Summer Institute Upper School

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1

June 15 - July 2 | 9-11:30 a.m.

Fee: $1,025 (lunch included)

This course is designed to help students strengthen their existing algebra and geometry skills prior to entering Geometry in the fall. Mastery of concepts related to functions and trigonometry often eludes students as they progress through two years of algebra. Providing students with a focused review of these topics gives them the best opportunity to feel confident and prepared as they enter Geometry.

This class covers geometry basics, logic and proofs, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, polygons, circles and volume and surface area.

Homework is not assigned but students will be given opportunities for practice.

The goal is to have examples of all types of formulas and problems students will encounter, culminating with a comprehensive review guide for students to use when they take Geometry in the school year.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry

June 15 - July 2 or July 6-24 | 9-11:30 a.m.

Fee: $1,025 (lunch included)

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in Algebra 1 and look ahead to their upcoming Algebra 2 class. Students will practice and review their understanding of past skills in the classroom and will be introduced to important new topics and problems that await them in the fall. Algebra 2 Launchpad covers a variety of topics including: graphs, systems of equations, powers and roots, quadratic and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, probability, coordinate geometry, and matrices. Some trigonometry concepts will also be covered towards the end of the session. This is a student-centered course with lessons, activities and explorations that support deeper understanding of important math concepts and improved math confidence.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2

July 6-24 | 9-11:30 a.m.

Fee: $1,025 (lunch included)

This course is designed to help students strengthen their existing algebra and geometry skills prior to entering Pre-Calculus in the fall. Mastery of concepts related to functions and trigonometry often eludes students as they progress through two years of algebra and a year of geometry. Giving students a focused review of these topics provides them with the best opportunity to feel confident and prepared as they enter Pre-Calculus. Homework is not assigned but students will be given opportunities for practice.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 or July 6-24 | 1-4 p.m.

Fee: $1,175 (lunch included)

The Creative Writers Workshop is for students who are eager to spend three intensive weeks stretching their talents in writing fiction and poetry. In these weeks, students will become better at reflecting on the world around them and will learn strategies for bringing these reflections brightly to life on the page. Students will feed their imaginations by exploring several prompts each day and developing poetry, short stories, scenes and drama. Students will also read and discuss a range of writers and types of writing. The class is run in a supportive, workshop atmosphere, with students sharing and critiquing one another's drafts along with the instructor. By the end of the session, students will be more confident and knowledgeable writers – and will probably have built some meaningful friendships as well!

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 or July 6-24 | 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Fee: $1,325 (lunch included)

This course will introduce students to basic rhetorical modes. Using model essays, students will learn to identify effective patterns of writing and to apply those patterns in their own writing. Students will practice paragraph composition using narrative, descriptive and comparative structures. Writing and revision will be emphasized. The course will cover the following grammatical topics: parts of speech, types of clauses, verb forms, verb tense consistency, active and passive voice, subject and verb agreement, pronoun case and agreement, phrases and verbals, dangling and misplaced modifiers, subordination and coordination, punctuation usage. This course will prepare students for the grade 9 English course at Harker's upper school.

Laptop or tablet required (PC or Mac).

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

July 6-24 | 8-11:30 a.m.

Fee: $1,550 (lunch included)

Join us as we spend three weeks together cooking menus centered around breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students will master knife skills, discover varied preparation techniques (braising, brining, sautéing, baking and more), explore cultural connections to food (where cuisines intersect and cross over) and prepare foods to enjoy and bring home to share. Come curious and hungry and prepare to learn and savor!

PLEASE NOTE: This course will deal with recipes which may include meat, seafood (no shellfish), dairy, gluten and nuts. Allergies will be accommodated but high sensitivities must be reported to minimize exposure. Although there will be some dishes that are vegetarian/vegan, this class is designed with an omnivore perspective.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 | 1-4 p.m.

Fee: $1,175 (lunch included)

Master essential life skills to confidently navigate adulthood, with a focus on practical problem-solving, professional etiquette and financial literacy. Topics include managing personal finances, saving for future goals, understanding insurance and benefits, car maintenance, navigating taxes, and preparing for big life decisions like buying a car, renting an apartment, or planning for retirement. You'll also learn how to handle unexpected situations like flat tires or lost wallets and polish professional skills such as acing job interviews and communicating at work. Each session includes real-world scenarios and student-submitted questions to ensure you're prepared for the challenges of adulting.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 or July 6-24 | 1-4 p.m.

