Active English for Middle School   (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

Designed for students entering 6th or 7th grade, this course prepares students for the verbal portion of the ISEE and fosters success in middle-school composition and literature. Through cooperative learning, educational games, focused discussion and teacher instruction, students sharpen their skills in reading comprehension and written expression. Students read one novel and various short stories as an introduction to literature.

Preparation for High School English   (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

For students entering eighth or ninth grade, this course stresses both analytical and creative writing. In analytical writing we will emphasize clear thesis development and evidence; most high school papers rely on the clarity and precision of a well-crafted thesis and the evidence that supports it. In creative writing we emphasize the pure enjoyment of writing, along with building vocabulary and integrating one's voice into writing. Students read short stories and articles, but the main emphasis is on composition.

Expository Writing Workshop   (2 weeks, June 23 - July 3)

An intensive workout in the fundamentals of expository writing, with particular attention to effective thesis statements, paragraph development, economy, consistent syntax, and coherence. Models, group work and individual assignments emphasize analytical and persuasive writing.

Study Skills Workshop   (5 weeks, June 23 - July 27)

Get your grades in synch with your ability! Learn time management and goal-setting for a college-preparatory curriculum. This varied, interactive course uses engaging activities and group exercises to refine fundamental writing skills, test-taking, note-taking, outlining, organization, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

FILM STUDIES

Introduction to Film Studies  (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

Taught by filmmaker Michael Miley, this course introduces the techniques and language of visual storytelling by studying the core elements of filmmaking. Students study films as texts and the process of filmmaking as a craft through which an artist makes a statement. The course examines at least one film a week, in addition to current films that students see in theaters.

Video Production Lab   (3 weeks,  July 7 - July 25)

This hands-on workshop introduces the art of filmmaking. Students learn to operate a camera and an editing system by producing their own music videos and short films. Enrollment is limited to eight students, grades nine through twelve.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Intensive French   (2 weeks, June 23 -July 3)

Get an introduction to the language of amour, or strengthen your foundation heading into your second year of French. This interactive course provides both group exercises and individualized review in grammar, vocabulary, conversation, and reading to enrich basic language skills. Students explore French culture as well through French film and cuisine.

Beginning Conversational Spanish   (2 weeks,  June 23 - July 3)

Designed for students with little to no experience in Spanish, this non-credit course stresses personal development in Spanish—and fun. It focuses on conversation, movement, conversation, story-creating and activities, presenting grammar only as it “pops up,” as a tool for comprehension. Homework will be minimal.

Intensive Spanish   (3 weeks,  July 7 - July 25)

Students with prior experience in beginning Spanish gain fluency in the structures and vocabulary normally presented in the first year of high school Spanish. This course builds proficiency in the four areas of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Computer-assisted learning is an important component of the course.

MATHEMATICS

Introductory Pre-Algebra  (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

Sharpen your basic math skills prior to entering Algebra I, reviewing such basics as fractions, integers, decimals, and percentages. Learn basic algebraic symbols and operations, manipulating variables and examining simple geometry, equation solving, and other topics. Designed for students entering sixth through eighth grades.

Algebra I  —  for credit   (6 weeks, June 23 - August 1)

Equivalent to a full year's course, this course stresses the properties of a number field, linear relations, radicals and the quadratic formula.  Offers a balanced emphasis, presenting fundamental concepts and basic theory, as well as manipulation of algebraic expressions.  May be taken for review, remediation, or, with department permission, acceleration.

Geometry  —  for credit   (6 weeks, June 23 - August 1)

Equivalent to a full year's course, this course introduces logic and uses it to present Euclidean geometry in the plane.  Topics include parallel lines, congruence, similarity, logical proofs, areas of polygons and circles, volumes of solids, transformations, arcs, and segments in circles. May be taken for review,  remediation, or, with department permission, acceleration.

Algebra II with Trigonometry  —  for credit 
                                                       (6 weeks, June 23 - August 1)

Equivalent to a full year's course, this course extends to a more mature level the material covered in Algebra 1 through ordered field properties, inequalities, rational number systems, complex number systems, radicals, exponents and logarithms, systems of quadratics, trigonometric graphs, matrices and conic sections. The course stresses word problems and algebraic modeling. Graphing calculators are required. May be taken for review, remediation, or acceleration.

Precalculus  —  for credit  (6 weeks, June 23 - August 1)

Equivalent to a full year's course, this course covers circular and trigonometric functions, parametric equations, polar equations, vectors, complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, rational functions, conic sections, sequences, series, limits, determinants, matrices, and topics from probability and statistics. This course prepares students to begin a Calculus AB course; historically, it has also helped students to perform well on the SAT Math IIC Subject Test.

