Why Summer Tutoring Matters (Especially for Struggling Students)
by Ash Kirkland
As the school year winds down, a familiar worry creeps in for many parents: Will my child forget everything they just learned? If your child struggled this year, maybe in math, reading, writing, or just keeping up, it’s a valid concern. Research shows that over the summer, students can lose a significant portion of what they learned during the year. It’s called the summer slide, and it hits struggling middle and high schoolers the hardest.
But there’s good news. Summer tutoring can catch that slide before it starts and maybe even push your child ahead of the curve. Let’s talk about why tutoring during the summer isn’t just a good idea—it might be the best decision you make all year.
What Is the Summer Slide?
What Is the Summer Slide?
Summer learning loss happens when students stop practicing academic skills over break and forget them. According to research, the average student loses about a month of learning over the summer (Cooper et al., 1996). And math takes the biggest hit because let’s be honest, nobody’s out there solving equations at the pool.
The 2020 American Educational Research Journal found that more than half of students lose up to 40% of their school year gains over summer (AERA, 2020). That’s not just a minor step back. It’s like rolling down a hill and having to claw your way back up once school starts.
Some newer studies argue the losses might not be quite that severe (Brookings, 2023), but one thing is clear. If your child already struggled, summer is not the time to hit pause. Without structure and academic engagement, the gap between them and their peers can widen fast.
Why Summer Tutoring Makes a Difference
Tutoring over the summer acts like academic insurance. It keeps skills sharp, fills in last year’s gaps, and lays the groundwork for what’s ahead. Here’s how it helps:
1. Stops the Slide in its Tracks
Regular sessions reinforce what your child learned this year, whether it’s solving for x or identifying symbolism in The Outsiders. With math especially, each new concept builds on the last. Lose one brick, and the whole tower wobbles.
2. Fills in the Gaps
Struggled with fractions? Still unsure how to write a solid paragraph? Summer tutoring offers the rare luxury of slowing down and circling back. Tutors can tailor their approach and re-teach tricky concepts in a way that actually makes sense to your child.
3. Gets a Head Start
Tutoring isn’t just for catching up. It’s also great for getting ahead. Previewing next year’s material, like Algebra I or AP English, makes school feel less intimidating. Walking into class already familiar with the content? That’s a confidence boost you can’t buy at Target.
4. Builds Confidence
School can bruise self-esteem. But with tutoring, your child gets a win every time they master a concept. That momentum matters. Confidence in learning spills over into participation, curiosity, and a willingness to try again, even when it’s hard.
5. Teaches Study Habits that Stick
Beyond subject content, tutors can help your child learn how to learn—note-taking, time management, organization. These aren’t just nice skills to have. They’re the skills that make middle and high school manageable.
What the Research Says
Studies show tutoring works. A review of 96 studies found that high-impact tutoring, meaning focused, consistent sessions, leads to big gains in both math and reading (Nickow et al., 2020). On average, students gained several months’ worth of learning.
In one study, students who attended 20 or more days of summer programming scored higher in math the next school year (Oklahoma Education Journal). Summer reading programs also helped struggling readers make measurable gains (Kim & Quinn, 2013).
So yes, the research is clear. Summer tutoring can move the needle.
Why Summer is the Best Time for Tutoring
Here’s the magic of summer: no homework. No pop quizzes. No cramming three subjects into one night.
That space makes summer tutoring feel less like school and more like focused, personalized support. You can schedule sessions around vacations and soccer camps. With the right tutor, learning doesn’t feel like punishment. It can actually be fun. Think math games, creative writing challenges, real-world problems that connect school to life. That kind of learning sticks.
Why it Matters for Middle & High School Students
In middle and high school, content gets harder, faster. If your child is already struggling, each year gets more overwhelming. Algebra builds on pre-algebra. Writing essays in history and science depends on strong literacy skills. AP classes demand critical thinking and time management.
Tutoring during the summer can bridge the gap. Whether it’s previewing an upcoming course or revisiting old struggles, tutoring helps students feel ready, not rattled, when fall rolls around.
Final Thoughts
If your middle or high schooler had a tough year, summer tutoring isn’t just a good idea. It’s a smart investment in their future. It keeps their skills sharp, gives them a leg up on next year, and—maybe most importantly—restores their confidence.
Summer doesn’t have to be a setback. With the right support, it can be a comeback.
Key Citations:
- Cooper et al. (1996). “Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement Test Scores.”
- Nickow et al. (2020). “The Impressive Effects of Tutoring on PreK-12 Learning.”
- Kim & Quinn (2013). “Summer Reading on Low-Income Children’s Literacy Achievement.”
- AERA (2020). “More than Half of US Students Experience Summer Learning Losses.”
- Brookings (2023). “Is Summer Learning Loss Real and Does It Widen Gaps?”
- Oklahoma Education Journal. “Planning for Summer: Effective Summer Learning Programs.”
