Middle School

Comic Book Design

Section 1: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grades: 5–8

Fee: $245

Heroes needed, villains on the loose! Bring your creativity and desire to strengthen your drawing and illustration skills. Using American and Japanese comics as inspiration, we will develop characters and settings from which to bring your imagination to life. This course will introduce storyboarding, character design and page layouts to bring your comics and cartoons to a higher level. We will use graphite, ink, markers and watercolors to develop dynamic stories. There are some stories worth telling. Come and share your excitement in this exciting art form.

Instructor: David Goerk

Debate Camp

Section 1: June 20–23 (Tu–F only), 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grades: 5–8

Fee: $200

Students learn the art of persuasion and help select debate topics they find interesting. Students work in rotating groups and practice their debating skills in a supportive environment, including developing arguments, issuing rebuttals, providing examples, rebuilding their case and summarizing points of view. Young debaters learn to think on their feet and enhance their public-speaking skills, gaining self-confidence in the process. Maximum enrollment is 16 students.

Instructor: SPARK Staff

Eighth-Grade Latin Bootcamp

Section 1: July 17–21, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 8

Fee: $200

This class will help incoming eighth-graders gain confidence for eighth-grade Latin. We will review important concepts from seventh-grade Latin that will carry over into the eighthgrade Latin curriculum. This session will not only increase your Latin skills but will also include Latin derivatives that are vocabulary in the eighth-grade History/English novels and an introduction to SAT vocabulary review.

Instructor: Latin Department

Engage Your Brain

Section 1: July 10–14, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grades 5–8

Fee: $200

Our brains are an incredibly complex and awe-inspiring gift from God producing over 100 trillion synapses or connections in a second. Student brains can become less active during the summer, and so it is important to keep their minds active. In this class each participant will explore through positive music, delicious nutritional snacks, fun and challenging games and light exercise how to enhance healthy brain habits, benefiting each attendee for life.

Instructor: Sharla Davidson

Math Bridges: Getting Prepared for Fifth-Grade Math

Section 1: June 5–9, 9 a.m.–noon

Section 2: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 5

Fee: $200

The purpose of this course is to support the incoming student with a smooth transition to the fifth-grade mathematics coursework. The focus for this week will be on developing procedural fluency with whole numbers, fractions and decimals. This enriching (and FUN!) experience will prepare struggling students for the jump into the rigor of fifth-grade math. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Wanchi Lowe

Math Bridges: Getting Prepared for Sixth-Grade Math

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–4 p.m.

Section 2: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 6

Fee: $200

The purpose of this course is to support the incoming student with a smooth transition to the sixth-grade mathematics coursework. The focus for this week will be on developing procedural fluency with fractions, decimals, percents and getting a head start into basic algebraic equations. This enriching (and FUN!) experience will prepare struggling students for the jump into the rigor of sixth-grade math. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Wanchi Lowe

Math Bridges: Getting Prepared for Seventh-Grade Math

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–4 p.m.

Section 2: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 7

Fee: $200

This course is designed to help rising seventh-graders prepare for the world of algebra. Students will learn to perform basic operations with integers and fractions and will use those concepts to solve algebraic equations. Games and hands-on activities will be used to help make these concepts easier to understand. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Karen Compere

Math Bridges: Getting Prepared for Eighth-Grade Math

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–4 p.m.

Section 2: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 8

Fee: $200

This course is designed for rising eighth-graders who need help solidifying math concepts from seventh grade. Emphasis will be on the fundamentals of pre-algebra mathematics to help ease the transition into algebra. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Samantha Friday

Multiplication Mania!

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grades: 3–5

Fee: $200

Multiplication Mania makes learning multiplication facts fun! A wide variety of hands-on activities, games and sports are used to teach and reinforce skills. Campers will receive tools and learn games to play with family and friends, providing easy ways to continue to develop accurate and automatic recall of math facts at home throughout the summer. This class is designed for all children entering grades 3, 4 or 5, whether they are just beginning to learn the facts or working toward mastery. Please send a water bottle and snack each day. Maximum enrollment is 12 students per class.

Instructor: Cheryl Utley

Musical Theater Workshop: Disney Musical Revue

Section 1: June 5–9, (M–TH, 9a.m.–4p.m. & Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. performance)

Section 2: June 12–16, (M–TH, 9a.m.–4p.m. & Friday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. performance)

Entering grades 5–8

Fee: $350

Students will be cast in a production of Career Day: A Disney Musical Revue, written by TCA alumna Melissa Beckett Crimmins ’06. Each student will be required to act, sing and dance in this show. The week will be geared for preparation for the performance on Friday evening at 7 p.m. This is a wonderful outlet for talented students to perform in a fabulous show! Each student will need to bring a water bottle, snack and sack lunch each day. Every student will be responsible for his or her costume. Costumes will be discussed on the first day of the workshop.

