The History, Mission, and Lasting Impact of Summer Skills

Tri-C Publications, Inc. was founded in 1991 in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, Michigan, by educators and authors Carolyn Brown, Char Ester, and Cheryl Buhr. Built on a shared understanding of classroom needs and student development, the company set out to create practical, effective resources that would help students retain what they learned throughout the school year. From that vision, Summer Skills was introduced as a structured, accessible way to provide meaningful academic review during the summer months.

Since its inception, Summer Skills Review Books have offered students a comprehensive review of the material taught in the previous year, helping bridge the gap between grade levels and giving students an academic edge when they return to school in the fall. What began as a focused tool has grown into a widely used program that has supported millions of students across the country.

Today, Summer Skills includes two main series of review books—math and language arts—for students from Pre-K through high school. The program also features a foreign language series and a Study Skills Sharpener book designed for students in 7th grade through high school. Each grade-level book is carefully designed to reinforce essential concepts in a structured, manageable format, helping students maintain their academic skills over the summer months without overwhelming families or relying on screen-based instruction.

At the core of Summer Skills is a clear and enduring mission: to provide high-quality, affordable, and standards-aligned review materials that support student success. The books are intentionally designed to complement classroom instruction, offering consistent practice that strengthens understanding and builds confidence as students prepare for the next school year.

Over more than 35 years in business, Summer Skills has reached millions of students in over 20,000 schools nationwide. This widespread adoption reflects the trust educators and families have placed in the program and its ability to deliver meaningful results. Teachers often rely on the books to reduce fall review time, while parents value a straightforward, structured solution that keeps skills fresh over the summer.

Today, Summer Skills continues to carry forward the vision of its founders by providing dependable, no-stress academic review tools that help students return to school prepared, confident, and ready to build on their success.