This report presents the findings from a study of the middle school academic summer program offered by Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL). BELL's middle school program serves rising sixth- through eighth-graders who are identified by their school as performing one to two years below grade level, on average. The program operates five days a week for approximately five weeks during the summer. The program day is a traditional "full day" (6.5 hours), in which the morning is devoted to math and reading instruction and the afternoon provides enrichment through instruction in science, physical education, the arts, and other creative subjects -- except on Fridays, when there are guest speakers or field trips. (author abstract)