Instructors: Kristi Robison-Rasnic, Leslie Williams Blum ’88

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Camp

Section 1: June 5–9, 9 a.m.–noon

Section 2: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grades: 3–5

Fee: $200

Summer is a great time to brush up on skills and jump to the head of the class! Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Camp provides group and individual activities designed to build strength, confidence and enjoyment in all three subjects. Individual assessments determine each child’s ability level in each, enabling the camp coach to customize a program of study targeting individual needs. Sign up for one week or both weeks to maximize success! Please send a water bottle and snack each day. Maximum enrollment is 12 students per class.

Instructor: Cheryl Utley

SPARK Entrepreneurial Challenge

Section 1: July 10–14, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grades: 5–8

Fee: $250

If you love Shark Tank, this empowering program is for you! Join other intrepid students and develop a business plan for your own business idea. You will learn to take risks and persevere, while making business-like decisions about strategy, marketing and finance. Students build confidence while “learning by doing” and make their pitch presentations on the last day!

Instructor: SPARK Staff

SPARK Personal Finance

Section 1: June 26–30, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grades: 5–8

Fee: $250

Learn how to manage your money in this program promoting essential life skills! Set your financial goals, develop a budget from scratch, shop for a credit card, calculate the monthly cost of your dream car, apply for a mortgage, learn about FICO scores, file your taxes and more. Students internalize debt-management principles and how assets and liabilities affect a person’s net worth.

Instructor: SPARK Staff

Summer Reading, Fifth Grade: The Twenty-One Balloons

Section 1: June 5–9, 9 a.m.–noon

Section 2: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 5

Fee: $200

As we read The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for fifth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading and writing assignment. Students will also learn how to gather ideas, organize their thoughts and answer questions completely in writing. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must bring a paper copy (in which they can highlight/annotate) of the book to class on the first day. Please note that students will be expected to complete a small amount of reading or writing homework each night. We recommend that students only attend one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Courtney Hamilton

Summer Reading, Fifth Grade: Tuck Everlasting

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–4 p.m.

Section 2: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 5

Fee: $200

As we read Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for fifth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading and writing assignment. Students will also learn how to gather ideas, organize their thoughts and answer questions completely in writing. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must bring a paper copy (in which they can highlight/annotate) of the book to class on the first day. Please note that students will be expected to complete a small amount of reading or writing homework each night. We recommend that students only attend one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Courtney Hamilton

Summer Reading, Sixth Grade: Chasing Vermeer

Section 1: July 17–21, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 6

Fee: $200

As we read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett from the summer reading list, we focus on key reading skills for sixth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading and writing assignment. Students will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and answering questions completely in writing. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any students interested in improving their reading and writing skills. Students must bring a paper copy (in which they can highlight/annotate) of the book to class on the first day. Please note that students will be expected to complete a small amount of reading or writing homework each night. We recommend that students only attend one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Summerlyn Sharpe

Summer Reading, Sixth Grade: Hatchet

Section 1: July 17–21, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 6

Fee: $200

As we read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen from the summer reading list, we focus on key reading skills for sixth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading and writing assignment. Students will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and answering questions completely in writing. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any students interested in improving their reading and writing skills. Students must bring a paper copy (in which they can highlight/annotate) of the book to class on the first day. Please note that students will be expected to complete a small amount of reading or writing homework each night. We recommend that students only attend one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Summerlyn Sharpe

Summer Reading, Sixth Grade: Where the Red Fern Grows

Section 1: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 6

Fee: $200

As we read Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls from the summer reading list, we focus on key reading skills for sixth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading and writing assignment. Students will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and answering questions completely in writing. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any students interested in improving their reading and writing skills. Students must bring a paper copy (in which they can highlight/annotate) of the book to class on the first day. Please note that students will be expected to complete a small amount of reading or writing homework each night. We recommend that students only attend one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Summerlyn Sharpe

Summer Reading, Seventh Grade: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Section 1: June 12–16, 1–4 p.m.

Section 2: July 10–14 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 7

Fee: $200

As we read Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for seventh grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading assignment. They will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and effectively responding to the assigned prewriting activities. We will also complete a significant portion of the summer writing assignment. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must purchase a paper copy of the book so they can highlight and make annotations. There is no need to read the novel before class begins. Students will be required to attend class each day, where the instructor and students will read, discuss the reading and go over assignments and questions. Part of the class time will be devoted to independent work. Please understand that students will be required to read independently each day to complete the novel. Daily reading will be assigned. We recommend that students attend only one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Jan Marshall

Summer Reading, Seventh Grade: The Running Dream

Section 1: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Section 2: July 10–14, 1–4 p.m.

