Summer Academy

Algebra I integrates algebraic skill development with the broader framework of developing concepts.  Functions and relations (including linear, quadratic, polynomial, and exponential) are used as a main theme in this study of algebra.  Application-based problems are introduced throughout the curriculum.  Graphing calculators and computer technology are integrated into topics to assist in understanding and visualizing statistics and data, linear equations, and other algebraic functions.  An introduction to radicals is the concluding topic of Algebra I. Prerequisite:  Pre-Algebra or Math 8
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Geometry offers the student a comprehensive study of two-dimensional Euclidean geometry.  The language of geometry, polygons, and circles are studied in depth.  The understanding of proof is an objective of the course.  Additional topics of study are:  area of plane figures, constructions (where applicable), transformations, and right triangle trigonometry.  Algebraic and geometric concepts are reviewed in tandem to reinforce their mathematical connections.  Applications are studied throughout the curriculum.  Graphing calculators are used where appropriate.
Prerequisite:  Algebra I
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600

Algebra II reviews, sustains, and extends the knowledge of the real number system introduced in Algebra I.  Polynomials, factoring, and graphing are discussed and explored in depth.  Mathematical models are utilized in the discussion of coordinate geometry, problem solving, and in the detailed study of linear and quadratic functions.  Also included is the study of irrational and complex numbers, fractional exponents, systems of equations, and logarithms.  Graphing calculators and computer technology are integrated into the course to assist in the understanding of solutions of equations and functions.  The concluding topic is the study of rational expressions. Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600

Precalculus offers the student a comprehensive study of algebraic and transcendental functions.  The course is constructed to aid students in developing their proficiency in algebraic techniques and in strengthening their understanding of the underlying concepts.  Real-life problems, many using real data, are integrated throughout the curriculum.  As appropriate, the graphing calculator is utilized to augment student understanding of the mathematical concepts.
Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry,  and Algebra II
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600

Topics include an in-depth study of functions: algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic. Students investigate the concepts of limits and continuity. Differential calculus and its applications to curve sketching, maximum and minimum problems, velocity, acceleration, and related rates of change are also explored in depth. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II plus departmental recommendation
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600

Computer science provides students with an introductory level understanding of computer programming. Students learn the fundamentals of program design and programming languages. Projects are assigned for each topic that allow students to gain and develop proficiency at planning, writing and executing programs.
June 28 through July 30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $1600

Biology focuses on the study of life from an evolutionary and sociological perspective.  The students will explore selected topics through lecture, experiments, and inquiry based activities.  A basic appreciation of biological science is emphasized through real life examples wherever possible.  Topics covered may include, but are not restricted to evolution, ecology, genetics, cell structure, and cell processes.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Chemistry focuses on the study of natural processes from a physical and observational perspective. Students explore selected topics through investigation, experimentation, and inquiry-based activities. Chemistry is emphasized through real life examples wherever possible. Topics covered may include, but are not restricted to; stoichiometry, periodic properties, reactions in aqueous solutions, nomenclature, solutions, and gases. Prerequisites: Biology, Algebra I
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600

This course is designed to introduce students to a detailed, analytical study of the physical world. Precise and accurate measurement methods are utilized during observations to describe or interpret general laws of nature.  Theoretical and higher mathematical concepts and skills are also used to reach this understanding of the laws.  The theme underlying the course is the development of a conceptual understanding of the physical world, and using problem-solving skills to further that understanding.  Students find that, rather than making the material less accessible, equations and formulae can be used to increase understanding.
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II (Precalculus for Honors)
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

This is an introductory level course. For students who are experiencing foreign language instruction for the first time, this is a fundamental course which allows those students the opportunity to learn cooperatively. Awareness of and appreciation for the French speaking community and its culture are among the ultimate objectives of instruction.  Materials include workbooks, audio CD’s, DVD’s, magazines, readers, and transparencies.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

This course is for students who have not had Spanish or for those students who experienced difficulties in Spanish IA. The topics covered will be those included in the traditional high school curriculum for introductory Spanish. Instruction emphasizes development of the listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish with primary emphasis on speaking. Awareness of and appreciation for the Spanish speaking community is a supreme objective of instruction at all times.  Materials include texts, workbooks, audio CD’s, DVD’s and computer programs.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

