Summer Institute Middle School

Our summer program, designed especially for grade 6-8 students, offers academics, arts, athletics and activities - and the flexibility to build a summer around your student’s interests.

Summer Institute Middle School

Flexible options allow students to focus on one area – academics, arts, athletics or activities – or mix and match all four to create a wide range of summer experiences. The core two-week academic classes combine with arts, athletics and activities in a variety of ways, so students can build a summer filled with all the things they want to do.

JUNE 22–JULY 2 | JULY 6–17 | JULY 20-31 (Course sessions and fees vary by subject)

Middle School Course Offerings

Pick a class or activity to expand your knowledge in a favorite subject or to challenge yourself in a new area!

Summer Institute Middle School is located at The Harker School's middle school campus - 3800 Blackford Ave., San Jose, CA 95117.

View Sample Daily Schedule At-A-Glance Course Listing

Math

Eagle Math

Harker Students: Rising grade 6

Prerequisites: Approval by Harker math teacher

Laptops required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

Students will reinforce and enhance their math skills in this project-based lab. Students will do individual problem-solving as well as teamwork, using computer software to graph linear and nonlinear functions, designing 3-D models, and implementing surface area and volume formulas.

Project Math

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

This course is designed to provide incoming sixth graders with the necessary math skills needed to adjust to middle school. Students will be actively involved in solving a variety of pre-algebra problems in this hands-on, project-based lab. Concepts covered, but not limited to, are: word problems, percentages and fractions, equations as functions, slopes and intercepts, and graphing.

Pre-Algebra

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Entering Pre-Algebra in fall 2020

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m.| Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

This project-based lab is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in the past year and prepare for their pre-algebra class in the fall. Students will practice and review their understanding of math skills and be introduced to new topics and problems. Project-based lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important pre-algebra concepts.

Algebra Lab

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Pre-Algebra

Algebra Lab is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in pre-algebra and be prepared for their algebra class in the fall. Project-based lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important math concepts including, but not limited to, the following: basic algebra concepts, inequalities, linear functions, polynomials, roots, radicals, and quadratic equations.

Geometry

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in algebra this past year and look ahead to their upcoming geometry class. Students will practice and review their understanding of past skills and be introduced to important new topics and problems that await them in the fall. Lessons and hands-on activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important geometry concepts and added math confidence.

Algebra 2 Lab

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra

June 22-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

This survey course is designed to help students solidify the concepts and skills learned in Algebra 1 this past year and look ahead to their upcoming Algebra 2 class. Students will practice and review their understanding of past skills and be introduced to important new topics and problems that await them in the fall. Introduction to Algebra 2 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. Lessons, activities and explorations will allow for a greater understanding of important math concepts and added math confidence.

Science

Biodiversity

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

This science course is a union of zoology, ecology, botany and microbiology and is built to foster an understanding of Bay Area biodiversity through a hands-on approach to science. Students will employ various sampling techniques (including pitfall traps for insects, motion detection cameras for animals, quadrat sampling for plants, and sterile cell culture for microorganisms) and will explore several components that influence biodiversity (including abiotic factors, animal behavior and, of course, human activities).

Forensic Science

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

The curious and clever will want to check out this cool class! Students who join this program will get out their rubber gloves and get ready for investigations, interrogations and evidence analysis. Summer investigators will receive daily lessons in crime solving, including hands-on experiences in securing crime scenes, analyzing shoe prints, skeletal analysis, collecting and identifying fingerprints, etc. Of course, they'll be reinforcing many important math and science concepts and improving their writing and vocabulary skills, but they will be so busy catching the crooks, they'll hardly notice! Studies in chromatology and forensic odontology will add to their knowledge and team projects will turn the classroom into a summer "crime scene" where only the students can figure out the clues.

Techniques in Biotechnology

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Have you heard of things like genetic engineering, electrophoresis or protein purification? Have you wanted to learn where biotech work begins? Techniques in Biotechnology will give students not only the theory behind the practices but also hands-on explorations into the techniques. Students will learn sterile technique with bacteria, the basics of genetic engineering using bacterial transformation, electrophoresis and more.

