Summer Academic Programs

Spanish Adventures 2 | Language University - $250
July 11-15, 12-3 p.m.—Grades 2-5

Get ready to take your summer to the next level with a camp that is full of hands-on fun, imagination and adventures. Create plays, explore Tower Hill’s beautiful outdoor areas and craft your way into learning Spanish! Join Language U’s Ms. Lia for a camp full of top-secret missions and musical journeys! Whether your kids are seeing Spanish for the first time, or they are keeping up with their language foundation, Language U promises to keep your campers motivated, entertained and learning from start to finish.

AP English Literature AND Composition Prep | Michelle Wrambel
July 11-15, 8:30-11:30 a.m.—Grades 11-12

Primarily, this course will prepare students to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam. This course focuses on reading, analyzing and writing about literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students will engage in close reading and critical analysis to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to convey meaning. Through reading assignments, students will consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery and symbolism. We will compose written assignments that include expository, analytical and argumentative essays that will require students to analyze and interpret literary works. 

 

Memoir Writing | Michelle Wrambel
July 18-22, 8:30-11:30 a.m.—Grades 10-12

In this course, students will read and compose memoirs, seeking to understand how human beings choose to write the stories of their lives. We will discuss the differences between multiple forms of writing including the personal essay, memoir, nonfiction and autobiography. Each of our readings will focus on a particular area of written composition such as style, narration, dialogue or figurative language. We will workshop our written work as a group and learn the benefits of constructive criticism in the style of the University of Iowa’s Writers’ Workshop. 

 

Reading Nonfiction for Analysis | Michelle Wrambel
July 25-29, 8:30-11:30 a.m.—Grades 10-12

This course is designed for students who are looking to improve their nonfiction reading skills, particularly examining how we can read nonfiction articles to examine bias, evaluate ethos and critique arguments. We will be reading multiple sources ranging from The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today and various news publications. We will discuss the difference between informative and argumentative writing, examine the differences of facts and opinions, and discuss the ways that writers can use statistics to skew their arguments. We will also complete some nonfiction writing of our own by the course’s conclusion.  

 

Getting Ready for Upper School Math | TBD
July 26-30, 8:30-11:30 a.m.—Grade 9-12

This one-week workshop will provide rising freshmen the opportunity to strengthen and reinforce essential math skills that form a strong foundation for Upper School algebra courses. Topics include linear equations, exponents and radicals, polynomials, factoring and quadratics. Whether online or in-person, students will engage, problem solve and apply mathematical techniques using a variety of creative methods. 

 

Science and Lab Skills for Incoming 9th Graders | TBD 
August 2-6, 8:30-11:30 a.m.—Grades 9-10

This week-long course is designed to acclimate incoming ninth graders (or 10th graders who are starting at THS from another school) to the necessary skills for success in the Upper School science program. Highlighted are math skills—primarily algebra and graphical analysis—lab skills that can be done either from the kitchen (at home!) or from the lab, writing scientific data analysis and the basics of keeping a lab notebook and studying for a science class.