Academic Camps

List of 2 items.

• Creative Writing Camp

  Creative Writing & Writing Competition Camp
  Dates: All sessions are Monday - Thursday
  

  • Session 1 - June 29th - July 2nd
  • Session 2 - July 13th - July 16th
  • Session 3 - July 27th - 30th
  • Session 4 - August 10th - 13th

  Note: Students are welcome to sign up for multiple sessions.
  
  Topics in a session are not identical.
  Cost: $415
  Time: 9 AM - 3 PM
  Location: Archbishop Spalding High School
  Age group: Rising 5th - Rising 10th grade students
  
  

  Materials: Students should bring a computer, charger, snack, lunch, water bottle, and optional money for vending machines each day. If students prefer to use a notebook and pencil, they don’t need to bring a computer.
  
  
  In this camp, students will hone their creative writing skills and have the opportunity to polish and submit work to a couple of competitions. For the past decade, since I started helping students enter competitions, at least one of my students has won an award in at least one competition each year.
  
  Students will receive instruction and lessons on creative writing throughout the camp. Students will have time to workshop their writing in small groups in addition to one-on-one time with Mrs. Fistere. Each session will be capped at 20 students to ensure plenty of one-on-one instruction.
  
  Students who want to experience learning creative writing techniques but are not interested in submitting work to a competition are welcome to join the camp to hone their creative writing skills.
  
  Mrs. Allison Fistere - English Teacher
  Allison Fistere is a full-time English teacher at Archbishop Spalding High School. She has over twenty years of teaching experience, ranging from grades 4 through 12. Sh has experience teaching a variety of English levels, including Honors Writing and Rhetoric, AP Language and Composition, CP World Literature, Aquinas World Literature, and over 12 years of teaching middle school English. For the past decade, since she started helping students enter the Scholastic Writing Awards and the Young Playwrights Festival competitions, at least one of her students has won an award in one or both competitions each year. Mrs. Fistere holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. She loves creative writing and has been working on writing her own middle-grade fantasy novel. 
  
  Register Here!

• SAT/ACT Spring Session

  Cost: $650
  Time: See session times below!
  
  The SAT/ACT Class is designed to prepare students for the SAT and ACT standardized tests. 
  
  The Program: 
  

  • Consists of 10 sessions designed to increase each student's aptitude, comfort, and knowledge of the College Board SAT and ACT exams. Each session is capped at 25 students, which ensures individualized instruction and attention.
  • In the first session, students will take a diagnostic test to ascertain their base-level score. The following eight sessions will individually address each student's strengths and weaknesses. Classes will devote time to the math, verbal, grammar, and writing skills that students need to utilize on the test.
  • The tenth session will consist of a final diagnostic exam to ascertain the progress and accomplishments of each student.
  • Lastly, after the final session, an email will be sent out to each student outlining their growth from the course and giving them a continued plan of study.

  
  Sessions: (ALL CLASSES WILL TAKE PLACE IN ROOM 212)
  

  • January 31st - ACT or SAT Practice Test 1 – Diagnostic 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • February 7th - Introduction/English I 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • February 14th - English  II 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM 
  • February 21st - Math I 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • February 28th - English  III 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • March 21st - English IV / Science 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM 
  • March 28th - Math II 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • April 18th - Math III 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • April 25th - Math IV 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • May 2nd - ACT or SAT Practice Test 2 -  Diagnostic 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • post May 2nd - Emailed Evaluations

  
  ***As part of the paid tuition for the course, students may attend any future Spalding SAT/ACT Prep session free of charge. For instance, if your student should take the course in the spring of his or her junior year and plan to take the test again during his or her senior year, they may drop any class the following year.  We offer courses in the fall, spring, and summer every year.
  
  Staff:
  

  Ms. Katherine Mach - Course Coordinator and Department Chair, Mathematics 

  Katherine Mach has been teaching mathematics at Spalding for twenty years. She has been involved in the SAT/ACT program for most of those years. She has experience teaching honors, intermediate, and college preparatory levels of mathematics.  Her current and previous courses include Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.  Ms. Mach has a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Latin from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, MD, and a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland.  Ms. Mach is excited to help the students learn how to better their skills so that they can excel on the SATs and the ACTs. 

  
  

  
  

  Mrs. Angela Bentzley - IB Coordinator

  Angela Bentzley has been teaching English at Spalding for twenty years.  She has experience teaching all levels of English including Honors World Literature, Honors Sophomore English, IB Junior English Literature, IB Senior English Literature, and Major British Writers.  Currently, she serves as the coordinator of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and nearly 100% of all students who have taken IB English Literature have passed the exams.  Mrs. Bentzley holds a BA from Loyola University Chicago and a Master’s degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University.  With skill-building as her specialty, Mrs. Bentzley will help students identify their strengths and opportunities for growth on the SATs and ACTs.

  
  Details: 
  

  • The course is open to Spalding or non-Spalding students. The course is recommended for students who are currently in or have completed Algebra II. The sessions will be held on the campus of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, MD.
  • Due to our small size, we offer one of the best student-to-teacher ratios of any preparation session in the area.  The small class size ensures individualized attention and instruction at all times.
  • Students should come to sessions dressed comfortably and bring with them a pen or pencil, calculator, and notebook. Students will also need to have a computer device for the first and last sessions since the practice exams will be done online. A short break will be offered during each session and students are welcome to bring a drink and/or a snack with them to class.  Vending machines are also available in the school.
  • Each student will receive a textbook as part of the course. These comprehensive test materials provide the basis for instruction for the class as well as the materials for the student’s continued independent study.
  • Every student, upon completion of the program, will receive an individualized assessment of his or her progress and a comprehensive evaluation. 
  • The course provides each student with one workbook, either an SAT workbook or an ACT workbook.  You will be asked to choose your preferred book when you register.  Please use this website and any PSAT or PreACT scores your child has to help you decide which is best for your child at this moment.  Please note that the course prepares students for both tests, regardless of which workbook they choose.

  
  Please contact Kate Mach for more information: machk@spaldinghs.org.
  
  Camp Registration Link |   Camp Brochure