2023 Summer Session

The Rye Country Day Summer Session offers rising Grades 5-12 students from any school the opportunity to develop areas of special interest, explore new ideas, earn advanced credit, or review subjects that need strengthening.

Summer Session is open to qualified students from any school. Students may sign up for as many or as few classes as they would like. Classes are designed for rising fifth graders through rising twelfth graders (including newly accepted RCDS students).

Courses meet for one- to six-week sessions, depending on the course. All courses meet every day and take place between June 26 – August 4, 2023. The 2023 course dates and details are outlined below. Please note that Summer Session will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Classes will take place, though, on Monday, July 3, and Wednesday, July 5.

Registration is open now through Monday, July 31, 2023.

Program Information

Classroom Experience

Class Size

Class size ranges from four to twelve students.

Minimum Enrollment

Minimum enrollment for a course is four students. If there are fewer than four students enrolled in a course, the course will be canceled. Families will be notified of the cancellation, and any course fees already paid will be refunded.

Learning Mode

Summer Session courses are fully in-person unless otherwise noted. Unless the course is specifically noted as a remote class held over Zoom, plans should be made to attend the class for its duration on the Rye Country Day School campus.

Placement and Credit

If the goal for your child is to earn placement or credit through their summer work, the student should discuss these goals with the appropriate person at their school before registering. Further, if the school agrees to placement or credit as a result of the summer work with us, we ask that a letter of permission be secured and sent to the Director of Summer Session in advance of the start of the class.

Payment and Financial Assistance

Payment

Payment for summer courses is due at the time of registration. Questions about payment can be directed to Kyle Mitschele, Director of Summer Session.

Financial Assistance

While registering, please indicate “financial aid” at the start of the registration. After completing your registration online, please download the financial aid application to email/mail to the Director of Summer Session. Please make sure these are submitted as early as possible to ensure consideration.

RCDS Students who will receive financial aid for the 2023–24 school year will have the same percentage of their grant applied to the cost of summer academic classes.
Students from other schools are welcome to apply for financial assistance. We strive to meet the documented needs of applicants as much as possible. Applicants for financial assistance will be notified of the decision regarding assistance in mid-June.

Health Policies

Health Form

After completing your registration online, please download the health form to be completed by the student's parent/guardian and physician and email/mail to the Director of Summer Session. Please note that your registration is not considered complete until the completed health paperwork has been submitted.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Rye Country Day School currently requires that all students 12 years of age or older be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (boosters are also strongly recommended). Proof of vaccination should be submitted as part of the immunization record required with the Summer Session Health Form. All other eligible students are highly recommended to be vaccinated and boosted. Religious and medical exemptions may be granted with proper documentation.

Contact Information

Director of Summer Session

Kyle Mitschele

CONTACT
Phone: 914-925-4511

2023 Summer Session Health Form

2023 Summer Session Financial Aid application

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Middle School Skills

Math Skills, Grades 5-6

JUNE 26 - AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

This course is offered to build skills and enrich mathematical understanding in students entering grades five and six. Topics covered include powers of ten, decimal place value and operations, fractions and operations, ratio and percent, expressions and equations, and geometry.

This course is open to students entering Grades 5-6.

Course Fee: $1300

Math Skills, Grades 7-8

JUNE 26 - AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

This course is offered to build skills and enrich mathematical understanding in students entering grades seven and eight. Topics covered include fractions, decimals and percents, statistics and probability, rates and proportions, integer operations, expressions, equations and inequalities, and geometry.

This course is open to students entering Grades 7-8.

Course Fee: $1300

Pre-Algebra, Grades 7-8

JUNE 26 - AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This course is offered for students entering Algebra to review prerequisite skills and to pre-teach concepts. Topics covered include variables, working with units, equations and inequalities, linear relationships, systems, functions, exponents, radicals and irrational numbers.

This course is open to students entering Grades 7-8.

Course Fee: $1950

Reading/Study Skills, Grades 5-6

JUNE 26 – JULY 21 (4 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This developmental reading course includes work on four reading skills: pre-viewing, recognizing main ideas, identifying major and minor ideas, and recall. Vocabulary enrichment and practice in the study skills of outlining and summarizing will form a substantial part of the course. Students read textbooks and fiction material to develop and improve basic reading and comprehension skills.

