Summer Institute Home
Summer Institute (K-5)
The Summer Institute (formerly known as Avery Institute) offers a variety of enrichment opportunities for elementary-age children living in Dedham.
Coordinated by Dedham Public Schools, the DPS Summer Institute offers week-long options in the morning or afternoon with educational and engaging student enrichment opportunities in areas including movement, sports, games, cooking, books, crafts and more.
Celebrating our 20th Summer Season!
The Dedham Public Schools Summer (Avery) Institute was introduced 20 years ago, by Avery Principal Dr. Clare Sullivan.
Last summer - 2025- over 323 Dedham families participated in our Summer Institute.
Over 455 individual students registered over the 5 weeks, filling over 1892 program slots.
2026 Program Details
The 2026 Summer Institute program will run for 5 weeks, beginning on June 29th. Students may register for a single session or for multiple sessions as space allows over the course of the summer. Two session are offered each week - a morning session and an afternoon session. Students enrolled for a full day of Summer Institute programming will have lunch provided by DPS Food Services.
All Summer Institute Programming for 2026 will be held at Avery Elementary School.
Transportation is not provided.
Update: February 4, 2026 - 5:15pm.
Thanks for your interest in the Dedham Public Schools Summer Institute 2026!
Currently all 1800+ program slots are full!
Check back often as session availability may change.
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Morning Session: 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Afternoon Session: 12:00 - 3:00 PMBefore or After care is NOT offered.
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- Week 1: June 29 - July 1 (July 2 + 3 off)
- Week 2: July 6 - 10
- Week 3: July 13-17
- Week 4: July 20-24
- Week 5: July 27- 31
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Week 1: $80 per session
Week 2-5: $135 per session
2026 Summer Institute registration will open on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 4:00pm.
We continue to incorporate feedback from previous years to improve the registration process. As of last year, families can now log back into their accounts and make changes up until April Break. This year, in response to feedback from families, we are opening registration later in the day at 4:00pm instead of midday.
We've come a long way from the paper registration system from several years ago—when families had to fill out a form, mail a check, and wait for confirmation. Back then, families didn’t receive schedules until late May. While our process isn’t perfect, we are continually refining and improving it to better serve our community. Thank you for your patience as we continue to evolve!
Instructions, Information and News
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Registration for Summer Institute 2026 will be managed via the PowerSchool Portal.
Parents can log into their PowerSchool account and will be able to select enrollment options for each of their students as interested.
To simplify the process, you will only be able to view those sessions which are available to the student based on grade level.
Once enrolled, you are all set. There is no Submit button.
You may change any enrollment choice at no charge up until Thursday, April 16th. Check back often as session availability may change.
Payment invoices for Summer Institute will be sent home on May 15, 2026 to families.
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- Log into the PowerSchool Portal
- Select the student you wish to enroll.
- Navigate to the Dedham Institute option in the Menu Bar on the left side of the screen
- Select the Session week / time
- Choose the program for that session week / time to enroll your student - selections will then appear in the schedule
- If you need to remove the selection, click the 'X' on the session in the schedule
- Complete all selections as desired.
- If you have another student, you can return to the top of the page and select a new student, then repeat from step 3.
Need Technical Assistance? Issues Logging In to PowerSchool? Email: hometechservice@dedham.k12.ma.us
Summer Program Registration Worksheet
We know it's tough to keep track of all the choices, alternative options and multiple students you may be juggling as part of the registration process.
Here is a worksheet to print that can help you keep track of your choices by session. Don't forget to mark down some alternatives, since some programs fill up quickly!
These notes will help streamline your registration online via PowerSchool - which opens on February 4th at 4:00pm!
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