Five Perks of Picking Up ESY Contracts

Years ago, when I first transitioned into direct school contracting, I hadn't anticipated my journey into direct school contracting and therefore I needed summer income.  Somewhere along that path I discovered the magic of ESY — Extended School Year contracts.

They weren’t just a lifeline to keep money coming in — they were also a strategic way to build relationships, ease into new districts, and experiment with my schedule on my terms.

If you're a therapist contractor (SLP, OT, PT) wondering how to make summer work for you — ESY might be your sweet spot.

Here are five of my favorite perks:

 1. Short-Term Commitment

One of the best things about ESY is that it's temporary by design. Most contracts last between 4 to 8 weeks and often wrap up before August even begins.

If you're looking for something that won’t derail your summer plans or mental reset time — but still keeps you engaged — ESY lets you dip in and out without overcommitting.

2. Flexible Hours

Most ESY programs operate on modified schedules — think 3 or 4 days a week, half days, or blocks of service time that you can structure with the school.

I’ve used ESY summers to pick up a few hours of treatment each morning and still have afternoons with my kids. Others I’ve coached have paired ESY with summer travel, PRN work, or long weekends away — it’s that flexible.

3. Get Your Foot in the Door with a District

If you’ve been trying to break into school contracts or expand into a new area, ESY is a goldmine.
Some districts may be more willing to onboard someone new for a short-term need — and once you’re in, you get to show them the quality of your services firsthand.

Many long-term district contracts began with an ESY assignment. You build trust, establish a presence, and position yourself as their go-to for the upcoming school year.

 4. Supplement Your Summer Revenue

Let’s talk numbers. Unless you’ve saved (which I discussed how to do in this podcast episode), the summer dip in income can be tough — especially if you’re a one-income household or supporting a growing business.

Even a part-time ESY gig can help stabilize your cash flow and take pressure off other income streams. 

 5. Minimal Paperwork (Typically!)

This is a big one. Unlike the regular school year — with IEPs, evals, meetings, and progress monitoring galore — ESY often focuses on maintenance and support. That means you can show up, serve well, and avoid the avalanche of documentation that usually follows you home. I love this option for providers that haven't served schools in a while and are wanting to dip their toe back slowly!

You still provide high-quality therapy… but with way fewer after-hours emails.

Want to land your first (or next) ESY contract?

I created the School Contractor Packet to give you everything you need to confidently reach out to districts — with ready-to-go sales scripts, email templates, and outreach strategies designed specifically for therapists like you.

Whether you're eyeing summer work this year or just want to plant the seed for future contracts, this resource walks you through it step by step.

Click here to grab your copy and start positioning yourself for summer success.

Because summer income should feel strategic, not stressful.