Southwestern Academy

Southwestern Summer Adventures
San Marino, California

For More Information, Contact
Director of Admissions
Southwest Academy
2800 Monterey Road
San Marino, California 91108
626-799-5010 Ext. 5
Fax: 626-799-0407
http://www.southwesternacademy.edu

Type of Program: Academic enrichment, credit, and English as a second language
Participants: Boys and girls in grades 6–12
Enrollment: 50
Program Dates: Four-, seven-, and fourteen-week programs, from June 9 to September 12
Head of Program: Kenneth Veronda, Headmaster

Location

The San Marino campus is located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Southern California, minutes away from Pasadena and Los Angeles. The campus sprawls over more than 8 acres in a quiet and serene community, making this a perfect location for Middle School and high school students to board, study, and enjoy the summer.

Background and Philosophy

Southwestern Academy offers a warm, friendly, safe, and supportive environment for boys and girls to grow toward success. Founded in 1924, Southwestern is an accredited, not-for-profit, independent school for students from across the United States and around the world. Southwestern offers classes for grade 6 through high school. Small classes promote individual interaction with teachers and encourage the pursuit of interests beyond course requirements. Southwestern Academy’s vision is to offer American and international students personalized, stimulating classes and supportive nurturing care that allows individual student success and an understanding of diverse cultures.

Program Offerings

The Southwestern Summer Adventures program consists of two components: an Intensive English as a Second Language (ESL)/American Culture Program and traditional college-prep classes. Courses range from four weeks to a full semester and are offered on the campuses in San Marino, California, and in Beaver Creek, Arizona. Depending on the length of the program, students can earn academic credit.
The San Marino campus offers two English language programs. The Intensive ESL Program is designed to help students improve their English skills. There are three ability levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. Students improve their skills through listening and conversation, writing and grammar, and reading and vocabulary. There is also an SAT/TOEFL preparation component. Students who enroll in the seven-week or fourteen-week program can earn half- or full-semester credit. The American Culture Program teaches English-speaking skills, but it also incorporates field trips in the region. Course work includes 20 hours of English per week, developing reading, vocabulary, and conversation skills. Students receive a certificate at the end of the program.
Students who do not need ESL can select from a wide range of core courses, such as math, science, history, and English.

Enrollment

Each program enrolls an average of 10 to 12 students, ages 11 through 18, who wish to improve their English skills and/or participate in a number of recreational and cultural activities in the region. Students are exposed to a multicultural learning atmosphere and gain a fresh perspective on academics. Students may commute to the program, or they can live in a dormitory at the school.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Weekly educational and entertaining field trips are offered to a variety of popular attractions throughout Southern California. Such trips include Disneyland, Griffith Park, Huntington Library, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Getty Museum. For boarding students, there are three additional trips offered each weekend.

Facilities

All dorms are of modern, masonry construction and have TVs, VCRs, and computers with Internet and e-mail access. Each dormitory is supervised by a resident counselor who has an apartment adjacent to the dormitory. Boarding students are provided with a buffet-style cooked breakfast and a family-style lunch and dinner. Commuting students have a hot lunch with the whole school group at no additional charge. Teachers and staff members eat with the students.

Costs

For 2007, the fourteen-week program (June 18 to September 7) cost $15,900. The seven-week program (June 18 to July 27) was $8250. The four-week programs (June 18 to July 13, July 16 to August 10, or August 13 to September 7) were $5500 for each session. Students also needed an additional amount of money in their student spending account.