Summer Learning with The Opp.

A Recent History of Summer Learning in Tulsa.

At The Opp Project, we are proud to partner with Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) to expand access to high-quality summer programs that engage and enrich Tulsa’s youth. What started with support from the Wallace Foundation at seven school sites has grown into a citywide effort to provide meaningful summer learning and enrichment opportunities for thousands of young people.

In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Opp Project and TPS significantly expanded summer programming, from serving a handful of sites to reaching over 50 school locations. Thanks to COVID-19 relief funding, these summer programs went beyond academics by emphasizing relationship-building, student engagement, and social-emotional support during the critical summer months.

National Recognition & Local Impact

Our collective efforts have earned national recognition. In October 2023, Ready. Set. Summer! — a collaborative initiative with TPS — received the Excellence in Summer Learning Award from the National Summer Learning Association and the New York Life Foundation. This marked the first time in 30 years that a school district received this prestigious honor, highlighting what’s possible when schools and community partners work together.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Tulsa’s Future

With ESSER funding now sunset, the future of free summer learning in Tulsa is at a crossroads. We envision every child continuing to have free, equitable access to high-quality summer programs, but this will only be possible with sustained local and state investment.

We urge community leaders, policymakers, and education advocates to prioritize funding for summer learning so Tulsa’s youth don’t lose the critical opportunities for growth, connection, and enrichment that these programs provide. Together, we can make free summer learning a permanent reality—because every child deserves the chance to thrive beyond the school year.