S.S.R.S. (Summer Science Research Society)

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

We are gathering a group of highly motivated, inquisitive and creative students interested in experiencing science through original research to join our newly formed Summer Science Research Society. With the guidance and knowledge of highly qualified science instructors, this group will work in a top-notch facility to explore and research real-world topics of their individual interest. This course will focus on individual research skills and planning, literature review and analysis, problem definition, thesis formulation, statement of hypothesis, as well as collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.

Engineer It!

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Are you full of ideas? Like to fix problems and invent things? Think you can make the world a better place? Then Engineer It! is the right class for you. Middle school is time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they’re passionate about today and how that relates to who they’ll become tomorrow. This course empowers students to lead their own discovery. Hands-on activities boost classroom engagement and excitement, drive collaboration, and inspire for deep comprehension. Students will be engaged in meaningful and globally relevant engineering challenges as they explore the many different pathways of engineering. They will use the engineering design process to solve problems in a collaborative group. They will communicate and gather information using Google Suite. Finally, students will present their design solutions to a peer audience and learn about current design challenges that they can enter on their own. The goal of the class is to empower students to solve problems in a fun and engaging way and to learn from one another.

Bioengineering

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Bioengineering is a unique interdisciplinary program. It is offered as a two-week course to engage curious minds to solve real-life problems in healthcare by applying engineering principles. Through a series of lessons and hands-on activities, students will diagnose and cure common ailments found in human body systems by building simple biomedical devices or applications. Students will test their prototypes to evaluate the effectiveness of their engineering design and in the process deepen their understanding of the human body systems.

Pre-Biology/Entomology

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560

What is that insect? In this course, you will learn what it is like to become an entomologist. You will learn how to catch, identify, and care or pin your own bug. Each day you will learn about the life of a new bug. You will also venture out with a bug net to start your own collection and try to catch them all!

Daily Physics

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Why does red paint look red? How does a camera work? Why does pressing the valve on a trumpet change the note being played? In this class, students will apply physics properties while conducting hands-on, interactive activities that specifically deal with light, color and sound in order to delve into these kinds of questions.

Debate

Beginning Debate

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Students will begin the two weeks by playing fun games and learning tips that will reduce or eliminate communication apprehension (the fears associated with public speaking). Then they will learn about and practice impromptu debate as well as interpretation speaking, which helps students to focus on verbal and nonverbal delivery in playful and fun ways. The students will also learn the basics of debate by developing one issue as a group and by researching and preparing cases as a team. Roundtable discussions will prepare them, and then they will wrap up the class with a mini-debate and speech performance that parents and families can attend. This class allows students to try out different performance opportunities that The Harker School speech and debate program offers and is a great prep course for Introduction to Public Speaking and Argumentation elective. Even students who never want to compete will find this an invaluable learning opportunity and a chance to see public presentation (public speaking through speeches/ debates) in a fun light.

Advanced Debate

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Completed at least one semester of Beginning Debate, Introduction to Public Speaking and Argumentation or equivalent course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

The advanced session of Debate Boot Camp is open to any students who have previously taken Introduction to Public Speaking and Argumentation or attended Debate Boot Camp. Students will explore more advanced argumentation and advocacy events by examining each of the four styles of debate Harker participates in: Lincoln-Douglas, policy debate, congressional debate and public forum. Students will learn how to structure and argue different cases as well as learn how to research evidence to support those cases. They will do more exploration of current events as well as framing arguments in a policymaker context. The class will culminate with a mini-debate and speech performance that parents and families can attend. This class allows students to try out different performance opportunities that many middle school and high school speech and debate programs offer. Advanced Debate Boot Camp is strongly recommended for students who are entering Debate 1 at the middle school or who are interested in participating on the competitive team.

Introduction to Public Speaking

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: This class is a recommended prerequisite for Interscholastic Speech Camp.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

This class will help students with minimal to no public speaking experience get over the initial fears of public speaking. Students will focus on the art of public speaking, rather than the different types of interscholastic public speaking and debates, such as those held by the National Speech and Debate Association. We will focus on basic aspects of public speaking such as the use of tone, volume, non-verbal language, non-fluencies, emotion, podium strategies, etc. Students will learn by speaking in front of the class and listening to critiques given by other students as well as the instructor.

