Innovate & Educate
Allendale Columbia May Term
Portrait of an AC Learner
A Contributing Citizen
A contributing citizen balances critical thinking, ethics, and empathy to act as influential agents of change to understand and solve contemporary social problems locally and globally.
A Respectful Relationship Builder
A Respectful Relationship Builder acts with integrity, listens with an open mind and heart, and embraces various perspectives to build and maintain healthy relationships. They challenge and speak out against inequity and injustice to find innovative, fair, and just solutions to complex problems to live lives of consequence.
An Innovative Creator
An innovative creator conceptualizes and expresses ideas by creating unique artifacts. They listen to understand, reflect on feedback, and foster progress to enhance or improve the human experience.
A Rational Problem-solver
A rational problem-solver analyzes information for truth and accuracy to formulate solutions, possibilities, and ideas to ethically and responsibly solve complex problems across disciplines and in authentic ‘real world’ contexts.
MISSION
At Allendale Columbia, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students 18 months through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence. Together, our students and teachers imagine, design, and create.
A Compelling Communicator
A compelling communicator clearly and confidently articulates thoughts, ideas, arguments, and messages using various mediums for an authentic audience.
CORE VALUES
A Balanced Person
Ú Making connections that matter
Ú Mastering strategies for learning
A balanced person confidently and compassionately transforms themselves and others through a journey of self-discovery that respects, appreciates, and embraces diverse perspectives, individuality, and identity.
Ú Inspiring curious and creative learners
Ú Sparking resilient spirits
Ú Daring to take risks
May Term
May Term at AC exists to provide educational opportunities outside of the normal structure of the school year to support intellectual discovery, encourage collaboration, and foster community involvement. Embodying AC’s core values, May Term provides authentic learning experiences through both faculty-led sessions and student-led workshops.
During May Term, students will experience eight days of in-depth, hands-on learning, covering a range of topics and allowing students to work across divisions on projects that impact the larger community, creating an enriching experience that delves deeply beyond the traditional curriculum. Students will be placed in one to two teacher-led sessions and a variety of student-led workshops based on the areas of interest indicated on their registration, while keeping developmental needs in mind.
Table of Contents
Lower School May Term
All The Arts
We will explore lots of art making! Using a new material each day we will play with clay, dive into photography, explore mixed media, and make art with nature.
Board Games
Come join us for Board Games May Term! We will explore the history of board games, from ancient favorites to beloved classics and discover how games have brought people together across cultures and centuries. Each day, we will learn and play a variety of board games while building strategy, teamwork, and critical thinking skills — all in a screen-free environment. Our week will wrap up with participants designing and creating their own original board game to share with friends. It’s a creative, social adventure where imagination, learning, and play come together!
Changemakers
Changemakers turn ideas into action. They have empathy, teamwork, and dreams of making the world better. Our Changemakers project this May Term will be: Revitalize the Mary Ellen La Fléche Memorial Garden! Be ready to get dirty, take breaks relaxing in nature, and do lots of crafting, digging, and planting! Participants will need a water bottle, sunscreen, boots or sneakers, tall socks, and clothes that can get messy.
Engineering, Design, and Art: Challenge Edition
Put your engineering and creativity to work as you solve design challenges in wacky and innovative ways. Daily challenges will feature science and tinkering materials, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition. Art experiences and explorations will be sprinkled throughout the four days.
Extremes
Students will learn about and engage in hands-on activities related to extremes of the Earth, our bodies, the solar system, and other aspects of the world and beyond. Topics will include astronomy, geography, the physical sciences, and more. ecret Language: Cryptography & Secret Codes
Title?
Secret codes are a fun form of communication that you may love to learn and practice. Communicating in codes is a clever, secretive, and enjoyable way of sharing ideas. Talking or writing in codes will boost your problemsolving abilities. It can also help sharpen your communication skills and build your confidence. Since coding and decoding involve brain work, learning secret codes increases mental agility. Students taking this class should be motivated, resilient, and patient—not only to learn codes and ciphers but also to decipher them. Bring your enthusiasm, your love of mystery, and endless curiosity to learn cryptography!
