Summer Academic Programs
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Summer Academic Programs for Kids in Elementary School
June 2011
I am looking for an all-day (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) summer program with an
emphasis on academics. For a 9-year-old, preference in the East Bay. Any
suggestions? Thanks.
UC Berkeley has a great program-
Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP).
It's an excellent, three week, accelerated academic program. Definitely
worth checking out. Kids can pick from a variety of classes, (one class for
the entire session) organized by grade/age. Classes are 1/2 day and you can
supplement with a UC sports camp on site, for a full day. Last year my 9
year old son took an anatomy class. They dissected fresh eyeballs and other
animal organs provided by a local butcher.
Melissa
In March Parents' Press had an extensive list of Summer Camps available in
the East Bay. Under the Academic heading, here were the choices that fit
your criteria:
- Education Unlimited Summer Academic Programs - 510-548-6612 -
www.educationunlimited.com
- Head-Royce School Summer Program - 510-531-1300 ext. 2500 -
www.headroyce.org/summerprogram
- Orinda Academy Summer School - 925-254-7553 -
www.orindaacademy.org/summer-school
- The Academy - 510-549-0605 - www.theacademyk-8.com
All highly esteemed programs.
Best of luck with your search. Hope this helps.
CC
Contra Costa College for Kids
have a great summer program. This year there
will be only one session offered in July because of budget cuts. My 7
years old daughter will be attending. Good selections of classes to choose
from. Here's the link:
http://www.contracosta.edu/progsdepts/k-12/Shared%20Documents/COLLEGE%20FOR%20KIDS.aspx
They are very professional and always promptly response to my email
questions. Contact them at: collegeforkids@contracosta.edu Or
(510)235-7800 ext 4564
Elizabeth
April 2011
My 8 year old son (he'll be a third grader in the fall) could use a day
camp with an academic focus for a least a few weeks this summer. I checked
into Head-Royce's program but it is already full for his age group; he did
Academic All Stars last summer and it was a so-so experience (nice people,
but academic portion pretty weak and inconsistent). Looking in the
Oakland/Alameda/Berkeley area only.
Thanks--
-Kristen
The Academic Talent Development Program at UC is great. The application
deadline just passed, but it's possible that not all the classes for his
age are full. It's the last 3 weeks of July.
atdp.berkeley.edu
Feb 2010
I am looking for an academic summer camp for a student
starting 6th grade next fall. Something like the Head-
Royce program which offers middle school transition
courses would be ideal but it is only offered one session
when the student is not available. We are particularly
interested in building organizational, reading and writing
skills. Thank you.
concerned
not sure if this meets your exact criteria but check out
ATDP (academic talent development) a UC Berkeley summer
program with academic topic choices for each grade level...
held in Pt. Richmond. Our daughter is younger but loved the
class she took last year. They have to apply, get recs., and
do homework but it is also felt fun and low stress.
chris
Feb 2007
I need a challenge for my son this summer. He is ''gifted'' and
is not challenged at all in the Albany school; he's in 4th
grade at Oceanview. He works ahead in the ''Challenge'' program,
as they refer to it. But I want ''him'' to be with other children
like himself and challenged by other children's minds and
thinking for once. I would like him be in a community with
other children like himself. What about this summer 2007 ? Does
anyone have any good experiences with gifted summer programs
around the bay area ?
Kimberly
Education Unlimited is based in Berkeley and runs academic and
artistic summer programs both at Stanford University and UC
Berkeley. Their number is 510.548.6612.
Most programs are overnight, but there are day-camps too (usually
8:30am - 7pm, and some programs have shorter day options 9-5ish).
For elementary school kids there is a Public Speaking Camp,
Computer Camp, and Sally Ride Science Camps.
If the student is entering middle school, there is also an Acting
Camp, and A+ Summer Middle School which is a critical thinking
program where they do reading, writing, and logic/problem solving
projects.
My son has always enjoyed the Academic Talent Development
Program(ATDP) run by UC Berkeley. Experienced, enthusiastic local
teachers teach different classes. Check it out at
http://www-atdp.berkeley.edu/.
Good luck
April 2005
Any suggestions for summer activites/camps/classes for a gifted
7yr old boy? Loves math, construction toys, crosswords and
puzzles. Nothing too pricey please - trying to balance cost (we
are living on one pretty small income right now) with enrichment.
