How is our summer program different? 

When and where?

Experience Academy runs throughout the summer from June 2nd to August 1st at Webster University.  Experience Academy days are Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm, with optional extended sessions that start at 8am and end at 5:30pm.

The Academy is structured as three 3-week sessions with unique STEM themes and core academics that build throughout.  Sign up for all three to turbo charge your summer of learning and adventure!  Or pick and choose as your schedule permits.  

Session 1: June 2nd - June 20th

**Offered for students entering kindergarten through 5th grade

Session 2: June 23rd - July 11th 

**Experience Academy is closed on July 4th

**Offered for students entering kindergarten through 7th grade

Session 3: July 14th - August 1st

**Offered for students entering kindergarten through 7th grade

STEM Sessions:

We are excited to provide new STEM courses that your learners are going to love! This summer we are planning learning that will best match the interests of our students. At registration you will be asked to rank the STEM sessions, which helps us to plan for learning that is most exciting to our learners. See the options below to learn more about what we have to offer at Experience Academy. 

What to expect from Experience Academy 

Can you tell me where my kid is academically and show me their growth?

Yes we can! Throughout the program we track all of the work your learner is doing. At the end of each session we host a Parent Showcase. This is where you will get to experience some of the amazing work that has been happening. At the Parent Showcase, the students present about their learning and the projects they have done along the way. This is a great way for parents to get involved in the summer learning and experience the fun of Experience Academy! 

How do you individualize learning to each student? 

We spend the first few days getting to know your learner and working to find their just-right challenge. We are able to curate a personalized learning pathway for each learner in math using the Beast Academy digital platform. In English Language Arts, we are curating reading and writing prompts that help our learners stretch their ability to analyze text, edit for grammatical accuracy, and write with fluency. Each of these classes include time for individual practice, group work, and full class instruction.

What resources will be used for ELA and Math? 

The resources are selected based on the versatility, rigor, richness, and user-friendliness of their digital interface and print/supplemental materials, as well as positive parent feedback. 

We have developed a versatile and rigorous ELA curriculum that integrates writing, spelling, grammar and vocabulary through a writer's workshop and a book study. Our goal, as often as possible, is to bring our subjects together -- integrating themes from literature and STEM units, or literature and art. 

For Math we will utilize the Beast Academy digital platform and print resources. We also build in time for projects that engage students in a broader understanding of the content they are working on within Beast Academy. Those resources come from a variety of places, including released copies of math competitions and activities curated by our expert teachers -- many of which have experience teaching at the middle and high school levels.

Will I know what my kid is doing every day? Can I be involved?

Our intent is to be in frequent communication. To that end, we send out weekly emails that let you know what content is being covered and give you the opportunity to see pictures of our day-to-day activities. We also post on social media, to give parents and perspective parents a peek into the life of a student at the academy. Likewise, we share learning trackers that give you a glimpse into what is covered each day, with resources to extend learning at home.

It is our hope to bring parents into the learning. Do you have specialty knowledge that would help us to enhance any of our STEM sessions? If so, we would love to have you! 

What makes your STEM units different?

Our STEM units teach children the science, literacy, mathematical, and computational concepts they would need to design, develop, and test authentic and meaningful projects. It is the combination of content, hands-on learning with real-world applications that helps develop a variety of skill sets, including creativity and 21st-century skills. 

We offer a variety of topics each summer. From there, our parents and students get to choose the STEM topics we focus on. When you apply, you will select your choices from our list of options. We will plan accordingly, so each group of students can dive into something they are passionate about! Join us for multiple sessions to enhance your students studies (and fun!) further.

Is the program all work and no play?

Absolutely not! We like to work hard and play hard. Not only do we challenge kids academically, we also engage children in hands-on activities, make time for music and art, and encourage friendships among peers. Even with individualized learning built in, group collaborations are a big part of life at the academy. We also build in time for play through an extended lunch and recess. 

Will there be any focus on soft skill development?   

You bet! Learners will engage daily in activities promoting socio-emotional learning (SEL), which build towards specific SEL standards. Although we plan units of study in SEL, we also make a point to address things that students bring up in class. This gives us a plan to work from and the flexibility to help develop skills as they arise. Our learning units are geared towards respectful and productive collaborations and experiences amplifying student voice, choice, self-control, and advocacy of self and others.

Summer Program Logistics

Program Contact: summer@avenonacademy.org