC public school teachers.
- Afternoons/Fridays (Enrichment): This is where that real “summer camp” feeling kicks in; led by community-based providers, students engage in arts and crafts, sports, dance, STEM projects, and field trips to local parks, museums, zoos, and gardens.
Can my child participate in Summer Rising if they have an IEP?
Summer Rising is fully inclusive to all children – regardless of disabilities, immigration status, or language. If your child has a 12-month IEP (Extended School Year – ESY), their hours and dates look slightly different to align with mandated instructional requirements:
- District 75 Programs: July 6 – August 13 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM).
- Districts 1–32 ESY & Autism AIMS: July 2 – August 12 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM). NYC 311
- Autism Nest/Horizon: July 1 – August 6 (Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM).
Note: Schools will prepare a Summer Rising Accommodation Plan for all students with IEPs, indicating the supports the student may need. These plans will be given to the student’s parent and the student’s Summer Rising site before Summer Rising begins. Students in 12-month IEP programs are automatically enrolled in the morning instructional block. However, parents can still opt into the afternoon CBO-led enrichment block to keep their children enrolled until 6:00 PM.
What should my child pack for Summer Rising NYC?
Parents can expect their child to partake in a variety of activities both in and outside the traditional classroom environment. As such, students should arrive in comfort and prepared for the variety of activities. Kids should arrive wearing the shirt provided by their specific program and sneakers/secure shoes. Pack a refillable water bottle and sunscreen for field trip days.
What if my child is not registered for Summer Rising? Can I still register in June?
Summer Rising applications are closed, as the main deadline was in March and offers were released in April. However, you can still add your child to program waitlists and check for open seats in June – please note that seats will open if someone else forfeits their seat.
To access a waitlist:
- If you submitted an application containing any errors or just have questions, reach out to summer@school.nyc.gov
- Log in to the MySchools portal and add your child to the waitlists of programs that interest you.
- Reach out to the parent coordinator at your child’s school to see if any sites in your area still have open capacity.
