Upper School Courses
Welcome to Brunswick School’s Summer Sessions for Upper School students! Offerings for students entering grades 9-12 are coeducational and run from June 9-June 26 for Session I, July 6-July 24 for Session II, and July 27-August 14 for Session III. Preparatory and enrichment classes are available in Math, English, Computer Science, Languages, History, and the Arts. Please see each course description for additional details, timing, and dates. Registration is open to the public, and as class sizes are limited, enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note that all Upper School classes will be held at 100 Maher Avenue.
Course Offerings
Arts — Brunswick Theater Workshop! |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 12:30-3:30 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 5th-12th | Teacher Name: Seth Potter, Matthew Kirby-Smith, Logan Stamey | ||
| Course Size: 60 boys and girls | Cost: $2,480 | ||
| Description: The Brunswick Theater Workshop will be an exciting and fun immersive theater experience. Using 2025-26’s middle school and upper school plays and musicals as a foundation, actors, and technicians will explore Acting, Musical Theater, Improvisation, Stage Combat, Puppetry, Choreography, Lighting and Stagecraft, and so much more. Come trip the lights fantastic with Brunswicks Theater team! Get a leg up on next year and be a part of this great company! Materials Needed: None | |||
Computer Science — AI Literacy Lab - Smarter Learning Starts Here |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 7th-12th | Teacher Name: Sunil Gupta, IT Director and Chair, Computer Science Dept. | ||
| Course Size: 10 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we learn, think, and solve problems. In AI Literacy Lab, you’ll get hands‑on with cutting‑edge AI tools to boost learning ethically and effectively. Think of AI as your ultimate study buddy - helping break down tough concepts, generate meaningful practice problems, and strengthen understanding. You’ll learn to ask the right questions that lead to deeper insight, compare and evaluate AI‑generated responses across tools, and use AI to clarify - not replace - your independent thinking, while also understanding AI’s limitations, biases, and ethical challenges. This course builds practical AI literacy skills you can apply right away, with a strong focus on critical thinking, academic integrity, and digital citizenship. Materials Needed: Windows or Mac laptop. Loaners available. | |||
Computer Science — Python Playgrounds - Coding for Young Minds |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 7th-12th | Teacher Name: Sunil Gupta, IT Director and Chair, Computer Science Dept. | ||
| Course Size: 10 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: Build it. Play it. Show it off. Python Playgrounds gets you coding from day one! Learn Python’s core tools - variables, conditionals, loops, and functions - while creating games, animations, and interactive projects you can actually use. Solve problems, experiment, and watch your ideas come to life on the screen. Perfect for beginners and those with prior experience, this course emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Along the way, you’ll strengthen logical reasoning and problem-solving skills that apply across the curriculum - all in a fun, interactive, and collaborative environment. Materials Needed: Windows or Mac laptop. Loaners available. | |||
English — Summer Reading & Writing |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Seth Potter | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: Using Brunswick's Upper School Summer Reading books as a base, students will work on crucial writing skills based on the reading. Brush up on your writing while completing your English and History summer reading. Materials Needed: None | |||
English — Summer Reading & Writing Workshop |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Brian Hoffman | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: The rise of social media has caused the reading skills of many students across the nation to decline significantly. The goal of this summer workshop is to rekindle a joy for reading among high school students. It will use a variety of engaging and thought provoking texts to introduce practical reading strategies meant to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and formal writing skills. Students will read short stories, newspaper articles, editorials, long-form journalism, poetry, and challenging texts from the past. Students will learn strategies to decipher the meaning of words based on context, to evaluate the ways authors use evidence to support an argument, and they will grapple with symbolism, metaphor, and subtlety. In other words, they will be immersed in the art and joy of reading. This course will be helpful to students just starting high school or looking to improve their reading skills for the ACT, SAT, or for an AP Humanities course. Materials Needed: None | |||
English — Writing in the Humanities |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Brian Hoffman | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This summer course will introduce students to the distinct academic expectations of humanities courses at Brunswick. Students will learn how to write strong body paragraphs, topic sentences, and thesis statements. Students will also develop approaches that will improve their notation skills in the classroom, reading comprehension, and test taking skills. Please contact bhoffman@brunswickschool.org if you have any further questions. Materials Needed: None | |||
English — Writing Workshop |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Bob Benjamin | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: Writing Workshop will help students become more effective analytical writers. We will work on building strong, active, clear sentences, and then combining these sentences into focused and unified paragraphs. We will concentrate on crafting clear, arguable topical assertions for paragraphs, and incorporating relevant specific evidence in support of these assertions. Finally, we will combine these skills in composing well-organized and logically developed five-paragraph essays. Materials Needed: None | |||
