JULY 3-23, 2022
GRADES 7-10 | COED
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ESL+ Intensive
ACADEM G R
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About Mercersburg Academy Mercersburg Academy is a premier coed college-preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates from across the country and around the world. Mercersburg prepares young people from diverse backgrounds for success in college and for life in a global community. During the academic year, 445 students from 29 states and 36 countries pursue a rigorous academic curriculum and excel in a multitude of extracurricular endeavors, including athletics and the arts. More than 90 percent of the senior class enrolls in colleges and universities rated most competitive or highly competitive. 2
Location In the middle of everywhere: Mercersburg is located in southcentral Pennsylvania, less than two hours from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD, three hours from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA, and four hours from New York City.
NEW YORK
New York City
PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
NEW JERSEY Baltimore
Washington, D.C.
DELAWARE MARYLAND
VIRGINIA
Our participants travel from all over the world. 3
ESL+ Summer Language Intensive Mercersburg’s ESL+ Intensive reflects Mercersburg Academy’s commitment to the global community. Extensive English development and rewarding cultural immersion draw students from all over the world who are committed to rigorous academic effort. ESL+ benefits students who seek necessary life skills for a successful transition to living abroad at American boarding schools, colleges, or universities, and those who seek a rewarding few weeks of immersion into the English language and American culture. The ESL+ program highlights life at Mercersburg Academy, introducing students to a variety of activities inside and outside the classroom. ESL+ is open to students who possess a working knowledge of the English language and who can communicate on at least moderate verbal and written levels. The experience is anchored by a comprehensive and stimulating curriculum that improves communication skills in English speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
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Approach In the classroom, ESL+ students are divided by skill level for some activities and by grade for others. All students are evaluated when they arrive and placed into classes based on core English competencies. This proven method for learning introduces students to environments where they are properly challenged, paced, and supported. While courses are taught according to the students’ ability to digest information and to apply acquired knowledge, the use of progressive teaching principles allows qualified students to advance study levels as they master essential skills. Program Features chevron-right
Competitive admission and limited enrollment in each grade level
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Limited enrollment by nationality to ensure diversity of participants
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Opportunities to study English speaking, listening, writing, and reading, including courses in American culture and U.S. history
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Intentional instruction that emphasizes the progression and development of every student
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Safe and supportive school environment
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Supervised study hall time
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Beyond the Classroom Excursions Day trips on the weekend to major U.S. cities can include such destinations as Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Weekday trips to points of local and regional interest are used to extend the learning experience and to assist students in their introduction to U.S. culture and schooling. College Visits Participants will have the option to travel to at least one American university. ESL+ students have the opportunity to take tours, gather information, and explore the campuses with our staff.
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Extracurricular and Recreational Activities Our ESL+ participants have the chance to experience amusement parks, live performances, cinemas, and professional sporting events. Students use afternoon activity time to take advantage of Mercersburg’s extensive athletic facilities and to participate in American and international sports such as basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and squash. In addition, afternoons can include dance, music, visual arts, yoga, and crafts. Cultural Enrichment Students develop an appreciation for different cultures in a truly international residential learning environment that draws participants from South America, Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
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Lodging and Dining
Summer Staff
Health and Safety
All Mercersburg Summer Programs participants stay in air-conditioned dormitories with carpeted hallways, tiled bathrooms, and private shower areas. Counselors and other staff live in adjacent rooms and place an emphasis on respect, courtesy, and consideration while living with others. Participants enjoy tasty and nutritious food every day; plus our menu is varied and our kitchen staff are sensitive to special dietary needs and preferences. All meals include a main entree, side dishes, salad/sandwich bar, vegetarian and glutenfree options, and a fruit station.
Mercersburg Summer Programs staff are creative, encouraging, and responsible people who truly love to work with kids and teens. Our instructors—many of whom are Mercersburg Academy faculty or alumni—are not only experts in their fields, but also experts at making learning fun. They are trained in safety management, interpersonal skills, dealing with homesickness, and other camp-related issues. Our camper-to-staff ratio ensures that staff can direct all of their focus on the unique needs and development of selfesteem and self-confidence for every camper.
Our campus is patrolled 24 hours a day by members of the school’s Campus Safety Office. Access to dormitories is limited to summer participants, and all summer staff are required to receive full state and federal clearances as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition, our staff are certified in CPR/AED, and many also have first aid training. Our Rutherford Health and Wellness Center is managed by a team of registered nurses, and we work closely with a local family medical practice for campers who may need additional care. A fulltime health services assistant is also available at all times. Please visit mercersburgsummer.com to review our COVID-19 policies.
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ESL+ Application and Enrollment Admission and Tuition Inclusive tuition of $4,500 covers three weeks of classes, books and materials, meals, boarding, health insurance, and activity and event fees. Students only need to bring personal spending money. chevron-right
Additionally, a $50 application fee is required. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
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Deposit of $500 (or full amount) due upon acceptance. Balance due by June 1 or upon acceptance thereafter.
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Students have two weeks after receiving their acceptance letter to make a final decision and pay the $500 deposit to reserve their space.
Visa Process and Details International students who are accepted to Mercersburg’s ESL+ Intensive are expected to obtain a B-1 or B-2 visa. The student should obtain a visa as quickly as possible upon acceptance.
To apply to our ESL+ Intensive, please visit:
ESL.MERCERSBURGSUMMER.COM 9
Nestled in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, just a stone’s throw from the Tuscarora Mountain ridge, Mercersburg Academy provides the perfect setting for a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and fun around every corner. Our campus features 300 acres of expansive athletic fields, wildlife habitat areas, farmland, and state-of-the-art academic facilities. Our buildings contain modern labs, art studios, study areas, and STEAM collaboration spaces. Whether you like chemistry, multimedia design, or anything in between, our buildings and grounds can satisfy your interests.
360° Take a virtual tour of our campus at mercersburg.info!
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Campus Map 1
Prentiss Alumni and Parent Center at North Cottage
2 Traylor Hall 3 Lenfest Hall 4 Hale Studio Theatre 5 Burgin Center for the Arts 6 Culbertson House 7 Irvine Memorial Chapel 8 Campus Safety Office 9 Main Hall 10 Swank Hall 11 South Cottage
12 McFadden Model Railroad Museum
23 Lloyd Aquatic Center
13 Rutledge Hall
24 Nolde Gymnasium
14 Keil Hall
25 Plantz Courts
15 Irvine Hall
26 Rutherford Health and Wellness Center
16 Ford Hall 17 Simon Student Center 18 Tippetts Hall 19 Fowle Hall 20 Curran Track 21 James Buchanan Cabin 22 Hale Field House
27 Regents’ Field 28 Smoyer Tennis Center 29 Steiger Field 30 Upper Field 31 Class of ’38 Observatory 32 Masinter Outdoor Education Center
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Mercersburg Summer Programs summerprograms@mercersburg.edu 717-328-6225
Peter Kallin Director of Summer Programs kallinp@mercersburg.edu 717-328-6386
Matt Jacobs
MERCERSBURG
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Assistant Director of Summer Programs jacobsm@mercersburg.edu 717-328-6350
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