By MALEA VanOSTRAND
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
For the first time, Eman Schools, a private Islamic school in Fishers, is participating in the Indy Summer Learning Lab (ISLL) program, a citywide effort that brings free education to students who might otherwise be left behind during the summer months.
Eman Schools is one of the few learning lab sites located outside of Marion County. Students spend part of their day brushing up on math and reading, and the rest engaging in hands-on STEM and arts and crafts activities.
“I’ve gotten a chance to re-learn everything I didn’t get to learn and yeah, I really enjoy it,” student Shukri Abdi said.
“We learn like 100s, 10s, and 1s and plus and subtractions. Those things,” student Zayn Nahlawi said.
The ISLL curriculum – which is developed by local educators – fights summer learning loss, something that can disproportionately impact students from under-represented backgrounds.
Teacher Jill Alexander says the program is unique because the material that’s taught is relatable to these particular students. She has taught the curriculum at other schools in the past.
“It feels like the students respond well,” Alexander said. “It seems like at the end of this with our pre- and post-tests it absolutely shows that they have picked up an opportunity to pick up these skills that I didn’t see in my students during the school year, and I’m able to give that to them this year.”
Parents often commute up to two hours to have their students attend. Eman Schools is one of 55 learning lab locations across the state. The student population at Eman Schools makes up about 20 languages representing 45 countries.
“We serve a large number of students who are a lower socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Shaker Rashid, superintendent of Eman Schools. “Half of our students are on free and reduced lunch. This program falls exactly on our mission to provide excellent education to all students regardless of the socioeconomic status. We work very hard to close the gap completely between students.”
Rashid says he’s already seeing a difference in the way students are learning and retaining information.
“I visit the classes and I see them engaged in reading and doing high-level math, and that’s what we’re looking for,” Rashid said.
ISLL runs through the end of July, and staff at Eman Schools say they’re already hoping to host again next year.
This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/multicultural-news/indianapolis-summer-learning-lab-eman-schools.