Flowers
Do you love flowers? Let’s learn about the symbolism of different flowers, the flowers associated with each birth month, and how flowers can be used in everyday life. We’ll make flower bookmarks, paper bouquets, pressed flower lanterns, and many other exciting creations—all centered around flowers!
Nature Navigators
Nature Navigators is an exciting, hands-on adventure where we explore AC’s amazing nature trail and campus! In this May Term, you’ll learn essential first-aid skills, master the use of a compass, and investigate local ecosystems. We’ll dive into an ecological plot study in the woods to observe plants, animals, and artifacts up close, and also explore the wonders of Allen’s Creek. Through fun activities and real-world exploration, you’ll gain practical outdoor skills while discovering the beauty and science of nature. Get ready to navigate, observe, and explore like a true Nature Navigator!
Read All About It!
Lower School Newspaper
Did you know that Middle and Upper School each have a newspaper, but Lower School doesn’t? Let’s change that! If you enjoy creating comics, designing catchy headlines, taking pictures, interviewing your peers and teachers, and writing reviews, then sign up for this course.
Trailblazers: Conquering New Territories
In this hands-on outdoor May Term, we’ll transform AC’s campus, woods, and creek into our living classroom. Students will develop practical outdoor skills while investigating the science of the natural world. We’ll practice essential first-aid basics, learn how to navigate using a compass, and conduct an ecological plot study to observe plants, insects, animal signs, and natural artifacts up close. We will also dive into mini shelter building. Working in teams, students will design and construct small-scale natural shelters using sticks, leaves, and forest materials. Along the way, we’ll discuss structure, stability, weather protection, and problemsolving in outdoor environments. We’ll explore Allens Creek, observe ecosystem interactions, and strengthen our ability to notice details, ask questions, and think critically about the world around us. Through collaboration, creativity, and real-world exploration, students will build confidence, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for nature. Explore. Build. Discover.
Middle School May Term
The Art of Being Human
This May Term is designed to help students build the essential skills they use every day, in school, with friends, and beyond. Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, students will explore self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. This course empowers students to better understand themselves, manage emotions, strengthen relationships, and make thoughtful choices. By the end of this week, students will grow into confident, reflective, and responsible individuals who are better equipped to navigate challenges and connect meaningfully with others.
Be the Coach
What makes a great coach? In this middle school May Term, students will be given the opportunity to think and learn about being a coach. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in and coach sports they enjoy.
Bread Making Through the Ages
We will explore the fascinating history of bread, from ancient civilizations to modern techniques. Get ready to knead, rise, and bake your way through time!
Chopped: Middle School Edition
In this fun May Term, students will learn important life skills in the kitchen. Through interactive demos, interesting challenges, and delicious creations, participants will sharpen their creativity and confidence in the kitchen. The Grand Finale? A fun judge-tasting competition where their original creations take center stage!
Collaborative Script Writing
Students in this course will collaboratively plan, write, and perform a play. Along the way, we will explore good scriptwriting techniques, character development, and script formatting.
Creek Explorers
Get ready to explore Allen’s Creek! Students will walk through the creek and learn about what it has to offer. We’ll study water quality, living organisms, pollution, creek formation, and more. Students are required to have water shoes, waders, or other appropriate footwear, clothes they don’t mind getting wet, a change of clothes and shoes, and a towel for drying off.
From Eggs to Chicks
Learn how to raise chickens and other farm birds through hands-on experience. We will hatch eggs in the classroom, keep the chicks healthy, and document their growth. A trip to the farm where the eggs were produced (and where the chicks will return once our class is done) will allow students to immerse themselves in the ecologically balanced environment that supports a healthy, happy flock.
Fun-Gi Food
The food is alive!! See how yeast and bacteria transform our food. We will be experimenting with mold, sourdough bread, kombucha, ginger beer and pickled veggies. You will get a behind the scenes look at exponential growth and the reproductive processes of fermentation.
Games Around the World
In this course, students will learn about and play unique games from around the world. The games that are introduced will then be incorporated into escape rooms. Students who join this May Term should be prepared to spend time both indoors and outdoors.
