Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Summer programs are steady for now

2. The “unicorn school” you need to know about

3. Why students are looking for alternatives to college

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Summer Programs Are Holding Steady For Now

School districts aren't backing away from summer learning despite funding worries. A new RAND study shows that 84% of school districts offered summer programs in 2024, matching 2023 levels.

These programs remain crucial for addressing pandemic learning gaps, with most districts offering at least three hours of daily academic instruction. But storm clouds are gathering: 56% of districts anticipate funding decreases for summer 2025, with urban districts most concerned.

For education entrepreneurs, this signals an urgent need for cost-effective, scalable summer learning solutions that can help districts maintain programming as federal COVID relief dollars expire.

The 'Unicorn School' That Breaks All the Rules

In Albany, New York, 150 students attend a high school so unusual that even its outreach coordinator calls it "a unicorn school.”

Tech Valley High School isn't a charter or traditional district school. It's a BOCES program (New York's Regional Cooperative Education Service) that draws students from 30 districts via lottery. While many schools claim to be project-based, Tech Valley has built its entire identity around authentic work with real-world partners.

There lies an opportunity for innovators to help traditional schools implement the same approach without requiring complete reinvention.

Why Students Are Seeking College Alternatives

While college enrollment has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, a growing segment of high schoolers are taking a different path. Students like 18-year-old Chase Buffington are choosing paid apprenticeships over lecture halls, seeing trades as a faster route to financial stability.

This practical approach isn't just anecdotal. Public confidence in higher education has plummeted from 57% in 2015 to just 36% today, according to recent Gallup data.

Organizations that help bridge the gap between education and employment while verifying skills will find eager partners in young people seeking alternatives and employers desperate for talent.

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We’ll be back with another edition on [next post day]. See you then!

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