For Students Entering Grades 6-8
Core Courses
Writing Challenge
In BSA’s Writing Challenge, students are placed by ability into small-group classes to develop advanced composition skills under the guidance of the Beacon faculty. Writing development is critical at the middle school level, but students often do not get the guidance and direct instruction they need in large classes. At the BSA, teachers conference with students daily and push them to take their writing to a higher plane. A placement exam is required to determine sections and curriculum.
Math Challenge
In the BSA’s math challenge, students are placed by ability into small-group classes to develop advanced math skills under the guidance of the Beacon faculty. Math Challenge can help bright students feel more confident entering challengingl math courses or jumping from a standard to an honors track. A placement exam is required to determine sections and curriculum.
Foreign Language Acceleration
In these courses, students are placed by ability into small-group classes to develop advanced conversational, written, and grammatical skills under the guidance of the Beacon faculty in Latin, French, Spanish, and Mandarin. A placement exam is required to determine sections and curriculum.
Elective Courses
Forensic Science
Taught by Erin Johannesen
This course will teach students how the application of forensic science is used in criminal investigations and courts of law. Students will learn how to collect and analyze evidence and will put their skills to use in mock crime scenes. Based on their knowledge of forensics and critical thinking skills along with DNA analysis and case studies, students will be challenged to solve the crime.
Drama & Musical Theater
Taught by Stefanie DeLeo
If you dream of being a star or simply want to become more confident on stage, Stefanie will help you realize your goals. This course will focus on enhancing students’ performance abilities, vocal skills, and creative movement through dramatic workshops and games. Students will investigate the possibilities of scripted acting and discover the power of improvisation while working with their peers to create meaning in the moment. This course culminates in a performance for the summer community.
Mathematics of the Natural World
Taught by Katherine Hafer
In this course, students will discover the fascinating process by which mathematical principles were and are derived from the natural world via hands-on activities and proofs. BSA students in this course will have the opportunity to hone their geometry skills while exploring universal patterns in nature, the history of pi, the Fibonacci Sequence, the Golden Ratio, symmetry, proportion, and even biomimicry. Together, we will explore both ancient and modern notions of math in the real world using both low-tech and high-tech tools.
Painting & Drawing
Taught by Stefanie DeLeo
Young artists will enjoy the opportunity to hone their studio skills in this 2-D visual arts class. Instruction will focus on the principles of design, the creative process, and skills and techniques in a variety of media. Students will examine the work of famous artists and develop their own landscape, still-life, portrait, and abstraction pieces.
Birding 101
Taught by Erin Johannesen
Bird lovers, take flight! Under the expert guidance of Beacon’s in-house environmental scientist, you will learn about bird identification, vocalization, habitat, anatomy, and behavior as well as seasonal trends and recent bird news. You will also venture into the field at local nature sites to witness avian behavior in action and practice identifying birds by their appearance and their calls.
Poetry & Art
Taught by Shannon Morgenstern
In this course, students will read and write a wide range of poetry and explore the link between images and words. Using famous works of art as a launch pad for creative experimentation, students will engage in automatic writing, free writing, and structured creative writing exercises. They will also have the opportunity to illustrate their own original compositions. Emphasis will be placed on word choice, sound, rhythm, imagery, poetic devices, and creative expression. Students will learn how to manipulate words in unexpected ways, find inspiration within and without structure, and use language and images to communicate their emotional and experiential insights.
Non-Fiction Literature
Taught by Shannon Morgenstern
This class indulges students in creative and critical approaches to the study of nonfiction, from the earliest travel writers and essayists to the most recent memoirists and science writers. Students will have the opportunity to understand and interpret nonfiction through critical analysis, imitation, and composition. Come explore the strategies and structures of nonfiction with us!
Advanced Labs
Taught by Teresa Barski
Students will go beyond the standard middle school science curriculum in this fun, lab-based course and experience the scientific method first hand. Experiments in chemistry, biology, and physics will teach students to apply scientific concepts to scientific practice and improve their ability to make hypotheses, analyze data, question their assumptions, draw conclusions, and reason inductively and deductively.
Computer Programming
Taught by Stephen Muffatti
Have you ever wanted to make your own iPhone app or design your own program? Do you ever wonder what goes on “behind the scenes” in your computer? This course will teach you the basics of computer programming with a hands-on approach. Students will start with Scratch, a programming platform that teaches the core concepts of computer language and enables beginners to design interactive stories, games, music, and art. From there, they will progress to more advanced applications and will take on individual projects based on their experience and ability.
Photography
Taught by Stefanie DeLeo
In this course, students will explore the art and science of photography. In addition to learning the technical aspects of film and digital photography, students will study aesthetics, composition, visual communication, and the language of photography. Throughout the course, they will apply their knowledge by shooting photo series and utilizing both the darkroom and the computer to bring their images to life.
uDesign
If you are looking for a class that is not listed above, Beacon invites you to design your own 1:1 course to investigate an emerging interest or cultivate a serious passion. There are virtually no limits on course selection for uDesign courses in academics, arts, and technology. Tuition for 1:1 programs varies depending on credit hours. Please contact us for more details.