Hike the Greenway Trail
We will spend four days and three nights hiking the Greenway Trail from Letchworth State Park in Mount Morris to its northern end at the Genesee Valley Park in Rochester. From there we will make our way back to Allendale Columbia along the Erie Canal. During our journey, we will experience the natural beauty of the countryside along the Genesee River, practice backpacking and camping skills, and grow closer as a group. We will camp overnight for the entire session, but it is not mandatory. This trip is also a chance for you to take a break from your electronic devices and practice your independence. Let’s go for a walk!
Hiking with Hopkins
On each of these days, students will participate in a day hike to a nearby destination, and then back to campus. Each day of the May Term will include a hike of 6-8 miles over the course of four to six hours. Each of these hikes are very appropriate for a younger, beginner, or novice hiker.
Hispanic Cooking Show
Students will be exposed to a variety of traditional food from different Hispanic countries, through videos, photos and live cooking demos. Students will then form teams, decorate their street stands and will cook different types of dishes. Food will be sampled by an expert faculty and staff panel of judges. No previous cooking experience necessary!
History through Film
This May Term will be an exploration of historical events, people, and time periods through film. Students will watch and discuss films and research for historical accuracy. We will end by splitting into pairs or groups and creating short films/trailers for a historical event of their choice.
Introduction to Dance
In this course, you will learn the basics of ballet, tap, and jazz. We will focus on beginner dance skills, dance terminology, quality of movement, style, and musicality. Students will learn and create a variety of combinations and routines. Tap shoes are required.
Kinder Helpers
Bigs and Littles! Middle Schoolers will work with the Kinders to help them celebrate their last days of Kindergarten! We will help them clean up the garden space, clean up their classroom, work on a song for their moving up ceremony, and help them finish out the school year with a bang! *Middle Schoolers will eat Lower School lunch so we’re on the same schedule as Kindergarten for all four days.
Mangia! The Art of Italian Cuisine
Students will use fresh ingredients to create colorful pasta dishes, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Along with cooking, students will become familiarized with basic words and phrases in the Italian language. They will learn the basics of a camera and how food photography is set up, so they can document their dishes. The best part? Students get to taste each creation and build new memories! Get your aprons on and get ready to mangia!
Mental Health and Wellness
In this course, students will learn and try out a variety of ways to build positive mental health practices. We will learn about the biology of stress, discuss common stressors in a middle school student’s life, and practice strategies to combat stress and anxiety. These may include breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, vision boards, journaling, time management, and more.
MS Camping Trip
Middle schoolers who join this May Term course will camp for two nights in Naples, NY, and spend three days learning in the area of outdoor education. Activities will include hiking, cooperative games, practicing daily living skills in the outdoor space, and self-reflection activities.
Musical Creativity, Technology, and Improv
May Term participants can exercise their musical expression through playing by ear, understanding song structures, and being able to play along with their favorite music. Students will be able to choose material from pop songs, jazz standards, themes from movies and musicals, or anything else that they like. This is open to anyone, regardless of prior experience with instruments. Students will have the option to record themselves or create electronic music (such as making beats or remixes) as part of this course.
NaNoWriMo Sprint
This will be a super-short version of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Students will learn about the novel writing and publishing process, brainstorm ideas, outline a short story, set a word count goal, and write! Students will participate in writing sprints, their peers.
Non-D&D Roleplaying Games
Many people have heard about and perhaps played Dungeons & Dragons. This course will introduce you to other excellent tabletop roleplaying games besides D&D. Our game sessions will consist of working together to solve problems, overcome challenges, and accomplish common goals in a non-competitive format. We will create collaborative stories in a couple of different genres, such as science fiction, postapocalyptic adventure, Gothic mystery, or dark fantasy. No experience is necessary. Come and enjoy playing screen-free games in this four-day session!
Middle School May Term
Oh, The Places You’ll Go
Set out on foot each day and discover things you had no idea were so close. Walking about 10 miles per day!
Role-Playing
This semester-long course for both beginners and experienced players is an introduction to a variety of imagination-based tabletop roleplaying games. Students work as a team to create a story by contributing to the plot’s progression during each of their turns. Collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to take risks are necessary for the games to work. The majority of the action takes place in the theater of the mind. The more creatively the game is played, the more entertaining it is. Tabletop roleplaying games do not require any screen time, unlike video games, and they are non-;competitive by nature. Problem solving is a primary feature of roleplaying games. Players must react and improvise solutions to unexpected situations as the story evolves. They are encouraged to think critically and look at problems from multiple perspectives. Best of all, these games are fun!
