Nashville’s summer school is underway, as of Thursday morning. More than 17,000 students flocked to schools all around the city for the first day of Metro Nashville Public School’s month-long summer program, “Promising Scholars.”

For some parents, the promise of free childcare is exciting. But for others — namely, the parents of third graders — the program feels like an imposition.

This year, nearly a quarter of enrolled students are third graders who are at risk of being held back. That’s because a new state law requires them to pass the English Language Arts portion of the state standardized test, known as TCAP.

In Nashville, nearly 39% of students, who did not have an identified exemption, scored “not proficient” on the initial ELA test. These students were allowed to retest.

Students who still scored “not proficient” are required to attend Promising Scholars and attend district-provided tutoring throughout fourth grade.

Students who scored “approaching proficiency” are eligible to appeal if they have a 40th percentile or higher score, or they have taken one of the interventions — attending Promising Scholars or tutoring. Every student at the end of Promising Scholars will have to take a test to demonstrate adequate growth in order for it to count toward promotion.

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Students enter Dan Mills Elementary School on the first day of Promising Scholars.

Many parents are angry — like Leah Susi. Her daughter is enrolled in summer school for the first time, after she scored in the “approaching proficiency” category. Susi said her daughter was “pretty bummed” when she found out she would be required to attend Promising Scholars.

“I’ve been kind of following this all year, hoping that they would make adjustments, and they didn’t. But, you know, it’s the law. So we really don’t have a choice, unfortunately,” Susi said. “You know, it just feels like we’re addressing an outcome for these third graders specifically versus figuring out, you know, this isn’t a new problem,” Susi said.

Meanwhile, other parents appreciated the opportunity for childcare in the summertime.

Third grade parent Jeff Potter said that even though his son, Grey, scored proficient on the assessment, he decided to keep him enrolled.

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Grey Potter stands outside of Dan Mills Elementary on the first day of Promising Scholars.

“It’s a free program. It’s something to do for the summer. Grey did well enough on TCAP that he wasn’t asked to do it, but I think it’ll be beneficial,” Potter said. “We’ll see if enjoys it.”

Instructors for the program say that, while it is an academic program, the experience often feels “camp-like.”

And, on the first day of the program at Dan Mills Elementary, Grey Potter says he thinks “it’s just going to be fun.” Nine-year-old Genevieve Durham says she’s excited “to make new friends.”

The program is set to run through June 30 at nearly 70 sites across the district.

Cynthia Abrams WPLN News

A Promising Scholars sign outside of Dan Mills Elementary School in East Nashville