In the afternoon, Cushing Summer offers academic courses to sharpen skills or explore a new subject, performing and visual arts classes to find inspiration and flex creative muscles, and athletic activities to keep fit and active.

Afternoons Filled With Choice

During the application process, Cushing Summer students choose two afternoon classes or activities from a list of more than 25 options, ranging from academic courses, performing and visual arts classes, and athletics. Cushing Summer is the perfect time to lean into your interests — or to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. The choice is yours — and that’s what our afternoon options are all about.

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Afternoon Academic Courses

Our afternoon academic courses provide students with a wide array of options for enrichment, challenge, and inspiration. For one hour each day, students become fully engaged in the class of their choosing. See our afternoon academic offerings below:

Math Workshop (Algebra and Precalculus)

This course teaches students who understand basic arithmetical concepts. Topics include first- and second-degree equations, graphing, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, word problems and rational expressions.

Introduction to Engineering

The Introduction to Engineering class will explore the concepts of iterative design, collaboration, and problem-solving. Students will collaborate in small groups to solve design challenges and riddles. Once students find a possible solution to the problem, they will demonstrate how they can improve their product and build a second, improved prototype. 

Investing 101

This course guides students through the complexities of the stock market. Each student researches various types of investments, ranging from asset protection to maximum return. Lessons use hypothetical and real-life examples, giving students information to understand investments and make appropriate choices in their virtual transactions (in an online game). By the end of the course, students will better understand the basics investing and the stock market’s functions.

Public Speaking

This course provides useful tips and daily practice for improving public speaking skills. In addition to viewing, reading, and reciting excerpts of famous speeches, students will write and deliver personal speeches. Warm-up activities will help students improve enunciation, volume, rate, tone, and eye contact. Short demonstrations and daily pointers will enable participants to avoid distracting fillers (“um,” “like,” and “ok”) and to calm their jitters. After the course, students will speak more clearly, confidently, and professionally.

SAT Preparation

Focus on the verbal and mathematical skills and the test-taking techniques required for success on the SAT. Students take three or four diagnostic tests to determine progress over the summer and receive a plan for follow-up tests and additional study.

TOEFL Preparation

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required to enter most American colleges and universities. This course provides a thorough review of the types of questions that appear on the TOEFL examination, including the Internet Based Test (iBT). The class covers intensive grammar review, vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension exercises, and practice tests. The use of unofficial pre-TOEFL and TOEFL practice exams provide feedback about progress.

Writing Workshop 

This course aims to help students improve writing skills, develop writing styles, and find their voices. Students learn to organize and revise compositions carefully, use original and secondary materials, write research pieces clearly and concisely, and express themselves in various creative styles.

Afternoon Performing + Visual Arts Classes

Afternoon performing and visual arts classes allow students to engage in the creative process fully. With many exciting and interactive classes to choose from, students at all levels can build new skills and expand their artistic horizons. See detailed class descriptions below.

3-D Printing

The 3-D Printing + Design class enables students to explore engineering’s new frontier. Students practice designing 3-D-printable objects on SketchUp Make 2016 software. By learning the ins and outs of SketchUp, students build knowledge of 3-D computer-aided design. Using the Makerbot Replicator, students will print their 3-D models and practice the engineering design process: designing, printing, redesigning, reprinting, etc. This class also exposes students to potential applications and controversies of 3-D printing through class discussions and film.

Dance Workshop

This course focuses on the fundamentals of dance technique, emphasizing strength, flexibility, endurance, control, and coordination. Beginning and experienced dancers are encouraged to enroll. 

Graphic Design

Graphic Design is visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience. In this class, students will gain an introduction to graphic design history while creating real-world projects. Students will learn the basic techniques for designing a custom graphic project of their choosing. Using Adobe Photoshop, they will begin by making rough sketches that will be critiqued by their peers and revised through the editing process. In this interactive and hands-on class, students will develop the graphic artist’s creative and technological skills.

Video + Film Production

In this dynamic and interactive class, students experience all aspects of the movie-making process, including the roles of the camera operator, lighting technician, actor, editor, and director. The first movie project is designed to help students become familiar with these roles and learn the basic functions of equipment and software. The second and more complex project develops essential skills such as handling cameras, tripods, and movie editing software. Students learn to develop storytelling sequences, manage time constraints, and work cooperatively on project teams. In the final week, student films are screened and celebrated during our all-school events and assemblies.

