Academic Classes

The 2021 Summer Academic Classes are ONLY for current or incoming Stone Ridge students. 

This summer, we will offer 2 in-person Upper School classes (Algebra I Review, Reading & Writing for 9th graders) and three virtual Middle School classes (Keyboarding and two Social Studies classes). Registration is now open. 

NOTE: Stone Ridge will not be offering in-person for-credit classes this summer. For Upper School students interested in taking virtual summer classes for-credit, please consult with your advisor or the Upper School office.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES

ALGEBRA I REVIEW AND ENRICHMENT (rising GRADE 9) in-person

  • Date: June 14 - July 2
  • Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm 
  • Tuition: $750
  • Prerequisite: Completed Grade 8; must be in-coming Stone Ridge student
  • Teacher: Ms. Kathleen Gurzo

This in-person course will begin with a brief review of the fundamentals of Algebra. Review topics will include solving linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, graphing two variable equations and inequalities. The course will cover in greater depth: exploring quadratic functions, operations on rational expressions, polynomials and radicals. The students will develop the ability to explore and solve real world application problems, demonstrate the use of the graphing calculator, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. This course is intended for students who have completed Algebra I and would benefit from additional support and review before taking their next math course (either Geometry or Algebra II), and students who would like a jump start to their study of Algebra I in Grade 9. 

About Kathleen Gurzo: "I am both a Stone Ridge graduate and teacher of 16 years. I am enthusiastic about math and have found a passion sharing that love with my students. Over the years, I have taught Algebra I, Honors Algebra II, Honors PreCalculus, and AP Statistics. I graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Education and Computer Science. I have enjoyed spending many summers working for Summer CampUs and enjoyed teaching the summer Algebra I Review course last year. I look forward to the adventure of Algebra I Review this summer as well." 

Tech requirements for this class: All students must have a laptop (running Windows or MAC OS) and must bring laptops to class daily. The student’s computer must be able to access WiFi and the Chrome browser. If the student is currently in the 8th grade at Stone Ridge, she may keep and use her Stone Ridge issued laptop until the end of the summer course, at which time the laptop will be turned in to the IT department. Loaner laptops are available upon request.
 


READING & WRITING WORKSHOP FOR NINTH-GRADERS  (rising GRADE 9) in-person

  • Date: June 14 - July 2
  • Time: 12:30-3:00 pm
  • Tuition: $750
  • Prerequisite: Completed 8th Grade; must be incoming Stone Ridge student
  • Teacher: Erin DeSimone

Are you looking to keep your reading and writing skills sharp over the summer? Are you anticipating the new challenges of high school humanities classes?  In Grade 9, students can look forward to rigorous reading lists along with writing on a more analytical level.  This in-person workshop helps usher students onto this new scene by breaking the reading and writing processes down into manageable steps and useful skills. Students will practice writing several types of essays, learn targeted writing-based grammar, get a head start on their summer reading and generally build confidence in themselves as high school students!

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisernos is a required text for all rising 9th graders. Then, the 9th graders have an option to read either Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, or The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. 

Erin DeSimone received her B.A. in English and Art History from Georgetown University and her M.A. in English from Georgetown. She is an alumna of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart and values the Sacred Heart education. She has been teaching Upper School English for six years at Stone Ridge. She enjoys living in Washington, D.C. and appreciates the history of the city and the museums of the area.

Tech requirements for this class: All students must provide their own laptops (running Windows or MAC OS) and must bring laptops to class daily. No iPads or tablets are permitted. The student’s computer must be able to access WiFi and the Chrome browser. If the student is currently in the 8th grade at Stone Ridge, she may keep and use her Stone Ridge issued laptop until the end of the summer course, at which time the laptop will be turned in to the IT department. Loaner laptops are available upon request.

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KEYBOARDING (rising GRADE 5-8) Virtual class

  • Date: July 12-23, 2021
  • Time:  10:00-11:00 am
  • Tuition: $200
  • Grades: rising 5th-8th
  • Virtual class
  • Teacher: Mr. Rick Alfonso, Stone Ridge Educational Technologist
  • Requirements: Students must use their own laptop or desktop computer. This class is for current or incoming Stone Ridge students only.

Does your child love being on the computer, but hunts and pecks for keys? Join our Stone Ridge Educational Technologist Rick Alfonso as he teaches proper keyboarding technique in a fun and engaging manner that also reinforces core curriculum concepts at the same time.

During childhood, much time is devoted to learning how to communicate both verbally and in writing using a pencil. It is also important that children learn how to use the keyboard to communicate both effectively and effortlessly in a world that relies more and more on technology-facilitated communication.

According to the research of Zeitz (2008), learning proper keyboarding technique at an early age "reduced bad habit development and provides additional benefits that include improvements in spelling, writing, and reading comprehension.” Of course, like learning any other skill, this takes time, practice, and guidance. Don’t miss this wonderful “opportunity to help your daughter become more efficient on the keyboard; these students compose better, are prouder of their work, produce documents with a neater appearance, and have better motivation" (Nieman, 1996).

Learning objective: To help students develop proper and efficient touch-typing skills using the new keyboarding program selected his year by the EdTech Team and the Middle School Head.

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CANCELLED SOCIAL STUDIES: "Narrative, Perspective, and Representation-- Why Voice Matters" (rising GRADE 5-6) Virtual class 

  • NOTE: This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment
  • Date: June 14-25
  • Time:  9:30 am-10:30 am
  • Tuition: $200
  • Grades: rising 5th-6th
  • Virtual class
  • Teacher: Mr. TJ Tondorf, Stone Ridge Middle School Social Studies teacher
  • Requirements: Students must have own reflection notebook and must use their own laptop or desktop computer. This class is for current or incoming Stone Ridge students only.

Who gets to tell your story? This is an essential question that is being currently tackled throughout the US and internationally. This course will help students learn the significance of narratives and the perspectives that exist within those narratives.  

Students will read various short stories, letters, and memoirs to explore the concepts of narrative, perspective, and representation. The students will explore how an author’s identity and background might influence their writing. The stories will cover a variety of topics and increase students’ understanding of personal narratives and the need for representation in various media. Students will read and analyze stories, write personal narratives, and explore the societal implications of increasing representation in writing.

 

CANCELLED  SOCIAL STUDIES: "Evaluating Bias in Primary and Secondary Sources" (rising GRADE 7-8) Virtual class

  • NOTE: This class has been cancelled due to low enrollment
  • Date: June 14-25
  • Time:  11:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Tuition: $200
  • Grades: rising 7th-8th
  • Virtual class
  • Teacher: Mr. TJ Tondorf, Stone Ridge Middle School Social Studies teacher
  • Requirements: Students must have own reflection notebook and must use their own laptop or desktop computer. This class is for current or incoming Stone Ridge students only.

How do I know if I can trust you? Who is the author and what is his/her/their bias? What is the evidence that supports their claims? As students navigate a world of social media, news media, and a spectrum of opinion, they must learn to dig into authors’ biases in order to understand the full implications of a story, letter, or speech. 

Students will explore various primary and secondary sources in order to investigate authors’ perspective, goals, and biases. They will explore why representation and authentic voices are essential to the ongoing struggle for equality. Students will also explore their own perspective and background to understand more fully the perspectives they bring to their writing. In this class students will perform textual analysis, write brief analysis of any perceived biases, and debate their findings using evidence from the text.