On this page
- How much math do children lose over summer?
- What types of summer math program are there?
- What should a summer math program focus on?
- How much summer math is enough?
- What does a good summer week look like?
- When should you start planning?
- Are there free summer math programs?
- How do you choose a summer program?
- How can parents keep math alive over summer?
- What to do next
Short answer
Research by NWEA found that over the summer, students lose math skills equal to about 10% to 30% of what they learn in a school year, while reading changes much less. Summer math options include camps and courses, such as six-week RSM summer courses reported at up to $972, online platforms like Beast Academy, learning centers and one-to-one tutoring. Even 30 to 45 minutes of math two or three times a week over summer can help children start the new year ready.
Key takeaways
- Math loss over summer is larger than reading loss, by NWEA's analysis.
- Short, regular practice over summer helps more than a single intense week.
- Options range from free programs to camps, courses and tutoring.
- Use summer to fix gaps from last year and preview next year's topics.
Where TaleemSquare fits
- Format
- Live one-to-one math lessons online
- Price
- From $85 a month for 2 classes a week (about $10.63 a class)
- Fees and contract
- No registration fee, no contract, cancel any month
- First step
- Free 45-minute assessment, then a 4-class money-back promise
How we wrote this
TaleemSquare runs a summer math program, so we have an interest here. This guide draws on recent research and provider information listed at the end, checked in October 2026.
Summer is a break children need. It is also when math skills quietly fade. The good news is that it takes surprisingly little regular practice to hold on to them, and summer is an excellent time to fix gaps without the pressure of a school week.
How much math do children lose over summer?
An NWEA analysis reported in May 2026 found that, on average, students from kindergarten to grade 8 lose math skills equal to about 10% to 30% of a typical school year's learning over the summer. Reading scores, by contrast, changed very little. NWEA suggests children tend to keep reading outside school more often than they practice math, and that procedural math skills fade faster.
The researchers also found wide variation: some children gain over the summer while others lose a lot, which suggests that what children do over the break really matters.
What types of summer math program are there?
| Type | Examples | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| School and community programs | District summer school, 21st Century Community Learning Centers | Often free | Children who need catch-up support |
| Summer courses and camps | RSM summer courses, local math camps | RSM up to $972 for six weeks (one branch, 2025) | Structured group learning |
| Online platforms | Beast Academy, Khan Academy | Free to about $100 a year | Self-motivated practice |
| Learning centers | Kumon, Mathnasium | Monthly fees, often reduced summer schedules | In-person routine |
| One-to-one tutoring | TaleemSquare and others | TaleemSquare $85 a month for two lessons a week | Fixing specific gaps |
What should a summer math program focus on?
Use the summer for two things:
- Fix last year's gaps. Look at final report cards and tests. Skills like multiplication facts, fractions or negative numbers are much easier to fix in July than in October.
- Preview next year. A light introduction to next year's first units helps children start the year confident.
Avoid simply doing more of the same worksheets. Mix in games, puzzles and real-life math to keep it enjoyable.
How much summer math is enough?
You do not need a full schedule. Two or three sessions a week of 30 to 45 minutes, plus a little daily practice, is enough for most children to hold on to their skills. Regular, short practice works better than an intensive week followed by nothing.
What does a good summer week look like?
Here is a simple plan that works for many families of elementary and middle school children:
- Monday and Thursday: a 45-minute lesson with a tutor or class, focused on one gap from last year.
- Tuesday and Friday: 15 minutes of fact practice or an online platform.
- Wednesday: a math game or real-life task, such as planning a picnic budget.
- Weekend: off, or a family puzzle.
Adjust around holidays, but try to keep at least two touchpoints every week. Children who keep a light rhythm usually return in the fall ready to learn, rather than spending the first month reviewing.
When should you start planning?
Popular camps and courses can fill up in spring, so start looking in March or April. Before you choose, find out where your child stands: try our free math test or ask the teacher which skills to strengthen. If your child would enjoy a group, compare options in our guide to online math classes.
Are there free summer math programs?
Often. Many districts run summer school for children who need it, and the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program funds summer enrichment at many high-poverty schools. Libraries sometimes run math clubs. Khan Academy is free year round.
How do you choose a summer program?
- Start with the goal: catch up, keep up or get ahead.
- Check the schedule against holidays and camps.
- Prefer regular sessions over one intense burst.
- Ask how progress will be checked before school starts.
- Make sure it is fun enough that your child will not dread it.
How can parents keep math alive over summer?
- Cook and bake together, doubling or halving recipes.
- Plan a trip budget or compare prices at the store.
- Play card and board games that involve counting and strategy.
- Track something, such as daily temperatures or reading minutes, and graph it.
- Do a few minutes of fact practice most days.
What to do next
- Look at last year's report card and pick two skills to strengthen.
- Choose a program or routine that fits your summer schedule.
- See TaleemSquare's summer math program, or book a free 45-minute math assessment to find gaps before school starts.
Sources
- 1.K-12 Dive, Math summer slide is significant but reading loss much smaller (May 2026) NWEA analysis of summer learning loss in math and reading. Checked Oct 2026.
- 2.Ingleside Light, RSM expansion (Feb 2025) Reported summer course price at a San Francisco branch.
- 3.Beast Academy Online Ages and starting price. Checked Oct 2026.
- 4.New York State Education Department, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Federally funded programs including summer. Checked Oct 2026.
Written and fact-checked by the TaleemSquare Editorial Team
We research every figure against the provider's own pages or independent sources, list them above, and update posts when prices or policies change. See our editorial process and teaching method.
