Summer Programs FAQ

All Westmark students should consider enrolling in Summer Smarts! Continued intervention during the long break is important for sustaining academic progress, retaining skills, and preventing “summer slump." Students who think and learn differently are particularly vulnerable to potential skill stagnation—or even regression—without this intervention. Our core Summer Smarts academic program builds on skills in math, reading, and writing by providing explicit instruction of key learning strategies.

Students must enroll in the full Summer Smarts academic program. It is not an option to enroll in a single course offering.

Students have the option to enroll in Camp Westmark. It is not a requirement of the Summer Smarts program.

Summer Smarts 2025 will take place daily June 16–July 11 (except June 19 and July 4), 8:30 am–12:30 pm, for both the Academics Pathway and the Entrepreneurship Pathway.

In 2025, Camp Westmark will run as follows:

• Full-day week: June 9–13, 8:30 am–4:00 pm
• Half-day weeks during Summer Smarts: June 16–July 11, 12:30–4:00 pm
• Full-day week: July 14–18, 8:30 am–4:00 pm

Daily attendance is crucial for Summer Smarts success. We urge families to schedule travel and other non-urgent appointments around the Summer Smarts schedule. There is no option for prorating the enrollment fee or making up missed classes. 

Assistive technology enables students to access their learning. Summer Smarts students will have use of a Westmark-issued iPad during the four-week session. Students entering Grades 1–6 will leave their iPads in the classroom. Students entering Grade 7 and up may take their iPads home each day.

For the safety of all students and personnel on campus, the following policies must be followed:

• The School Nurse will administer all prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
• All medications brought from home, whether prescription or over-the-counter, must be left with the School Nurse. Students may NOT carry their own medication on campus. Medication must be hand delivered by a parent/guardian to the School Nurse in the medication's original container. In the case of prescription medication, the container must be affixed with a pharmacist's label stating the student's name and dosing instructions. Medication brought in other containers, including baggies, will not be accepted.
• A Prescription Medication Form signed by both the parents/guardians and a doctor that includes an office stamp must be on file with the School Nurse whenever a student is required to take medication during the school day. Any changes in medication or dosage must be indicated in writing from the student's physician.
• Students should report to the School Nurse at the designated time for their medication. The least disruption to the student's classroom activities is made when students report at the appropriate time.

Lunch and snacks may be brought from home; or pre-ordered and purchased through Freshlunches. Information about how to order Freshlunches meals will be sent to all families who enroll in Summer Smarts.

It is also important that students bring a water bottle, which they will be able to fill during the day in order to stay hydrated in the warm weather.

Please note that Westmark School is a nut-free campus. Thank you for adhering strictly to this policy in order to safeguard the health of the community.

Summer Smarts students must wear attire appropriate for a school environment that adheres to Westmark’s Free Dress Days dress code:

• Shorts and skirt hems must extend below the student’s fingertips when standing with arms extended straight down.
• Students may wear denim jeans in good condition (i.e. no holes or rips). 
• Leggings are permitted only when worn underneath skirts or other clothing (e.g. dress, long shirt or sweater, tunic) that fully covers the top of the thigh. 
• Undergarments must not be visible.
• No strapless tops or spaghetti-strap tops
• No tops that expose the chest or midriff
• Clothing must not feature inappropriate logos, images, or messages (e.g. promoting illegal activities).
• No open-toed shoes