Bibb County to cut high school summer classes, emphasize more check-ins
The Bibb County School District will discontinue summer school programs for high school students beginning in 2026, district officials said Thursday.
The decision was made possible by expanded credit recovery options and more frequent progress reports during the academic year, school officials informed parents in a message shared with The Telegraph.
“As part of our efforts to improve communication around student progress, school-based updates on student progress have been provided every three weeks throughout the semester,” the district shared in an email. “These progress updates provide our students with opportunities to stay focused and on track. “As a result, summer school will not be offered at the high school level in 2026.”
The district did not immediately disclose who made the decision or how long it will remain in effect.
Elementary and middle school students can still attend summer school courses next year.
“At this time, no decisions have been made that would impact elementary and middle schools,” district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in an email.
The district said it has successfully implemented credit repair and credit recovery opportunities during this fall semester and will continue doing so in the spring, highlighting more reason to end summer school opportunities.
Some families learned of the change Thursday morning, when Westside High School sent out a callout message announcing the discontinuation of summer school for high school students, effective immediately.
“We encourage students, with assistance of the parents, to set goals during the school year and work consistently to meet those goals to ensure a successful school year while being on track for graduation,” said a Westside High administrator in the statement parents provided to the newsroom.
Parents with questions and concerns are advised to contact their child’s counselor.
Summer credit recovery saw increase
Credit recovery in the district’s “Graduation Ready Summer Program” allowed students who received a failing grade — below 64 — to make up the course.
Earlier this year, district officials told The Telegraph they were considering expanding credit-recovery support during the regular academic year to reduce the need for summer programs at the high school level.
“High school students need more opportunities during the school year to acquire credits and reduce the need for summer school,” BCSD Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Brian Butler stated in August during a board meeting.
Butler added that district officials will work with high schools to create more “robust options” for credit recovery in a way that is accessible to more students.
At the meeting, Butler reported a jump in high school summer school enrollment, with 738 students attending in 2025, up from 554 the previous year.
Of those students, 645 completed at least one course, with more than 65% of recovered credits in English and math.
Howard High School awarded the most credits at 132.5.