Summer school surge: Washington students make up for lost time following year of remote learning Some school districts in western Washington are using new tactics to help students catch up and succeed ahead of in-person learning this fall. Author: Eric Wilkinson Updated: 5:41 PM PDT July 16, 2021 ARLINGTON, Wash. — School districts in western Washington and across the country are seeing a summer school surge as kids who struggled during the pandemic are trying to make up for lost time. Friday marked the last day of summer school for Elisha Jackson after what was a grueling school year of remote learning. "After we went online I just fell off," said the 16-year-old Arlington High School student. "Once I fell behind it was just trying to catch up, catch up, catch up."