Summer is not just a vacation for the more than 9,000 elementary and secondary students who are enrolled in summer school classes at 14 locations throughout Montgomery County Public Schools. More than 760 teachers are teaching the courses, which range from reading, mathematics, and English to health, computer classes, and internship programs.

"MCPS is providing a summer program with an enrollment the size of many smaller school systems," said Superintendent Jerry D. Weast. "We are even serving 6800 school lunches over the course of the summer."

The majority of summer school students are in high school (5,483). The most frequently taken courses in this group are Health A, Geometry 1A, Algebra 1A, English 9A and English 10A. Course offerings also include career studies and internships, social studies, science, and technology education.

Of the 526 middle school students in summer school, 228 are in a class called Reading and Writing to Learn, where students practice and apply reading skills using written materials in social studies and science. Computer, mathematics and art courses also are available.

Almost half of the 1579 elementary school students are enrolled in reading and mathematics courses, but there also are opportunities to enroll in computer and art electives.

Seven special education offerings include Skills for Independence for visually impaired and for physically disabled students. Intensive preparation for the PSAT and SAT, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and special preparation classes for the Maryland State Functional Tests round out the summer school course selection.

Classes are being held in schools located throughout the county. Elementary programs are at Captain James Daly, Fields Road, Highland View, Meadow Hall, Weller Road and Westbrook elementary schools. Middle school programs are at Argyle and Forest Oak middle schools. High School classes are scheduled at Montgomery Blair, Richard Montgomery, Quince Orchard, John F. Kennedy, Watkins Mill, and Walt Whitman high schools.

Summer school sessions, which began on July 3rd, continue through July 28th for elementary and middle school students and August 11 for high school students.