Eliot Summer Academy

This course is being offered through Inspirit AI, an educational AI company that provides project-based artificial intelligence programs focused on building socially impactful AI projects in areas like healthcare, art, and sustainability for middle and high school students. Courses offered by Inspirit AI teach fundamental AI concepts, coding, and practical application.

Who: Rising 9th-12th Graders
Date/Time: June 8-18, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Teacher: Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League Graduate Students
Cost: $1600
Apply: Learn more and apply here* (Inspirit AI courses utilize a separate registration 

Course Description:
What do self-driving cars, Alexa, and iPhone’s face recognition technology have in common? They are driven by modern advances in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re interested in law, healthcare, art, or economics, AI is poised to transform every discipline and industry in the future. AI is already all around us today, and by the end of the program, students will understand the underlying concepts and motivations behind technology such as computer vision, neural networks, and natural language processing.

In this course, we will explore the foundations of machine learning and explore different applications of machine learning models. In the first half of the course, students learn AI’s core technologies including applications, foundational concepts, and programming tools through live lectures and coding labs. Students will not only learn about different types of machine learning models, but also apply those models to real data sets. In the second half of the course, students will complete an instructor-led group project applying AI to the discipline of their choice (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.), utilizing the programming skills they developed in the first half.

Featured Projects for 2026:

Safe ChatGPT: Build an Authentic Chatbot—Using ChatGPT to build a truthful chatbot and avoid “fake-proofing.”

Precision Medicine in Colorectal Cancer—Automating the classification of colorectal tissue types to reduce diagnostic variability.

Moneyball: AI, Sports, and Business—Using AI for sports prediction, inspired by the book and movie Moneyball.

Planet Hunters: Searching for Exoplanets—Using data collected from NASA’s Kepler telescope to train AI to detect exoplanets.

Who: Rising 9th-12th Graders
Date/Time: July 7-18, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Teacher: Jenna Heng
Cost: $350

Course Description: Have you wondered how to turn your creative writing ramblings into more than just a hobby? Did you know there are journals and magazines that you could be published in, setting you up to be even more of a college applicant standout and giving you the thrill of reading your own writing in print? This course will invite you to indulge in the fun of creative writing while also considering how to tap into practicality and take your writing from being for your eyes only to publication-ready. We will read published creative writing from contemporary writers and explore the current trends in poetry and creative nonfiction. Writing changes with the times, so we will look at current style choices to see what is relevant now. Then, you will produce pieces of your own that align with currently sought-after and published creative writing. Later on in the course, we will discuss how to find and choose a literary journal or magazine that your pieces are appropriate for and go through the submission steps to be considered for publication. By the end of the course, you will have polished pieces of your own creative writing and some pending publication submissions!

Who: Rising 9th-12th Graders
Date/Time: June 8-18, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Teacher: Asia Johnson-Brimmage
Cost: $350

Course Description: This two-week-long, beginner-friendly workshop introduces high school students to the art of bookmaking. Beginning with the creation of simple zine-style booklets, students will explore the history and cultural impact of zines, especially their role in activism and information-sharing.  Once they’ve learned the basics, students will move into more advanced book-making methods, including a range of stitching techniques and how to choose the right one for their project. Participants will also experiment with sustainable making practices such as repurposing discarded paper into handmade sheets and using fabric scraps to create unique cover wraps. By the end of the course, each student will leave with one to two handcrafted blank books of their own design.