Secrets of the Game Master
Are you interested in running your own tabletop roleplaying games? Learn how to be a game master so you can lead adventures and campaigns for your friends. We will discuss many different roleplaying games in a variety of genres, game master strategies and procedures, necessary equipment, and where to go for more information. If the idea of leading a roleplaying game intimidates you, sign up for this course! It is intended for complete beginners, as well as students with a range of experience. If you take the Worldbuilding for TTRPGs and Storytelling course, you can use the world you create there to start putting together an adventure or campaign.
Sports and Wellness
Students will engage in a variety of wellness and s ports activities led by student athletes and faculty over the course of 4 days. Each day will begin with a short meditation and yoga practice. Be prepared to be outdoors.
Tabletop Roleplaying Games
Tabletop roleplaying games have numerous benefits. In this course, we will collaboratively weave stories and learn the mechanics of imagination-based tabletop roleplaying games. Players will work together to solve problems, overcome challenges, and accomplish common goals in a non-competitive format. You’ll be able to choose a game in one of several genres, such as science fiction, post-apocalyptic adventure, 1980s “kids on bikes” mystery, or dark fantasy. No experience necessary—come and enjoy four days of screen-free gaming fun!
Wheeling Through Rochester
Students will pedal from AC to the Erie Canal and beyond learning about local history and science. Members of RCommunity bikes will teach us about bike safety and their important service to the Rochester community. Students will bike to other places of historical significance including the historic villages of Fairport and Pittsford, historic and current locks, and Mount Hope Cemetery.
Must have a bike with 24 tires (or larger) to participate.
Community Service
8TH GRADE AND HIGHER
This session will engage in a number of different community service activities, one or two per day, that will involve a variety of approaches to the idea of community service.
From Radio to Risers
8TH GRADE AND HIGHER
From Radio to Risers is a May Term where we will take popular songs that we hear on the radio or in day to day life, and arrange them for a choir. The goal would be to have them sung in next year’s US chorus.
Game Theory: The Science of Strategy
8TH GRADE AND HIGHER
This intensive four-day seminar explores the mathematical modeling of strategic interaction. Moving beyond dry lectures, this course adopts an “experiential learning” approach. Students will participate in live simulations and MobLab experiments—ranging from the Prisoner’s Dilemma to Political Election models—to intuitively grasp complex economic concepts. We will cover core topics including the Nash Equilibrium, Backward Induction, and Mixed Strategies. By analyzing scenarios from economics, politics, and psychology, students will learn how rational individuals make optimal decisions when outcomes depend on the actions of others. This course bridges the gap between formal logic and real-world human behavior.
Weaving Stories
8TH GRADE AND HIGHER
This June term is a two-for-one! Each day will be split into two different sessions: Collaborative Script Writing and Basket Weaving. In Collaborative Script Writing, we will be learning about good conventions of storytelling using the Pixar story spine, creating storylines together, writing scripts, recording short movies, and editing films to create a polished final product. In Basket Weaving, we will be exploring the techniques and structures of basket weaving and creating our own baskets.
Upper School May Term
Senior Project
All Allendale Columbia Upper School students participate in May Term during the time period between the end of AP exams and Commencement. May Term was created by the faculty to provide educational opportunities outside of the normal structures of the school year to support intellectual discovery, encourage collaboration, and foster community involvement. Seniors have the opportunity to participate in a Senior Project during May Term. Senior Projects are off-campus experiences, designed by the student, to explore a potential career, to participate in community service, or to indulge their curiosity in a constructive way about some field of interest. May Term courses are listed as an addendum to the Director of College Counseling’s Recommendation letter.
