• SHP students enjoy the outdoor areas at Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Academics
Preparatory (9-12)

SHP Summer Academics

SHP SUMMER SESSION 2024

SHP Summer Session features a variety of courses and experiences designed to fit the unique opportunity for learning which summertime makes possible. Courses are offered as intensive learning experiences over a period of four to seven weeks. Pay close attention to course details to ensure your desired course meets your (or your students’) learning style and needs. All courses, regardless of length, will include the same amount of coursework (60 hours for semester-long courses, 120 hours for year-long), so the shorter the calendar length of a course, the more intensive it is. No classes will meet on the Juneteenth Holiday (June 19) or Independence Day (July 4).

Students who typically thrive in fully online or hybrid courses are self-directed, motivated, technology proficient, and independent learners. Students must be comfortable studying, participating in online discussions, and learning in an online environment. They must have regular access to a computer and the internet for the entire duration of the course. While online learning has flexibility, these courses require regular online participation, meeting submission deadlines, and face-to-face meetings as determined by the course instructor. Families should note course-specific synchronous meeting times/dates and reserve these times on their student’s calendar. Families should also ensure that their student has additional time in their days protected to complete the balance of their coursework, which can be quite substantial. 
 
Please note that teachers reserve the right to refine the class meeting schedule as summer approaches. Courses have limited capacity, so enrollment is not guaranteed. Courses with remaining capacity after Monday, March 6 are open to non-SHP students who meet academic requirements. Courses without enough enrollment by Friday, April 26, 2024 will not be offered.
 
Registration Process
While we strive to make space in summer academic courses for all students who wish to enroll, student demand for a particular course sometimes exceeds its capacity. This is most often true for Religious Studies and Science courses. Students for whom enrollment in a summer course is an important priority should submit a course request before Wednesday, February 28. If at that time, demand exceeds capacity for a summer course, we will utilize a lottery system to fairly allocate course seats. Students who are not assigned a seat based on the outcome of the lottery will be placed on a waiting list in the order of their lottery number. Students who are assigned a course seat will receive an email with a registration link and will then have three days to secure their seat with tuition payment. Any student who does not register within these three days will lose their seat, so that it can be offered to the next student on the waiting list.
 
Course Request Portal Opens
Monday, February 12 at 9:00am

Students and families may formally request enrollment for summer session courses starting Monday, Feb. 12. No payment is required at this time.
SHP Summer Academics Registration is open

Lottery Deadline
Monday, February 26 at 6:00pm
After the lottery deadline, seats in courses that are over capacity will be assigned first to students who qualify for priority registration (see below) and then to students selected via lottery. Students who get a seat will receive an email with a link to register and submit tuition payment. Students who do not will be placed on a waitlist and notified accordingly.    
 
Final Registration Deadline       
Friday, April 26 at 6:00pm
Following the Lottery deadline and beginning on Monday March 6, students and families will still be able to register for courses that are not yet at capacity on a first-come-first-serve basis until Friday, April 26.
 
The demand for SHP Summer Session courses always exceeds capacity, particularly true for Religious Studies and Science courses. In order to facilitate equitable access to these high-demand courses, we will assign available course seats via lottery among students who have requested enrollment by the initial “Lottery Deadline” on February 26 at 6pm. 
 
Priority Registration
Students who meet certain strict criteria may be eligible for priority registration, which allows access to course seats in advance of the lottery. Students who qualify for priority registration must reach out to their school counselor to confirm eligibility and submit a course request online by the Feb 26 deadline.

Non-SHP Students
SHP welcomes students from other high schools to enroll in several of its Summer Session courses: Geometry Jump and Physics. Students who wish to enroll may do so after March 6, 2024 via the web portal--pending availability.

Please contact Mr. Brady at dbrady@shschools.org with questions.
 
Academic Edge
Our Academic Edge classes provide review and support to prepare rising 9th and 10th grade students for greater academic success in core English, Math, and Science courses. Academic Edge courses take place at the end of the summer in the weeks leading up to the new school year and are offered by invitation only to students who would benefit most. If you think you or your child would benefit from an Academic Edge Course, please reach out to their School Counselor or to their current teacher in English, Math, or Science.

Registration for Academic Edge courses takes place separately from for-credit, academic summer session courses. Please reach out to Ms. Fehmeen Picetti at fpicetti@shschools.org with questions.


Academic Edge 2024 Registration is Open

ACADEMIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS SUMMER 2024

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  • ACADEMIC EDGE & REFRESHER COURSES - By Invitation Only

    Our Academic Edge classes are designed to prepare rising 9th and 10th grade students for greater academic success in English and math courses. Academic Edge courses take place from July 29-August 9 and are offered by invitation only to students who would benefit most from additional support in these areas. If you think your child would benefit from an Academic Edge Course, please reach out to their School Counselor and/or current English/math teacher.

    Registration for Academic Edge courses takes place separately from for-credit, academic summer session courses. Please reach out to Ms. Fehmeen Picetti at fpicetti@shschools.org with questions.

