A five-week free or low-cost, fun, high-quality summer learning program
In 2021, Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL) was created by The Mind Trust and United Way of Central Indiana to combat the significant learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, The Mind Trust assumed full program management and partnered with the Indiana Department of Education to replicate ISLL to four regions across Indiana through the Expanding What Works grant program. Summer Learning Labs (SLL) encompass every program region that adheres to the core principles of Indy Summer Learning Labs.
In each region, anchor partners serve as the principal program coordinator, recruiting site partners, ensuring proper staffing, and are responsible for overall program management in their service area.
Returning Summer 2025!
Our Lab Locations
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Anchor Partners: Urban League of Northwest Indiana and DHB & Associates
Service Areas:
Gary, IN
Merrillville, IN
East Chicago, IN
Hobart, IN
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Anchor Partners: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Indiana Corridor
Service Areas:
Huntington
Logansport
Mishawaka, IN
Monticello, IN
Seymour, IN
South Bend, IN
Walkerton, IN
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Anchor Partner: Wabash County YMCA
Service Areas:
North Manchester, IN
Wabash, IN
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Anchor Partner: The Mind Trust
Service Areas:
Center and Decatur Townships in Indianapolis
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Anchor Partner: Creating Avenues for Student Transformation (CAST)
Service Areas:
Salem, IN
New Pekin, IN
Our Core Principles
A focus on acceleration
The SLL English Language Arts (ELA) and math curriculum is focused on accelerated learning, rather than remediation. Created by Lavinia Group, the curriculum is aligned to Indiana state standards, promotes critical thinking skills, and is grounded in the science of reading.
Four years of program results have shown that grade-level instruction drives learning gains in ELA and math.
Reaching highest-need students
Since the program began in 2021, Summer Learning Labs has aimed to serve students who may not have access to a high-quality summer program. This remains an essential commitment for anchor partners.
The vast majority of sites are free to attend and all offer breakfast and lunch each day.
Community and school partnerships
A hallmark of SLL is the inclusion of community organizations as site partners, along with individual schools and districts. Community centers, churches, and youth-serving nonprofits have hosted sites. Families have shared that they appreciate program options in their neighborhood that they already know and trust.
ISLL has served Marion County students for four years. Each of the other SLL regions were in their first program year in summer 2024.