English — Writing Workshop |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Bob Benjamin | ||
| Course Size: 10 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: Writing Workshop will help students become more effective analytical writers. We will work on building strong, active, clear sentences, and then combining these sentences into focused and unified paragraphs. We will concentrate on crafting clear, arguable topical assertions for paragraphs, and incorporating relevant specific evidence in support of these assertions. Finally, we will combine these skills in composing well-organized and logically developed five-paragraph essays. Materials Needed: None | |||
English — Writing Workshop (Advanced Placement) |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Brian Hoffman | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This summer course will introduce students to the writing strategies and techniques needed to master Advanced Placement humanities courses. The complex rubrics that structure Advanced Placement humanities courses will be reviewed point by point. Students will learn to successfully write responses for the Document Based Essay Question (DBQ), the Long Essay Question (LEQ), and the Short Answer Question (SAQ). Strategies to master the stimulus based multiple choice section will also be reviewed consistently over the course. Dr. Hoffman has been teaching AP US History for over 10 years and has been a reader for the College Board for the last 5 years. The course is ideal for rising Sophomores and Juniors preparing to take their first Humanities Advanced Placement course. Please contact bhoffman@brunswickschool.org if you have any further questions. Materials Needed: None | |||
Foreign Language — Get Ready for Your Italian IV and AP Italian” |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/19 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Elda Buonanno | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $990 | ||
| Description: This intensive Italian language course guides students from the elementary foundations of Italian toward an intermediate level of proficiency. Through immersive instruction conducted primarily in Italian, students will review and strengthen essential grammatical structures while expanding vocabulary and communicative skills. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to transition confidently into an advanced Italian course or an AP-level Italian program in the following academic year. The course emphasizes a communicative and culturally rich approach to language learning. Students will actively use Italian through discussions, collaborative activities, and real-world tasks, developing the ability to speak, listen, read, and write with increasing fluency and confidence. Cultural exploration is central to the course and includes the study of Italian history, geography, art, food, traditions, and contemporary life through videos, films, music, authentic texts, and hands-on activities. *Please note this course will only run for two weeks* Materials Needed: None | |||
History — History: Research and Methods Part 1 |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 12:30-2:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Brian Hoffman | ||
| Course Size: 6 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course will introduce students to history research methodologies and writing. The goal of this summer course will be to learn the skills and methods of historical research needed to to develop a formal history research paper. Students will select a manageable topic, locate relevant and significant sources, identify and develop a bibliography of secondary sources, and learn the correct methods to document and cite historical sources. Each week, the class will share their work and give feedback, brainstorm ideas, ask probing questions, and give constructive criticism. Weekly “write-ups” will include: Topic Proposal, notes on a source, Summation of a Secondary Source, etc. It is recommended (but not required) that students enroll in both Summer Session I and II. Materials Needed: none | |||
History — History: Research and Methods Part 2 |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Brian Hoffman | ||
| Course Size: 6 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course will introduce students to history research methodologies and writing. The goal of this summer course will be to learn the skills and methods of historical research needed to to develop a formal history research paper. Students will select a manageable topic, locate relevant and significant sources, identify and develop a bibliography of secondary sources, and learn the correct methods to document and cite historical sources. Each week, the class will share their work and give feedback, brainstorm ideas, ask probing questions, and give constructive criticism. Weekly “write-ups” will include: Topic Proposal, notes on a source, Summation of a Secondary Source, etc. It is recommended (but not required) that students enroll in both Summer Session I and II. Materials Needed: none | |||
Humanities and Social Science — Capturing Reality: A History of Documentary Film |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Tyler Boudreau | ||
| Course Size: 16 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: Is it ever truly possible to document the truth on camera? Students in this course will explore the historical and philosophical movements of the non-fiction visual medium. Starting from the earliest films of the Lumiere Brothers, students will watch and discuss landmark documentaries of the 20th century, as well as contemporary examples from YouTube and social media. Come hone your media literacy skills! Materials Needed: None | |||
Math — Intro to Algebra II |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 1:00-2:30 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 10th | Teacher Name: Ryan Abraham | ||
