Summer Courses for Grades 9-12

The fundamental skills of reading, analyzing, and responding in writing to both informational and literary texts forms the core of this summer course. With a focus on engaging texts, including relevant, contemporary works, students will build knowledge and develop the tools they need around organization, style, and content in order to analyze an author’s intent and strengthen their own writing. Students can expect to compose narrative, expository, and argumentative works while also improving their skills in grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary.

(1 credit)

In this summer course, students can look forward to lively, relevant readings and discussions to help them progress their writing, reading, and analysis skills using more advanced texts and literary concepts. Rigorous writing assignments will continue to help students evolve their literary analyses to texts while they also improve in the fundamentals of organization, style, and content and further hone their critical thinking and writing abilities. Continued lessons on grammar and mechanics will help students up-level their writing skills as we explore more advanced compositions.

(1 credit)

Through advanced approaches to reading, analyzing, and responding in writing to contemporary and classic texts, students will continue improving literacy skills in this summer course that will prepare them for the challenges that await them in college-level English courses and beyond. While the fundamentals of grammar, mechanics and vocabulary will continue to be developed, students are expected to leave the course with demonstrated understanding of the concepts of quality writing and literary analysis, tackling increasingly advanced texts that relate to the world around them.

(1 credit)

Through advanced approaches to reading, analyzing, and responding in writing to contemporary and classic texts, students will continue improving literacy skills in this summer course that will prepare them for the challenges that await them in college-level English courses and beyond. While the fundamentals of grammar, mechanics and vocabulary will continue to be developed, students are expected to leave the course with demonstrated understanding of the concepts of quality writing and literary analysis, tackling increasingly advanced texts that relate to the world around them.

(1 credit)

Bienvenue to this summer introductory French class! Students will embark on the exciting journey of language acquisition by studying the fundamental building blocks of French, focusing on the four key areas of world language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Extensive use of authentic materials (video, audio, images, texts) will provide students a contextualized and interactive presentation of the vocabulary and the linguistic structures, setting them up for success in future language learnings. Students can expect to work collaboratively and independently as they formulate and test hypotheses about different aspects of the French language, all the while developing metacognitive strategies to process and negotiate the meaning of new vocabulary. Consistent and relevant francophonic references and materials will further immerse students as they start their foray into French language and culture.

(1 credit)

Using the tools introduced in earlier work, this summer class will build on existing francophone concepts and provide students with fresh insights and understanding of French language and culture. Using many forms of francophone media, from music to film to news articles and more, students will increase their access to various French concepts while exploring more sophisticated vocabulary, grammar, and structure concepts. With a goal of helping students not just learn French, but learn to love it, students will interact with each other and the culture in new ways, applying their content language through exciting projects -- such as recording podcasts, exchanging correspondence with francophone students, creating an itinerary for a trip, analyzing modern French movies, and more. By the end of the course students will demonstrate ability in discussing current events in French, conversing or debating with French speakers, and identifying the nuances of the language. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Improving linguistic sophistication while also building students’ confidence in their French skills are the hallmarks of this summer course. Students with an existing understanding of French, established in earlier introductory courses, can expect to continue communicating through the four competencies of language acquisition: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. A focus on French grammar, including the passé composé, passé simple, conditionnel, and plus-que-parfait tenses, as well as the subjunctive mood, will challenge students as they grow into the ability to discuss and debate French and francophone history, culture, and current events. Students will enjoy immersing themselves in French culture through film and readings that will anchor their projects, including an in-depth study of the classic (and beloved) Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Continued progression through French language concepts and culture make this fourth-year, summer course a chance for students to sharpen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in immersive ways. New vocabulary areas will help students as they explore increasingly complex grammatical structures. Engaging with many francophone authentic materials, including literature, videos, radio clips, podcasts, movies, music, newspaper articles, magazines, and more will drive a refreshed and authentic interest in and understanding of francophone culture, histories, and peoples. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

In this summer course that introduces students to a range of basic Mandarin vocabulary and grammatical concepts, students can expect to form a clear understanding of the fundamental building blocks of language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. From the Mandarin alphabet and numbers to basic descriptions of people, places, food, animals, and more, this course lays the necessary groundwork for a thriving, immersive Mandarin experience. Extensive use of authentic materials (video, audio, images, texts) will provide students a contextualized and interactive presentation of the vocabulary and the linguistic structures, setting them up for success in future language learnings. Students can expect to work collaboratively and independently as they formulate and test hypotheses about different aspects of the Mandarin language, all the while developing metacognitive strategies to process and negotiate the meaning of new vocabulary.