Who: Rising 9th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. or 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Teacher: Nick Miller
Cost: $350

Course Description: Understanding the purpose and the learning objective of reading assignments and writing tasks becomes more challenging at the secondary school level. However, applying the correct strategies ensures that students are actively engaged in the assigned texts and are pursuing meaningful insights in their responses. In this workshop, students will develop their skills in literary analysis and writing through practice activities with the summer reading in an effort to simulate the experience of an English classroom at the Upper School level. We will work on identifying strong evidence while reading a text to support paragraph arguments, as well as build a personal “tool kit” of strategies for analyzing literary devices, brainstorming for writing assignments, participating in discussions, and preparing for feedback sessions with teachers. Moving on to the next level doesn’t need to be a mystery or a struggle; let’s work together to be prepared.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 9th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (lunch included)
Teachers: Brian Coco, Oggy Smiljanic, and Nick Miller
Cost: $1050

If you would like to sign up for some, but not all of the Bootcamp classes, please enroll in each class individually, rather than choosing the Bootcamp option.

The 9th Grade Bootcamp combines Science, English, and Math courses in a full-day experience for rising 9th-grade students. Through these classes, students are able to review and strengthen skills in each discipline that are critical for success as an Upper School student, and prepare for the year ahead. Students may sign up for the Bootcamp or take one or two classes individually. The schedule and course descriptions are below:

STEM 0.5 (SCIENCE)
A strong start for high school science is key to success. STEM 0.5 is a way for students to learn important information and practice foundational skills necessary for success in the 9th-grade science course. Topics and skills include data collection, experimental design, graphing and data analysis, and dimensional analysis. In addition, we will use the Makerspace to complete a few engineering challenges.

Foundations in Algebra (MATH)
This course will provide a review of important math topics to help students build the necessary understanding to find success in Algebra 1. Using an individualized approach, students will improve their computational and algebra skills while exploring meaningful problems that require knowledge of many math concepts. The course will also help build problem-solving techniques in preparation for the type of work required in Algebra 1.

Reading Strategies for the Writing Process (ENGLISH)
Understanding the purpose and learning objectives of reading assignments and writing tasks becomes more challenging at the secondary school level. However, applying the correct strategies ensures that students are actively engaged in the texts and pursuing meaningful insights in their responses. In this workshop, students will develop their skills in literary analysis and writing through practice activities with the summer reading to simulate the experience of an English classroom at the upper school level. We will work on identifying strong evidence while reading a text to support arguments, as well as build a personal “tool kit” of strategies for analyzing literary devices, brainstorming for writing assignments, participating in discussions, and preparing for feedback sessions with teachers. Moving on to the next level doesn’t need to be a mystery or a struggle; let’s work together to be prepared.

The Bootcamp is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 12th Graders
Date/Time: June 22 – July 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3:30 p.m. (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)
Teacher: Scott Smith
Cost: $250

Course Description: The last thing any high schooler wants is to start their senior year trapped in a cycle of writing, revising, and rejecting one unsuccessful college essay after another. From picking a suitable topic to writing with purpose and then revising, we will move from not-even-started to ready-to-submit. If you’re the type of student who wants to cross the college essay off their To-Do List quickly and confidently, this class is for you.  Expect to meet formally on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday will be used for individual conference times.

Who: Rising 9th Graders
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00-10:00 a.m. OR 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Teacher: Oggy Smiljanic
Cost: $350

Course Description: Integrated mathematics requires a strong foundation in the algebra concepts introduced in 8th grade. This course will provide a review of important math topics to help students build the necessary understanding to find success in Algebra 1 or Integrated Mathematics 1. Using an individualized approach, students will improve their algebra skills while exploring meaningful problems that require knowledge of many math concepts. The course will also help build problem-solving techniques in preparation for the type of work required in the ninth-grade courses.

Who: Students enrolled in Integrated Math 1 or Geometry for the upcoming school year
Date/Time: July 6-17, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Daniel Wiederkehr
Cost: $350

Course Description: Integrated mathematics requires a strong foundation in algebra concepts. This course will provide a review of important math topics to help students build the necessary understanding to find success in Integrated Mathematics 1 or Geometry. Using an individualized approach, students will improve their algebra skills while exploring meaningful problems that require knowledge of many math concepts. The course will also help build problem-solving techniques in preparation for the type of work required in these courses.