| Course Size: 15 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course is intended for students of any level who are preparing to take Algebra II with Trigonometry in the Fall of 2025. This course will cover essential topics of Algebra II, such as linear functions, quadratic functions, exponents, and a small review of basic trigonometry. Materials Needed: Scientific calculator or better needed | |||
Math — Intro to Geometry |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course is intended for any student who is preparing to take Geometry in the Fall of 2025. This course will cover essential topics of Geometry, such as angles, parallel lines, polygons and their properties, circle theorems as well as introductory proof problems. Materials Needed: None | |||
Math — Intro to Geometry |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This course is intended for any student who is preparing to take Geometry in the Fall of 2025. This course will cover essential topics of Geometry, such as angles, parallel lines, polygons and their properties, circle theorems as well as introductory proof problems. Materials Needed: None | |||
Math — Intro to Proof Based Geometry |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course is intended for any student who is preparing to take Accelerated or Honors Geometry course in the Fall of 2025. The course is heavily proof oriented and is designed to teach proper proof writing, while covering essential topics of Geometry, such as angles, congruent triangles, parallel lines, and polygons and their properties. Materials Needed: None | |||
Math — Intro to Proof Based Geometry |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This course is intended for any student who is preparing to take Accelerated or Honors Geometry course in the Fall of 2025. The course is heavily proof oriented and is designed to teach proper proof writing, while covering essential topics of Geometry, such as angles, congruent triangles, parallel lines, and polygons and their properties. Materials Needed: None | |||
Math & Computer Science — MathCounts - Coding the Future & Robotic Adventures |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 12:30-3:30 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 7th-10th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 6 boys and girls | Cost: $2,880 | ||
| Description: Dive into the exciting intersection of math and tech with our MathCounts course, tailored for students in grades 7 to 10. Students in grades 5 and 6 with strong interest in the subject will be admitted with permission. Designed to enhance your problem-solving skills and mathematical creativity and prepare you for competitions like MathCounts and SSAT exam. Engage with challenging problems and topics, including advanced algebra, number theory, geometry, and combinatorics. As you progress, you'll bridge the gap between abstract math and practical applications by learning to read, understand, and write code, while building fascinating devices such as digital trumpets, motion alarms, night-lights, automatic pet feeders, and robots. These projects, powered by microprocessors, will allow you to see firsthand what digital prototyping platforms can achieve. Get set to write code that interacts with the world, reading sensor data and activating devices based on motion and proximity. Join us to unlock the potential of math in the real world, blending theory with hands-on innovation! **This course will be taught at the Upper School campus on Maher Avenue** Materials Needed: None | |||
Math & Computer Science — MathCounts - Coding the Future & Robotic Adventures |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 12:30-3:30 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 7th-10th | Teacher Name: Poonam Gupta | ||
| Course Size: 6 boys and girls | Cost: $3,090 | ||
| Description: Dive into the exciting intersection of math and tech with our MathCounts course, tailored for students in grades 7 to 10.Students in grades 5 and 6 with strong interest in the subject will be admitted with approval. Designed to enhance your problem-solving skills and mathematical creativity and prepare you for competitions like MathCounts and SSAT exam. Engage with challenging problems and topics, including advanced algebra, number theory, geometry, and combinatorics. As you progress, you'll bridge the gap between abstract math and practical applications by learning to read, understand, and write code, while building fascinating devices such as digital trumpets, motion alarms, night-lights, automatic pet feeders, and robots. These projects, powered by microprocessors, will allow you to see firsthand what digital prototyping platforms can achieve. Get set to write code that interacts with the world, reading sensor data and activating devices based on motion and proximity. Join us to unlock the potential of math in the real world, blending theory with hands-on innovation! Materials Needed: None | |||
Navigation — Brunswick Navigation Course |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Pete Adams | ||
| Course Size: 9 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: The course will combine lessons from literature with practical training in land navigation. By sharing accessible tips from Marine Corps navigation schools, the class will teach you how to find your way using a map and compass - developing confidence and creating the sense that you cannot get lost. We’ll pair practical know-how with a study of the powerful short story: The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, by Boyd Varty. The class will include a final public speaking element. Discussions will take place both in the classroom and in nature. This course will require a degree of physical fitness to complete local navigation challenges. Materials Needed: Outdoor clothing and shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, water bottle, and notebook | |||