In the Graphic Arts course students combine the digital and visual arts skills they have learned in grades K-12, and apply them to create advanced graphic design artworks. Programs include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign and Photobooth. Students face the challenge of real world projects, which include corporate identity, portraits, CD design, print advertisements, packaging design, multi-media imagery, editorial design, book design, as well as graphic pieces for school functions. Students gain a basic foundation of the history of graphic design, and create artworks in the style of various well-known graphic designers. By the time students graduate they have a well-rounded portfolio of visual and digital artwork.
Prerequisite – Studio Art or 3 years of graphic and studio art in middle school
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Human Anatomy and Physiology is a course designed to study two complementary branches of science, anatomy and physiology, which provide us with the concepts to understand the human body. Anatomy is the concrete study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to each other. Physiology studies the functioning of the body’s structural machinery, in other words, how all the body parts work and carry out their life-sustaining activities. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600

Astronomy is offered for students who are curious about astronomy, but do not necessarily have a strong science background. It focuses less on the mathematical rigors and underlying physics of astronomy, and more on conceptual understanding. Topics include an overview of historical views of the universe from Aristotle through Hubble. It focuses on the basics of astronomy; how to look into space, and how to interpret what is seen. The course also covers the life of a star from its beginnings as a cloud of gas, through its birth as a star, to the instability marking a star’s imminent demise, and concluding with the star’s death and its end products. Some time is dedicated to discussing the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, including the recent discovery of over one hundred distant solar systems, and future plans for discovering Earth-like planets.
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Environmental Science is a comprehensive science elective applying the fundamentals of biology, chemistry and physics to challenges facing the environment today.  The course is taught using case studies to illustrate scientific topics.  It is a lab science course and students will engage with current environmental science topics to understand the cycles and earth science forces at work.
Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra II
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

This course is a comprehensive, in-depth scientific study of the marine environment. It is designed to give students a full understanding of the ways in which marine organisms interact with each other and with their physical environment. It also strives to educate students about the importance of marine ecosystems to terrestrial ecosystems and to humankind.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Biology.
June 28 through July 30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Musical Theatre students will develop and rehearse the skills of acting, singing, and dancing necessary for live stage performances -- all while they prepare for two final shows. The class will also help students to build their repertoire and develop polished audition pieces. We will stage one full musical theatre production and a showcase revue. All students in grades 9-12 are welcome to join the class and all will perform in both shows.
July 12 through August 13 --- 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Conservatory students will hone their Musical Theatre skills -- individually and in groups. The course will combine Broadway-level coaching, intensive rehearsal, and special guest-hosted Master Classes. We will stage at least one final showcase revue, including a mix of solo and ensemble performances. This is an audition-based class, so all registrations will be accepted pending audition results.
Prerequisite: Audition. 
July 12 through August 13 --- 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuition: $1600
 

Machine Learning has become prevalent in essentially every field: image recognition, medical diagnostics, stock market trading, recommendation systems, self-driving cars, speech recognition and language translation, basic science from physics to neuroscience, engineering optimization, politics, and much more. Although applied to a diverse set of applications, the fundamental principles of classification and decision making are shared. Mathematics will be used and developed in class; however, intuition will be the emphasis. Learning will be described both qualitatively and algorithmically through models often used in various applications.
Prerequisite: Computer Science I
June 28-July 30 -- 9:00-12:00
Tuition: $1,600

Was the French Revolution really only just about monarchy, chopping off heads, fancy wigs and cake? During this summer session, students will learn what triggered the French Revolution and why it resulted in lasting socio-political turmoil known as The Reign of Terror, headed by Maximilien Robespierre. This period was an immediate consequence of the French Revolution that (may have) profoundly anchored the revolutionary mentality in the French! Students will debate different political systems, design their ideal state, and write their own Constitution. Parallels with current events will be drawn and discussed in a motivated atmosphere, in which students can satisfy their curiosity about France’s most shocking historical event.
July 9-20 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550
 

