The Academic Program at Cushing Summer is designed to spark curiosity, develop skills, and build confidence for academic success. Our engaging classes and activities give you the chance to craft a summer of exploration and excitement.

A Summer of Discovery, Choice, and Fun

The Academic Program at Cushing Summer allows middle school students to explore new academic frontiers, discover new skills and interests, and revel in their own curiosity without the pressure of grades. Rising middle school students enroll in two academic enrichment courses in the morning, and we encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and choose subjects that they have never tried before or in which they may have previously struggled. 

In addition to two morning enrichment courses, middle school students also enroll in two additional options in the afternoon. Our afternoon programming includes visual and performing arts offerings, athletics, as well as additional academic classes. The result: a summer of curiosity and adventure.  

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Middle School Courses (Grades 6-8)

Students entering grades 6-8 enroll in two morning enrichment courses, from the options listed below.
 

Morning Courses: Humanities + Social Science

Debate Team

Students will dig deeply into several topics to fully understand issues from many perspectives. They will gain important research skills, including how to sort through the onslaught of information online to discover legitimate sources. Additionally, students will work closely with teammates in a cooperative environment and improve public speaking and critical thinking skills. This class introduces students to the basic elements of argument and guides them through the steps required to engage in a successful team debate.

Legends in Literature

This course explores the stories, inspiration, and cultural impact of literary history’s heroes and legends. Students will come to know these characters in a participatory and story-based format by digging deeply into their complex and compelling lives. The class will discover that these legends of literature share the common characteristics of courage, perseverance, and grit. At the same time, students learn that not all heroes are strong, confident, and invincible, but they can also be frail, insecure, and vulnerable. This important perspective helps us to expand and redefine the common notion of heroes in culture and society. Through this engaging and animated course, students will better understand their own lives and the wonders and complexities of the human condition.

Literature + Writing

This course’s primary goal is to expose you to different cultures, ultimately asking what we can learn from each other to make the world better. By reading a broad selection of classic and contemporary literature in this class, you will deepen your understanding of people and the issues they face. The reading list typically includes works from the Americas, Europe, and Asia or Africa. While you discuss and analyze the literature, you will also refine grammar skills, build your vocabulary, sharpen your eye for detail, and hone your logic. Another goal of this course is to strengthen your writing skills. You will write daily, drafting and redrafting analytical essays, personal response essays, short stories, poems, and editorials, allowing you to develop an extensive portfolio of your critical, creative, and personal writing.

Young Entrepreneurs

This course guides students through the steps necessary to launch a successful business based on an original idea. Students learn how to recognize opportunities, create business plans, develop marketing strategies, and build realistic budgets to support their ideas. Students learn how to identify and resolve problems creatively and practically, including “thinking outside the box.” Additionally, our young entrepreneurs learn that successful businesses aren’t always about maximizing profits. Students in this class also learn that bringing their product ideas to market can provide a much-needed public service and may significantly improve others’ lives in the local or global community.

Morning Courses: Science + Mathematics

Mathematics

If you want a head start with math before beginning high school, this course provides a sweeping review of mathematics typically covered in middle school and then moves into areas such as algebra and geometry. The class focuses on fractions, decimals, operations using negative numbers, word problems, and basic equations. You will become familiar with fundamental algebraic and geometric skills, including factoring, graphing, and formulas for solving the equations most often covered in these courses. You will be placed at the appropriate course level to ensure comfort, understanding, and progress.

Algebra II

If you are in transition to higher-level math, enrolling in Algebra II is an excellent choice for the summer. Topics investigated in this course include linear relations, quadratic functions, exponents, and logarithms and their applications. Successful completion of both Algebra I and Geometry is a prerequisite.

Robotics

If you enjoy learning how things work, solving puzzles, finding solutions to problems, you will love this class. You will work in teams designing and building robots with LEGO Mindstorms; in the process, you will learn the basic components of robotics and the fundamentals of programming your robots to perform simple actions. As your designs take shape, you will also reinforce your understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). You and your classmates will have fun engaging with each other in daily challenges and weekly competitions, some of which you will devise. After learning the basics, you will build three-wheeled robots that feature touch and light sensors, motorized claws, and gears. Not only will you calibrate the sensors, but you will also program your robots to carry out specific tasks. Your teacher will record video throughout the sessions, providing a record of how much you have learned over the five weeks.

Solve it – with Science

In this engaging and interactive course, students will use the scientific method to investigate real-world mysteries and unexplained events. Students will discover phenomena in life science, physical science, and earth and space science. They will develop guiding questions, conduct research, formulate hypotheses, carry out experiments, and communicate results. During the final week, students will present their findings to peers and faculty. This course helps students develop critical inquiry and research skills as they set out to solve the world’s mysteries and wonders through science.

Solve it – with Logic

Using a diverse series of logic puzzles and other related game formats, students will build their deductive reasoning, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Students employ various problem-solving strategies to arrive at final solutions. In this process, students gain the confidence to apply these skills to other academic areas, including challenging math proofs and complex word problems. This course will develop students’ structured and organized thinking processes and improve their writing and speaking communication skills.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

This course combines science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to pursue student-driven, inquiry-based projects using real-world applications. This interdisciplinary course employs a format that includes inquiry, research, proposal, testing, and conclusion and strikes a balance between independent discovery and guided instructor support. Students will also engage in the scientific method, practice drawing and creating, and develop important teamwork and collaborative habits. Students will gain metacognitive skills through iteration, self-reflection, and peer evaluation. By the end of the summer, STEM students gain a new perspective of the interconnectedness of the world around them, with new skills, knowledge, and habits to meet the challenges of more advanced course work in secondary school.
 

More Than 25 Afternoon Classes + Activities

Flickr album: Summer Session Photo | Height: 500px | Theme: Columns | Skin: Default Skin

Afternoons at Cushing Summer are an opportunity to further explore your interests. We offer additional academic classes to sharpen skills or explore new subjects, performing and visual arts classes to find inspiration and flex creative muscles, and athletic workshops to keep fit and active. 

Explore Afternoon Programming