Upper School

for students entering grades 9–12
The Upper School provides a balanced array of academic and enrichment courses for students, both Hopkins and non-Hopkins, who will enter grades 9–12 in the fall.

Six weeks in length, the summer session runs from June 24 through August 2, and is held on the tranquil 104-acre Hopkins School campus overlooking the city of New Haven.

Three types of courses are offered in the Upper School: academic credit courses, which provide 90 hours of teaching in a given subject area and require an equivalent amount of out-of-class study time; non-credit academic review courses which provide between 30 and 60 hours of class-based learning; and enrichment courses for students seeking to expand their horizons or strengthen core learning skills. Classes are kept small, typically averaging between 8 and 12 students. The Summer School reserves the right to cancel a class that does not reach the minimum enrollment of four students. The academic day begins at 8 am and ends at 1:15 pm. In honor of July 4th, we will not have school on Thursday, July 4.

For credit-bearing classes only, the Summer School offers financial assistance for Hopkins students proportionate to the support provided during the regular academic year.

Upper School Courses

List of 7 items.

  • Write it Right! Practical Writing Skills & Strategies

    Open to students entering grades 9–12.
    Class meets 8:00–11:00 am. June 24 through August 2. 
     
    Communication skills—especially writing—are the single most important advantage you can give a child. Future performance in school and in the workplace is greatly enhanced by the ability to speak and write well. This course provides a six-week writing tutorial: forming a topic sentence and thesis, methods of organization, using transitions, sentence variety, basic editing techniques, writing introductions and conclusions, supporting points, and along the way, the “art of being a student.” Students are taught elements of description, narration, comparison, persuasion, definition, division & classification, as well as the underlying grammatical structure of English—the building blocks of sentences. The course uses today’s technology and popular media, including YouTube videos, vlogs and discussion threads, films, art, popular lyrics, film music, and literary excerpts to teach critical thinking and foster creativity. This is an active participation course with lots of one-to-one attention in a supportive environment.

    Students get hands-on practice leading class lessons and reviews: if you can explain it to someone, you know it! By the end, students will have produced a body of written work to show for their efforts. All course texts and materials are provided. Come with a laptop, an iPad, or just pen and paper!

    Course created by The University of New Haven Senior Lecturer, Wes Davis, who brings decades of experience teaching every kind and level of writing from remedial to honors, from middle school to college.

    Cost: $2,200 (code #101)
  • Atlantic Communities II: 1815–1945

    1 credit for Hopkins students entering grades 10–11.
    Class meets 9:00 am–1:00 pm, June 24 through August 2.

    In this second course of the Atlantic Communities sequence, the histories, societies and cultures of Europe and the Americas, along with those of Western Africa and the West Indies, continue to fuse together but the outlook is extended toward broader horizons. Students begin with the Industrial Revolution and end their study at the eve of the Cold War. The transformations of the Modern Age across the Atlantic Region, the development of liberalism as well as European and U.S. nation building including the tragedy of America’s Civil War are important points of focus. The course continues with WWI and the Russian Revolution. This is followed by an examination of the economic, political, and cultural reactions of the Great War in the 1920’s, which led to the global economic depression of the 1930’s, the rise of totalitarianism, and WWII. A research paper is a major requirement.

    Please note:
    • Hopkins students can take either AC II or AC III through the summer school but not both. One of these courses must be taken during the regular school year..
    • If you choose to take AC II in the summer before the 10th or the 11th grade, you WILL be eligible for AP US or AP European History as a junior or senior.
    • If you take AC II in the summer, you do NOT have to take an elective in the senior school, in addition to AC III or one of the APs.
    • If you take AC III or an AP History course, that will fulfill your history graduation requirement.
    • Each Atlantic Communities history class is limited to 12 students.
     
    AC II textbooks:
    Eric Foner’s Give Me Liberty, edition 6
    McKay, Hill, Buckler’s World Societies edition 12

    Cost: Credit $3,500 (code #105)
  • Atlantic Communities III: The Global Community (1939–present)

    1/2 credit for Hopkins students entering grades 11–12. 
    Class meets from 9:00 am–12:45 pm, Monday - Thursday, June 24 through August 1.
    AC III finishes the core sequence in Hopkins History. The course starts with tensions arising among allies in World War II which then become the Cold War. Coupled with the end of the great colonial empires, that War created a new dynamic in world affairs as the United States and the Soviet Union attempted to manage global politics and economies. The Atlantic world grew closer together with increasing interaction and technology. The end of the Cold War brought another set of challenges in a world not so clearly divided. This course will look at fairly recent historical developments of global economies, ethnic cleansing as a “solution” to conflict, health crises such as AIDS, concerns for the health of the planet and environment, and the rise of religious fundamentalism. Students will become more familiar with the forces that have created the world they will inhabit as adults. (Prerequisite: Atlantic Communities II)