Ah! La France! La belle France! Have you ever thought about spending a day in Paris, sipping your café au lait on a terrace overlooking the Seine, all the while listening to a street jazz ensemble? Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Is it exactly the way you would picture yourself spending your time in the “city of love”? Well, did you know it took many years for this to become typically Parisian? The Parisian lifestyle, as depicted in books and films, did not materialize overnight:  it is a result of several decades of collisions in cultural revolution, trends and innovations. Art, music, fashion, war, international relations are all domains this course will cover in the context of the turn of the century. Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, to try to understand it, and to critique it as well.
July 9-20 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

To all you music lovers and enthusiasts, you curious lads and ladies, it is time to “open your ears”.  Welcome to the Swinging Sixties! In a period of cultural revolution, the younger generations play an important role in the propagation of modernity, art, culture, and … music! The anti-establishment cultural phenomenon of the 60s shook both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This is your chance to rock to the tunes of bands that shaped the musical world as we know it today. During this course, students will learn of the different cultural impacts of the phenomenon known as the “British Invasion”. We may listen to songs because we think they sound good, but songs can also tell a story, and sometimes, tell History. Through the screenings of various documentary films, music clips, and close examination of trends of the time, students will be able to contextualize world-renowned song lyrics. Find your inner Rockstar! 
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550
 

Imagine waking up tomorrow with a surge of inspiration and a wickedly awesome idea for a film. You sit down at your desk and spend hours writing an entire script. You couch the plots and twists of your dreams onto paper. At the end of the day, you are proud of your creation. You pitch it to a production studio. They want to run with it. Amazing! What if I told you that less than sixty years ago, your script would have been severely modified, sometimes entirely rewritten, all for the sake of respecting the established codes and standards of cinematography? This course is a deep dive into cinematic classicism, its characteristics, its death… and the revitalization of cinema across the pond in Europe, the birthplace of "improper" cinematic modernism. From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the New Wave, a new movement is born – dismantling the established etiquette and codifications! During this summer course and through screenings of legendary films, students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with some of the Greats and their influence (still perceived today). 
June 28 - July 8 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

Are you determined to become a professional writer, or maybe you just want to learn the secrets of turning a phrase or telling a story? Creative Writing is the perfect place to start! Learn the process that professional writers follow to bring their stories to life – from concept to conclusion. Whether you want to write short stories, novels, plays, poetry, or songs, Creative Writing is the course for you!
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550

The Writer’s Workshop gives student authors the opportunity to hone their craft in a workshop setting.  In a workshop environment, students progress at their own pace and receive feedback through individualized teacher conferencing, and by engaging in peer and self-evaluation.  Students use group discussion to analyze elements of good writing and then apply these features to their own work. Students will produce one main literary piece and several smaller pieces each quarter. Genres include poetry (narrative and lyrical), short stories, drama, expository, and research-based. Skills include descriptive technique, narrative style, vocabulary, and syntax, as well as adapting writing style to different audiences. Students interested in generating longer works, such as novels, will have the chance to receive feedback during the class.
June 28 - July 8 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

This elective focuses on the typical psychological situations found most often in literature and film. It begins with a crash course in “Quick Psych 101” and some nonfiction accounts (articles, news documentaries, etc.) before moving on to the literature. Authors might include: William Shakespeare, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Edgar Allan Poe, Ken Kesey, Robert Lowell, Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Robert Pinsky, and Susanna Kaysen. Films might include, Lars and the Real Girl, Take Shelter, and Through a Glass Darkly. 
July 21-30 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550
 

What “Mad Lit” does for English and psychology, so this course does for English and sociology. This course serves as a study of human nature and interaction within different societies and social settings. Dystopian Lit focuses on foundational texts that helped define the genre, paving the way for current titles such as Divergent and The Hunger Games. These works might include: Brave New World, 1984, The Illustrated Man, I Am Legend, and V For Vendetta.
July 9-20 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550
 

Whether walking outdoors or relaxing in a friend's living room, people inevitably share and enjoy stories.  Indeed, the gift of narrative defines us as human beings. This summer course focuses on the Short Story--not necessarily writing them, but reading and discussing various examples of the genre by such authors as Hemingway, Faulkner, Bontemps, Constance Fenimore Woolson, Wright, Garcia Marquez, and Alice Munro.  These self-contained texts perfectly lend themselves to the extended classes of summer, enabling us to consider, roughly, a single story each day.  Students will have the option of preparing a critical essay on the genre or of writing their own stories as a final project.
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550

