ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A record number of middle school students are enrolled in Roanoke City Schools RCPS+ program this summer. The summer school program is optional for rising first through rising ninth graders. More than 3,000 students are currently enrolled and more than 550 are middle school students.
This year's theme for one class is the Summer Olympics in Rio. These students are planning a trip to Rio deciding how to get there, where to stay, eat and even where to rent a car. While they are having fun it is also teaching them the real life lessons of financial planning and budgeting.
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"It's more hands-on. We are not just listening to the teacher we actually get to participate in activities," said Nathan Amos, Roanoke Rising 8th grade.
"The kids get to experience learning that they wouldn't normally get to experience during the regular school year where they take say two days during regular school months here they have two weeks to really delve into the learning experience," said Will Krause, RCPS+ head middle school administrator.
This is a six week program that students can take for free. It introduces them to concepts they will learn more about in the school year. RCPS+ wraps up Friday.