(1 credit)

Using the tools introduced in earlier work, this summer class will build on existing Mandarin concepts and provide students with fresh insights and understanding of Chinese language and culture. Using many forms of Chinese media, from music to film to news articles and more, students will increase their access to various concepts while exploring more sophisticated vocabulary, grammar, and structures. This course emphases spelling with the pinyin system, tone accuracy, numbers, calendar components and time, basic greetings, character writing, and grammatical structures. With a goal of helping students not just learn Mandarin, but learn to love it, students will interact with each other and the culture through in-class writing drills, engaging quizzes, conversation practices, and grammar drills, building on their ability to converse in the language. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Building on their existing skills in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin, students in this summer course will learn to better communicate in a variety of ways as they build up a solid foundation in character writing. They’ll expand upon their base of knowledge and branch into the areas of spelling within the pinyin system and tone accuracy. Through use of technology-based learning activities, task-based projects, individual and collaborative projects, and group discussions, students will become immersed in Chinese culture while they progress into more advanced elements of Mandarin grammar and composition. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Continued progression through Chinese language concepts and culture make this fourth-year, summer course a chance for students to sharpen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in immersive ways. Conducted almost entirely in Mandarin, this class emphasizes class discussions, oral drills, and storytelling, while reading and writing skills will be strengthened through project-based learning activities centered around Chinese culture, including important histories, festivals, films, and present-day concerns like COVID-19. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Bienvenidos to this summer course that introduces students to a range of basic Spanish vocabulary and grammatical concepts. From the Spanish alphabet and numbers to basic descriptions of people, places, food, animals, and more, this course lays the necessary groundwork for a thriving, immersive Spanish experience. Students will learn concepts behind feminine and masculine nouns, plural, negatives, present-tense verbs, and the irregular verbs “to have” and “to be.” A range of Spanish reading strategies will be introduced and students will develop an understanding of both oral and written Spanish words, including a special focus on pronunciation and intonation.

(1 credit)

Using concepts from Spanish 1, this summer course will advance students into more sophisticated levels of Spanish language understanding. From conversational topics on daily routines, shopping, and finding one’s way around to planning parties, playing sports, and participating in leisure activities, the Spanish vocabulary in this course will further immerse students in this popular and useful language, setting them up for a solid understanding of concepts and phrases. Students will cover conjugation of regular and irregular verbs, making negative statements, possessive adjectives, reflexive verbs, the preterit tense, and the immediate future -- and will use their new skills to make comparisons between their own cultures and those of the Spanish-speaking world. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Building on their existing skills in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish, students in this summer course will learn to better communicate in a variety of ways as they continue studying Spanish dialects, cultures, and history. They’ll expand upon their base of knowledge and branch into the areas of launching and maintaining conversations in Spanish, expressing their feelings and emotions, and exchanging opinions using conditional, future, and past tenses of Spanish. While proceeding at their own pace, students in this course can also look forward to working together towards a common goal: becoming more proficient in this important world language. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Continued progression through Spanish language concepts and culture make this fourth-year, summer course a chance for students to sharpen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in immersive ways. Vocabulary will span the areas of work, vacation, sports, society, the arts, and media as students explore increasingly complex grammatical structures with a focus on the present, past, future, conditional, and subjunctive tenses. Engaging with texts and materials from the Spanish speaking world will drive a refreshed and authentic interest in and understanding of Spanish culture, histories, and peoples. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Drawing on a selection of films and literary works, students will use their advanced Spanish language skills to reflect in depth on themes such as science and technology, current issues, history, geography, art, film, and music. Thought-provoking short stories and other literary works, intertwined with engaging films, will provide students with many conversation strands alongside activities related to the theme of each lesson. Students are expected to possess knowledge of sophisticated grammatical concepts and vocabulary, which enable them to read works from significant Hispanic authors. This course is intended for students who have taken Spanish 4 and/or AP Spanish, with the possibility of individual approval outside of these prerequisites upon faculty recommendation. 

