
Program Overview
For students entering grades 7-12 looking to advance academically, the Brooks Summer School offers a variety of non-graded courses, focusing on academic enrichment instead of credit. Limited to 12 students per class, the four-week, 55-minute courses range in specialized subjects: English topics like media literacy, creative writing, and literary analysis, math courses in algebra and calculus, science subjects including physics, engineering, and biology, general college readiness classes, and SSAT test prep. At the conclusion of the session, each student receives a detailed progress report.

Course Catalog
Courses By Topic
- Programming, Robotics & Media Design Courses
- English Courses
- Math Courses
- Science Courses
- College Readiness
- SSAT Prep Courses
Programming, Robotics & Media Design Courses
In Introduction to Programming and Media Design, students will learn fundamental programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, and Boolean logic with no prior coding experience required. Using Scratch, students will bring these concepts to life through a media lens by developing, creating, and modifying their own interactive games, animations, and stories. The course will challenge the students' creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills while introducing them to the world of computer science.
English Courses
Expanding on the writing and reading fundamentals, Advanced Composition and Literary Analysis is designed for students entering 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. Emphasis is placed on reading, discussing, and writing about literature and poetry at a thematic level, with a focus on thesis development and the use of quotations as evidence. Mechanics, such as punctuation, verb tense consistency, and sentence and paragraph structure will be evaluated and discussed via direct instruction and peer editing sessions. Students will read and discuss various pieces of literature and poetry at length, paying close attention to thematic development and the human experience literature brings to light.
The goal of this course is to prepare students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade to make the shift from reading for storyline to advanced reading for theme. Additionally, students will begin to write thesis-driven essays. Using high-interest short stories, students practice close reading, discussion, and interpretation of literature while learning the writing process and components of an effective essay. Working both independently and with peers, students practice mechanics, thesis creation, organization, and paragraph formatting while creating their own compositions.
The Expository and Creative Writing course focuses on the fundamentals of two of the major modes of writing. Students will read and discuss effective essays and powerful narratives to examine the different structures, components, and styles of each while working on their own pieces using these new skills. The course consists of both direct instruction and workshops in which students brainstorm, organize, write and edit their essays both with the instructor and with peers. By the end of the session, participants will have at least two polished pieces to add to their writing portfolios and a clear understanding of both the differences and skills required to write strong narratives and logical essays.
This course is for students in late middle school and high school looking to improve their writing ability on the SSAT, in all their classes, and as preparation for the SAT. Students will review the fundamental rules of grammar, parts of speech, and syntax (sentence structures) – all of which are directly tested in the Language section of the SAT. Students will also learn techniques to vary their sentence structures, improve transitions and fluency, and choose more accurate diction. Lessons may include exploration of purpose, audience, organization, tone, and style. Students will complete multiple essays and then learn self-editing skills to become stronger editors of their own writing as well as of others.
As Brooks Summer School’s most rigorous English course, this class is geared for students who have a true interest in writing and/or a desire to get help with a specific writing project. Students in this class will choose an “anchor” writing project each week, such as a college essay, research paper, creative writing project, or other area of interest and receive individualized feedback as the student works through the writing process. Lessons will focus on practical grammar, language, and style skills as well as advanced writing strategies. Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing, and research skills.
Math Courses
This a second year course in Algebra. Students must have completed Algebra I prior to enrolling in this course. Concepts reviewed include relations, functions, solving systems of equations, complex numbers, radicals, exponential functions, logarithms, and conic sections.
Science Courses
Using our 251-acre campus as a resource, this course provides a hands-on introduction to the natural world and current topics in conservation and sustainability. Through daily lab and field studies, students develop the ability to collect, graph, and analyze experimental data. The results of the experimental activities are then used in afternoon workshops, where students learn to write about their outdoor explorations using a variety of styles and formats.Brooks School campus as our classroom, students will propel engineered cars, fly model paper airplanes, and launch rockets in this hands-on, inquiry-based program focused on physics and flight. This course is designed to introduce curious young scientists to the laws of Physics through motion and aeronautics. Students will tackle concepts such as analyzing flight paths, calculating rocket launches, and engineering cars to achieve optimal acceleration. All instruction is delivered with the goal of connecting theory to real-world applications through modeling and simulations.
Explorations in Physics and Engineering (Session II)Using the Brooks School campus as our classroom, students will propel engineered cars, fly model paper airplanes, and launch rockets in this hands-on, inquiry-based program focused on physics and flight. This course is designed to introduce curious young scientists to the laws of Physics through motion and aeronautics. Students will tackle concepts such as analyzing flight paths, calculating rocket launches, and engineering cars to achieve optimal acceleration. All instruction is delivered with the goal of connecting theory to real-world applications through modeling and simulations.