Success in life is often measured by the ability to communicate effectively with others.  This course emphasizes development of speech and rhetoric skills that may be used in the formal debate context as well as life situations.  Students will learn argumentation and public speaking skills to participate in different styles of debate and speaking. Students will participate in philosophical and topical debates in different formats including single debate and partner debate, while improving skills in communicating with others, and preparing and delivering formal public speeches.  Opportunities in a number of different speaking styles and interpretive reading presentations will be provided. 
July 21-30 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

This course is an introduction to the roots and key concepts of philosophical thinking. We will discuss notable philosophers and analyze their thoughts on the biggest questions of humanity. Students will use film, literature, and class discussion to study the views of these great thinkers and dive deeply into their own answers to life’s greatest quandaries.
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Tuition: $550
 

This course will briefly discuss the engineering and design process and its uses in the modern world. Students will learn to think like an engineer as they complete challenges that force them to apply their knowledge to design projects that solve key problems. 
July 9-20 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

In this course, students will learn about the skills necessary to become a leader in and out of the classroom. We will outline leadership theories that can improve confidence, build character, and assist students with influencing and empowering those around them.
June 28 - July 8 --- 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition: $550
 

This video production course will cover how to create short format films from preproduction to postproduction. Students will use professional video equipment and meet virtually with directors, producers and editors in the television and film industry over the two weeks and put into practice what they learn from the pros. Independently or in small groups, students will produce short films ready to be entered into film contests, used as portfolio pieces or just made for fun!
July 21-30 -- 12:30-3:30

Chemistry is notorious for beating students down, especially in the first few months of school. The combination of unfamiliar science concepts, advanced math skills, and intense instructional pacing can be more than some students can bear. This course seeks to serve as a primer for the initial concepts and skills of Chemistry. Completion of Pre-Chemistry will provide students with the foundation necessary to hit the ground running in September.
July 21-30 --- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Tuition: $350

Teachers of any AP History subject will agree that writing, historical reasoning, and document analysis skills are essential to achieving top scores on their AP exams. Unfortunately, students often arrive in September without some of these very skills. AP History is so content-heavy that, depending upon their level of weakness, students may lack the time necessary to learn both the content and these essential skills during the regular school year. This course is intended to help students entering any AP History class to develop the essential skills before they are immersed in and overwhelmed by the content.
July 21-30 --- 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tuition: $350

Every student needs to develop the skills necessary for learning in school, but too often they gain these skills too late for academic success. The Study Skills course will help students hone their notetaking, reading, and questioning skills. It is perfect for students entering the upper school or for those who want to improve their facility with learning – in high school and beyond.
July 9-20 --- 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tuition: $350

Whether you pursue a career in Engineering, Computer Programming, or Graphic Design, you will need to understand and apply the Design Process. This course introduces students to the process and uses project-based learning to apply the process to student work.
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tuition: $350

Everyone wants to eat the best tasting food, but few people can create those dishes at home. Follow a professional chef on a journey through the kitchen. Students will learn the fundamental techniques for stovetop dishes and baked goods. If your mouth is starting to water, this is the course for you!
June 28 - July 8 --- 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Tuition: $350

Genius hour is a movement that allows students to creatively explore their own passions in the classroom. The idea stems from several places, including Google, which gives its developers time to research and work on a project that interests them with the understanding that it will advance the company. This course is an opportunity for students to strengthen their research skills, expand their creativity, and reignite their passion for learning. Students pick a topic/question that interests them, develop an open-ended question to explore allowing them to research independently, and create a final product to showcase what they learned for the rest of the community. Some examples of a final product is a website, documentary, game, TED Talk, model presentation/simulation, but anything that explains the topic and findings to be shared is acceptable. Students will share their final presentations in a showcase on the last day of the course.
July 9-20 --- 12:30 M to 2:30 PM
Tuition: $350

Have you ever wanted to learn sign language? If you or someone you know is hearing-impaired, ASL may be exactly what you need. Or maybe you just want to communicate with a friend across a crowded room -- ASL could be the answer. Learning sign language has been shown to enhance Emotional Intelligence and improve reading skills, and ASL is easy to master. In just 8 days of Summer Academy classes, you can learn to use American Sign Language and begin to communicate better -- in all contexts!
June 28 - July 8 --- 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Tuition $350