    AC III textbooks:
    Eric Foner’s Give Me Liberty, edition 6
    McKay, Hill, Buckler's World Societies, edition 12

    Cost: Credit $3,000 (code #106)
     
  • Geometry

    Open to students entering grades 9–11.
    Class meets 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, June 24 through August 2.  
    A classic study of the development of geometry and its use of deductive reasoning and proofs, Geometry develops skills in visualization, graphic representation and the application of core geometric ideas. Relationships that exist between course content and the physical world are emphasized. Integration of synthetic, coordinate and transformation approaches also strengthen students’ understanding of algebra.  Preference will be given to Hopkins 9th grade students seeking to take this class for credit.  Students who want to use this class to preview Geometry Enriched will be considered in late May.  Hopkins students that take this class for academic credit can be placed in Algebra II for 10th grade, although not in the Enriched or Accelerated sections.  Please see the Math Department section of the Course Guide for further information about using summer work for math placement.  

    Cost: $3,500 (code #133) 
  • Precalculus | Functions, Statistics & Trigonometry

    Open to Hopkins students
 entering grades 10–12.
    Class meets 9:00 am–12:00 noon, June 24 through August 2.  

     
     
    Precalculus serves as a transition between algebra and precalculus by integrating probability, statistical and algebraic concepts. Trigonometry and the use of functions and statistics to model real-world situations is a major theme. The TI-83 graphing calculator is required. Algebra II and Departmental approval is a prerequisite. One section will be offered with a cap of 12 students.

    Students who apply for Precalculus will not know about their acceptance until late May when the math department reviews your child’s work and evaluates readiness for acceleration.  A strong finish and a minimum of an A- must be achieved as an overall grade to be considered for this course.

    Ideal student for Precalculus : A current sophomore taking Algebra 2 and wants to take Enriched Precalculus AB as a junior.  A current junior who completed Algebra II in good standing and intends to take Introduction to Calculus as a senior.

    Cost: $3,500 (code #137) 
     
  • Enriched Pre-calculus

    Open to Hopkins students
 entering grades 10–12.
    Class meets 9:00 am–12:00 noon,
    June 24 through August 2.
    Enriched Pre-calculus integrates algebra, geometry and trigonometry as a precursor to the study of calculus and concentrates on the fundamental areas of function, analytic geometry, and mathematical analysis. Technology allows the course to focus on problem solving and exploration. A TI-83 calculator is required. Departmental approval is required. One section will be offered with a cap of 12 students.

    Students who apply for Enriched Precalculus will not know about their acceptance until late May when the math department reviews your child’s work and evaluates readiness for acceleration.  A strong finish and a minimum of an A- must be achieved as an overall grade to be considered for this course.

    Ideal student for Enriched Precal: A current student taking Precal and intends to take AP Calculus AB the following year.

    Cost: $3,500 (code #139) 
  • Comprehensive SAT Review

    Open to students entering grades 10–12.
    Two 3-week sessions available:
    Session 1: June 24 through July 12
    Session 2: July 15 through August 2

    Class meets at 9:00 am–12:00 noon. 
    Designed to prepare students for both the Math and Verbal sections of the new SAT, this pragmatic course is based upon a simple and proven axiom that extensive practice and familiarity with the testing format(s) yields improved performance. Students will discuss and learn useful hints and techniques, review the most frequently tested concepts of mathematics, algebra, geometry, critical reading comprehension, writing and vocabulary, and apply such strategies in class during daily practice and debriefing sessions. Prerequisite: Algebra II. This class caps at 15 students.

    Session 1: June 24 through July 12, 9:00 am–12:00pm.
    Cost: $1,300 (code #143)

    Session 2: July 15 through August 2, 9:00 am–12:00pm.
    Cost: $1,300 (code #144)
     

Squash Program

The Hopkins Squash Camp is a co-educational instruction program which offers students an opportunity to strengthen foundation skills while acquiring the techniques necessary to improve or excel. Our instruction occurs in a positive, age-appropriate atmosphere conducive to both learning and fun.

Participants are grouped according to their age and ability and enrollment is limited to ensure that individual and small group instruction provide a superior experience. Expert coaching, always a hallmark of Hopkins athletics, focuses on honing existing skills and individual strengths. In addition, concepts and tactics are taught through game or match situations.