This course is open to students entering Grades 5-6.

Course Fee: $1025

Reading/Study Skills, Grades 7-8

JUNE 26 – JULY 21 (4 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

A primary focus of the class will be reading for main idea and supporting details, in order to help further build and develop comprehension and recall of the text. Vocabulary enrichment and practice in the study skills of outlining and summarizing will form a substantial part of the course. Students read textbooks and fiction material to develop and improve basic reading and comprehension skills.

This course is open to students entering Grades 7-8.

Course Fee: $1025

Writing Workshop, Grades 5-6

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

The objective of Writing Workshop is grade level-appropriate development/improvement of the student's ability to produce sound, effective writing, ranging from paragraphs to short essays (test-type questions and personal narratives) and longer compositions. Attention will be given to all steps of the writing process, including effective outlining, generating a thesis statement/claim, sentence and paragraph structure, selection and use of supporting information, proofreading, and revising.

Students are grouped according to grade levels and will work both collaboratively and individually throughout the course. It is important to note that the full benefit of the course comes with attendance for the full length of the program.

Students will complete much of the work in class, but there will be regular homework.

This course is open to students entering Grades 5-6.

Course Fee: $1300

Writing Workshop, Grades 7-9

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Session 2: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Students are grouped according to grade levels and will work both collaboratively and individually throughout the course. It is important to note that the full benefit of the course comes with attendance for the full length of the program.

Students will complete much of the work in class, but there will be regular homework.

This course is open to students entering Grades 7-9.

Course Fee: $1300

Grammar Boot Camp, Grades 7-12

JULY 24 – AUGUST 4 (2 weeks)
Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This course will offer students intensive instruction and practice in several key elements of English grammar: the parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, phrases, clauses, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and comma rules.

The course is appropriate for students entering Grade 7 and above, and it is especially recommended for students new to RCDS entering Grades 7-10.

Course Fee: $925

Middle School Enrichment

Politics and the Law, Grades 8-11
World Revolutions (16th-20th Centuries), Grades 8-12

Politics and the Law, Grades 8-11

WEEK 1: JULY 17 – JULY 21 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 24 – JULY 28 (1 Week)
WEEK 3: JULY 31 – AUGUST 4 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

This week-long seminar is designed with the goal of helping students to achieve a deeper understanding of contemporary issues facing society. Students will explore the intersection of politics and the law. Possible topics include voting, civil rights, and representation -- we’ll examine what’s current and what’s of most interest to students! Most importantly, and most fundamentally, this class is a place for students to discuss, debate, articulate their ideas in writing, and learn more about the issues they find important.

Please note that the week-long seminar will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 8-11.

Course Fee: $375

World Revolutions (16th-20th Centuries), Grades 8-12

WEEK 1: JULY 3 - JULY 7 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 17 – JULY 21 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This week-long course will help students to explore the ingredients of scientific and political revolutions in World History while practicing essential skills for historical analysis and investigation. Students will utilize a variety of primary and secondary sources in order to evaluate the causes and consequences of different revolutions throughout the week, including the Scientific Revolution, the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and the Iranian Revolution.

Please note that the week-long course will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 8-12.

Course Fee: $750

Upper School Academics

Algebra I

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This course includes the following topics: properties of real numbers and their applications, linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables, exponents, radicals, factoring, rational expressions, solving quadratic equations including the quadratic formula, and graphing in the coordinate plane. Emphasis is placed on developing strong skills and independent thinking.

Open to all students. The course is designed for students who have not yet taken Algebra I. The text used is Common Core Standards aligned, so students required to take the Algebra I Regents (CCSS) exam will be prepared.

Non-RCDS students seeking credit or placement for their work from their school should follow the instructions for “Seeking Credit/Placement” while registering through the Registration Portal.

RCDS students seeking enrollment in Algebra I should discuss their summer goals with the Principal before submitting registration.

Course Fee: $4500

Geometry

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This course studies the properties of plane figures including parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent and similar triangles, polygons, circles, right triangle trigonometry, areas, and volumes, as well as introductions to solid and coordinate geometry. Throughout the course, the student's ability to develop and present formal proofs is systematically strengthened and expanded through the use of inductive and deductive reasoning. A review of Algebra 1 is included, using equations based on geometric theorems.