Interscholastic Speech Camp

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Completed Introduction to Public Speaking or equivalent course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-31 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Students taking this class must have some prior public speaking experience because we will go through the different forms of public speaking events held at many interscholastic speech competitions. This class will give students a head start to prepare them for interscholastic public speaking competitions in middle school and high school. Students will hone their speech craft by speaking in front of the class and listening to critiques given by other students as well as the instructor. The class will end with a simulated formal speech event on the last two days of the class. It is highly recommended to take the Introduction to Public Speaking course at least once prior to taking this class. This class is different from our debate courses because this focuses on non-interactive, single-person public speaking.

Writing

Write it Right

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

In this class, students will learn a variety of skills necessary for formal academic writing. Within these two weeks, students will experience several expository modes including, but not limited to, narrative, descriptive and persuasive. Through the development of crafted paragraphs and at least one multi-paragraph essay, students will learn the strategies necessary to formulate a central idea and provide supporting evidence and analysis. In addition to crafting paragraphs, they will also practice editing and polishing their writing for writing conventions, sentence fluency and voice. With this concentrated focus, students will develop greater confidence in their writing abilities and potential.

Creative Writing

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Do you actually like to write? Does it excite you to see the worlds in your imagination come to life on the page? Then this is the class for you! Song lyrics, poetry, fantasy or sci-fi and realistic short stories – we will try them all. In this class, you will share your work with other student writers, explore the work of some professional writers you probably haven’t heard of yet, and, most importantly, you’ll become better at your craft. On the fiction end, you’ll learn more about characterization, setting and plot development to keep your readers glued to the page. And on the poetry side: sounds and senses, free verse and formal. We’ll go deep in the jungle of sound where no prose can follow. Come join us!

Poets and Playwrights

All Students: Grade 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Come join the fun in this hands-on class full of poetry and drama games that spark the imagination, strengthen reading comprehension, and nurture public speaking skills. One week will be devoted to reading and analyzing scenes from classical playwrights, and then writing scripts using learned techniques of characterization, plot and dialogue. Through non-competitive games, writing activities and dramatic readings, students will learn how to create fascinating characters and perform page-turning plot lines for the stage. In the second week, students will dive into everything poetry. They will read and analyze poems, then apply specific poetry techniques to their own work. Students will have an opportunity to explore narrative, lyrical, black-out, nature, and free verse poems. At the conclusion of this two-week session, students will have created a portfolio of their own poetry and have written a dramatic scene for performance.

Ramp-up Reading

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Grade 6
July 20-July 31 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Grades 7-8
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

In this two-week class, you will be introduced to strategies that will strengthen your reading comprehension skills. By exploring great works as well as personally-selected literature, you will learn how to interact with, connect to, and reflect upon classical and contemporary texts. Effective readers are also insightful and critical thinkers. Some of the skills you will practice in this course will include learning to annotate the texts, keeping and recording your thoughts in a reading response journal, and participating in whole group and small group discussions. Hopefully, this will just be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with reading.

Historical Analysis: A Case Study of Genghis Khan

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $560

What is history, and why do historical accounts differ? Why are some events included and others not? How does one version of events compare to others’ versions of the same event? Why do two historical accounts differ when both sides believe they are telling the truth? How would students prove that their version of events was true? In this summer class, students will read and explore primary and secondary documents about Genghis Khan to determine the answers to these questions. By the end of this two-week class, students will research and write a multi-paragraph argumentation relating to Genghis Khan, his life and his impacts. Join us in this journey to critically examine and rethink history.

Current Event Analysis: A Case Study of Malala Yousafzai

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $560

In this summer class, students will read and explore primary and secondary documents about Malala Yousafzai. Yousafzai became an advocate for girls' education when she herself was still a child, which resulted in the Taliban issuing a death threat against her. She is currently the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. By the end of this two-week class, students will research and write a multi-paragraph argumentation relating to Malala Yousafzai, her life and her impacts. Join us on this journey to critically examine and rethink history.

Technology

Introduction to Web Design

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

In this course students will learn to create and maintain webpages through front end coding. Students will design a layout of a website on paper and then transform the design in code by using HTML 5, CSS 3 and JavaScript. Students will learn design elements like logo design, layout, font, color, usage, links to all pages, basic structure of all pages and file structure. Students will learn all of the tags that go into websites, including content-related tags such as those used for images, text formatting and divs. Some advanced topics will be touched upon as well, such as cascading style sheets, external style sheets and Java Script. Through trial and error, students will learn the importance of experimenting with code. Students will learn to design and edit HTML, CSS and JavaScript files directly using text editors and give a final presentation of the website they have created at the end of the session.

