22 Kids Got Their Diplomas Because of Summer School. That's the Win Right There.

I know we spend a lot of time talking about what's wrong with schools, and sometimes there's plenty to talk about. But this one is the type of story that deserves credit: twenty-two Washington County students finished their remaining graduation requirements through summer classes. Twenty-two people who otherwise would've had unfinished credits got another route across that finish line.

WCPS reported in September that more than 1,400 students participated in its 2026 summer learning programs. The elementary programs worked on reading and math, while high schoolers had original-credit and credit-recovery classes. There were also transition programs for kids getting ready for ninth grade.

Here's my issue with how we usually talk about education: everybody acts like the only successful student is the one who gets everything right the first time. Life doesn't always work like that. A kid can fail a class, have a terrible year, have problems at home or just not be ready for something the first time they try it. That shouldn't automatically define their future.

Second chances ain't lowering standards if the kid still has to do the work.6ix

The district reported that high school students completed about 88% of attempted original credits and 83% of attempted repeat credits. For younger students, assessments showed math growth for many participants. Those numbers don't prove every student is permanently caught up, but they show the programs were doing more than babysitting children through July.

And there was a price tag. So let's talk about that too.

The elementary component relied on grants; the high school summer and freshman transition programs together spent about $297,000, according to the September report. District officials also raised concerns about transportation exceeding the original budget. I don't think public money becomes exempt from scrutiny just because the goal is good.

But if the outcome includes 22 additional students meeting graduation requirements, then that's an outcome worth weighing when we discuss spending. Ask which programs made the biggest difference, how much each cost and whether the students keep progressing after summer. That's a more useful conversation than assuming every extra school program is a waste.

As far as I'm concerned, if a young person is still willing to try again, the school system should have a real path for them to do it. We can't preach about kids needing to make better choices, then act surprised when some of them need an extra opportunity to make one.