Summer Academy - Greens Farms Academy

Credit Classes & Enrichment Workshops

June 14 - July 30

GFA's Summer Academy is a great first step to make your summer count with a wide range of for-credit and workshop classes! Join GFA's exceptional faculty virtually in a to get a head start on next school year, learn something new, or earn course credit.

On this page you will find list of summer courses, registration information (live on March 1), and FAQs.

Click here to register for Summer Academy

Course Selections:

Credit Classes

For students entering grades 9–12

All courses are open for public registration. If you have any questions please reach out to our program director Dr. Victor Llanque. For questions concerning GFA Financial Aid, please contact Ann Miller. Non-GFA students should consult with their school administrators to confirm that credit will be accepted. Please note: All courses are online.

International Relations
Science Research and Experimental Design

International Relations

Dates: June 21–July 16 (closed July 5)
Times: 3 hours per day
Prerequisite: Ninth- and tenth-grade history and department permission
Final paper due: Friday, July 23
Credit: ½ credit on the GFA transcript

This online credit course exposes students to ideas from some of the greatest thinkers in International Relations. Readings explore different schools of thought and philosophies that have developed in the field and their divergent assessments of, and answers to, the main problems in the international arena. Students reflect on a series of questions central to the study of International Relations; issues such as war and peace in the modern state system, the growth of the global economy, the role of international law and supranational institutions, and the challenges posed by nuclear proliferation and terrorism. In addition, students will explore the complexity of current affairs through case studies, simulations of international crises, and in-depth analysis of global issues. Throughout the course, discussion is grounded in real world problems, with the primary emphasis on current global issues and their historical background, as well as on concepts and theories. Students will spend three flexible hours per day online, five days per week.

Instructor: Ward Abel, GFA Director of Global Education
Cost: $1700 — Includes all required reading material
Enrollment: Minimum enrollment is 8; maximum enrollment is 16.

Science Research and Experimental Design

Dates: June 14– July 9 (closed July 5)
Entering Grades: 10–12
Prerequisite: Biology and department permission
Times: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Credit: ½ credit on the GFA transcript

For students starting research for an Independent Study project in the sciences, or pursuing a diploma concentration in STEAM, this four-week course is an introduction to the principles and practices of writing and presenting at the college level. Students explore writing for scientific publications and journals, searching literature, statistical design of experiments, scientific writing, and project planning. Each student selects a specific research topic, plans a project, and documents progress in a scientific journal. Students finish the course with a completely written research plan/proposal, which may be applied to further research during the school year. This is a prerequisite for Independent Study in the sciences for GFA students. Students need a computer and all course material will be provided. Credit courses are offered and available to all current and accepted GFA as well as non-GFA students. Non-GFA students are responsible for ensuring that credit will be accepted by their school.

Instructor: Dr. Mathieu Freeman, GFA Director of Research
Cost: $1700 — Includes all required course materials
Enrollment: Minimum enrollment is 6; maximum enrollment is 14.

Enrichment Workshops

For students entering grades 4–12

Many workshops are open for public registration, but please review the information for a particular workshop for any registration restrictions. If you have any questions, please contact Summer Programs Director, Andrea Sullivan. For questions concerning GFA Financial Aid, please contact Ann Miller. For questions about a particular course, email the instructor directly. Please note: All courses are online.

Upper School: Algebra Review for Algebra 2

Dates: July 12– July 23
Days/Times: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Entering Grades: 9-11
Cost: $850

This two-week workshop offers a review of Algebra topics for students who will be taking Algebra 2 in the fall. Students review a variety of Algebra 1 topics, including linear algebra, factoring, quadratic equations, graphing functions, square roots and exponent rules. Students will work both synchronously and asynchronously. Instruction focuses around each student's individual needs with plenty of practice and personal instruction. Minimum enrollment 8; maximum 16.

Instructor: Joe Steiner, GFA Mathematics Department

Middle School: Pre-Algebra, Prep for Algebra 1

Dates: July 12–July 23
Days/Times: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Entering grades: 6–8
Price: $750

Through activities and individualized instruction, this two-week virtual workshop gives students a chance to practice and master the foundational math facts they will need for success with algebraic concepts. Through synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities, students will work on basic number facts; order of operations; integers; fractions, decimals, and percents; estimation; geometry concepts; equation solving; and basic word problems. The course is designed to set them up for success in next year’s math classes with plenty of practice opportunities in both a large group setting and smaller groups in breakout rooms. Minimum enrollment is 8; maximum 14.