AC Lego Masters
In this May Term Course, students will develop/ showcase their love of LEGO in a variety of challenges that will test their skills of engineering, communication, creativity, and resilience as they work in teams to rise to the challenges set before them. Potential activities include: Design the best bridge in the class; Create your own;how it should have ended for the movie of your choice; Using bricks to reduce stress and anxiety; Recreate an important structure from history; Personally designed creative project of your choice Whether you are into movies, books, history, social justice, engineering, this course will have something for you! Even if you’ve never enjoyed LEGO before, you can absolutely contribute to this experience!
Altered Materials: Fabric and Fiber
We will use fabric and printing and manipulation techniques to print a variety of textiles including tie dye or reverse tie dye (using bleach painting techniques), indigo dye to create Shibori patterns, screen print, cyanotype print photos onto fabrics and block print. We will expand upon the Fabric of Reality May Term from last year. No prior knowledge is required and all are invited— even if you’ve already done some of these processes!
Arts Appreciation
Unlock your creativity and explore the diverse world of the arts in this engaging and immersive workshop! Students will explore familiar art forms we offer at AC, such as painting and sculpture, as well as more experimental ones like circus arts and therapeutic arts. Whether you’re an avid artist or just beginning your creative journey, this workshop offers a supportive space to explore and create.
Backpacking
Adventure! Travel! Outdoors! Let’s backpack in Central New York! During this May Term Session, students will travel to Syracuse by train and hike back to the AC campus along the Erie Canal. We will camp overnight on days one, two, and three at canal locks. Our goal will be about 20 miles per day over basically flat terrain with irregular access to bathrooms and water. Students will need good walking shoes, a backpack, rain gear, and other gear appropriate to a four day, three night backpacking experience. Students must plan for their needs and balance them with what they can carry. We will get meals at stops on the canal. Students will be asked to attend three or four short after school planning sessions during the two weeks before we leave.
Basket Weaving
Come discover the art of reed basket weaving! Students will learn different weaving techniques, how to read and follow a pattern and how to combine techniques to design and make their own baskets. While weaving our own baskets, we will also explore the importance of basket making in different cultures and historic time periods. Each student will be able to complete their own baskets to take home with them.
Because Science
Love science classes? Are labs your favorite part? Are you a self-described science nerd? If so, this is the May Term experience for you! Students will complete a variety of lab activities in all three disciplines of science (Bio, Chem, Physics). We will perform lab activities, learn about the science behind them, and then present our findings in a variety of ways. Don’t worry, lab reports will not be required!
Community Service
This session will engage in a number of different community service activities, one or two per day, that will involve a variety of approaches to the idea of community service.
Crafting a Coral Reef
Learn about coral reefs, marine biology, conservation, and their importance. Then, create a 3D artistic representation of a piece of coral reef—or another marine biology subject.
Dancing with the Stars
Dance on over to the CPC and learn the basics of choreography for musical theater. We’ll explore what makes a great dance number and how the Great White Way has evolved its choreography over time. We will learn famous numbers, different styles of dance for the stage, and will have the opportunity to create a showcase of original choreography created by YOU.
Discovering Cultural Centers in Rochester
During the week, students will visit 5 local cultural centers, discuss and explore ideas to bridge gaps in cultural differences, and celebrate cultural similarities. We want to bridge the gap between our cultural differences as we celebrate their similarities.
Ecosystems
In this June Term experience, students will interact with ecosystems in a whole new way. We’ll head outdoors and learn about the biology that makes activities like fishing, hiking, and disc golf possible. It promises to be a fun way to get outside—with plenty of real learning, too!
Ecosystems of Recreation
Much like last’s year’s course, we will visit various outdoor recreation sites to learn more about the ecosystems that surround the sites were we play. Activities may include hiking, fishing, and disc golf.
In this June Term experience, students will interact with ecosystems in a whole new way. We will head out and enjoy the outdoors while also learning about the biology that makes activities such as fishing, hiking, and disc golf possible. While this promises to be a fun way to get outside, there will definitely be actual learning involved too!
Electromagnetism
Learn about electricity and magnetism through hands on activities. We will start at the very basics, assuming no knowledge, and and then progress through building our own speakers and calibrating them with digital signal processing. Experience 500 years of scientific development in a week!
Exhibition Night Planning
We will be working with students and faculty to organize Exhibition Night for this year’s May Term. This is a great course to join if you like to organize and plan events! We’ve had a great time in the past, as students in this course get to immerse themselves in what’s happening all over campus, and get creative with how other courses can showcase their work.
