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This article originally appeared in the spring 2016 Harker Quarterly.
Harker’s summer programs will once again be a popular destination for kids looking to enrich their learning, acquire new skills or just have fun. Here’s a look at what’s in store!
HARKER PRESCHOOL SUMMER
For our youngest learners, Harker Preschool’s summer program features
art, music and movement, and STEM activities. The preschool’s beautiful 8-acre campus and caring teachers provide the ideal environment for learning and fun, which will include classroom activities, outdoor play in the preschool’s expansive lawn, garden and farm areas, and special events. Children will experience guided play that teaches complex concepts in a nurturing environment.
To be eligible for this program, children must be 3 years old by Dec. 1, 2016, and under 6 before August 2016. The preschool program is offered in two sessions: a four-week session will be held June 20-July 15 and a three-week session will be held July 18-Aug. 5. Parents may sign up for full days (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) or half days (8:30 a.m.-noon).
For more information, visit the Harker Summer website at http://summer.harker.org.
SUMMER CAMP PLUS
Harker’s Summer Camp Plus, for students in kindergarten through grade 5, combines great learning experiences with great fun. With four exciting morning academics options, students will have more opportunities for fun summer learning than ever before. The four-week program’s Core Focus, for grades 1-5, offers morning sessions in math, writing, coding and more. The brand new two-week Pick Your Passion option gives students the opportunity to take an intensive course in a subject of their choice, such as math, language arts, music and art.
Also new to Summer Camp Plus is Out ‘n’ About, for K-5, which will take students outdoors for activities focusing on character and collaboration. Kids will spend one fun-filled week learning important life lessons both on campus and in the local community.
In the afternoon, campers will have their choice of a vast array of activities, including sports, crafts and games. Following lunch, campers can enjoy group activities such as archery, basketball, wall climbing, dance, music and much more. From 3:30-5 p.m., campers will have a special-interest time to explore activities that interest them. Field trips to Bay Area landmarks are also in store for afternoon campers.
Younger students will have a blast at Harker’s KinderCamp, specially designed and staffed to prepare children to enter kindergarten. Morning sessions include learning opportunities in language arts and math, with an emphasis on hands-on concepts and technology-based instruction methods. Campers will receive individual attention and instruction will be customized to meet each student’s needs.
Please visit the Harker Summer website at http://summer.harker.org for more information, including scheduling and pricing.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER INSTITUTE: ALL-NEW PROGRAM!
Middle school students in grades 6-8 will enjoy an all-new selection of academic opportunities at this year’s Summer Institute. These two-week sessions allow students to create their own schedules to maximize their learning. Available courses include Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, iOS App Design, Python Programming, Creative Writing and more. These courses feature the small class sizes, dedicated faculty and staff, and great facilities that have made Harker one of the nation’s top private schools.
The Summer Institute’s afternoon program gives students a chance to meet with friends, learn new skills and explore new interests. Students will separate into groups and participate in fun, friendly competition led by Harker’s well-trained summer staff.
Included in the afternoon program are sports such as basketball, volleyball and water polo, all taught in a positive environment with caring, highly experienced coaches. These afternoon activities are designed to develop sport-specific skills and teamwork in a fun and supportive setting.
Other course topics include music production, poetry and cooking. Afternoon courses can be taken by themselves or as an addition to the morning academic courses, making the summer experience highly customizable.
The special one-week Out ‘n’ About program treats students to a week of team-building, leadership and community service. Participants will create teams and engage in numerous activities designed to strengthen team bonds, build confidence and forge lasting friendships. Teams will devise and execute service projects, play games and practice newfound skills in real-life situations.
UPPER SCHOOL SUMMER INSTITUTE
Harker’s upper school Summer Institute is an ideal destination for Bay Area high school students looking for a comprehensive summer education experience. Those who wish to gain school credit for the upcoming academic year may select from many for-credit courses, including algebra, programming and biology. Students who wish to explore new interests or expand their knowledge of a subject have the option of taking one of several enrichment courses, including Creative Writers Workshop, Pre-Calculus Boost, Climate Change and Driver’s Education.
These rigorous courses are taught by Harker’s dedicated and well-qualified teachers. Students will enjoy small class sizes and top-notch facilities. Those who wish to enroll in the upper school Summer Institute must be entering grades 9-12 in fall 2016.
For more information about the upper school Summer Institute, including schedules and pricing, visit the Harker Summer website at http://summer.harker.org.
HARKER SUMMER SWIM SCHOOL
Swimming is one of summer’s quintessential activities, and the Harker Summer Swim School is a great way for enthusiasts of all levels to learn new skills and re ne their current abilities in a positive, non-competitive environment. The swim school accommodates 10 different skill levels, from beginners to advanced swimmers. Half-hour lessons are given daily and are developed to meet each swimmer’s goals. Swimmers ages 5-18 may participate in group or private lessons, while those ages 3-4 must take private lessons.
The Harker Swim School is conducted at the beautiful Singh Aquatic Center on the upper school campus, which contains a 75-by-112.5-foot pool and 13 lanes.
Swimmers in grades 2-8 interested in learning key aspects of competitive swimming have the option of signing up for the junior swim team, where they will build technique, endurance and other skills suitable for competition.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
Harker’s summer English Language Institute (ELI) has gained a worldwide reputation as a top program for international students looking to improve their English skills as they prepare for American boarding schools or English- speaking international schools. This ve- week intensive session is available to all levels of English pro ciency. Students are placed in classes according to their individual needs.
For younger students, the elementary program provides an age-appropriate learning environment for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. Students will spend their days at Harker’s lower school campus, building their speaking, listening and writing skills with access to campus facilities such as the library, computer labs and playgrounds. Classes with native speakers are available to advanced students in order to help them build more advanced skills and con dence.
Students ages 12-16 are placed in the secondary program, which contains beginner/intermediate preparation and advanced preparation courses. Students in the beginner/intermediate course work in small groups using a curriculum designed to meet individual needs, with homework assigned to help them build on concepts taught in the classroom.
Advanced preparation students will focus on writing, comprehension and oral presentation. Students will take a test to determine their placement into the advanced preparation level. Classes will take place in the mornings from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with homework time and teacher assistance available from 3:30-5 p.m. Students also will work with native-speaking conversation partners, with whom they will converse about their writing projects. Advanced preparation also includes special instruction to prepare students for American high schools, emphasizing preparation for the SSAT and TOEFL tests, essay writing, vocabulary and speaking fluency.
Secondary students also have the option of adding English to High School (E2H) instruction, which includes individualized resources, personal counseling and performance tracking.