The 2025 IRC Newcomer Youth Summer Academy is a free program that offers a supportive and enriching learning experience for newcomer middle and high school students. The academy focuses on developing English language skills, strengthening school readiness, and fostering social-emotional growth.

The program serves approximately 100 students (50 middle school and 50 high school students) from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Apply here.

Responsibilities

Volunteers facilitate lessons in English and math, while incorporating extracurricular subjects and activities to broaden student’s horizons.

Below are the two volunteer roles available. 

  • Classroom Lead: Work closely with IRC staff to design and build curriculum for one or more classes. Lead classroom activities and support student learning. English classroom leads are expected to facilitate instruction Monday-Thursday mornings. Elective classroom leads are expected to facilitate instruction (at least) one afternoon session per week.
  • Peer Mentor: Assist with classroom facilitation, student supervision, and provide general support during daily activities. Peer mentors must be available to volunteer Monday-Thursday from 9:30AM-2:30PM. 

If you would like to play more than one role at summer academy (ex. during different cohorts, or an English and elective lead), please complete thisform twice. Deadline to apply: June 6th at 5:00 p.m.

Schedule

The program will take place in Prince George's County July 7th - August 7th with 2 week cohorts of students in middle and high school.

Weekly Schedule: Monday through Thursday 9:30am-2:30pm.

Middle school (5th-8th grade) July 7th-July 17th. 

High school (9th-12th grade & out of school aged youth) July 28th-August 7th. 

All sessions will take place in-person in PG county (exact location provided to selected volunteers). Volunteers will need to provide their own transportation to and from Summer Academy.  Lunch will be provided (halal options available).

Time commitment

Volunteers are expected to attend all morning, afternoon or all-day sessions for their preferred cohort. You may participate in both cohorts, if desired.

Skills/Qualifications

Previous teaching and/or ESOL experience preferred but not required. This opportunity is open to volunteers of high-school age and above. This opportunity is a Student Service-Learning hours approved activity.

 

How to Volunteer

All volunteers must complete a background check and attend an in-person training on Thursday, July 2nd from 10AM-2PM.

To learn more, check out this video from our program in 2023 or see the attached flyer. For questions related to this opportunity, contact IRC Youth Program Manager, Kyle Monsees, at kyle.monsees@rescue.org.