    Academic Edge 2024 Registration is Open

    Pre-English I 
    Course Dates: July 29-Aug 9
    Course Meeting Time: 11:45 AM-1:45 PM
    Course Instructor: Ellery Dake

    Pre-English II
    Course Dates: July 29-Aug 9
    Course Meeting Time: 11:45 AM-1:45 PM
    Course Instructor: Douglas Hosking

    Pre-Algebra I
    Course Dates: July 29-Aug 9
    Course Meeting Time: 9:00-11:00 AM
    Course Instructor: Derrick Lao

    Pre-Geometry
    Course Dates: July 29-Aug 9
    Course Meeting Time: 9:00-11:00 AM
    Course Instructor: Patrick Ban

    Pre-Algebra II
    Course Dates: July 29-Aug 9
    Course Meeting Time: 9:00-11:00 AM
    Course Instructor: Gus Elmashni
  • ENGLISH - Senior Writers Workshop

    This seminar course provides the structure and support to guide students through the college essay writing process, from brainstorming and idea formation to the final editing process. This workshop is designed to be a hands-on writing seminar for students who want to work on their individual college essays. The course will not present material different from that offered to every rising senior student at “College Kick Off”; but rather will offer a forum for a student to work through writing the college essay with individual support and guidance. The instructors will help each student access his or her individual voice, helping them focus on his or her unique attributes. Instructors will provide editing suggestions and assistance throughout the writing process and will work in collaboration with our College Counseling Department.

    This course is open only for rising Seniors and offers no academic course credit. Please note the unique course dates. Senior Writer’s Workshop does not take place during the regular summer session.
     
    Exact Dates: June 4 - 7, 2024
    Exact Times: TBD
    Instructors: Lisa Harper & Jake Moffat
    Tuition: $950
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS - By Invitation Only

    Health & Wellness is a one semester requirement that is part of the school's overall commitment to providing students with ongoing opportunities to learn about health related topics and to reflect upon individual decision-making in the context of the SHP community and beyond. The emphasis of the program is to promote balance, safety, self-reflection, and the skills to navigate various situations and decisions that students may encounter throughout their teenage years. A major goal of the course is to build healthy communities where individuals look out for one another and feel empowered to make healthy decisions. Topics of the course include: Adolescent Development, Identity, Conformity & Bystander Effects, Physical Health, Mental Health, Relationships, Communication, Substance Use, Sexual Health, Technology & Social Media.

    This course has UC approval.

    Registration by invitation only and is not an option on the course request form. If you believe you or your student needs to take Health & Wellness this summer, please reach out to their School Counselor. Invitations to register will be sent in later in the semester.

    Course Dates: June 11-July 2, 2024*
    Class Meeting Times: 8:30am-12:30pm, M-F 
    Course Format: In-person
    Instructor: Monika Nagy
    Prerequisites: Open only to rising Freshman who qualifies for a year-long class in the ASC or who successfully auditions for a year-long Fine Arts class. All other 9th graders are required to take Health & Wellness during the Fall semester of their 9th Grade Year.
    Attendance: No more than one (1) excused or unexcused absence is allowed.
    Tuition: $1,100

    *NOTE: Students who are unable to attend class June 11-14 as they complete their 8th grade year may still take the course if they attend a required make-up session from 9am-3pm on Saturday, June 15.
  • MATH - Geometry Jump

    This course covers the same material as a full-year high school Geometry course in a very intensive fashion. The main purpose is to develop understanding of concepts in plane, solid and coordinate geometry, the skills to apply these concepts to solve problems, and the ability to construct formal arguments and proofs. Topics include angles, parallel lines, triangles and other types of polygons, congruence, similarity, circles, various types of solid figures, area, volume, coordinate geometry, and basic right triangle trigonometry. Throughout the course there is a committed and consistent effort to review and use algebraic skills in the context of solving geometrical problems. This is a UC approved course.

    This course is open only to rising Sophomores. Non-SHP students are welcome to enroll after March 6, pending availability.
     
    Course Dates: June 6-July 19 
    Synchronous Meeting Times: Weekdays, 8:30am-12pm
    Course Format: In person
    Course Instructor: TBD
    Prerequisites: for SHP students an A- or higher both semesters of Algebra I; for non SHP students an A in both semesters of Algebra I and a letter of recommendation from current Algebra I teacher
    Attendance: No more than two (2) excused or unexcused absences are allowed; SHP will call parents if attendance becomes an issue and a third absence will result in withdrawal from the course.
    Tuition: $2,100
  • RELIGIOUS STUDIES - World Religions

    This course focuses on the ways in which important spiritual truths are found in non-Christian religions. Students learn the practice of interreligious dialogue, including the dialogue of scholars and theologians and the dialogue of shared spiritual experience. In addition, gaining accurate knowledge of other religions and cultures is a significant aspect of the course. Students come to recognize the ways in which other systems of belief and practice differ from Catholicism. This course has UC approval. This course is open only to rising Juniors at SHP
     
    PLEASE NOTE: This course will be an intensive and demanding learning experience. Students will be expected to engage meaningfully in each class meeting, read up to 40-60 minutes a night, and write weekly one-page papers. Students who do not fully engage in class or in the nightly reading should not expect to earn an A. Because demand for this course will be extremely high, students who are not able to be present for all classes or who are not prepared to “do the work” should not enroll. 