Science — Chemistry |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 10th | Teacher Name: Derek Hruska | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This course is designed to bolster the knowledge and introduce vocabulary that students will encounter upon entering their chemistry class in the fall semester. Topics that we cover include, but are not exclusively limited to, matter, reactions, scientific measurement and its notation, historical discovery and structure of the atom, significance of electrons and chemical bonding, the periodic table and its trends and relevance and an introduction to chemical naming and formulae. This is a wonderful opportunity to enter Chemistry and “hit the ground running.” Familiarity with the ideas and vocabulary will certainly make the first semester of any chemistry class more manageable and fun! Additionally, the students will be instructed on how best to approach the organization and review of material that will serve them beyond chemistry and in subsequent science courses. Materials Needed: Scientific calculator | |||
Science — Chemistry |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 10th | Teacher Name: Pete Arthmire | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This course is designed to bolster the knowledge and introduce vocabulary that students will encounter upon entering their chemistry class in the fall semester. Topics that we cover include, but are not exclusively limited to, matter, reactions, scientific measurement and its notation, historical discovery and structure of the atom, significance of electrons and chemical bonding, the periodic table and its trends and relevance and an introduction to chemical naming and formulae. This is a wonderful opportunity to enter Chemistry and “hit the ground running.” Familiarity with the ideas and vocabulary will certainly make the first semester of any chemistry class more manageable and fun! Additionally, the students will be instructed on how best to approach the organization and review of material that will serve them beyond chemistry and in subsequent science courses. Materials Needed: Scientific calculator | |||
Science — Intro to Biology |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th | Teacher Name: Derek Hruska | ||
| Course Size: 12 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: In this course students will be introduced to topics that will be covered in the first few units of the year, starting with biochemistry, cellular anatomy, and energetics. The focus will be on note-taking for important vocabulary and reinforcing the value of working to learn the language of science. Biology is a study of interesting and dynamic language to describe intricate molecular, cellular and organismal interactions. Getting a handle on the early vocab will set students up to be comfortable and confident as they start the year in science. Materials Needed: None | |||
Science — Physics |
| Course Length: Session I - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 6/8-6/26 ( 12:30-2:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 11th | Teacher Name: Derek Hruska | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,480 | ||
| Description: This physics summer program provides an introduction to high school physics that will cover the following topics: intro to mechanics, scalar and vector analysis of variables and formulae, velocity, acceleration, free-fall, projectile motion, forces, conservation of energy, and momentum. There will be classwork that will include notes, discussions, problem-solving sessions as well as the possible inclusion fo demonstrations to provide hands-on experience with physics. Materials Needed: Writing utensil, notebook, calculator, and a laptop | |||
Science — Physics |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 11th | Teacher Name: Pete Arthmire | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This physics summer program provides an introduction to high school physics that will cover the following topics; velocity, acceleration, free-fall, projectile motion, forces, conservation of energy, and momentum. There will be classwork that will include problem-solving as well as lab work to provide hands-on experience with physics. Materials Needed: Writing utensil, notebook, calculator, and a laptop | |||
Test Prep — ACT Prep |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 8:45-10:15 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 10th-12th | Teacher Name: Drew Dawson | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: In ACT Prep, students will complete practice test sections and become familiar with the types and phrasing of ACT questions so there are not any surprises during the actual test. ACT prep teaches students proven strategies that help improve their standardized test understanding and performance. Students will play games that teach them time and stress management. Who says (some) aspects of ACT preparation can’t be fun? Materials Needed: Writing utensils and clean paper | |||
Test Prep — SAT Prep |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 10th-12th | Teacher Name: Drew Dawson | ||
| Course Size: 14 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: In SAT Prep, students will become familiar with key math, reading, and writing concepts they’ll be expected to know when they take the exam. Students also learn to improve the study and test-taking skills that they will need to employ throughout their college career. Students will play games that teach them time and stress management. Properly preparing for the SAT can lead to more confidence heading into college. Materials Needed: Writing utensils and clean paper | |||
World Language — The Joy of Latin Translation |
| Course Length: Session II - 3 Weeks | Date & Time: 7/6-7/24 ( 10:30-12:00 ) | ||
| Grade (Rising): Entering 9th-12th | Teacher Name: Tyler Boudreau | ||
| Course Size: 10 boys and girls | Cost: $1,600 | ||
| Description: This course is an invitation to all students of Latin to come and revel in the joy of reading the language of the Romans. This class will give students the opportunity to read authors, genres, and texts outside of the traditional high school canon, as well as the chance to translate Latin for the earnest pleasure of it, without the pressure of memorizing charts and preparing for a test. Materials Needed: None | |||