Who: Students enrolled in Integrated Math 2 or Algebra 2 for the upcoming school year
Date/Time: July 6-17, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Teacher: Daniel Wiederkehr
Cost: $350

Course Description: The integrated mathematics track requires a strong foundation in algebra and geometry concepts. This course will provide a review of important math topics to help students retain or (re)build the necessary understanding to find success in Integrated Mathematics 2. Using an individualized approach, students will improve their algebra skills while exploring meaningful problems that require knowledge of crucial math concepts – including, but not limited to, properties of quadratic functions, function notation, function transformations, etc. The course will review several geometry concepts needed for Integrated Math 2 as well as geometry topics that are on the ACT. The course will focus on building problem-solving techniques in preparation for the type of work required in these courses.

Who: Rising 9th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Kenya Gordon
Cost: $350

Course Description: This mini-course prepares students for accelerated physics by strengthening essential mathematical foundations. Students will explore basic vector operations, trigonometry, systems of equations, and quadratic equations—all within the context of physics applications. The course bridges mathematics and physics, allowing students to investigate real-world phenomena through mathematical modeling and problem-solving.

Designed for students entering accelerated physics or those curious about the mathematical approaches to solving physics problems, students will strengthen their math skills for physics applications and gain some hands-on experience with modern problem-solving technologies, including coding and graphing software. By the end of the course, students will have built confidence in their mathematical skills and developed an appreciation for how mathematics serves as the language of physics.

Who: Rising 9th-12th Graders (MICDS Only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Andi Galluppi
Cost: $350

Course Description: This course will focus on building the skills necessary for performing scientific research and discussing how research is conducted and communicated at a professional level. It would be particularly useful for students looking to take the US Research class, participate in research at outside institutions, or improve their performance in science classes in general. The skills we will cover include maintenance of organized research notes and data, precision of measurements, experimental design, and communication. We will also go over how professionals conduct research, including obtaining funding and publishing results. The course will include a miniature independent research component as well.

Who: Rising 9th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Teacher: Brian Coco
Cost: $350

Course Description: A strong start for high school science is key to success. STEM 0.5 is a way for students to learn important information and practice foundational skills necessary for success in the 9th-grade science course. Topics and skills include data collection, experimental design, graphing and data analysis, and dimensional analysis. In addition, we will use the Maker Space to complete a few engineering challenges.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 10th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Teacher: Brian Coco
Cost: $350

Course Description: The STEM 1.5 course is designed both to allow students a review of previously-learned content and to preview content covered during the first semester of Science 10. Using a variety of lab-based lessons, we will cover important content and skills. During the first week, we will cover 9th-grade (mostly end-of-the-year) chemistry skills that are required understanding for moving into 10th-grade science. We will have a chance to go over the end-of-year 9th-grade exam, identify areas of strength and weaknesses, and then focus our time on strengthening those skills. The primary focus is on atomic structure, periodic trends, electron configurations, balancing equations, and mole calculations. Week 2 is primarily a preview into the skills needed at the start of 10th-grade science. We will primarily focus on stoichiometry. 

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 11th & 12th graders (Intended for incoming APCSA students)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Teacher: Phillip Rosen
Cost: $350

Course Description: The goal of the AP Computer Science A Bootcamp is to help students prepare for and gain exposure to topics covered in AP Computer Science A. Students taking AP Computer Science A at MICDS expressed that a foundational course would have been beneficial. This course is designed for students who have minimal previous coding experience and will be focused on introducing students to writing and analyzing code, thinking algorithmically, iterative development and debugging, and programming ethics. Students will come into the school year familiar with topics from the first units of the semester and with their programming environments set up and ready to go. 

Who: Rising 9th-12th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Teacher: Bea Grayson
Cost: $350

Course Description: This intensive summer course is designed for highly motivated students who wish to accelerate their progression in the Spanish language. The course provides a comprehensive review and mastery of core content from the level they aim to bypass (e.g., Spanish 102 or Spanish 200) while introducing essential concepts and skills from the next level. We will review key grammar concepts in a communicative environment while deepening cultural understanding. Successful completion of this course will strongly support meeting the department’s requirements to accelerate the student’s course of study.