    REQUIRED TEXT: Physical copy of Stephen Prothero’s Religion Matters
     
    Course Dates: June 6-July 3, M-F 9am-12pm 
    Course Format: In-Person 
    Course Instructor: Dan Brady 
    Tuition: $1,100  
  • SCIENCE - Physics

    This course covers the same material as a full-year high school physics course in a very intensive fashion. Physics is an introductory course that explores the concepts of motion, mechanics, sound, electricity, and optics. Both conceptual and mathematical aspects of physics are covered and extensive demonstration and laboratory work are included. Methods of instruction include lecture, discussion, and problem solving. This course will also include using scientific writing skills and graphical analysis to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the physical world. Throughout the course, there is a committed and consistent effort to use algebraic and trigonometric skills in the context of solving physics problems. This is a UC approved course.
     
    This course is open only to rising Juniors and Seniors. Non-SHP students are welcome to enroll after March 6, pending availability.
     
    Course Dates: June 7-July 3, 2024
    Synchronous Meeting Times: Weekdays, 9am-3:30pm
    Course Format: Fully In-person
    Course Instructor: Riaz Abdulla 
    Prerequisites: Placement based on diagnostic assessment and recommendations of previous Science and Math teachers; Completion of Biology, Chemistry or Chemistry Honors; B- or better in Algebra II
    Attendance: No more than two (2) excused or unexcused absences are allowed; SHP will call parents if attendance becomes an issue and a third absence will result in withdrawal from the course.
    Tuition: $2,100

Summer School & Academic Edge Contact

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Daniel Brady

    Daniel Brady 

    Social Science Teacher - SHP

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  • Course Information

    Each semester-long summer course requires 60 hours of coursework including required online work and work in the classroom. Geometry Jump and Physics are year-long courses. (These courses require 120 hours of coursework). While in-class meetings vary, per class, please note: all for-credit summer courses fit within a 6-week timeframe and students are expected to keep up with work for the duration of the entire course, both online and in person (if conditions permit). Students should check with the course instructor directly for questions about the summer schedule.
     
    Credit bearing courses will last up to 7 weeks following the end of Spring semester. 18 max enrollment per course, unless otherwise noted. Students may choose to take these courses during the summer for a variety of reasons and should work in tandem with their School Counselors when registering for these courses.
     
    • Course Dates - See specific course information; 60 hours for semester long courses; 120 hours for year-long courses. Please Note: No classes will meet on the Juneteenth Holiday (June 19) or Independence Day (July 4).
    • Synchronous “in classroom” dates will vary by teacher; please see course specific information. Note that less synchronous time means more asynchronous homework. All semester courses total 60 hours coursework, year-long 120 hours.
    • Students may not enroll in more than one offering, as synchronous meeting times conflict.
    Please note: The only course open to non-SHP students is Geometry Jump. In order to receive credit for a course, students may miss no more than 10% of in-class meetings and must pass the final exam.  Final exams cannot be taken early and will not be rescheduled to accommodate absences. Due to the blended nature of summer courses, in-class meetings are very important.  For semester-long classes, students may have one (1) excused or unexcused absence. For Geometry Jump, two (2) absences are allowed.  Non-SHP students must complete a transcript request form to receive an official summer school transcript from SHP.
  • Course Withdrawal

    Students may cancel enrollment anytime before summer school begins. The last day you may cancel a class and receive a refund is Friday, April 26, 2024. A $100 fee will be deducted from the refund for any class you cancel. No refunds will be given for classes canceled after the April 26 deadline. Students may drop from a course in the first two weeks of class. The last day to drop a course is Friday, June 14, 2024.

    If a student withdraws from a summer school course after the second week of instruction, the student will receive a "W" on their SHP transcript.  Withdrawals are not allowed beyond the third week of instruction for any reason.  If the course is being taken to fulfill a graduation requirement, the student will need to contact the School Counselor to adjust the Fall course schedule.
  • Tuition

    One-semester courses: $1100
    Full year courses: $2100

    For students who wish to apply for financial aid for Summer School, please contact the Office of Mission Culture and Strategy (OMCS) at cmunguia@shschools.org or 650-454-8312.
  • Computer Use

    All students will need access to a computer or iPad for the duration of their summer course.  Please contact Mr. Brady at dbrady@shschools.org if you do not have access to technology during the summer.

SHP Summer School Policies

Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

150 Valparaiso Ave
Atherton, CA 94027
650 322 1866
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12