Hundreds of students across Northwest Indiana are in the midst of summer school, some enriching their educations and others taking math and reading in anticipation of ISTEP-Plus state testing.

For the first time, the School City of Hobart is offering summer school for first-graders.

Literacy coordinator Margie Potter is working with 10 first-graders at Ridge View Elementary School in Hobart, where the children are focusing on reading and writing.

"Research shows that when kids fall a couple of years behind, it's hard for them to catch up," Potter said, after leading the youngsters through a reading-aloud exercise Monday.

Assistant Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington said getting children to read in the summer is the main focus of summer school classes at the elementary and middle school levels.

Hobart High School offers two summer sessions, one ending this week and the next starting July 9. High school students can take government and economics and physical education in the summer, allowing them to take more Advanced Placement classes during the school year.

Kathy Spears, assistant principal at Valparaiso High School and summer school supervisor, said the high school offers students an array of classes for remediation and for credit.

Valparaiso offers three summer school sessions, with credit and elective classes including English 9 and 10, algebra I, biology, history, U.S. history I, government and economics, and driver education.

The high school also offers marine biology I and II, a program through the music department and the basic skills for ISTEP.

Crown Point High School Principal Ryan Pitcock said the school is offering remediation in math and English, government and economics, physical education and driver education.