Students Discover New Avenues of Learning During Summer at St. Margaret’s

Students of all ages took part in for-credit courses, summer camps, programs, Gear Up academic preparation courses and more.
Summer at St. Margaret’s was more popular than ever in 2019, as students of all ages took part in for-credit courses, summer camps, programs, Gear Up academic preparation courses and more.

More than 340 Upper School took for-credit courses, which combined with more than 950 Lower School and Middle School registrations for summer offerings made the summer turnout the highest in years.

“Students had so many opportunities to learn in new ways during the summer,” said Andrew Hammond, director of extensions and summer projects. “This year, students had the chance to build skateboards, take part in fun science experiments, design roller coasters and go outside for activities like hiking, stand-up paddleboarding and barbecuing.”

Here are some of the many Summer at St. Margaret’s options that proved popular this year:

Peak to Paddle
One exciting opportunity for students was Peak and Paddle, which fostered a love of outdoors and an exploration of Southern California’s diverse landscapes. Students spent time paddleboarding and playing at the beach in Dana Point, camping at Irvine Regional Park, and taking the famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to hike in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. They learned basic hiking, camping and water-safety skills while developing a passion for the outdoors.

Preserving the Past
In a one-week offering led by Lower School art teacher Mary Mayer, students learned how to make jams and jellies and developed an understanding of the similarities and differences between each type of spread. At the end of the week, they shared their creations with the rest of the campus with a taste test.

Academic Prep
A boost of enrollment took place in the Lower School and Middle School Gear Up sessions, which provided a one-week program to academically prepare students for the 2019-2020 school year.

Other summer offerings touched on certain subjects. For example, Middle School English teacher Owen Beitner taught a Writer’s Workshop class using the innovative Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing curriculum St. Margaret’s has implemented in grades K-6.

Upper School Classes
Many St. Margaret’s Upper School students took courses this summer, earning additional credits ahead of the 2019-2020 school year. Courses included health, world religion, biology, chemistry honors, geometry and algebra 2.

Coming Next Summer
St. Margaret’s has exciting options planned for 2020, including a Spanish III course which will take place in Salamanca, Spain, and a summer day camp led by Lower School teacher David Beshk.

Stay tuned for more details and 2020 dates for Summer at St. Margaret’s!
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An Independent Preschool Through Grade 12 College-Preparatory Day School in Orange County California

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St. Margaret's Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, hiring and athletic policies or in other school-administered programs.