Exploring Alternative Processes
We will delve into historical and non-traditional methods of camera-less photography. Through a combination of presentations and hands-on practice, students will learn about various alternative processes, explore their unique aesthetics, and create their own photographs using these techniques. Topics will include chemistry, paper treatments and preparation, toners, and working on understanding exposure.
Exploring Black and Asian Cultures
The goal for this May Term is to indulge students into the history of different cultures that are not touched upon nearly as much as traditional Euro-centric history. Allow students to experience cultures that they are not regularly exposed to.
Fabric of Reality: Designing Wearable Art
Artists will explore five different printing and textile design techniques. You will learn how to make cyanotypes, screenprint, block print fabrics, and shibori dye fabrics. Special guest artists visit, show their work, and teach various processes. You will make wearable pieces of clothing that they can keep, give as gifts, or sell as creative entrepreneurs at this year’s Exhibition Night. No prior experience necessary.
Freshwater Biology
In this May term session, students will get hands-on experience collecting freshwater samples for analysis and be able to design and conduct their own experiments. We will visit a local lake (or two) to study the water quality and collect samples of pond life, which we will use in experiments to see how a variety of disturbances affect their behavior.
Upper School May Term
From Radio to Risers
From Radio to Risers is a May Term where we will take popular songs that we hear on the radio or in day to day life, and arrange them for a choir. The goal would be to have them sung in next year’s US chorus.
Game Development for iOS
This course will provide opportunities for students to create games for the Apple iOS software platform with the Ursa Coding team. Students will learn the basics of the creation process and be able to apply it to their own applications.
Game Jam
This May Term will be part game- jam part game development. If students know how to make video games or board games they will have 3 days to make a video or board game from the ground up based on a theme. Students who don’t know how to create a video game will learn how to make one using UNITY; learning basic coding skills and enhancing problem-solving skills.
Game Theory: The Science of Strategy
This intensive four-day seminar explores the mathematical modeling of strategic interaction. Moving beyond dry lectures, this course adopts an “experiential learning” approach. Students will participate in live simulations and MobLab experiments—ranging from the Prisoner’s Dilemma to Political Election models—to intuitively grasp complex economic concepts. We will cover core topics including the Nash Equilibrium, Backward Induction, and Mixed Strategies. By analyzing scenarios from economics, politics, and psychology, students will learn how rational individuals make optimal decisions when outcomes depend on the actions of others. This course bridges the gap between formal logic and real-world human behavior.
“Iceberg, Right Ahead!”: The Titanic Tragedy
April 14, 1912: The RMS Titanic, one of the largest and most luxurious ships afloat, struck an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15, resulting in the loss of more than 1,500 people. What is it about this tragic night that continues to fascinate us? The Titanic’s builders claimed it was “practically unsinkable.” So what went wrong? Using movies, readings, computer simulations, and virtual tours, we’ll dive into the story of this famous ship. You’ll also investigate a specific aspect of the disaster—such as the ship’s design and construction, its social impact, or the logistics of exploring the wreck site over two miles beneath the North Atlantic.
Knight at Dawn – Musical Tech
This session is for students interested in supporting the 4th and 5th graders during tech week for their spring musical: The Magic Treehouse: Knight at Dawn. Students will be part of the production team and can work with lighting, sound, costumes, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute in areas you already know, and try out something new too!
LS Musical Production Team
Production Team for the 4th and 5th grade annual spring musical. Students will help with the lights, sound, costumes, set, props, stage crew, headshots, promotional pictures/video, filming, and more.
Howler May Term Edition
Students in this session will capture all the goings on of other May Term experiences. You will be able to interview, write articles about, and provide editorial articles about may term. We will create daily summaries of events and activities as well as producing and publishing a special may term edition of the paper to be released on our last day of May Term.
In Studio with Craig
Students will spend 4 days in the studio working with Craig Waxman, former creative producer at CNN, visual designer, film producer and graphic artist. Spaces are limited to 10 participants.