Fee: $1,325 (lunch included)

Students will learn the technical and conceptual aspects of working with clay on the potter’s wheel. Fundamental shaping processes, ceramic tools and technologies, and a variety of surface decoration techniques are emphasized throughout the three weeks. Projects will focus specifically on functional objects: mugs/cups, bowls, plates and pouring vessels. No prior experience on the wheel is necessary.

Brian Caponi earned his MFA in ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2013. His work has been shown at galleries and museums internationally in China, Korea, India, Slovenia and Italy, and has exhibited across the United States. As an educator he has taught pottery and sculpture for the past 11 years to both high school and university students. More information on his work and background can be found at www.brian-caponi.com.

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Fee: $1,175 (lunch included)

This course will explore games and simulations as vehicles for storytelling, learning and play. We will learn about theories of game design, engage with and deconstruct games, and design games and simulations of our own. We may tackle questions such as: What are the goals of games and simulations? What makes a game or simulation good? How do games and simulations tell stories or develop characters? How do game systems and mechanics interact with story and character? While computer or video games may be used as occasional examples, our primary focus will be on table-top games and simulations.

Christopher Hurshman brought a varied background to Harker when he began here in 2015. Mr. Hurshman teaches British literature to sophomores and senior electives in Russian literature, creative nonfiction, and literature and film. He has participated in multiple National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminars, including Chaucer and His Age (2006) and Teaching Literature Through Adaptation (2019).

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

June 15 - July 2 | 1-4 p.m.

Fee: $1,175 (lunch included)

We often take for granted our basic ideas about ourselves and the world, and we therefore wander aimlessly, with little sense of what is true, what is good, and what is valuable. This course introduces the methods of philosophical inquiry to explore some of the discipline’s fundamental questions: What does it mean to be human? What is consciousness? How do we know the truth? What makes communication with others possible? What is freedom and should we pursue it? Does life mean anything? Emphasis will be on cultivating clear expression and careful thinking.

Christopher Hurshman brought a varied background to Harker when he began here in 2015. Mr. Hurshman teaches British literature to sophomores and senior electives in Russian literature, creative nonfiction, and literature and film. He has participated in multiple National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminars, including Chaucer and His Age (2006) and Teaching Literature Through Adaptation (2019).

All students: Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None

July 6-24 | 1-3:30 p.m.

Fee: $975 (Lunch included)

This course helps students become so resilient that stress can’t overwhelm them, by combining executive-functioning skills with wellness-based habits. Students learn to break big tasks into manageable steps, create realistic schedules, stay organized, and build self-discipline while practicing mindfulness, heart–mind coherence, emotional intelligence, and positive self-talk. They also develop the confidence to set healthy boundaries (like saying “no” without guilt and limiting screen time) and discover how sleep, physical activity and hobbies support mental health. We’ll design distraction-free study zones, build accountability through goal setting, and cultivate routines that promote long-term balance. By the end, students gain stronger executive function, greater self-control, and a sense of empowerment that helps them navigate high school with clarity, confidence and sustained resilience.

Rietu A. Raaj has supported students in a variety of roles during her 12 years at Harker. While earning her master’s degree in educational management at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, she developed a strong focus on student mental health and well-being. Ms. Raaj is a certified HeartMath resilience coach and trained practitioner in mindfulness and neuro-linguistic programming, and she applies this expertise to help students build balance, confidence and healthy lifelong habits.

All Students: Grades 9-12

Prerequisites: None

July 6-24 | 1-4 p.m.

Fee: $1,175 (Lunch included)

History Through Pop Culture invites students to dive into the music, movies, television, technology, and social trends that have shaped American culture from the early 20th century to today. Through lively discussions, hands-on mini-projects, and sharp analytical work, students will revisit iconic moments from the rise of rock ’n’ roll and MTV to the era of viral videos, gaming, and global fandoms. By the end of the course, students will understand how popular culture has shaped modern society and how they themselves participate as creators and consumers in today’s fast-moving media landscape.

Register for this class here through Economic Driving School

**Start this class anytime **

Fee: $68.50

This state-required driver education online course is being offered through Economic Driving School #2430. The driver education course is approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.Reading, flash graphics, videos, quizzes and practice tests are part of the course. In addition, the student will be prepared to be a safer driver, bicyclist and pedestrian as well as pass the DMV written test. The course is easy to use. Students log into the website, enroll, and can begin immediately. Students will be sent a state completion certificate via U.S. mail upon completion of the course.

When registering, make sure to complete the question that says, “How did you hear about us?” by choosing School: Enter Code: 2510.