Preview Courses

Previewing material is a research-based practice that increases comprehension and subject mastery. Our summer preview courses introduce students to material they will encounter in the coming year in math, science, and language arts. These courses also allow students to finally address content gaps, build confidence in subjects they have never believed themselves to be “good” at, and discover new potential and ways of viewing themselves. The combination of heightened competence, autonomy, and self-esteem sets students up for a strong start to the new academic year.

These courses are individually tailored.

Writing Program

Our summer writing program immerses students in all elements of academic writing, from grammar to forming an argument to crafting an essay. Students engage in the entire writing process, from research and note-taking to outlining, drafting, and revising.

We also offer courses in creative writing, journalism, and writing in digital environments and other non-traditional forms.

Our writing program is a wonderful opportunity both for students seeking new challenges as writers and for those students who have never considered themselves "good" writers and are looking to develop skills and confidence as they head into a new academic year.

Excellent writing skills are an asset to students throughout their academic and professional careers.

The Art and Craft of the Application Essay™

For over two decades, we have been guiding students through our unique, intensive process of creating outstanding application essays. Our program includes rigorous exploratory writing and brainstorming sessions, multiple rounds of drafting and revising, and careful editing and polishing. The goal is for students to complete the program with exceptional Personal Statements and supplemental essays, significantly enhanced writing skills, and the satisfaction that comes from examining themselves and their lives, identifying extraordinary stories and ideas to share, and then articulating them with clarity and style.

Standardized Test Preparation

We offer intensive preparation for upcoming standardized tests, including the SSAT/ISEE, ACT/SAT, and GRE/LSATs. Our test prep includes rigorous content review and instruction in test-taking strategies and techniques, as well as a focus on honing study skills, executive functioning, metacognition, and mindfulness, skills which improve testing performance and serve students far beyond the test.

Mindfulness

An essential component of academic success is the ability to concentrate, to focus one’s mind on the task at hand, often for long periods of time. Yet many students struggle to pay attention even for short periods, distracted by feelings of boredom, the need for stimulation (increasingly in the form of devices, social media, and video games), or changing emotional states.

Our mindfulnes program teaches students of all ages basic mindfulness techniques that empower them to become aware of and control the direction of their own thoughts. Our program also introduces students to the practice of metacognition ("thinking about thinking"), through which students learn to use their own thinking process to regulate and improve their academic performance.

Through practicing and mindfulness and metacognition, students increase their ability to:

• Concentrate
• Study actively
• Monitor comprehension & evaluate progress
• Identify blocks to learning
• Think both analytically and creatively
• Become aware of individual cognitive challenges & strengths
• Maintain motivation & sustain effort
• Cope with the stress of everyday academia
• Reduce test anxiety

The practice of mindfulness is also applicable outside of the classroom, of course, and helps students bring greater presence and vitality to all of their activities.