BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Summer-school classes will begin on June 6 at Bay Minette Middle School and Baldwin County High School and will offer the usual credit-recovery courses plus advancement and elective courses, depending on enrollment.

Half-credit, recovery classes will be held 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday June 6-30 at a cost of $150, according to Secretary for Summer School Joan Symes.

Half-credit advancement and elective classes, if held, will take place 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday June 6-30 at a cost of $150, with drivers’ education costing $180, she explained.

If the physical-education class is held, it  will be worth one full credit and will take place 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday June 6-July 1 at a cost of $300, she said in a telephone interview.

Secondary Coordinator Joyce Woodburn said in an email that payment should be made as cash or money orders as checks will not be accepted.

Symes explained that students can recover credit for failed classes and may also be able to gain credits ahead of schedule or take electives such as health, physical education, drivers’ education, computer applications and art survey. 

Recent changes to traditional summer school include high schools and middle schools holding separate classes in addition to the A-plus credit-recovery, software-teaching method, she explained.

“They (students) go into the software, go into the class, English 10, for example, start from the beginning of the course and work through it every day,” Symes said. “For students who failed a course, they start at chapter one of the book. If they pass the pretest they can move on to chapter two. If you can’t pretest out, you read the chapter, then take the test.”

While placing more focus on the portion of a course students have failed, the software also reinforces the rest of the course material, she added.

Symes explained that a teacher will still be present in the classroom, but that the software will allow students to work at their own pace.

“Regular summer school courses are taught using the A-plus software program,” Woodburn said. “Students must successfully complete all software modules contained within an A-plus course in order to regain credit for the course.  The intent of the summer school program is for students to show mastery of all standards and objectives in a course, as required by the State Department of Education.”

She added that students must wear uniforms and are allowed four weeks to finish the class, but may finish earlier.

“This is an incentive for students to be diligent in their efforts in summer school,” Woodburn said.

Symes pointed out that some families can’t afford summer school and that schools also offer credit recovery during the year. This leaves the number of attendees unknown until registration, the first morning of classes. She added that registration won’t be permitted after 8:30 a.m. on the second day.

Registration forms are available at www.bcbe.org or in each school counselor’s office and explain costs and payment options, according to the website.

For more information, visit www.bcbe.org or call 972-6864.