In Mrs. McQueen’s Summer Classroom, an 8-Year-Old Races to Catch Up

After months of remote learning, Zion Graham is in summer school. But can a six-week program make up for his lost year?

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In second grade, Zion Graham bounded to school. He loved math. His favorite book was about a slow turtle who took all day to get dressed. Then came the pandemic, and months of joyless remote learning. Zion lost confidence in reading. His performance in third grade plummeted. Zion, now 8, is spending his summer racing to catch up, back at Hunter Elementary School in Greensboro, N.C. When Zion and his schoolmates arrive by 7:45 a.m. each morning, they face a challenge — and a deadline. How much can they learn before fourth grade starts, to avoid falling even further behind?