Portsmouth Abbey School

Summer English Program
Portsmouth, Rhode Island


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Summer English Program
Portsmouth Abbey School
285 Cory’s Lane
Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
401-643-1225
Fax: 401-683-5888
http://www.portsmouthabbey.org

Type of Program: Academic enrichment in English
Participants: Coeducational, grades 7–11, ages 12–16
Enrollment: 90
Program Dates: Four weeks, two sessions beginning first week in July
Head of Program: Dr. Michael R. Bonin, Director

Location

The Portsmouth Abbey School is located on 500 acres on the shores of Narragansett Bay in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. It is several miles north of Newport, Rhode Island; 25 miles from Providence, Rhode Island; 65 miles from Boston, Massachusetts; and 190 miles from New York, New York.

Background and Philosophy

The Summer English Program provides each student with a talented and dedicated faculty, excellent facilities, and a sound program of studies that is faithful to the moral and intellectual ideals that Benedictine communities have been passing on to youths for more than 1,500 years.

Program Offerings

The Summer English Program offers intensive enrichment in reading, writing, and speaking. The courses offered are Composition, Literature/Reading, Public Speaking, ESL, Latin, Study Skills, and Creative Writing.
Most courses meet one period per day. Classes are very small, and a faculty-student ratio of 1:5 ensures personal attention. There are also daily reading periods and an evening study hall.
Afternoons are set aside for recreational activities and athletics, including basketball, journalism, soccer, squash, studio art, tennis, volleyball, and weight training.

Enrollment

About 90 boys and girls from the United States and other countries attend the Summer Session.

Daily Schedule

Classes meet Monday through Saturday from 8:25 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The athletic and recreational programs are in the afternoons. The evening study hall is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

There are afternoon trips to the beach or local destinations as well as evening movies and coffeehouse performances. On the weekends, day trips are to Boston and Newport.

Facilities

All Summer School participants have access to the modern facilities of the School, including wireless Internet access; the St. Thomas More Library; audiovisual facilities; complete indoor and outdoor athletic facilities for tennis, soccer, basketball, volleyball, weight training, and squash; and an all-weather track. Students live in two houses. Resident faculty and staff members supervise each house.

Staff

The Summer Session is fortunate to have a loyal staff, many of whom have been returning for ten years or more. The staff includes both regular faculty members from the Portsmouth Abbey School and dedicated teachers from other independent and public schools.

Medical Care

The School Infirmary is open each day at specific and published times, and a registered nurse is on duty. At times when the infirmary is closed, a registered nurse is always on call. The School physician has daily clinic hours at the School as needed. For emergency cases, Newport Hospital is a few minutes away.
The School physician must have a complete health history of every student. The forms for the health history are mailed to parents when the student is enrolled.

Religious Life

Portsmouth Abbey School is a Catholic school in the Benedictine tradition. All boarding students attend Mass weekly in the School church.

Costs

The fee for boarding students in 2007 was $4800 for both sessions (four weeks) or $2500 for one session (two weeks). This included tuition, room, board, textbooks, and all weekend activities. For day students, the fee was $2700 for both sessions or $1400 for one session.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is both limited and competitive. Requests for financial aid should be submitted by April 15.

Transportation

Parents should make transportation arrangements for arrival to and departure from Portsmouth Abbey School. A list of local bus and livery services is available from the Summer English Program office.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are welcome at any time; interested students should contact the Director. Applications are processed on a rolling basis but some programs fill early, so the Summer School recommends filing materials as soon as possible. The application fee is $55.