XENIA — Nearly 100 high school and middle school students are starting their summer break a bit late while working to get ahead or catch up in the classroom.

Xenia’s summer school session began June 13 and offers students the opportunity to take up to two subjects for credit recovery or to free up their schedules when school resumes in the fall. The district is utilizing the virtual academy space as well as an adjacent conference room inside the board of education office.

“We had more students than we anticipated,” said Director of Instructional Services Sabrina Woodruff. “I’m glad students are taking the opportunity.”

Two sessions are offered, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Subjects range from algebra and biology to English. Students work on computers with teachers in the room to facilitate.

“There’s some direct instruction in combination with the online platform,” Woodruff said.

The utilization of the internet allowed the district to offer a plethora of options, including math and physical education as new credit for students.

“It offers them more availability and opportunity in their schedule to take more honors classes or electives of particular interest,” Woodruff said. “We were able to expand our opportunities so it didn’t just limit us to say reading and math.”

High school students who pass the summer class are able to make up a credit they missed out on during the school year. Middle school students don’t earn any credits but “they are getting a second opportunity to be more successful,” according to Woodruff.

There are myriad reasons why high school students are enrolled this summer.

“I had trouble understanding the work,” said rising senior Braden Mendenhall, who is taking English. “I like this way a lot better. It’s pretty easy I think.”

Rising junior Aaron Luka if finishing up biology so he can attend the Greene County Career Center to focus on IT.

“I wanted to make sure I could get this class out of the way,” he said. “I was having trouble during the actual school year. I’m (progressing) on track. This way there’s more explanations for what we’re working on.”

Rising junior Qunis Johnson transferred from Meadowdale in Dayton to Xenia in the middle of the year and was having trouble adjusting to the different way algebra was being taught.

“I didn’t understand some of it,” he said.

While he’s happy to have an opportunity to recover the missed credit, rising sophomore Cameron Ebel prefers the traditional classroom setting.

“It’s easier if they would teach us because I can’t focus on a computer for three hours straight,” he said.

School is in session 8-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m. daily through Friday, July 1.