Target Audience:

• Students currently enrolled in Spanish level 101 who aim to accelerate to the Spanish 200 level.
• Students who would like to consolidate their foundational knowledge and skills from Spanish 101 or Spanish 100B (8th grade). 

Prerequisites:

• Teacher recommendation based on demonstrated language aptitude, motivation, and work ethic.
• Students should contact their current Spanish teachers in order to enroll in this course. Upon approval, MICDS will then follow up with registration and payment details.

Check out the options for STL Summer Sports Camps and Young Wizards Magic Academy (View YMA flyer)!

This course is being offered through Inspirit AI, an educational AI program that provides project-based artificial intelligence programs focused on building socially impactful AI projects in areas like healthcare, art, and sustainability for middle and high school students. Courses offered by Inspirit AI teach fundamental AI concepts, coding, and practical application.

Who: Rising 5th-8th Graders
Date/Time: June 8-18, 12:15 – 3:45 p.m.
Teacher: Stanford, MIT, and Ivy League Graduates
Cost: $1600
Apply: Learn more and apply here

Course Description: In AI Pioneers, our emerging engineers will learn how to create projects for social good with Python programming language. Through hands-on coding, students will learn how computers can use data to solve complex problems like natural language processing and computer vision. Our students will explore the ways they can meaningfully use AI to predict heart disease, create social robots, assist with disaster relief, and navigate autonomous vehicles.

In our curriculum, we emphasize ethical responsibility, career paths in artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary applications! From beginner to advanced coders, we envision a future where students of all backgrounds can contribute towards a bright future of inclusivity and technological advancement.

Course Structure:

Machine Learning Talks: Learn about machine learning algorithms and techniques in a uniquely interactive, engaging format, before you apply that knowledge in live coding labs.

Hands-On Python Coding: Develop valuable skills in Python, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in our hands-on coding labs, using cutting-edge research to solve real-world problems like heart disease prediction, assistive technologies, and more.

Project-Based Learning: In our final capstone project, students will be able to apply their newly acquired talents in a collaborative, challenging environment, applying AI to an in-depth project. Examples include allocating resources for disaster relief, sustainability improvements, sketch recognition, and creating a movie recommendation system.

Who: Rising 7th and 8th Graders
Date/Time: June 8 – 18, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Teacher: Scott Smith
Cost: $350

Course Description: This is a hands-on course in which students will practice presenting in front of the class on a variety of topics. The focus will be on projecting confidence and charisma when speaking in front of groups. Topics will include the proper design and use of visual aids, engaging with an audience, controlling volume and pace, and how to prepare a speech vs. speaking extemporaneously. Students will give short speeches every day of the course.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 7th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Teacher: Scott Smith
Cost: $350

Course Description: Learn about the brain processes that are required for reading and practice active reading strategies that prepare you for the writing process! Explore ways in which to improve your fluency and comprehension through the practice of guided and directed reading. Build your knowledge of ways in which to infer and analyze your reading and transfer it to writing. Students will practice outlining and idea building as well as sentence structure and conventions that are key parts of the middle school English curriculum. 

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 8th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Teacher: Scott Smith
Cost: $350

Course Description: Learn about the brain processes that are required for reading and practice active reading strategies that prepare you for the writing process! Explore ways in which to improve your fluency and comprehension through the practice of guided and directed reading. Build your knowledge of ways in which to infer and analyze your reading and transfer it to writing. Students will practice outlining and idea building as well as sentence structure and conventions that are key parts of the middle school English curriculum.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 7th and 8th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: July 6-17, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Teacher: Nick Miller
Cost: $350