Innocence and Guilt: Learning about the Law
In this course, students will come to have a deeper understanding of our legal system by hearing from a practicing prosecutor and defense attorney. They will also research court cases and human rights abuses on the Amnesty International and Southern Poverty Law Center web sites, and watch two movies dealing with legal injustices: Trial of the Chicago Seven and Inherit the Wind, and then discuss the legal issues surrounding those two actual cases.
Introduction to Percussion
Students will be introduced to various percussion instruments as well as playing techniques used by percussionists. There will also be a focus on rhythmic performance. Use of percussion around the world will be explored. This course includes an introduction to famous performers and will culminate in learning percussion ensemble pieces.
Junior College Workshop
Get a head start on your college applications so that you can use your summer vacation to pursue meaningful academic, volunteer, or work experiences. Harness your voice and tell your own unique story to the admissions committee through writing a compelling personal essay. Showcase your talents and experiences through composing your activities resume. And complete the Common Application so that you can apply to any of their 900+ member colleges in the fall and have all the nuts and bolts available to complete additional applications. You will become confident speaking about your experiences, interests, and goals with admission counselors through a Mock Interview Workshop and enjoy the experience of touring local college campuses with your class (TBD). This course is OPTIONAL for students in 11th grade; students that do not take the course will have access to all the course content via Canvas.
Loving the Land: Nature Photography and Our National Parks
In this class, students will experience the wonders of nature and outdoor photography while learning about our country’s national park system. The class will include excursions to a state park and other local outdoor attractions while practicing HDR landscape photography with DSLR cameras.
Major Accomplishments of Multi-Cultural Mathematicians
Did you know that WWII was shortened and many lives saved because of the work of a man who was gay? Did you know that the first American astronaut who orbited the Earth was able to do so largely due to the mathematical work of three African-American women? And did you know that since the late 1980’s the students at Garfield High in East LA that take AP Calculus do so because of the vision of a BolivianAmerican? In this course we will explore the accomplishments of Alan Turing, Jaime Escalante, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson by watching three movies - Stand and Deliver, The Imitation Game and Hidden Figures. We will then look at some of the mathematics that these mathematicians may have worked with, but perhaps on a much simpler scale. Topics we may explore are cryptography, trig and log tables, combinatorics, computer programming (FORTRAN) and much more I’m sure. We will also spend some time considering the discrimination each of these mathematicians faced and discuss whether or not their discrimination is now a thing of the past.
Making Community Service a Way of Life
We will be engaging in a variety of community service activities.
Martial Arts
Learn the basics of Tae Kwon Do, along with an introduction to nunchucks and bo staff training. Students will learn forms, self defense, and how to break boards. There will also be a focus on how the principles of Tae Kwon Do represents/ embodies aspects of Korean Culture.
Math and
. . .
Did you know that it was the work of a mathematician that played a large role in ending World War 2? Did you know that the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ...) can be found in nature? This session will explore the relationship between math and other areas, such as nature, art, history, music, etc. We will also explore some math competition questions from Monroe County Math League, AMC 10 & 12, and other math competitions. The mathematics topics we will tend to focus on are those that are not traditionally taught in the classroom. Activities may include an art project, a trip to the MAG, a movie, and lots of pencil and paper work.
Upper School May Term
Mural Painting
This May Term is centered on building self esteem and uplifting female voices. One project we hope to accomplish is painting the US girls bathroom with positive affirmations and a colorful mural. We will offer a self defense class geared towards safety. Other projects will include journaling, vision boards, and art making.
Music Manipulation
We will explore why music makes us feel things, remember things, picture things, through psychological and neurological lenses. We will use a wide range of musical genres and selections.
News of the World
This class will provide the students with an introduction to the elements of discourse and provide them with the opportunity to discuss a series of issues from the contemporary world. The issues selected will be up to the students in the class.
Pickleball
We will teach the basic skills and rules of pickleball and then travel to local pickleball courts and conduct different competitions and games.
Plant Appreciation
In this term, we will explore the ways that humans coexist with plants in our local environment. How do we use plants in ways that you might not expect? How do you keep different types of plants and give them the environment they need for growth? We will have guests from local plant-focused establishments (STEM, Kittelbarger, others from food science/museum/ agriculture/viticulture) and hopefully visit one or two local arboretums. As our final project, we will curate a collection of plants along a theme (e.g. medicinal, agricultural, decorative) and present them along with their scientific names, history, uses, and growth needs.
