Every summer, while their classmates are off at their summer jobs or hanging out, a few hundred Santa Fe High School students spend at least part of their day hitting the books.

This year is really no different, but for one detail. Instead of a teacher lecturing, students — most of whom are trying to make up a class they failed — are getting their lessons from a computer.

All three public high schools — Santa Fe High, Capital High and SER Academy — are using Education 2020, a web-based computer program that the school district has used for a few years, primarily as a credit recovery tool.

While a teacher is on hand to provide support, check homework and oversee the program, students get the bulk of instruction from recorded lessons.

Some teachers and students say the program is a good way for students to work at their own pace while ensuring they graduate on time, but is a computer program the best way to help students who've demonstrated by failing a course that they need extra help?

"It's a good (intervention) if the kids take it seriously," said Robbie Stephens, principal at Santa Fe High.

Stephens said students are required to take notes and take a test at the end of every unit.

In some cases, students said, the computer program delves into greater detail than they might get in a regular class, with the ability to see the lesson again if they miss something.

"It's pretty interesting," said Shaun Letcher, a Santa Fe High student. "It gives you more information."

For others, such as Hallie Burton, the summer school program helps to ensure she stays on pace with her peers.

"I've missed a lot of school," Burton explained, citing a two-year period where she was homeless and pregnant. She takes the courses at the school's teen parent center.

Not everyone, though, prefers the computers. "It's just a different experience," said Nancy Martinez, another Santa Fe High student. "If you're in a (regular) class, you see why things are wrong or right. There's more of a conversation."

In total, there are about 360 students taking summer school courses at the three schools. They pay $240 per class, except at Capital where a grant provides scholarship money. Some students are taking more than one class.

The district is paying for 13 full-time positions to staff summer school, though some of those spots are made up of two employees each working part time. Employees are making $23.97 per hour.

Stephens said students are making up credits in core subjects — English, math, science and social studies — and despite the chance that they might do only enough to get by, the curriculum is rigorous.

"We just cross our fingers that the kids are going to treat the program respectfully," Stephens said.

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or jsena@sfnewmexican.com.