(1 credit)

Introducing students to the elementary rules of mathematics is the core of our rigorous Algebra I course in which students build a strong foundation for future mathematics. Through explorations into solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, as well as simplifying exponential, radical, and polynomial expressions, students will discover the awe-inspiring theories behind math, and can expect to master concepts like quadratic and radical equations. During the summer, students will get the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through collaborative work, unit exams, and investigations. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

In this summer course, students will focus on the theorems of Euclid and the exploration of formal proofs as they strive to not just understand their concepts and properties, but to connect them to the application of numerical and problem-solving solutions. Students will progress through the study of triangle properties and into the three basic trigonometric ratios, working on problems involving two- and three-dimensional objects and the calculation of area, surface area, and volume. The Honors section of Geometry takes a deeper look into these concepts and offers more challenging assignments and projects. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

A strong emphasis on the mathematical application of a variety of algebraic and trigonometric concepts form the basis of this summer class, which will focus on the use of technology and inquiry-based learning and guide students toward an appreciation of how math plays out in the real world. Students can expect to explore topics such as transformations, exponential and logarithmic applications, and sequences and series.  In applying their mathematical skills, students will also master many different forms of functions, including trigonometric functions, through rigorous analysis and examinations. This course will foster the confidence and understanding required to excel in PreCalculus. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

From collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data to exploring set theory and probability, this summer course will set the stage for understanding the essentials of statistics. Students will progress through the basics to using descriptive statistics to effectively summarize sets of data before moving into more challenging concepts, such as making predictions based on various distribution models, regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and mathematical modeling, working on real-world tasks to make connections. Core coursework will be supplemented with an independent statistical study each student will design and implement. Departmental permission required.

(1 credit)

Understanding the basis of life and lifeforms comes from the study of biology, and in this summer introductory course, students will explore the diversity of life, from the molecular to the community level, as they make use of the scientific method. Topics like evolution, the interrelationship between the structure and function of living things, and human interaction with the natural environment will help students develop a solid understanding of biology, forming a framework of future studies in the fields of biology or environmental science. Students can expect exciting labwork and simulation activities as they explore ecology, organic molecules, cellular structure and function, cell division, genetics, diversity and classification of living things, and animal behavior.

(1 credit)

The fundamental concepts of chemistry will be explored in this summer introductory course, where students will be expected to use mathematical, analytical, data acquisition, and communications skills to develop an understanding of a variety of topics. With coursework spanning atomic theory and its relation to chemical behavior, chemical bonding, the mole and stoichiometry, molecular kinetics, energy relationships, and solution behavior, students will form a strong foundation of chemistry that will serve them well in future scientific subjects. The Honors section of Chemistry takes a deeper look into these concepts and offers more challenging assignments and projects that will prepare students for more advanced chemistry classes, including Advanced Placement and college-level courses.

Pre-requisites:  Biology, Algebra 1

(1 credit)

What is the Earth composed of, and how do humans impact its biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere? Students can expect to study concepts in geology, meteorology, oceanography, climatology, astronomy, and more in the summer course that will emphasize human interactions with the geological and environmental systems. Working both independently and within groups, students will understand the predictability of a dynamic Earth, the origin and evolution of the Earth’s system and the universe, geochemical cycles, energy in the Earth system.

(1 credit)

What relationships exist between the structures of the human body and its functions? Students will explore those kinds of questions in this summer introductory course to human anatomy and physiology from an integrative perspective. Understanding the mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis within the human body as well as examining the structure and function of the skeletal system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and many more will help students develop an appreciation for bodies and all they can accomplish. Students can expect engaging laboratory and simulation activities, clinical studies, models, diagrams, projects, and compelling discussions.

(1 credit)

"Students will explore the fundamental concepts of physics in this rousing exploration into the behavior of the universe, with an emphasis on developing both a conceptual understanding of the subject as well as practicing qualitative analyses of general physics principles and models. Through guided inquiry, students will be engaged and inspired as they expound on the nature of scientific theory, incorporating all the critical components that comprise the study of physics, including algebra and trigonometry. Students can expect to hone their critical thinking skills in this summer course as they examine the core principles of physics through rigorous work, covering such topics as kinematics, mechanics, thermal physics, momentum, waves, and electric currents and circuits.