Open to all students. The course is designed for students who have not yet taken Geometry. Students required to take the Geometry Regents exam will be prepared to do so.

Non-RCDS students seeking credit or placement for their work from their school should follow the instructions for “Seeking Credit/Placement” while registering through the Registration Portal.

RCDS students seeking enrollment in Geometry should discuss their summer goals with the Principal and Math Department Chair before submitting registration.

Course Fee: $4500

Algebra II/Trigonometry

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This course includes a study of linear, quadratic, and polynomial functions, systems of equations in two and three variables, inequalities, complex numbers, variation, conic sections, exponential and logarithmic functions, and trigonometric functions, including applications.

Open to all students. The course is designed for students who have not yet taken Algebra II/Trigonometry. Students required to take the Algebra II Regents exam will be prepared.

Non-RCDS students seeking credit or placement for their work from their school should follow the instructions for “Seeking Credit/Placement” while registering through the Registration Portal.

RCDS students seeking enrollment in Algebra II/Trigonometry should discuss their summer goals with the Principal and Math Department Chair before submitting registration.

Course Fee: $4500

Pre-Calculus

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This course extends the content of algebra through advanced-level consideration of various functions and develops skill in mathematical analysis. Polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and circular functions are considered along with the study of analytic geometry, polar coordinates, and sequences and series. Open to all students. The course is designed for students who have not yet taken Pre-Calculus.

Non-RCDS students seeking credit or placement for their work from their school should follow the instructions for “Seeking Credit/Placement” while registering through the Registration Portal.

RCDS students seeking enrollment in Precalculus should discuss their summer goals with the Principal and Math Department Chair before submitting registration.

Course Fee: $4500

Health

JUNE 26 – JULY 21 (4 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
Session 1: 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Session 2: 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

The Health course offers practical knowledge and skills to help students make thoughtful decisions. Lectures and discussions include topics on nutrition, decision-making, eating disorders, chemical awareness, human anatomy, human sexuality, relationships, and HIV education.

This course satisfies the RCDS Health requirement for students in Grade 10.

This course will meet synchronously over Zoom. There is no on-campus component.

Course Fee: $1700

Introduction to Computer Science, Grades 9-12

JUNE 26 - JULY 21 (4 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

One of the joys of computer science is learning to make things move, and interacting with them on the screen. Capitalizing on this wonderful, “Aha!” moment, this course explores the basic principles of Computer Science using the highly visual and interactive language of Processing. Students in this course write their first interactive programs, while learning object-oriented design and the fundamental tools of programming. Many of the problem sets invite students to program or design interactive games.

This course (or equivalent experience) is required to take Advanced Placement Computer Science; it will be equivalent to a 1/2 unit course, and will be included on RCDS students’ transcripts.

This course fulfills the RCDS Computer Science requirement in place for the classes of 2023 and beyond.

This course is open to students entering Grades 9 – 12.

This class will require a student to have access to a computer. Students coming to campus for class this summer will need to bring a laptop. If you have questions about this, please contact the Director of Summer Session.

Course Fee: $3050

Upper School Skills

Writing Workshop, Grades 7-9

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Students will complete much of the work in class, but there will be regular homework.

This course is open to students entering Grades 7-9.

Course Fee: $1300

Writing Workshop, Grades 10-12

JUNE 26 – AUGUST 4 (6 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Students will complete much of the work in class, but there will be regular homework.

This course is open to students entering Grades 10 through 12.

Course Fee: $1300

World History I Skill Building, Grades 8-9

WEEK 1: JUNE 26 – JUNE 30 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 10 – JULY 14 (1 Week)
WEEK 3: JULY 31 – AUGUST 4 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This one-week course is designed to build essential historical thinking skills for those who are new to or approaching high school level. This class will practice skills such as note-taking, annotating, writing, and evaluating primary sources by exploring a different historical topic each day. Topics covered will include Ancient Egypt, Han Dynasty China, the Renaissance, Early African Kingdoms, and the French Revolution.

Please note that the week-long course will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 8-9.