Financial aid is not offered for Squash Camp.

List of 2 items.

  • Squash: Beginner and Intermediate, Levels I and II

    Open to students entering grades 3–12.
    Camp meets 8:00–11:00 AM, June 24–July 12.
     
    Forbes magazine named squash as the world’s healthiest game for its excellent physical and mental demands, low risk of injury, and lifetime availability. US Squash Level II coach, Brad Czepiel, and his staff of trained coaches and advanced players teach proper stroke mechanics, graceful court movement, and effective match strategy for new and intermediate players. Individual and group coaching, and a variety of on- and off-court activities inspire the budding squash player. A mid-practice video break allows campers a time to refresh for the final hour’s action.

    Equipment: Players are welcome to borrow Hopkins’ racquets, glasses, and shoes.

    Week 1: June 24–28, Cost: $300 (code #307) 
    Week 2: July 1–3, 5, Cost: $240 (code #308)
    Week 3: July 8–12, Cost: $300 (code #309)

    Some court space is open to campers and supervised by coaches 11:00 am – 1:30 pm for extra play.
     
  • Squash: Advanced, Level III

    Open to experienced junior players.
    Camp meets 1:30–3:30 PM.

    Squash Level III builds experienced players’ fundamentals to help them get even more power, finesse, and success from their game. Each week focuses on central, critical skills, though other related on- and off-court elements will be addressed. Throughout, the camp makes an asset of Hopkins’ hot courts; the pace is high, and outright winners are very difficult, a combination that acclimatizes players to the long, creative points of advanced junior squash. Camp limited to 12 players.

    Squash Level III Coaches:

    June 24–28 & July 1–3, 5
    Scott Brown - Head Coach of the Connecticut College men's and women's squash, Scott is also a former coach at Yale University and St. George’s School in Newport, R.I. He has coached throughout Fairfield County and is a 2019 Connecticut College graduate who captained the varsity squash and tennis teams.

    July 8–12 
    John DeWitt, Assistant Coach of the Connecticut College men's and women's squash teams, John worked as Director of Squash at Squash Haven from 2009-2023; over 40 of his students went on to play collegiately. John graduated from Hamilton College in 2009 where he captained the squash team, played in the #1 position, was a first-team all-NESCAC selection, and holds the program record for most individual wins.

     
    We select coaches based on their ability to communicate with and inspire junior players. We have had coaches from Trinity College, Yale College, and the PSA tour. We have found great success with coaches from A-level prep schools and private clubs.

    We maintain a 3:1 (or better) player:coach ratio, which is extraordinarily low.

    Week 1: Building points 
    - Shot placements and sequences; accuracy work
    - Drills working on technical constructs of the game
    June 24–28 
    Cost: $395 (code #310)

    Week 2: Strategies
    - Setting up points
    - Understanding and deploying tactics
    July 1–3, 5
    Cost: $320 (code #311)

    Week 3: Matchplay 
    - Implementing tactics across a match
    - Assessing and adapting
    July 8–12
    Cost: $395 (code #312)

    All squash camps meet in Hopkins’ six-court Kneisel Squash Center located at the top of the quad and most easily accessed via the 94 Knollwood Drive entrance.

Inspirit AI Returns for Summer 2024

Artificial Intelligence Program by Stanford Graduates


Hopkins School is offering an in-person, pre-college, project-based artificial intelligence program through Inspirit AI, an AI education program developed and taught by Stanford and MIT graduates this summer. The program will run for 10 sessions of 3 hours each in summer 2024. Inspirit’s team of Stanford alumni visited our campus to lead an immersive AI project-building program in summer 2023, and we are excited for them to return. 

Students from grades 8-12 will learn the fundamental concepts of AI and gain a deeper understanding of how AI is used to build ChatGPT and generative AI, fight the COVID-19 pandemic, power self-driving cars, and more. Students will learn to program AI using Python, discuss ethics and bias within AI, and complete a group project applying AI to a discipline like healthcare, astronomy, finance, among others. No prior computer science experience is required to participate. 

Inspirit’s curriculum features the most cutting-edge applications of AI and new projects to address pressing social concerns, from ethical chatbot engineering to mass layoffs analysis and more. A more advanced program will be available for students who participated in 2023, and we will contact last year’s families about that opportunity separately.

If you are interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please fill out this short interest form. The program fee will be $1600 USD for 30 hours of hands-on learning with AI practitioners and graduate students from Stanford and MIT who will travel to New Haven to teach this pre-college program. Feel free to peruse the program brochure for more information about curriculum, schedule, projects, teaching team, and more!