What is ESY (Extended School Year)?
When school lets out for summer, many students take a well-deserved break. But for some students with disabilities, extended time away from school can lead to significant setbacks in learning or behavior. That’s where ESY, or Extended School Year services, come in.
What is ESY?
Extended School Year (ESY) is a special education service provided outside the regular school year — typically during summer break — for eligible students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The purpose of ESY is to help students maintain the skills they’ve already learned and prevent serious regression.
ESY is not summer school. It’s not meant to help a student catch up, make progress, or explore enrichment. Instead, ESY is offered only when a student is at risk of losing critical skills or taking an unreasonably long time to recover those skills after breaks.
Who Qualifies for ESY?
Eligibility for ESY is determined by the IEP team (which includes the parent/guardian) based on the student’s individual needs. A student may qualify for ESY if they:
Show significant regression of skills during school breaks
Take a long time to recoup those skills when school resumes
Have emerging skills that would be lost without continued practice
Demonstrate that interrupted services could cause long-term harm
It’s not based on a student’s disability label but on how they are personally impacted by time away from structured instruction.
What Does ESY Look Like?
ESY services can look different for each student and should be tailored to their IEP goals. Some examples include:
1:1 or small group academic instruction
Related services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or behavioral support
Transportation, if needed to access the services
Some students may receive a few hours per week; others may need more intensive support. ESY should never be one-size-fits-all.
How Do I Request ESY?
If you think your child may need ESY, here are some steps:
Document regression – Keep notes or ask your child’s teachers for data showing skill loss over past breaks.
Request an IEP meeting – You can ask the team to review data and discuss ESY.
Advocate clearly – Share how your child struggles without structure and how that impacts their ability to learn.
Even if a school has a set ESY program, services should still be based on your child’s IEP and individual needs — not just what’s convenient for the district.
Final Thoughts
If your child is at risk of losing important skills during long school breaks, they may qualify for ESY.
If you’re unsure whether ESY is appropriate for your child, reach out to your IEP team or connect with a special education advocate. Making sure your child continues to thrive — even outside the regular school year — is what ESY is all about.
