7th & 8th Grade Academics

Fight summer slide and continue learning. 7-8th Graders can get a taste of being an SI student in this five-week, morning academic program. They will rotate through two classes each morning. Many students enroll in afternoon camps to create a full day on campus. There will be a period dedicated to eating lunch and socializing before their next scheduled class or camp. During this time, campers will partake in games, ping-pong, sports, and other fun activities put on by SI staff. Lunch is not provided, campers must bring a bag lunch or sign up for hot lunch through St. Ignatius. All details on hot lunch ordering will be sent out closer to camp start by St. Ignatius via email. 

2024 Dates: June 10-July 12 (closed June 19 and July 4-5), Mon-Fri 9am-11:30am

All 7th & 8th-grade students will enroll in two classes:

1. Math (Grade Appropriate) 
2. English (Creative Writing, Debate Tactics, Words Win!, or Language Arts) 

*We will not be offering single course options, every student must take both courses. 

During registration, students will select their math preference and rank their English classes in order of preference. Classes are not guaranteed and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis determined by the date your registration is received. 

Math Courses

Class choices cannot be changed after June 1. You will receive your final schedule on or before June 8 from St. Ignatius. 

• Pre-Algebra (Recommended for most students entering 7th grade): This course strengthens the student's foundation in fractions, decimals, percentages, and operations with negative numbers. Students will also learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide variable expressions. 
• Algebra (Recommended for most students entering 8th grade): This course is for students who will be taking algebra in the fall or who have taken some algebra already, but did not study it in detail or did not fully understand it. Students will learn the distributive property, operations with variables, simplifying expressions, solving equations, basic word problems, and linear functions. 
• High School Algebra (Recommended for students who completed middle school algebra): Students will learn quadratic functions, radical equations, logarithms, solving systems of linear equations, and sequences and series. This is a good introduction to what students can expect to learn during their first semester of high school algebra. 
• Geometry (Recommended for students who completed high school algebra): This course will cover concepts in high school geometry and will aim to improve deductive reasoning skills. The course will cover the basic symbols and vocabulary of geometry, lines, segments, angles,  triangles and other polygons. This course if for any student interested in developing beyond algebraic concepts OR those who have already taken our HS Algebra course. 

English Courses  

Class choices cannot be changed after June 1. You will receive your final schedule on or before June 8 from St. Ignatius. 

• Creative Writing: Students will read short stories and use those works as models to generate their own fiction. By the end of the summer session, students will have practiced writing exercises that teach a myriad of storytelling techniques: settings that create atmosphere, dialogue that builds character, figurative imagery that develops voice, and plots that establish tension. During the last week, students will present their own short stories to their classmates. The skills you will learn in this class will assist you in all your future English classes!
• Debate Techniques: Want to win an argument?  Want to persuade your family and friends that you are right?  In this class, we will learn debate techniques that will give you the power of persuasion.  Each week we will dive into a new hot topic such as freedom of speech, gun control, and immigration as well as other burning issues of our time.  Students will learn how to use evidence and analysis to support an argument and refute an opponent’s claims. Activities will include group debates, fishbowl discussions, and one-on-one matches. 
• Words Win!: Increasing your vocabulary will improve your reading comprehension, enliven your writing skills, and help you in all of your academic courses and standardized tests. This class aims to dramatically augment your understanding and use of words through reading, writing, word games, recorded speeches, songs, and puzzles. Come join us and learn how words win! 
• Grammar and Writing Bootcamp: Boost your writing skills this summer by getting confident in your paragraph writing and grammar skills. Students will learn and practice standards-based rules of English grammar the fun way--through instruction, yes, but also through games, activities, and practice. Parts of speech, syntax, sentence construction, reading comprehension, and paragraph writing will be the focus! From FANBOYS to prepositional phrases to dependent clauses, you will learn the language your Language Arts and English teachers speak in this practical and fun class. 

Optional Zero Period Add-ons: 

Start your day an hour earlier and get more out of summer. These options run every day of Summer Academics from 8:00-8:50am.

Study Skills & Organization

This course will assist students in developing the skills (Time Management, Test Taking Strategies, Note-Taking, and Study Environment) necessary to study effectively and productively and will provide practice in the strategies that will allow students to succeed in their classes. 

For more information and to register, visit Study Skills & Organization.

Multimedia Design

Multimedia design is for those who are interested in developing computer, multimedia, and design skills through creative web, print, and animation projects. 

For more information and to register, visit Multimedia Design.

Prepare for Camp

• Review Release Forms: All participants agree to this Medical and Liability Release Form. 
• What to wear? Comfortable, school appropriate attire (pack a sweatshirt)
• What to bring? Water bottle, snack, notepad, or tablet
• Where to go? SI Main Entrance