Summer Beyond the Classroom
Activities Held: July 7 – August 15
Registration Open: April 14 – June 13 for programs in July | April 14 – July 11 for programs in August
Register on COMPASS
Get ready for an epic summer adventure like no other! All Tacoma Public School (TPS) students in grades K-5* are invited for an unforgettable summer packed with learning and hands-on adventure.
- Open to all Tacoma Public School students finishing grades K-5.
- Choose from two locations: Franklin Elementary and Manitou Elementary. Students from all schools can sign up for either location.
- Registration open: April 14- July 11
- Activities Held: July 7 – August 15
- Mondays – Thursdays (no programs on Fridays)
- Register by the week. See weekly themes below.
- Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Sites: Franklin Elemntary and Manitou Elementary
- Cost: $265 (including $25 deposit)
- Financial Assistance available. To apply, fill out and submit our financial assistance form for consideration.
- Financial Assistance Form Translations: Spanish | Vietnamese | Russian | Ukrainian
*Summer Beyond the Classroom Program is available to Tacoma Public School (TPS) Students who were in grades K-5 in the 2024-25 school year. Your child must currently be enrolled in a Tacoma Public School to participate in Summer Beyond the Classroom.
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Weekly Themes
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VentureOut: Beyond the Classroom
Science meets wilderness survival during 4 days of action-packed learning! From exploring combustion science to crafting compasses and survival kits, this experience is for students eager to connect with nature while gaining practical knowledge.
SciQuest: Beyond the Classroom
Put on your scientist’s hat and become a nature detective! During this 4-day program, we will investigate how plants and animals thrive in local eco-systems. Dissect a flower, make a mini watershed, dive into marine life, and explore how it connects us all!
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Schedule at a Glance
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All TPS Students are invited to 2 TPS School locations that will rotate fun and engaging STEM, Art, Fitness, and Outdoor Environmental Education activities each day.
Week 1 (July 7-10)
- Franklin Elementary: SciQuest
- Manitou Park Elementary: VentureOut
Week 2 (July 14-17)
- Franklin Elementary: VentureOut
- Manitou Park Elementary: SciQuest
Week 3 (July 21-24)
- Franklin Elementary: SciQuest
- Manitou Park Elementary: VentureOut
Week 4 (July 28-31)
- Franklin Elementary: VentureOut
- Manitou Park Elementary: SciQuest
Week 5 (August 4-7)
- Franklin Elementary: SciQuest
- Manitou Park Elementary: VentureOut
Week 6 (August 11-14)
- Franklin Elementary: VentureOut
- Manitou Park Elementary: SciQuest
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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I register?
Families register their students on the Tacoma Public Schools website, in the Compass/Family App, where families will be able to see eligible activities for their students.
If you are having difficulties accessing Compass, there are three ways to get help:
By Email:
[email protected]By Phone:
253-571-HELP, (253) 571-4357Online Self-Service Portal on TPS student-issued laptops
- Student HELP icon, blue circle with question mark
- Log into SolarWinds by clicking the blue, question-mark icon on your desktop. From here you can:
- Submit a request for assistance
- Review the status of your current or previous requests
- Chat live with a technician (during normal district hours)
- Use the Solutions function to search for answers to common technology problems.
How do I get financial assistance?
Beyond the Bell provides access to affordable summer learning programs (or experiences) for every student.
If you need financial assistance, please register, then fill out and submit our Financial Assistance form to request a 50% or 75% fee adjustment.
Beyond the Bell is a subsidized program made possible through public-private partnerships. The program fee helps us provide affordable and accessible programming for every child. Cost should never be a barrier for any family, so further fee waiver assistance/scholarships are available.
Who do I contact for questions?
Families can contact [email protected] for any questions before the start of program. A week before the program begins, families will receive a welcome letter with site lead contact information. During program, families should communicate with site leads with any questions or concerns.
How can I request accommodations?
While Beyond the Bell takes place in schools, our extended learning programs do not have the same personnel/tools available as they might during a typical school day. *Nurses, special education assistance, aides, etc. are not on site.
Parks Tacoma does offer reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities. If a child who is registered for a Summer Beyond the Classroom program requires more than generally available supports to access their recreational program due to their disability, please submit an Accommodation Request Form at the time of each new program registration, ideally at least 2 weeks before the start of the program. Accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis and program staff will reach out to you with any additional questions and determinations.
Examples of accommodations a child may request during Beyond the Bell programs include an ASL interpreter, use of noise cancelling headphones, adaptations of physical activities, specific instructional activities to help maintain focus, and more. If you are unsure if you need an accommodation request, please reach out to [email protected].
What is your refund policy?
- Student withdrawn before 2 weeks prior to start of program – full refund.
- Student withdrawn day before the start of program up to 2 weeks prior to start of program – $240 refund (nonrefundable deposit).
- No refund after registered program starts.
