By providing tuition-free English education and life skills development, Summerbridge better prepares students for their schools and future educational trajectories. Our programs intend to have long-term impacts on students that go far beyond the Summerbridge classroom. When students enter our programs, they significantly improve skills in the following 5 key areas:
In order to better track student progress and evaluate the organization’s ability to deliver key goals, Summerbridge began conducting student assessment surveys to evaluate student growth in the mission areas described above. The survey was first conducted in 2008, in collaboration with professors from Hong Kong Baptist University. The survey has been conducted every summer since, and year after year, students have reported impressive gains in the 5 key areas.
The results reflect crucial progress made by our students that carry on into their behaviors, perspectives, and abilities as they continue to develop into their futures.
As an illustration of improved English language skills, Summerbridge graduates consistently achieve better results on their Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English results than the Hong Kong average. In the most recent iteration of the HKDSE (2016), 96% of Summerbridge graduates attained level 2 or above on the English Language subject of the HKDSE, compared to the Hong Kong average of 81%.
(English) Student teachers have consistently cited Summerbridge as one of the most meaningful internships that they have been involved in, helping to provide skills and perspectives that shape their future studies and careers.
(English) The process of teaching, coupled with a collaborative work environment, gives student teachers first-hand experience to build necessary skills for leadership - empathy, teamwork, and organization. By becoming role models to students, student teachers come to realize the leadership roles they can play in the community. No matter what career they’ve chosen, student teacher alumni often express gratitude to Summerbridge for the skills and experiences they gained.
(English) By interacting with local students from around Hong Kong, student teachers come to see the world differently. Their perceptions of education, service, and the community are changed. Taking into account their Summerbridge experience, student teachers are able to clarify how they want to best serve the people around them, whether through their career choices or further volunteer opportunities.