Poetry Workshop
Not just for poets! Learn how to write with detail and to write figuratively in any genre. Poems may occur.
Production Team: Winnie the Pooh, KIDS
This session is for students who are interested in supporting the 4th and 5th graders during tech week of their spring musical: Winnie the Pooh, KIDS. Students will be members of the production team, and can work with lighting, sound, sets, costumes, etc. They will have the opportunity to support in areas that they are familiar with, but can also try something new.
Programming Microcontrollers
The ultimate goal is to build a ping pong ball launcher with built-in facial recognition technology. Only approved users can fire it! Also learn about coding arduinos and rasberry pi computers!
Recording Studio Magic
Using sound recording technology, we will spend this session creating sound recordings. Students may create something totally from scratch, make a podcast, or choose a song (and make a demo as a soloist or with friends). Once the recording is made, we’ll use plug-ins and learn how to master it to make a professionalsounding final product.
Roblox Game Jam!
Make a game in Roblox! Learn how to program in Lua and work as a team to go from concept to completed game in 5 days! You will need to work on planning a game, creating/finding assets to use to make the game world, program in game events and objectives, playtest the game to provide feedback, and implement the feedback to improve the game.
Rockets!
Build virtual rockets in Kerbal Space Program and build real model rockets! Learn about the physics of good rocket design, with a focus on concepts like center of mass, center of pressure, and negative feedback. Also learn about orbital mechanics, and be prepared to demonstrate those skills! We will finally build model rockets, analyze their properties, and launch them in the soccer field.
Senior Adventures
This class will allow seniors to engage with their peers in a series of community building and celebratory activities both on and off campus to bring closure and celebration to their time at AC.
Skills You Can Master in Three Hours or Less
Have you ever watched somebody solve a Rubik’s Cube and wished that you could do that too? Looked up at the stars and thought it would be cool if you could point out a few constellations? Tried shuffling cards but they ended up flinging everywhere? Wondered how people fold those cool origami cranes or juggle three balls, use chopsticks to eat, type super fast, write with your non-dominant hand, identify all 50 states, send a message using morse code, or roll a coin across your fingers? If you answered yes, and you love being persistent and mastering new skills, this course is for you!
Stitch Club
Come get your craft on by quilting, knitting and crocheting with us! Learn new hobbies and engage in your favorite stitching past times. You will make a small project for yourself and contribute to making blankets for charity
The Care of Animals and Their Care of Us
In this course, we will gather supplies for various animal organizations, perform service work visiting one or more places housing animals, as well as host speakers from various animal assistance organizations..
The One About Tea
Did you know that after water, tea is the most frequently consumed beverage on Earth? Did you know that all true (non-herbal) varieties of tea and their respective traditions come from one plant? In The Art of Tea, we will learn all about the tea plant, Camellia sinensis! We’ll explore its origins, vast history and influence in different cultures around the world. We’ll discover the differences between the six categories of tea (green, yellow, white, oolong, black and Pu’er), learn traditional brewing techniques and tea drinking rituals.
Weaving Stories
This June term is a two-for-one! Each day will be split into two different sessions: Collaborative Script Writing and Basket Weaving. In Collaborative Script Writing, we will be learning about good conventions of storytelling using the Pixar story spine, creating storylines together, writing scripts, recording short movies, and editing films to create a polished final product. In Basket Weaving, we will be exploring the techniques and structures of basket weaving and creating our own baskets.
Worldbuilding
Step into the role of a creator and bring entire worlds to life in this immersive week-long course on fictional worldbuilding. Whether you’re writing a novel, designing a game, or just exploring your imagination, this course will guide you through the essential elements that make fictional settings feel real, cohesive, and compelling.
Over the span of the week, participants will learn how to build rich environments from the ground up— developing geography, cultures, political systems, histories, and more.
By the end of the week, you’ll have a fully developed original world concept, along with the tools and techniques needed to continue expanding it. No prior experience is required—just creativity and a willingness to explore new ideas.
