Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Northwestern University

National High School Institute
Evanston, Illinois

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Nick Kanel
National High School Institute (NHSI)
617 Noyes Street
Evanston, Illinois 60208
800-662-NHSI (toll-free)
Fax: 847-467-1057
http://www.northwestern.edu/nhsi

Type of Program: Summer enrichment and college preparation
Participants: Coeducational, high school students
Enrollment: Approximately 700 students enrolled in six different programs
Program Dates: Approximately June 28 to August 1, 2009, for Theatre Arts, Film and Video Production, Journalism, and Music. Approximately July 12 to August 1, 2009, for Debate and Speech.
Head of Program: Barbara Reeder, Administrative Director

Location

Northwestern University is located 12 miles north of downtown Chicago on Lake Michigan.

Background and Philosophy

Since 1931, the National High School Institute (NHSI) has brought outstanding students to Northwestern University’s Evanston campus for intense educational experiences. The oldest and largest university-based program of its kind, the NHSI allows students to experience aspects of “college life” while submerged in study. Students are affectionately known as “Cherubs,” a name given to them in the 1930s by Northwestern Dean Ralph Dennis whose goal, “to bring together gifted young people and superior teachers in an atmosphere of affection, knowledge, and trust,” is still upheld today.

Program Offerings

Each of the six divisions has its own curricular goals and objectives but are all united in their educational philosophy to challenge and develop the potential of every student. Programs are enrichment based, and students are not graded and do not receive high school or college credit. An intense schedule of academics is accented with many of the opportunities that Evanston and Chicago have to offer.
Coon-Hardy Debate Program for High School Students Modeled after the national championship Northwestern Debate Society, this program investigates how to apply argumentation, communication, and research skills to the study of the next year’s national debate proposition. The curriculum is designed to teach principles that can be abstracted to many debating situations well beyond the study of this year’s topic. Coon-Hardy is based on three complementary principles: interactive learning, teamwork, and curricular integration. An amazing faculty, led by Northwestern Professor and Director of Debate Scott Deatherage, completes an aggressive learning experience. The program runs for three weeks and is open to current high school freshman, sophomores, and juniors with debate experience.
Speech This program offers complete curricula in four areas of high school speech: extemporaneous speaking, oral interpretation of literature, original oratory, and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Programs one and two weeks and are open to current high school freshman, sophomores, and juniors.
Journalism This program is designed to sharpen journalistic skills as writers and editors for print or broadcast. In intensive lab sessions, students learn how to write news, feature, and editorial stories and television news; edit stories; write headlines; design newspaper pages; and report the news. College professors and practitioners evaluate writing assignments in one-on-one sessions. Workshops expose students to a variety of subjects, such as freelance writing, sports reporting, and journalistic ethics. The program runs for five weeks and is open to current high school juniors with a special interest in journalism.
Music As a Music Division participant, students may choose from among eight programs: Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Piano, Strings, Voice, Winds/Percussion, and Guitar. All include private practice sessions and weekly seminars. The programs run for five weeks (guitar for two weeks) and are open to current eighth graders and high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
Film and Video Production Students are introduced to the art and science of television, digital imagery, and writing through courses in camera, digital design, cinema history, and critical theory. The Media Arts Division simulates this process through two intensive concentrations: Production and Writing. The program runs for five weeks and is open to current high school juniors.
Production College-level instruction gives students the skills necessary to produce original projects in documentary video, narrative video, animated short, and interactive video (Web). NHSI students have access to the same new equipment as the Northwestern undergraduates.
Writing Daily writing labs and intensive instruction in story structure, dialog, and visual storytelling are supplemented by a wide range of electives that provide students with thorough knowledge and practice in creating scripts.
Theatre Arts By experimenting with a multitude of crafts and disciplines, students discover that theater is a collaborative art and an emotionally, physically, and intellectually rigorous one. Two programs are offered within this division. The programs run for five weeks and are open to current high school juniors. The estimated program size is 150 students, with 10 students in the Design/Technical concentration.
General Theatre Curriculum Designed for students with a serious interest in theater, this program immerses students in the theater experience by delving into the essential concern of the theater process—the human condition. The student performs in one of ten production companies and studies with professional directors, choreographers, acting coaches, and designers. Core classes include acting, voice and movement, aesthetics of theater, text analysis, and production crew. Electives, guest lectures, and field trips to relevant productions supplement the core classes.
Design/Technical Concentration In addition to the core classes, students take special courses in the design process, enroll in a stage management workshop, and concentrate a portion of their time in the study of theater design and production.
Musical Theatre This program builds upon the instruction in the Theatre Arts program, furthering the study in acting and voice and movement, while adding relevant course work in musical theater scene study, dance, and voice master classes. Students must be accepted to and complete the full Theatre Arts Division curriculum before proceeding to the Musical Theatre extension. The program runs two weeks following Theater Arts and is open to high school juniors only. The estimated program size is fewer than 40 students.

Enrollment

Criteria for acceptance into the programs include grades, letters of recommendation, PSAT (or SAT) scores, personal essays, and experience in the student’s chosen concentration.

Costs

The 2008 program costs were as follows: Coon-Hardy Debate, $2450; Speech, $750/$1500; Musical Theatre (includes Theatre Arts), $6300; Theatre Arts, Film and Video Production, Journalism, and Music, $4400; and Classical Guitar, $1850. All programs are residential. In addition to tuition, the fees include housing, meals, and tickets to all events and field trips. Additional costs are at the discretion of the student.

Financial Aid

Each year, a large number of students receive scholarships and financial assistance. Awards are given based on academic achievement and financial need. Financial aid requests are included with the division applications.

Application Timetable

Applications are usually due by early April; however, deadlines vary slightly, so students should verify dates with the current brochures. An early deadline date is usually available a few weeks prior to the regular deadline, usually in early March. This deadline serves as a planning opportunity for families and students and does not increase admission chances. There is a $50 application fee.