Beginning Python Programming

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Are you interested in programming but don’t know where to start? Are you worried programming might be a little too difficult for you? Beginning Python Programming will show you that you have nothing to fear, because programming doesn’t have to be complicated! Students will be introduced to Python, a powerful yet painless programming language that anyone can master. Along with this new skill, students will engage in problem-solving, the basic fundamentals of programming structure, and create games to share with friends and family members. This course is truly geared towards the novice programmer and will be energizing, challenging, and, most of all, fun!

Introduction to Java

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

What do Google, YouTube, Twitter, Amazon and eBay all have in common? They all run on Java. In this introductory course, students will learn the most flexible and extremely powerful programming language that was designed to be easy to use and thus easy to write, compile and debug. The tutorials in this section will include a wide variety of Java topics including printing text, working with variables, loops, strings, creating classes, instantiating objects, accepting user input, and much more. Students will combine their creativity, imagination and programming skills to design and produce their own computer games that run on Java.

App Inventor

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

This course is an introduction to programming Android devices, including tablets and phones. We will be using MIT’s App Inventor, which is an intuitive visual programming environment to build fully functional applications. We will use block-based programming to write programs that exploit the powerful capabilities of modern mobile devices, including sensors, cameras, sound, and touch screens in a series of fun and engaging projects. While helpful, no previous programming experience is required.

Beginning Robotics

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)
Must have at least one working USB port. Must bring port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

Students in this technology-based class will work together in teams using Lego Mindstorms EV3 software to solve puzzles, thwart disasters, forge discoveries, save the Earth and quite possibly humankind itself, all with the help of a robot they build and program. And that's just week one! Seriously, with the technology skills students will acquire (basic programming, electronic control, mechanics, design engineering) they will be able to create and design amazing robotic creatures while developing teamwork, problem-solving, perseverance and ingenuity skills. The confidence and pride that is built along with the robots last long after the Earth has been saved! Mac laptops are supplied for use during the course. No prior programming or robot experience required.

Intermediate Robotics

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: Students must have prior experience of at least one of the following: a) a Lego Mindstorms kit they have worked with (or equivalent); b) a programming course in C, Python or Java; c) the Beginning Robotics course.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)
Must have at least one working USB port. Must bring port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Intermediate Robotics students will learn robot control concepts and try them out on Arduino based robot vehicles. The course uses an extended mBot kit for each student. The mBot is a robot vehicle that can be remote controlled or autonomous. It is programmed in Arduino Sketch, which is a type of C-like language. The emphasis of the course will be on robot programming; almost every day there will be a new task to be understood, programmed and tested. Students who complete the course may take home the robot at the end of the course, to continue learning more about robotics.

Advanced Robotics

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: Intermediate Summer Robotics or equivalent experience with programming using decisions, loops and functions/methods and the construction of a robot.

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)
Must have at least one working USB port. Must bring port adapter (if needed) and power supply to class every day.

July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-31 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

This class will allow you to challenge yourself while building on your previous experiences constructing and programming robots. Small teams of students will design, fabricate and program their robot in competition with other teams in the class. You will be introduced to the engineering concept of iterating the plan, design, build, test and refine process. Lessons will address practical considerations in developing a functional robot that meets your requirements. You will attach an electronic “brain,” motors, wheels and sensors to the metal structure that you fabricate from parts in the VEX EDR V5 universe. Programming will be done using VEX Coding Studio that supports both Scratch-like graphical and C++/Java-like textual language representations. Robots will need to perform both independently and under direct control of the team members using a remote controller.

Arts

Manga Art

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Learn to create your own manga/anime inspired comics and characters similar to the ones in Naruto, Yuri on Ice, Ranma ½, and Bleach. Level up your drawing skills on facial expressions, body language, anatomical proportions and character design. Introduction to basic storytelling, genres, and fundamental comic panel pacing are covered.

Ceramics

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560

In this course students will focus on technique-based lessons exploring hand-building in the medium of clay. Students will have the opportunity to explore ceramics as a medium for both the tradition of functional pottery as well as for non-functional sculpture. Emphasis will be given to learning and mastering techniques students can use to further their artistic expression in ceramics during the normal academic school year.