Thanks!
Mom in N. Oakland
My son had a wonderful experience with the summer camp at
the Academy,
around the corner from Willard Park in Berkeley. The morning consists
of an academic program. Incoming 3rd and 4th graders will be taught
by an author of childrens' books (and popular but occasional subsitute
teacher at the Academy), Doug Evans. My son took the program for
entering 5th and 6th graders, half of which was taught by a math
teacher, the other half by the English teacher. Both programs were
very structured and paced according to the skills level of the
individual child. Both teachers were great. One can pick up one's
child at noon or childcare & other programs, such as swim lessons (or
just water play at Willard Pool), are available until 6 PM, and there
are outings such as ice! -skating on Fridays. You pay for extras, but
the basic childcare of hanging around the yard is also good. The
after-care staff (who work year-round) have been with the school, one
for 20 years, the other for about 10. One of them is an older man who
helps kids with basketball. You are charged only for as much after
care as you actually use, though you get a better price if you pay for
it in advance. (But you'll be refunded whatever portion you don't
use). My athletic kid had more fun there than he did at Golden Bear,
which he went to the previous summer.
xp
Summer Academic Programs for High Schoolers
March 2011
Can you please recommend any colleges in California/West Coast who have
good summer programs for a High School Junior in June. She only has
three weeks in June for a program and would love a college campus
learning/living experience. It could also be an older teen program not
on campus but with a focus on learning -- computers/digital
learning/art all good. She's not interested in the Tech groups who use
campuses in the summer unless it's geared to a higher level (she did
one of the Tech camps at UC Berkeley a few summers back and it was
terrible). We appreciate your thoughts and recommendations.
anon
Did you know that anyone who has completed junior year of high
school can enroll in UC Berkeley summer classes? There are
multiple overlapping summer school terms. Check out the summer
schedule to see if one works for you. There might be classes or
times you like better at different UCs, but only Cal finishes
spring semester in May. Also, anyone enrolled in a summer school
class can apply to live in the dorms. Expensive but fun. Lotta
European kids, too.
Been there
May 2008
Does anyone know of good summer debate programs, prefer Bay
Area or LA.
Thanks
orindafamily@aol.com
Everything in the country (as far as I know) is collected
at this link: http://www.trinitybriefs.com/cq/sc/
Feb 2007
My sophomore has got the idea of taking Chemistry/AP
Chemistry during the summer, with the theory that this
would lighten the homework load for junior year. Is this
possible? A good idea? Have experience with any
schools/colleges offering Chemistry as a summer course?
Before you sign your kid up for chemistry over the summer,
check to see how hard it will be to get it onto his/her
transcript. Many school districts frown on this because they
see it as a threat because it reduces the number of kids
taking a particular course. Both of my kids have friends who
have taken classes over the summer through UC, Vista (now
Berkeley City College?), DVC, and Contra Costa. Just be sure
you can get it to count first.
Cathy
Feb 2005
My 11th grader would do well in a challenging summer program
that offers college credit and treats the kids like adults
-- but has on-site housing and some oversight to reassure
her parents.
Language programs are one possiblity (child is good in
Spanish and Italian, could add French). Education or
community service a plus.
Pleae suggest anything in NYC, LA, Canada, or someplace
comparable. Hope not to break the bank.
planning ahead
My daughter attended a summer session at The University of Chicago
between her junior and senior years and recommends the program highly.
There are two options, and college credit is given for both. The first is to
select courses from the regular summer offerings. The second, which my
daughter chose, is to take an intesive, hands-on course open only to high
school students. Students live in a centrally-located, air-conditioned dorm.
There is good supervision, a well-enforced curfew, and a comprehensive
orientation, which enable the students to (safely) explore Chicago -- either
independently in groups or with the many excursions offered by the program.
Students seemed to enjoy a variety of courses. I never heard of any
complaints. The program (and the University as a whole) attracts students
who want challenging courses. Her course required serious work, including
lots of reading and a research paper, but it was also fun. She made friends
and had time to explore the city, eat out, shop, and go out to hear music. In
my daughter's case, the program was a chance to try out the University before
applying for colleges, and she's now a first-year student there.
https://summer.uchicago.edu/highschool/
Ricki
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