Course Fee: $375

World History II Skill Building, Grades 9-10

WEEK 1: JUNE 26 – JUNE 30 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 10 – JULY 14 (1 Week)
WEEK 3: JULY 31 – AUGUST 4 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
11:000 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The one-week course is designed to build upon foundational high school reading and note-taking skills with a greater emphasis on analytical reading and writing using primary sources from topics in the 19th-21st centuries. Writing practice will focus on constructing strong thesis statements, effective arguments, and evaluating credible evidence and sources. Students will explore a different historical topic each day, including the Industrial Revolution, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and Globalization.

Please note that the week-long course will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 9-10.

Course Fee: $375

Grammar Boot Camp, Grades 7-12

JULY 24 – AUGUST 4 (2 weeks)
Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This course will offer students intensive instruction and practice in several key elements of English grammar: the parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, phrases, clauses, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and comma rules.

The course is appropriate for students entering grade seven and above, and it is especially recommended for students new to RCDS entering Grades 7-10.

Course Fee: $925

Algebra Boot Camp

JULY 24 – AUGUST 4 (2 Weeks)
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This class is a refresher course for students who have had a year of Algebra. We will review at least 20 key topics taught in Algebra classes. Intended for the student who never felt that they learned all the concepts deeply enough or have forgotten important concepts, this course can provide a great opportunity to practice and strengthen needed skills for Algebra 2 before September. Competency in Algebra is fundamental for moving on to the next level in math, and we will use this course as an opportunity to (re)build these core skills.

Course Fee: $1025

SAT Preparation

JULY 10 – AUGUST 3 (4 Weeks)
Monday – Thursday
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Summer Session is once more partnering with Summit Educational Group to offer our SAT Preparation Class. This course will cover general test-taking strategies with a focus on strengthening core skills. Mathematics topics covered will include: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Evidence-Based Reading & Writing topics covered will include: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Rhetorical Analysis. Our course has been specifically designed to give your child a combination of the academic skills and strategies needed on test day.

The opportunity to sit for an entire, timed, practice exam may be arranged through the instructor at the time of the course's completion.

Course Fee: $1775

ACT Preparation

JULY 10 – AUGUST 3 (4 Weeks)
Monday – Thursday
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Summer Session is partnering with Summit Educational Group to offer our ACT Preparation Class. This course will cover general test-taking strategies with a focus on strengthening core skills. Topics will be covered in English, Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science. Our course has been specifically designed to give your child a combination of the academic skills and strategies he or she will need on test day.

The opportunity to sit for an entire, timed, practice exam may be arranged through the instructor at the time of the course's completion.

Course Fee: $1775

Upper School Enrichment

Biotechnology & Innovation, Grades 9-12

JUNE 26 – JUNE 30 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Major advances in biology and technology are transforming the way scientists conduct medical research. The biotechnology industry boomed recently due to development of COVID-19 medicines/vaccines as well as positive developments in other therapeutic areas. In this hands-on laboratory course, students will gain an introduction to several scientific concepts and laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology. Furthermore, students will explore and evaluate career opportunities, meet with scientists in this field, and conduct laboratory experiments, such as molecular genetic techniques (PCR and electrophoresis), CRISPR-Cas9, and bacterial cloning.

Prerequisites: General Biology or a love of science

Open to rising Grades 9-12 students.

Course fee: $500 (materials fee included)

Philosophy, Grades 9-12

WEEK 1: JULY 3 – JULY 7 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 17 – JULY 21 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This week-long seminar will allow students to build their critical thinking and discussions skills by investigating the history of philosophy and evaluating the ways we "know" about the world around us. The course will introduce students to the writing of key philosophers in different fields within the subject. Students will explore a different topic each day, including Early Greek Philosophers, Evaluating the Self, the Art of Reasoning and Knowledge, East Asian Philosophies, and the Ethics of Modern Technology.

Please note that the week-long seminar will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 9-12.

Course Fee: $375

Politics and the Law, Grades 8-11

WEEK 1: JULY 17 – JULY 21 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 24 – JULY 28 (1 Week)
WEEK 3: JULY 31 – AUGUST 4 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Please note that the week-long seminar will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 8-11.

Course Fee: $375

World Revolutions (16th-20th Centuries), Grades 8-12

WEEK 1: JULY 3 - JULY 7 (1 Week)
WEEK 2: JULY 17 – JULY 21 (1 Week)
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Please note that the week-long course will repeat during the different weeks.

Open to students entering Grades 8-12.

Course Fee: $375