Instructor: Trista Giacalone, GFA Mathematics Department

Middle School: Math Grades 5/6

Dates: June 21–July 2
Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Entering grades: 5–6
Price: $750

This two-week workshop is designed to master the necessary math facts for success in Middle School Math. Students review a variety of topics including foundational number facts and number sense, while learning to approach problem solving with curiosity and endurance. Instruction focuses around each student’s individual needs and provides plenty of practice opportunities. Games will keep the math lively and fun! Minimum enrollment 8; maximum 16.

Instructor: Zysnia Linger, GFA Mathematics Department

Middle School: Model UN

Dates: July 6–July 16
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Entering grades: 6–8
Price: $725

This course is designed for students who are curious about politics, diplomacy, and the international community. Over the course of two weeks, students will learn the basic concepts of International Relations in order to understand the role of the United Nations in the world today. Students will spend most of the course participating in educational simulations that expose them to current events around the world. The simulations allow students to respond to global events through debates that follow parliamentary procedures like real Model UN conferences. No former Model UN experience is required. Minimum enrollment is 8; maximum 14.

Instructor: Ward Abel, GFA Director of Global Education

Reading Skills Book Club for Grade 4

Dates: July 6–July 30 (closed July 5)
Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Open to GFA students entering grade 4
Price: $1,400

The summer slide is real! Studies show that students can lose 2-3 months of growth in reading over the summer. This four-week online course is designed to give students extra practice with decoding, oral reading fluency, comprehension skills, and discussion skills in order to prevent that slide. A Lexia Core 5 license will be assigned to each student in the class and is included in the price of the class. Lexia is an evidence-based, adaptive computer program that is designed to produce language and reading improvements. This class will be a combination of daily Zoom classes, asynchronous daily Lexia assignments, and independent work. The day will start with a short full class Zoom check-in. Each day students will complete independent online assignments and participate in a small group online Zoom sessions. Independent course work will include daily Lexia assignments and reading assignments from the course text. Assignments will be posted on Seesaw. Students will need access to a computer or iPad, earphones, lined post-it notes, and the course text, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Minimum enrollment is 6; maximum 12.

PLEASE NOTE: This course is open to GFA students only.

Instructor: Dr. Kelly Raymond

Reading Skills Book Club for Grade 5

Dates: July 6–July 30 (closed July 5)
Days/Times: Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Open to GFA students entering grade 5
Price: $1,400

The summer slide is real! Studies show that students can lose 2-3 months of growth in reading over the summer. This four-week online course is designed to give students extra practice with decoding, oral reading fluency, comprehension skills, and discussion skills in order to prevent that slide. This class will be a combination of daily Zoom classes and independent work. The day will start with a full class Zoom lesson. Students will complete their independent work and then participate in another whole class Zoom. Independent course work will include daily word study assignments and reading assignments from the course text. Assignments will be posted on Seesaw. Students will need access to a computer or iPad, earphones, lined post-it notes, Megawords Book 5, and the course text, Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt. Minimum enrollment is 6; maximum 12

PLEASE NOTE: This course is open to GFA students only.

Instructor: Dr. Kelly Raymond

Click here to register for Summer Academy

FAQs

Why should I take an online course this summer?

Summer Academy courses at GFA offer students the opportunity to study and explore subjects that they may not have room for in their schedules during the regular academic year. A few of these courses are available for credit on the GFA transcript, which can lighten the academic workload for students during the academic year. While our enrichment courses allow students to sharpen their academic skills ahead of the fall. Online courses provide students the ability to learn at their own pace in an exciting and supportive environment. Our half-day sessions provide plenty of time for other summer activities.

Are Summer Academy courses for credit?

GFA offers credit on the GFA transcript for a limited number of courses at the Upper School level. All GFA students are eligible to receive GFA credit in those courses. Non-GFA students who complete credit courses may expect to receive a GFA transcript, however these students are responsible for consulting with their school administrators to confirm that this credit is accepted.

In This Section

Credit Classes & Enrichment Workshops

June 14 - July 30

On this page you will find list of summer courses, registration information (live on March 1), and FAQs.

Click here to register for Summer Academy

Course Selections:

Credit Classes

For students entering grades 9–12

International Relations

Science Research and Experimental Design

Enrichment Workshops

For students entering grades 4–12

Upper School: Algebra Review for Algebra 2

Middle School: Pre-Algebra, Prep for Algebra 1

Middle School: Math Grades 5/6

Middle School: Model UN

Reading Skills Book Club for Grade 4

Reading Skills Book Club for Grade 5

Click here to register for Summer Academy

FAQs

Why should I take an online course this summer?

Are Summer Academy courses for credit?

Are there any courses for credit for Middle School students?

What is the time commitment of taking a Summer Academy course?

Who are the Summer Academy teachers at GFA?

How much does a Summer Academy course cost?

Are all Summer Academy courses online?