Why would anyone give up days at the beach or the opportunity to earn money for that new CD burner (or for college) to go to school during those few precious months of summer vacation? At least in the popular imagination, summer school is punishment for slacking during the academic year. But this is one of those cases in which myth and reality are in sharp contrast. These days, there are summer schools for just about every type of student. Whether you're worried about firming up basic math, reading, and writing skills or you want to get a jump start on college physics, you'll find a variety of programs to suit your needs and interests. In addition to its obvious academic benefits, summer school also gives you the chance to meet new people, pursue special projects, develop leadership skills, and sometimes even travel.

It's true that many schools and school districts are now making summer school mandatory for students who have underperformed during the academic year. But at the same time, many public and private programs have been created to serve the needs of students who want to challenge themselves, expand their breadth of knowledge, and take courses that are not available at many high schools.

Private summer schools can be expensive, but the good news is that Governors' Schools and similar programs supported by state and federal education funding tend to be less so -- some are even free of charge, and most offer financial aid based on need. If you come from a low-income family or you will be the first member of your family to attend college, you may be eligible for an Upward Bound TRIO program, in which you could spend part of your summer at a nearby university or college, essentially getting a preview of campus life while building academic skills and meeting other students from across your region. Private summer schools like the program offered at Harvard also offer a limited amount of financial aid, so don't cross them off your list just because they carry a hefty price tag.

Summer school programs often involve a lot more hands-on learning than you will find in your regular classes. And the educational experience tends to extend far beyond the classroom walls. Many residential summer school programs include sports, travel, and social activities in their curricula. Personal development and leadership skills are also major themes; for example, students at the University of Wyoming Summer High School Institute take a personal growth seminar in addition to their academic classes, while participants in Oregon's G.O.A.L.S. program follow up their summer school experience by working as community youth leaders throughout the academic year.

Summer school is also a great place to pursue special interests in the arts, humanities, and sciences. The California State Summer School for the Arts, held on the campus of the California Institute for the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, has programs in film and video, creative writing, visual arts, animation, dance, music, and theater. Meanwhile, the Michigan Tech Summer Youth Program allows you to participate in week long "Explorations" in engineering, math, science and technology, ecology, outdoor adventure, and a variety of social sciences and humanities areas. If you'd rather stick closer to home, investigate options at local performing-arts centers, science museums, and parks; many have summer programs that allow you to get hands-on experience in activities ranging from set design to environmental education.

When looking for a summer school program, here are some important factors to consider:

• How much of the summer do you want to commit to school? Programs range from five days to eight weeks.
  
  
• What do you want to get out of summer school? Do you want to turbocharge your academics? Act in a play? Develop your teaching skills by working with young children? Learn how a political campaign is conducted? Polish up a second language? Work with engineers in the computer industry? Do you want a residential program where you live in dorms with other students or would you prefer to live at home, attending school only during the day?
  
  
• Can you get high school (or college) credit for summer school courses? Receiving credit depends both on the school where you take the course and on your home school.
  
  
• How much can you spend on summer school, and if the answer is nothing, what free programs are available in your state or school district?
  
  

While attending a challenging summer school program can increase your chances of getting into a competitive college, if you are doing well in your high-school courses, this incentive alone is not usually sufficient reason to attend summer school. There are certainly summer programs that cater to students concerned about making their applications as academically impressive as possible. In fact, some summer school programs are as competitive as colleges, requiring an extensive application complete with SAT or PSAT scores, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay. While attendance at a high-powered summer school like Harvard's Secondary School Program (SSP) does not guarantee that you will get into an Ivy League school, it does add a certain luster to your college applications. Nonetheless, a cutting-edge internship or a job that requires responsibility and leadership can look at least as good on your college applications. In evaluating whether summer school is right for you, the real question is what you aspire to learn and what type of summer program is the best forum for this learning experience.