2024 Full Course Descriptions

 

Unleash your creativity and dive into the world of art! In this immersive summer class, students will have the opportunity to explore a diverse array of mediums and techniques. From traditional mediums like charcoal and graphite to more experimental ones like cyanotype and fluid acrylic painting. Each day students will be introduced to a new medium, and at the end of the week they will take home a portfolio filled with unique artworks. You will be able to learn about the foundations of art and develop your skills through guided exercises and creative projects. Join us for a week of artistic growth and self-expression.

Instructor: Lesly Vazquez

 

Grade Levels: Rising 12th graders

Course Description: This full-day, four-day course teaches rising seniors how to compose effective personal essays for post-high school applications. Three days of this course will focus on the personal statement required for applications to most private and out-of-state public colleges/universities. The final day of this course will include instruction on how to write essays for other prompts, like those required for the University of California application. The course begins with the assumption that students hold no prior knowledge or experience on the application process, and ends with each student learning the structure of the personal essay and what makes them effective, gaining a clearer grasp of the college application season, with an introduction to the best approach for writing supplemental essays. 

College Essay Writing is a full day, four-day course, including both morning and afternoon sessions. Students seeking credit/credit repair in English must take one week of College Essay Writing and two other English classes.

Please note that College Essay Writing Week 3 will not meet on Friday, June 28.

Instructor Week 2 & Week 3: Shelley Willig  

Instructor Week 4: Tara Theobald-Anderson

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description:  Gustave Flaubert wrote that “the art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” In this course, we will do just that! Students will strengthen their own creative processes through writing exercises, workshops, and revision. We will discover methods for giving and receiving feedback on creative work that feels joyful and inspiring rather than critical; we will also deepen our understanding of character, plot, story structure, and language in order to tell the stories that feel most true to us in the most effective way possible.

Students can take this course for English credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of English credit or credit repair need to take four total English classes; the English/English Credit Repair course can be taken along with other English offerings.

Instructor: Caitlyn Berka

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: Get body slammed! Ok, not really. Learn about the economics, storytelling and culture of pro wrestling in the United States. See how wrestling has impacted pop culture, and has been impacted by American culture. We will analyze the territories, the wrestling boom, the attitude era, the dawn of “PG”, the Indies, and modern wrestling.

10th through 12th graders can take this course for History credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of History credit or credit repair need to take four total History classes; this History course can be taken along with other History offerings. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Alan Cameron

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: Women have always been leaders. This class will analyze four Queens throughout history and look at the impact they had on their respective realms. Examine differences in treatment based on gender, and learn about how they existed within and overcame the patriarchy.

10th through 12th graders can take this course for History credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of History credit or credit repair need to take four total History classes; this History course can be taken along with other History offerings. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Alan Cameron

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: In the middle of the 19th century, Japan was a land mired in antiquity. It had not yet industrialized and still had a rigid feudal system. By 1930, it was one of the world powers. Explore the transformational time period between 1850-1930 in which Japan rose to prominence. 

10th through 12th graders can take this course for History credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of History credit or credit repair need to take four total History classes; this History course can be taken along with other History offerings. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Alan Cameron

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: In the early 20th century, Mexico fought a series of wars for freedom and change. These wars have been romanticized and together are called the Mexican Revolution. Walk in the illustrious steps of Zapata, Pancho Villa, and others who fought for freedom, equality, gold, and glory. 

10th through 12th graders can take this course for History credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of History credit or credit repair need to take four total History classes; this History course can be taken along with other History offerings. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Alan Cameron

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: For all of mankind, humans have told stories. Dive into five different pantheons of Gods throughout history, including the Greeks, Norse, Yoruba, Chinese, and Polynesian. Analyze stories across these cultures and times to see how they are applicable to now!

10th through 12th graders can take this course for History credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of History credit or credit repair need to take four total History classes; this History course can be taken along with other History offerings. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Alan Cameron

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: Designed to help students develop a solid foundation in fundamental algebraic concepts, students will be equipped with the essential skills needed for success in Algebra 1. This course also offers an opportunity for students who recently took Algebra 1 to gain a deeper understanding of the material they saw. The main topics include solving one and two-step equations and inequalities, graphing on a number line, and graphing lines on an x-y coordinate system. In addition, there are opportunities to review fractions, decimals, and percentages; ratios and proportions; and basic statistics (mean/median/mode). Specific course content may vary depending on the needs of enrolled students.

This course is for enrichment only. Students who take this course will not receive credit/credit repair.

Instructor: Meenu Baloda

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: Uncover the basic principles that underlie the living world. This introductory biology course will cover cell structure and function, evolution, and various organ systems of the human body. Hands-on laboratory experiments will guide students through the scientific method and solidify understanding of real-world applications.

10th through 12th graders can take this course for Biological Science credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of Biological Science credit or credit repair need to take all four Biology classes. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: Meenu Baloda

 

Grade Levels: Rising 9th graders through rising 12th graders

Course Description: Understanding the relationship between humans and the environment is key to developing critical thinking skills regarding current resource management, environmental policy, and global climate change. Explore a broad array of topics essential to understanding this complex field, including global environmental challenges, economics, ecology, population dynamics, and renewable/non-renewable resources.

10th through 12th graders can take this course for Physical Science credit and/or for credit repair. Students seeking a semester of Physical Science credit or credit repair need to take all four Environmental Science classes. Rising 9th graders can take this course for enrichment, but will not earn credit.

Instructor: David Oliver