Prerequisite courses: Algebra I; Co-requisite: Geometry

(1 credit)

Through the frameworks of communities, networks, and production and distribution, students will study the three most recent eras in human history as part of this summer course that serves as the ideal follow-up to Ancient World History. Explorations include the First Global Age, when the world shifted from regional to global networks; the Age of Revolutions, including Enlightenment and its resulting political revolutions, including the Industrial Revolution, European Imperialism and Colonial Responses; and the pivotal events of the 20th century, including two world wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, and decolonization. Students will consider how all these events are interconnected, and how modern advancements in technology drive further change, using engaging class work and discussions.

(1 credit)

Understanding the evolution of the United States from its beginnings as a colony to its height as a global superpower begins with this summer course, where students will focus on the social, political, and economic aspects of U.S. history. Segmented into three themes (the developing nation; forces of change; the road to modernization), coursework will focus on critical moments of change, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, the rise of globalism, and more, through diverse lenses and examinations of race, gender, and class. Students can look forward to vibrant debate and discussions as they use relevant materials, including primary and secondary sources, to analyze their own place within history and develop key critical thinking skills.

(1 credit)

From the founding of the country to its present day, the complete story of American government and politics will be examined in this summer course as students explore the founding ideals of the nation and their lasting influence on politics and government through in-depth research, discussion, and debate. Students can look forward to becoming empowered and informed citizens as they develop an understanding of the structure, historical development, and functions of government.

Prerequisite: successful completion of U.S. History

(1 credit)

From the basic chronology of modern European history to the major milestones, including the Renaissance through the post-Cold War era, this summer course explores the political-diplomatic, social-economic, and intellectual-cultural histories of Europe. Through thought-provoking class discussions, group projects, and independent study, students will draw connections between historical developments throughout the continent, studying both general European history as well as major events in Britain, France, Spain, Russia, the German states, and the Italian states.

(1 credit)

Small businesses are the backbone of a thriving economic system, and in this course students will explore the essential skills and theories needed to launch a small business -- and, crucially, to understand how to bring it to scale. Students will personalize their studies by focusing on a business of interest and tackling the components of a startup that interest them most, from business development to accounting systems to market research and more. This course was developed specifically to give students an opportunity to diversify their understanding of business and set them up for future success in the field.

(1 credit)

Understanding how computer programming can be used as a tool for problem solving is the foundation of this introductory course, where students will explore Python, one of the most widely used and versatile programming languages in the world. Through challenging and exciting coding assignments, students will discover procedural programming through Python, covering such constructs as loops, condition statements, variables, data types, lists, and functions. From challenges like code breaking to solving puzzles through simulations, this summer course will lay a solid groundwork for students interested in coding, and serves as a launchpad for more advanced Computer Science courses. No previous programming experience required.

(1 credit)

Once students have explored Python concepts in the introductory Computer Science course, it’s time to discover Java! Students will develop an understanding of object-oriented programming based in Java, and can expect to cover programming constructs such as classes, encapsulation, polymorphism, inheritance, and complexity of an algorithm. Rigorous challenges and experiments will help prepare students for the Advanced Placement course in the fall.

(1 credit)

In this engaging introductory course, students will understand the foundational principles of economics, including how local economies develop and the concepts of supply and demand. They’ll explore ideal pricing and resource allocation, develop awareness of how different economies interact to form a global marketplace, and discover how economics forces individuals to make choices -- and how those choices then govern our behaviors. Students can also expect to explore concepts related to personal finance, the stock market, and wealth management, ending the term with a firm grasp on local and global economies and on how economics governs our individual lives and the decisions governments make.

(1 credit)

Empowering young people to live an active, health-focused lifestyle begins with clear, science-based approaches. In this summer course, students will explore not just the tactical ways to eat well, sleep better, manage stress, and incorporate physical activity, but the data behind why those are all crucial to living a healthy life. Students will evaluate their personal health and set specific, achievable goals, using a variety of health-focused research and approaches, including online group discussions, reviewing health products, and designing mock public service announcements about health-related topics. With a focus on equipping students to make informed decisions, this course provides a powerful foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.

(1 credit)

In this summer introductory course to the study of human behavior and thought processes, students will tackle the theme of “Making Sense of Ourselves and Other People.” Students will explore the universal questions in life, such as “How can I tell if somebody likes me?” or “What causes prejudice in the world?”, and can expect to launch an understanding of the methods and approaches of psychology. Grounding our explorations will be the core areas of social, cognitive, developmental, biological, and individual differences.

(1 credit)