Entering grade: 7

Fee: $200

As we read The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for seventh grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading assignment. They will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and effectively responding to the assigned prewriting activities. We will also complete a significant portion of the summer writing assignment. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must purchase a paper copy of the book so they can highlight and make annotations. There is no need to read the novel before class begins. Students will be required to attend class each day, where the instructor and students will read, discuss the reading and go over assignments and questions. Part of the class time will be devoted to independent work. Please understand that students will be required to read independently each day to complete the novel. Daily reading will be assigned. We recommend that students attend only one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Jan Marshall

Summer Reading, Eighth Grade: The Outsiders

Section 1: June 12–16, 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 8

Fee: $200

As we read the novel from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for eighth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading assignment. They will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and effectively responding to the assigned prewriting activities. We will also complete a significant portion of the summer writing assignment. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must purchase a paper copy of the book so they can highlight and make annotations. There is no need to read the novel before class begins. Students will be required to attend class each day, where the instructor and students will read, discuss the reading and go over assignments and questions. Part of the class time will be devoted to independent work. Please understand that students will be required to read independently each day to complete the novel. Daily reading will be assigned. We recommend that students attend only one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Holly Hatton

Summer Reading, Eighth Grade: Twelve Mighty Orphans

Section 1: June 20–23 (Tu–F), 9 a.m.–noon

Entering grade: 8

Fee: $160

As we read the novel from the summer reading list, we will focus on key reading skills for eighth grade at TCA. Over the course of the week, students will complete their first summer reading assignment. They will also work on developing creative ideas, organizing their thoughts, citing textual evidence and effectively responding to the assigned prewriting activities. We will also complete a significant portion of the summer writing assignment. This class is strongly recommended for students new to TCA but will benefit any student interested in improving his or her reading and writing skills. Students must purchase a paper copy of the book so they can highlight and make annotations. There is no need to read the novel before class begins. Students will be required to attend class each day, where the instructor and students will read, discuss the reading and go over assignments and questions. Part of the class time will be devoted to independent work. Please understand that students will be required to read independently each day to complete the novel. Daily reading will be assigned. We recommend that students attend only one summer reading section. Enrollment is limited to 14 students.

Instructor: Holly Hatton

Adulting 101

Section 1: June 5–9, 10 a.m.–noon

Entering grades: 11, 12 or 2023 graduates

Fee: $130

You have spent four years preparing to leave for college by putting time into academics, fine arts, sports and community service. You may be ready for class, but are you ready to live on your own? In Adulting 101, you will learn how to tackle important life skills, such as how to be a good roommate, cleaning and laundry, home and yard maintenance, car maintenance, meal planning and prepping, self-defense, health care and insurance and basic organizational skills. This class is open to rising seniors and recent graduates.

Instructor: Christy Broyles

Bug Camp

Section 1: June 6–8 (Tu–Th), 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Section 2: June 6–8 (Tu–Th), 12:30–2:30 p.m.

Section 3: June 20–22 (Tu–Th), 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Section 4: June 20–22 (Tu–Th), 12:30–2:30 p.m.

Entering grade: 9

Fee: $110

Come have a creepy, crawly good time discovering insects! We’ll spend time catching, examining, pinning and classifying insects. We will spend time outdoors (bring water and wear sunscreen) catching out in the field, and the bugs we catch will then be classified and pinned the next day in the lab. Any insects that are caught and pinned can be used later in the school year in your insect collection for biology class! Come get a head start and have fun exploring the world of bugs! Enrollment is limited to 14 students per section.

Instructors: Courtney Bryson

College Application Essay Writing Workshop

Section 1: June 5–9, 1–3 p.m.

Section 2: June 12–16, 9–11 a.m.

Section 3: July 17–21, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Entering grade: 12

Fee: $130

This writing workshop will focus on crafting college application essays, a requirement for most college applications. It may be only 500 words, but the admissions essay portion of a college application can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. How you write your personal essay shows the admissions committee why you are different from everyone else. The essay provides information about you that test scores, grades and extracurricular pursuits just cannot. Students are encouraged to bring in college application essay prompts from colleges of their choosing, and we will walk through each step of writing this essay—from gathering ideas to drafting the actual essay to editing and revising the final copy. Teachers will thoroughly read student’s polished drafts and respond with helpful commentary and suggestions. Come and see first-hand what makes an essay of this type successful! We’ll have released application essays from various colleges as models of successful and unsuccessful applications. Join this workshop and learn how to effectively and persuasively make your application essay stand out from the crowd! Enrollment is limited to 16 students.

Instructor: Holly Bator