Study Skills

All Students: Grade 6

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560

We will begin the session with identifying students’ strengths and needs and their individual learning styles. Additionally, students will be learning about the multiple intelligences. After the first week, students will design a personalized organizational system intended to help each student transition to life in middle school. We will use Google Docs to create to-do lists and build a calendar for use in the upcoming school year. Students will learn pre-learning, learning, reading, listening, memory and recall strategies, as well as note-taking and outlining techniques. We will also cover test-taking tips and strategies. In Study Skills, your child will explicitly be taught the skills required for success in middle school.

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560

We will begin the session with identifying students’ strengths and needs and their individual learning styles. Additionally, students will be learning about the multiple intelligences. After the first week, students will design a personalized organizational system intended to help students start the next school year a step ahead and prepare them for the rigorous demands of high school and college. We will use Google Docs to create to-do lists and build a calendar for use in the upcoming school year. Students will learn pre-learning, learning, reading, listening, memory and recall strategies, as well as note-taking and outlining techniques. We will also cover test-taking tips and strategies. In Study Skills, students will explicitly be taught the life skills required for success in all their academic pursuits.

Snacks, Sweets and Treats

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

In this delicious class, students will learn to cook a variety of snacks, sweets, and treats – some healthy, and some not so healthy. Students will leave class with more experience in the kitchen, improved skills and lots of delicious recipes! No previous cooking skills required, just a love for cooking and eating! Attention: This class includes dairy, egg, nut and gluten components.

Architecture for All

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-July 31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

The study of architecture draws upon many different skills and fields of knowledge: math, engineering, history, social studies, geography, art and even writing. While developing a basic understanding of architecture, students will engage in a variety of group and individual projects. They will be exposed to the work of great architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and will learn about the creative processes involved in every architectural project. Students will engage in building projects to hone their skills and be proud of what they create.

Music and Song Production

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

Students will learn about the music production process. Students will be introduced to the five elements that construct the modern pop song and will utilize those elements to create their own contemporary compositions. Each student will then learn the foundation of music engineering – recording, editing, and mixing – so that their song extends beyond “good” and into “great.” The ability to read music and play a musical instrument would be a benefit, but by no means required.

Hip Hop Dance

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned performer, you’ll have a fun and challenging experience at hip-hop dance camp. You’ll dance to the latest beats in rap, R&B and pop music while working on movements influenced by some of today's hottest celebrities and dance choreographers. In addition to learning a full performance piece, you’ll work on elements of popping, locking and breaking while having a chance to develop your own freestyle movements. This camp is designed for the recreational dancer (newcomers welcome). All classes are structured with a warm-up, stretching and cool-down. Proper foundations will be taught so the appropriate technique is developed to avoid potential injuries.

Animation

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)
Must be able to run software Digital Flipbook

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Ready to make your drawings come to life? In this course, we will be diving into the world of traditional 2-D animation. Through understanding the 12 principles of animation, students will create moving images on screen and will take home their short films to show to family and friends. Students can expect a kinetic art class focusing on the study of movement and explore a creative way to tell a story through their drawings. The instructor welcomes students new or experienced in animation and drawing talents of all levels.

A Pirate’s Life for Me

All Students: Grades 7-8

Prerequisites: None

Laptop required (no iPads or other tablets)

July 6-17 | 12:45-3:45 p.m. | Fee: $620

“Raise the black!” Few things capture the imagination more than the idea of the classic pirate. This course explores the historical fact and literary fiction of pirates. Cutlass in hand, black flag flying overhead. But how much of this image is only imagination? This course will look at the figure of the pirate through the lens of literature, film and history, to help understand where fact and imagination come together. The course will be taught by Harker English teacher Mark Gelineau, and Steaphen Fick, owner and lead instructor at Davenriche European Martial Arts School. Together, they will explore both the myth and the history of the swashbuckling pirate.

