EMERGING WRITERS INSTITUTE Academic Camps by Education Unlimited®

A+ Summer High School challenges rising 9th and 10th-grade students with high-level academic activities that develop the skills needed for high school success and achievement. Over the course of seven days, students will attend classes in advanced argumentative writing, critical reading, and logic/ problem-solving. Students will also receive seminars and lectures covering study skills and strategies such as time management, note taking and course planning.

The program is designed to give students who are already doing well in school an experience that is both challenging and fun. Participants will gain new academic tools that will help them excel even further academically. Our unique classes give students the one-on-one attention that is often missing in school, allowing them to explore their potential as writers, thinkers, and doers.

Students who hold at least a 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated responsible conduct and academic motivation in school are eligible for A+ High School.

When students leave the program, they will have:

• Challenged themselves to solve advanced logic problems and puzzles

• Read and analyzed different literary genres in a college-like seminar

• Written and developed several drafts of a well-argued persuasive essay

Participants will attend the following courses:

Advanced Writing

Argumentative writing is foundational for many high school and college classes. The writing classes at A+ Summer focus on guiding students through the writing process so that they understand the steps and techniques that go into writing outstanding essays. Our instructors will work with students one-on-one while they write several drafts of an argumentative essay. While our Prep Camp Excel writing classes provide an introduction to the persuasive essay and the writing process, A+ Summer writing classes focus on more advanced writing skills: revising for content, creating effective syntax and style, supporting arguments and using facts and quotations to maximize the effect. Teachers will focus especially on what constitutes proof, including the various levels of proof, and how students can best implement these methods of ‘proving’ their essays.

Critical Reading

Students need critical reading skills to effectively and efficiently understand and process what they read in their classes. The Critical Reading classes at A+ Summer High School engage students in a college-level seminar format to help students move beyond surface understanding and literal interpretation. Students will read and analyze several texts revolving around a literary theme and will participate in discussions that push boundaries and inspire analysis. Students will be challenged to not just understand what they read, but to also engage with it to evaluate arguments and evidence that authors use. By learning to read for meaning rather than detail, students will be able to parlay with great authors and thinkers. Possible themes include: War and Peace, Race and Colonialism, Truth and Falsehood and Beauty and Monstrosity. Finally, students will have the opportunity to produce and direct a video project inspired by their own interpretation of the reading materials, which will be screened at the end of the program.

Logic and Problem Solving

Logic puzzles and problems challenge students to use their critical thinking skills in a fun, team-oriented setting. Logic classes at A+ Summer allow students to apply their math reasoning, vocabulary and teamwork skills to fun and practical logic problems. Students will take on brainteasers, scavenger hunts, board games, math and logic puzzles, formal logic problems and creative conundrums. The course culminates in a team tournament of minds with unforgettable mindbenders and wild prizes.

A few words from our A+ Summer High School Campers!

"The best feature of the camp was the teachers. They are very passionate about what they do. Camp was very college-like. I felt like I was a Stanford student. I would recommend the program because it.s a real college experience that every kid should have. At first I thought it was just sleep away school, but I was pleasantly surprised. Compared to other academic camps this was the best by FAR! The Critical Reading Instructor had the ability to get into everything he teaches. If I was a principal, I would fight to get him." — Evan Staggs, participant

“The program was very focused on the goal of helping the students learn how to think and analyze like high schoolers…Joey would have liked to stay longer; he enjoyed the camp very much.” — Stella Atiba, parent

“The instructors were great, and I learned so much. It was also a great way to end summer.” — Participant