College Readiness
As Brooks Summer School’s most rigorous English course, this class is geared for students who have a true interest in writing and/or a desire to get help with a specific writing project. Students in this class will choose an “anchor” writing project each week, such as a college essay, research paper, creative writing project, or other area of interest and receive individualized feedback as the student works through the writing process. Lessons will focus on practical grammar, language, and style skills as well as advanced writing strategies. Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing, and research skills.
This course is for students in late middle school and high school looking to improve their writing ability on the SSAT, in all their classes, and as preparation for the SAT. Students will review the fundamental rules of grammar, parts of speech, and syntax (sentence structures) – all of which are directly tested in the Language section of the SAT. Students will also learn techniques to vary their sentence structures, improve transitions and fluency, and choose more accurate diction. Lessons may include exploration of purpose, audience, organization, tone, and style. Students will complete multiple essays and then learn self-editing skills to become stronger editors of their own writing as well as of others.
SSAT Prep Courses
SSAT Math
The SSAT Math course prepares students for the math sections on the SSAT. Along with learning test taking skills, students will be provided direct instruction and review of concepts such as whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, percents, square roots, powers, algebraic expressions and equations, basic geometry and word problems. Also covered in the course are specific approaches to the math sections, including ‘quick checks’ and time-saving strategies.
This course is for students in late middle school and high school looking to improve their writing ability on the SSAT, in all their classes, and as preparation for the SAT. Students will review the fundamental rules of grammar, parts of speech, and syntax (sentence structures) – all of which are directly tested in the Language section of the SAT. Students will also learn techniques to vary their sentence structures, improve transitions and fluency, and choose more accurate diction. Lessons may include exploration of purpose, audience, organization, tone, and style. Students will complete multiple essays and then learn self-editing skills to become stronger editors of their own writing as well as of others.
Academic Schedule
Extended Day
Overview
The morning Extended Day Program begins at 7:00 AM. Drop-off and check-in are held at the playground. Brooks School Day Camp staff members provide supervision. At 8:30 AM campers join their regular camp groups. In the case of rain, Extended Day will take place in the Athletic Center.
The afternoon Extended Day Program begins at 4:00 PM and ends at 6:00 PM. Supervised free swim, playground activities and a snack are provided. Again, in case of rain, the Extended Day Program will take place in the Athletic Center.
Campers must be picked up by 6:00 PM in front of the Summer Programs Office. Parents are required to show proper identification and sign campers out with the Extended Day Supervisor before leaving. There is a late fee for pick-ups after 6:00 PM.
If your needs change for the Extended Day program, requests must be made in writing to the Summer Programs Office.
Rates
Transportation
Overview
For this reason, Brooks School Summer Programs offers convenient one-way and round-trip transportation throughout the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. This service provides families with a convenient and reliable option when making plans for the summer.
At Brooks, we recognize that putting your child on a bus requires a great deal of trust. When choosing to utilize our transportation service you can be confident that we put your child’s safety first. Our approach to safety is multi layered, which is why we have partnered with NRT Transportation. NRT invests in training, technology and equipment to ensure that they exceed industry standards.
Our partnership with NRT means state-of-the-art safety features for your child.
- School Bus Monitors ensure the safety of all children as they are transported to and from camp.
- High-definition GPS systems, providing exact location and speed of a school bus at any time.
- Child Check-Mate System® is an on-board electronic reminder system that reminds drivers to check for sleeping children before leaving the bus.
- Flashing lights and extended stop arms warn motorists that children are boarding or unloading.
- Buses that are digitally monitored by four (4) cameras located throughout the vehicle.
- Well-anchored seats with high backs and heavy padding create a protective seating area.
- Drivers who are highly trained professionals with specialized training in student behavior management, loading and unloading, security and emergency medical procedures.
Rates
Bus Routes
Andover/North Andover
8:00/4:43-Chandler Road & River Road (Red Bus)
8:03/4:40-Woodhill Middle School (Red Bus)
8:03/4:34-South School (Blue Bus)
8:06/4:37-St. Roberts Church (Red Bus)
8:07/4:32-Town Market-429 South Main Street (Green Bus)
8:09/4:30-Route 125 & Gould Road (Green Bus)
8:10/4:33-Haggetts Pond Road & Lowell Street (Red Bus)
8:11/4:28-Extended Stay America (Red Bus)
8:12/4:28-Duck Pond-Argilla Road & Andover Road (Blue Bus)
8:14/4:25-Route 125 & Salem Street (Green Bus)
8:15/4:25-Chestnut Street & Whittier Street (Blue Bus)
8:20/4:19-West Parish Church (Blue Bus)
8:20/4:19-Amberville Road & Turnpike Street (Purple Bus)
8:24/4:16-Holly Ridge Road & Johnson Street (Green Bus)
8:25/4:16-Haverhill Street & North Main Street (Blue Bus)
8:29/4:13-Salem Street & Summer Street (Green Bus)
8:34/4:08-Chadwick Street & Sutton Street (Red Bus)
Lawrence
Lynnfield
Methuen
Reading/North Reading
Wakefield
Tuition & Fees