SCIENCE

Science Fair Summer Workshop (1 week,  June 23 - June 27)

In this one-week workshop students grades 7-12 choose, design, and present a potential project as a foundation for next year’s science fair. Each day of the course explores a stage of the process of completing a successful science fair project: choosing a topic, background research, experimental design, data analysis, and presenting results.

PREP SAT INSTITUTE

Two-Week Intensive SAT Preparation and Review

Led by Flintridge Prep Mathematics Department chairman John Romano, these sessions prepare students for the New SAT instituted by the Educational Testing Service of the College Board  in 2005. Mr. Romano, a current test writer for ETS, offers unique insight into the makeup and strategies behind the New SAT. Prep faculty member Kristin Cohoon, an experienced SAT instructor, will lead the verbal sessions, with extensive attention to both the critical reading and writing skills sections, including the examination’s writing sample. Students may enroll in any combination of these sessions.

SAT Verbal Institute   (2 weeks, July 7 - July 18)

SAT Mathematics Institute   (2 weeks, July 7 - July 18)

FINE & PERFORMING ARTS

Beginning Photography   (5 weeks,  June 23 - July 25)  

For students with little or no darkroom experience. Using a 35mm camera (SLR/point & shoot), students learn the basics of black-and-white photography. Students cover mastery of the camera, processing negatives, and printing in the darkroom. This course stresses technique and composition. Near the end of the class we will also discuss digital photography and the “dry darkroom,” using computers, scanners, and digital photo printers. Students should have use of a 35mm camera.

Advanced Photography   (5 weeks,  June 23 - July 25)

After a brief review of black-and-white wet darkroom procedures and techniques, students concentrate on using the “dry darkroom” with Photoshop CS2 to print film and digital images.  Students use our scanners to load up film, negative, and positive images. We will also use our card readers to upload digital images. This course uses basic photoshop skills; students with a good understanding of photoshop progress at their own pace. Students who choose to do so mayconcentrate on wet darkroom techniques, printing large images and archetypal images.

Digital Photography/Photoshop  (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

Have fun and express yourself while learning about digital photography. Through a series of creative projects, students explore the use of digital cameras and manipulate images with Adobe Photoshop. This class is appropriate for all levels of experience. Access to a digital camera (point-and-shoot or better) is recommended, although a limited number of cameras will be available for checkout. Enrollment limited to eight students entering grades 9 through 12.

Woodworking 101  (2 weeks,  June 23 - July 3)  

Do you like the smell of sawdust in the morning?  Looking for a hands-on design and building experience?  Students learn basic principles of shaping and joining and, time permitting, finishing techniques (stain, paint). Each student completes two projects. Students receive instruction and monitoring in sound techniques and safe practices.  Restricted to students who have completed seventh grade.

Introduction to Acting  (3 weeks, July 7 - July 25)  

Students participate in a variety of dynamic, fun games and exercises designed to develop acting skills, and then directly apply these skills in scenes from popular plays.

Ceramics  (5 weeks, June 23 - July 25)

This course introduces basic handbuilding techniques. Students work on the potter's wheel and learn handbuilt and sculptural forms, using coiling and slab techniques.

COMPUTERS                

Web Skills    (3 weeks,  July 7 - July 25)

How does the internet work?  How do I know who owns & operates a website (& which ones to trust?) How can I tell if a photo has been digitally altered? How can I design my own webpage? We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this three-week course open to students entering grades 8 through 12. Learn how to successfully transfer files between computers (i.e. make sure your homework will open & print when you e-mail it to yourself at school), how to create and manipulate photos and images for use on the web using Fireworks and Dreamweaver, and how to critically “read” a website to know if it’s a good source of information. This class will be mostly project-based, with a focus on creativity and critical thinking. Our classroom uses all PCs, but the instructor is both Mac- and PC-friendly!

SPORTS & AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

Afternoon Activities:  Swimming, Games and Stuff
                                   (session dates listed below)        

Need something fun, exciting, and creative to do in the long, hot days of summer? Enjoy Prep's HUGE pool, and express yourself through sports, games, hiking, crafts, video, cooking, and general FUN!!!  Designed for students entering grades 4-8.  Each student receives a t-shirt.

Instructor (all sessions):  Mr. Michael Roffina

Rebel Softball Camp   (1 week,  July 9 - 13)

Prep varsity softball coaches Julie Jaime and Joe Maggio lead this camp. Learn and sharpen the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, and hitting through drills, fun activities, and competitive games. For beginning to intermediate-level athletes ages 8 and older.