Drawing and Watercolor Art

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620
July 20-31 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Students will get the best of both worlds - drawing and painting with watercolors! Students will move beyond basic drawing and painting skills to explore the endless possibilities of creating art through their own unique aesthetics. Students will develop a working concept of what it means to be an artist through their drawings and paintings, and will develop new ways of thinking, seeing and creating while building confidence through exercises that help them explore different types of drawing and painting techniques. Students will also learn color theory, cool perspective, brush techniques, and how to create basic color composition. The exercises and lessons can help the experienced artist and the beginner develop new or improved drawing and painting techniques.

A Look into Mythology

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Zeus is on the loose! Loki’s feeling jokey! This course will explore the fascinating stories of gods, heroes and monsters. We will focus on the myths of the Greeks and Romans with a little bit of Norse, Native American and African myth as a bonus. Students will have the chance to flex their analytical, writing and creative muscles as they investigate the vibrant world of myth.

Global Issues

All Students: Grades 6-8

Prerequisites: None

June 22-July 2 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. I Fee: $560
July 6-17 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Fee: $620

Interested in learning about climate change? Extreme poverty? Ending global hunger? Gender equality and so much more? Through games, activities and film, students will learn about the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This class is for students interested in the world we live in and issues facing billions of people. Students will participate in a wide variety of activities, learn about these issues, and maybe even leave with ideas on how we can make the world a better, more just, place to live.

Big Connect 4

Afternoon Program (AP)

Our afternoon Activity Program (AP) is a great way for middle school students to learn some cool new skills, meet and hang with new and old friends, discover hidden talents and have loads of fun during their summer afternoons.

Led by our awesome summer staff!
Offered between 12:45-3:45 p.m. each day. Bonus hour is included in the afternoon fun from 4-5 p.m. (campus closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Can be chosen on a weekly basis, and students may sign up for one week or all six weeks.

Students choose from a wide range of recreational options including:

Large- and small-group events, games and contests.
Activity workshops based on weekly themes.
Specialty classes based on interests each week, including arts, games, various sports skills, crafts, cooking, science tech and more.
Library or study time.

Add AP to your schedule to round out your academic day and add some crazy amazing fun to your summer!

Sports Program

Our afternoon sports camps offer a positive, skill-focused environment where highly experienced coaches provide training in a well-structured, character-driven atmosphere. Young athletes will improve their skills and knowledge of the game, develop teamwork and, of course, have fun! Students of all skill levels may participate and groups will be organized for maximum participation and play.

Included in each camp (as applicable) will be:

Sport specific conditioning and warmups
Sport specific drills and skill development
Team play (large and small teams)
Game strategy
Individual instruction and support

Choose sports camps by week, as an addition to your morning academic class, or as an afternoon-only option.

Aquatics camps take place on the upper school campus on Saratoga Ave. Students will be transported by Harker school bus to the Saratoga campus and returned to the Blackford Ave. campus each day.

Sports camps meet from 12:45-3:45 p.m. Monday-Friday. All game equipment is provided. Individual safety or sport-specific items may be required. More details will be sent before your session begins. Bonus hour from 4-5 p.m., planned by our summer staff, are included in your sports camp tuition. Campus close at 5:30 p.m.

Aquatics Fitness Camp

Badminton Camp

Basketball Camp

Fencing

Junior Lifeguard Training

Wrestling Camp

Martial Arts

Ping Pong Camp

TRX/Fitness Camp

Volleyball Camp

Water Polo Camp

Futsal (Indoor Soccer)

Summer Lunch

Lunch is included in all morning classes. Lunch can be added as an option for afternoon classes and sports camps. Regular and vegetarian entrees are offered each day and menus are designed to provide healthy, nutritious options.

View A Sample Lunch Menu

Summer Staff

Outstanding faculty and staff are one of the hallmarks of The Harker School. All staff are carefully selected to provide a positive experience for the students.

Campus & Facilities

Our outstanding and spacious facilities are fully equipped to offer your preteen a dynamic, enriching learning environment.

Learn More About our Campus & Facilities

Register for Our Summer Programs Today!

View our Summer Programs Registration & Fees Info

Summer Institute Middle School

JUNE 22–JULY 2 | JULY 6–17 | JULY 20-31 (Course sessions and fees vary by subject)

Middle School Course Offerings

Subjects & Activities

Math

Science

Debate

Writing

Technology

Arts

Afternoon Program (AP)

Sports Program

Summer Lunch

Summer Staff

Campus & Facilities

Register for Our Summer Programs Today!