Course Descriptions

Enrichment Program Description

Enrichment courses give students the opportunity to explore new fields and prepare for future studies. Courses are designed to highlight students’ strengths and to enrich their experiences. Participants in this program receive narrative evaluations but no grades or credits.

Eligibility. Students who are entering grades 8 through 12 in Fall 2008 are eligible. Students entering grade 7 may be accepted with a letter of recommendation from a teacher submitted with the application.

Dates. Monday, June 9, through Wednesday, July 17, 2008. Friday, July 4, is a holiday.

Courses Offered. Courses are offered in Art, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies. Each course description includes a statement of appropriate grade level, which refers to the grade the student will be entering the Fall of 2008. For example, students who are entering 9th grade in Fall 2008, are eligible this summer for courses listed as “open to students in grades 9 through 12.”

Cost. The total for all three enrichment courses and the optional skills course is $750.00. Occasionally field trip fees are collected after classes have begun.

Work Load. The enrichment program consists of three courses that last 50 minutes each, held Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM through 11:50 AM with 10-minute passing periods between classes. Most courses require some work outside class. All students should be prepared to do homework in Summer School.

Attendance. Consistent attendance is required even though no grades are given. It is the Summer School’s policy to notify parents of unexcused absences. Any student who is absent ten days will be dropped from the program and will not receive a narrative assessment.

Faculty. Rice University student teachers, under close supervision of mentor teachers from the Houston area, teach most of the enrichment courses. Mentor teachers themselves teach some enrichment and all skills courses.

Evaluation Report. Parents receive a written report describing the performance of each student in each class, noting particular strengths the student showed and recommendations for future growth. Unless otherwise requested, the student’s school (listed on the application) will also receive a copy of the report.