2023 Summer High-School Programs

Summer 2023 High-school programs are coming soon! See below for seminars offered in Summer 2022.

Summer 2022 High-School Programs

Humanities Seminars

​Our seminars are geared to mature and curious rising 8th to high-school students. Students will have the opportunity to examine the many books, artifacts, maps, music, artwork, etc. that Mr. Gardner will display during the seminar, followed by a very dynamic, engaging and interactive lecture.

Literature Seminars

• Closed: 8/1 - 8/5:  J.R.R Tolkien: The Lord of the Rings
• 8/15 - 8/19: G.K. Chesterton:  The Man Who Was Thursday and Father Brown

History Seminar

• ​8/22 - 8/26: World War One: The Essentials (Prerequisite for Fall WWII Class)

Location: In-person; 12340 Pinecrest Road, #100, Reston, VA 20191
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ages:  Rising 8th - rising 12th graders
Faculty: Hugh Gardner
Tuition:  $280 per week

College Application Workshops

Summer plans might have to wait, but college applications don’t. Turn “staying home” into “moving ahead” and jumpstart your essays. Add depth and dimension to your academic and personal profiles with a digital portfolio that showcases what you’ve done and who you are...with visual storytelling. The workshops below will give you the edge you’ll need this fall without the stress of cramming in August. Today’s social distancing guidelines provide an opportunity for reflection and perspective needed to
examine the facets/pieces of a complex educational journey. Not sure what to do to keep moving forward? Having a hard time finding time to work on college applications? Proactively organize your time early this summer to get a head start on college essays and a portfolio that will give you the edge you need for the fall admissions schedules.

Due to the courses being one-week long, these courses will be held virtually.

Finding Your Voice: Writing the College Essay (Virtual)
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"Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time…” or "Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve...."

These are the openings from two of next year’s seven Common Application Essay Prompts.  Such vague, broad writing directives can strike fear into the hearts of teens and adults alike! In this workshop, rising seniors will be guided through the process of tackling and deciphering prompts and writing a compelling personal essay for admission to college, competitive programs, awards and scholarships.
Students will learn how to use writing to develop a comprehensive application that reflects students’ academic and personal strengths.  ​Writing coach and English teacher, Anne Sharp, will guide students through brainstorming, narrowing, and selecting a meaningful personal experience that each student will develop into a formal essay. Students should bring the list of colleges that they are looking at to this first class with the different essay requirements.

The product of this workshop will be a complete essay from the Common App or Coalition App required prompt that the student can use for their college applications.
​
This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.

Location: Virtual
​Dates: August 8-12​, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm EST - 4:00 pm EST
Ages: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Faculty: Anne Sharp
Tuition: $300 per week

Telling your Story through the Common Application (Virtual) 

One application. Three parts. Student essay. Student profile. Teacher recommendations. The Common Application requires several writers, different forms, and multiple writing sessions. It’s limited space, multi-person input, and a fragmented process.

It’s easy to lose sight of presenting a cohesive picture of the candidate.
It’s easy to duplicate information--experiences, personal qualities, and academic skills.

It’s easy to overlook relevant data—projects, service, accolades.

This course approaches the Common App in a way you never thought you needed to—arranging components and credentials to tell a cohesive story about the student you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re headed. A way that leaves a lasting impression.

This workshop is designed for rising 12th graders who are currently going through the college application process.

​Location: Virtual
Dates: August 15-19, 2022
​Time: 1:00 pm EST - 4:00 pm EST
Ages: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Faculty: Anne Sharp
Tuition: $300 per week

Honors US History 1

Description: This seminar-style, in-depth study of American history stresses primary sources and utilizes superior replica, reproduction, and authentic period weapons, accoutrements, and artifacts, as well as posters, maps, music, artwork, and historical games. Students will learn to interpret historical events through primary-source analysis and to explore history through problem solving and challenges and the study of historical artifacts and games. 

Topics of study to be covered, include:

• The Atlantic Maritime World – Explorers, Fishermen, Treasure Fleets, Privateers, and PIRATES
• The Iroquois and Algonquin People of the Eastern Woodlands – before and after European contact
• The French and Indian Wars – the long struggle for the future of the continent
• “Pontiac’s Rebellion”
• The Road to Revolution
• The Revolutionary War
• The New Republic and its Curiosities (time permitting)

Register

Location: In-person; 12340 Pinecrest Road, #100, Reston, VA 20191
Date: June 20 - July 29, 2022 (no class on 7/4)
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Ages: Rising 9th - rising 12th graders*
High School Credit: 1 credit**
Faculty: Hugh Gardner
Tuition: $2000

* Rising 8th graders who have demonstrated the academic maturity for the class may be considered.

Attendance: Due to the condensed nature of the class, students who miss more than three class periods will not be able to take the class for credit.

Admission:  These courses are high-school level courses taught by faculty of Ideaventions Academy for Math and Science. Students from other schools (or homeschool) wishing to enroll in the course require permission to enroll and should contact admissions@ideaventionsacademy.org. Courses require that the student demonstrates the academic preparation, emotional maturity and work habits to successfully complete a high-school level course.​

Withdrawals and Refunds:

• If you need to withdraw from a course, please send an email to info@ideaventions.com requesting the withdrawal. We will not process withdrawals from voicemails.
• Refunds minus the $100 non-refundable fee can be processed prior to June 1. After June 1, refunds minus the $100 non-refundable fee can be processed if we are able to fill the spot in the course.