Volleyball

This volleyball course focuses on introducing and mastering the basic skills necessary to understand and play the sport. Through demonstrations, drills, game-like scenarios, and scrimmages, students become proficient in passing, setting, serving, hitting, and blocking. The program is tailored to each student’s skill level to allow for proper challenge and growth. The program concludes with a student vs. faculty volleyball game—a great way to highlight skills in a fun and exciting community event.

Theatre Workshop

Students will learn about all phases of a dramatic production including acting, set building, design, lighting, costumes and makeup.

Photography

This class will introduce students to the basic principles of photography and its use as a form of communication. Students will develop shooting techniques and learn about aperture, shutter speed, depth of field and motion, and composition. Students do not need a high-end digital camera—a simple point and shoot camera or mobile device will work just fine.

Painting + Drawing

No matter how much experience students have with art, they will enjoy the opportunity to enhance creative skills through the study of painting and drawing. Students learn about line, value, color, and composition to take their art to new heights.

Jewelry Making

In this course, students will learn how to transform copper, stones, wire, and beads into wearable works of art. No prior experience with making jewelry is necessary.

Ceramics

Develop techniques for hand-building clay pots as well as glazing them. This course is designed for beginning as well as advanced students.

Afternoon Athletics

Our afternoon athletic activities provide opportunities for students at all levels to build individual and team skills, increase fitness and endurance, and develop strategies and techniques in their chosen sport. Our experienced coaching staff is committed to teaching sportsmanship and teamwork in a safe, fun, and inclusive athletic environment. See details of athletic opportunities below.

Basketball — Recreational
Basketball — Competitive

There are two levels of basketball instruction available at Cushing Summer, recreational and competitive. Our recreational basketball elective is focused on fun drills and games, while our competitive option is focused on skill-building, advanced drill work, and scrimmages. The content and topics covered during the basketball elective include, but are not limited to, offense, defense, transitions, passing, boxing out, shooting, ball handling, fitness, and rules. Coaches also work with players one-on-one to better understand particular skills or strategies. Students wishing to try out for Cushing Summer’s travel basketball team should choose Competitive Basketball.

Fitness

This general fitness class offers students the opportunity to take advantage of the state-of-the-art fitness facilities in the Watkins Field House. Students receive guided instruction on how to use treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines and other strength training equipment. 

Soccer — Recreational
Soccer — Competitive

There are two levels of soccer instruction available at Cushing Summer, recreational and competitive. Our recreational soccer elective is focused on fun drills and games, while our competitive option is focused on skill-building, advanced drill work, and scrimmages. The soccer program focuses on advancing skills necessary to play at the highest level. Each day focuses on a specific skill set. Drills get players moving, provide challenging techniques to reinforce skills, and implement new skills into a game-like scenario. Ultimately, players will improve their understanding of soccer and the importance of teamwork. Students wishing to try out for Cushing Summer’s travel soccer team should choose Competitive Soccer.

Tennis

This tennis class teaches students of all levels the sport’s fundamental aspects, including rules of the game, parts of the court, tennis etiquette, and match scoring. Students also learn or further develop all tennis strokes. Other areas that are covered include stretching exercises, tennis-specific warm-ups, and training activities. Lastly, to apply new skills, students participate in an end-of-the-summer tennis tournament (both singles and doubles).

Volleyball

This volleyball course focuses on introducing and mastering the basic skills necessary to understand and play the sport. Through demonstrations, drills, game-like scenarios, and scrimmages, students become proficient in passing, setting, serving, hitting, and blocking. The program is tailored to each student’s skill level to allow for proper challenge and growth. The program concludes with a student vs. faculty volleyball game—a great way to highlight skills in a fun and exciting community event.

Yoga

In this class, students utilize yoga practices to become more physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. This class presents various techniques in yoga to develop core strength and lung capacity through mindful breathing. This class emphasizes asana practice, which refers to poses and postures designed to build flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance. Yoga students learn physical fitness concepts, identify stress reduction techniques, increase their ability to concentrate, and develop a personal fitness plan.
 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Flickr album: Learning Beyond (Summer) | Height: 500px | Theme: Justified | Skin: Default Skin

One of the best aspects of living in a boarding school environment at Cushing Summer is the opportunity to have so many new experiences outside of daily classes. Whether you are sharing a meal with a student from Indonesia, riding roller coasters together at Six Flags, or exploring the streets of Boston, you will build lasting friendships (and develop essential life skills) in a close-knit and welcoming community. 

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