Course Description: Are you looking to boost your grammar skills and gain confidence in your writing this summer? Join Dr. Miller for an engaging and interactive “Grammar Boost Camp” designed specifically for seventh-grade and eighth-grade students. Whether you are preparing for the upcoming school year or just want to sharpen your language skills, this course will provide a fun and focused learning experience. Together, we will tackle a blend of interactive lessons, group activities, peer editing, and practical exercises to make grammar engaging and relatable. In addition, we will focus on real-world applications, encouraging you to apply your knowledge in writing tasks and discussions. This course is designed to help you review key concepts and fill in gaps in your grammar knowledge. No prior expertise is required.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 5th Graders
Date/Time: June 8-18, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Teacher: Beth Garcia
Cost: $350

Course Description: Join us for an engaging summer course designed to strengthen essential reading, writing, and language skills for rising fifth graders! Using the assigned summer reading novel as our foundation, students will dive deep into reading comprehension strategies, expand their vocabulary, sharpen their grammar skills, and develop their writing abilities. Through interactive discussions, creative writing exercises, and hands-on activities, students will explore the novel’s themes, characters, and literary elements while building confidence in their communication skills. This course provides the perfect balance of academic enrichment and summer fun, ensuring students return to school ready to excel. Whether your child needs extra support or wants to stay sharp over the break, this class offers a supportive environment where young readers and writers can grow.

Who: Rising 6th Graders
Date/Time: June 8-18, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Teacher: Beth Garcia
Cost: $350

Course Description: Join us for an engaging summer course designed to strengthen essential reading, writing, and language skills for rising sixth graders! Using the assigned summer reading novel as our foundation, students will dive deep into reading comprehension strategies, expand their vocabulary, sharpen their grammar skills, and develop their writing abilities. Through interactive discussions, creative writing exercises, and hands-on activities, students will explore the novel’s themes, characters, and literary elements while building confidence in their communication skills. This course provides the perfect balance of academic enrichment and summer fun, ensuring students return to school ready to excel. Whether your child needs extra support or wants to stay sharp over the break, this class offers a supportive environment where young readers and writers can grow.

Who: Rising 7th and 8th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Teacher: Olivia Halverson
Cost: $350

Course Description: Level Up! Middle School Launch Pad is a summer workshop designed to help rising 7th and 8th graders build confidence, independence, and strong executive function skills before the school year begins. In this supportive, small-group setting, students work alongside a teacher who guides them through completing their assigned summer work, introduces practical organization and time-management strategies, and helps them become comfortable using middle school technology platforms. Each part of our process will relate to the MICDS Middle School’s acronym LEAD – learning with curiosity and joy, embracing challenges, advocating for self and others, and demonstrating collaboration and teamwork.

Through a balance of direct instruction, guided practice, and peer collaboration, students learn how to plan ahead, manage digital tools, and take ownership of their learning.

Workshop goals include:

• Making measurable progress on assigned summer work (specifically math and English)
• Learning to plan, prioritize, and manage time effectively
• Practicing organization systems for both digital and paper materials
• Becoming confident in using school technology apps and tools
• Building self-advocacy and study skills for middle school success

Who: Rising 5th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Teacher: Kevin Frankenberger
Cost: $350

Course Description: This summer math course is designed to help build a strong foundational understanding of several middle school math topics. It will allow students the opportunity to review skills from previous courses and look ahead to concepts learned throughout their middle school math experience. Throughout the course, students engage in activities and problem-solving exercises that will encourage them to build confidence in their mathematical abilities! Please note that participation in the course does not lead to acceleration in the math program.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 6th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Teacher: Kevin Frankenberger
Cost: $350

Course Description: This summer math course is designed to help build a strong foundational understanding of several middle school math topics. It will allow students the opportunity to review skills from previous courses and look ahead to concepts learned throughout their middle school math experience. Throughout the course, students engage in activities and problem-solving exercises that will encourage them to build confidence in their mathematical abilities! Please note that participation in the course does not lead to acceleration in the Math program.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 7th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Teacher: Jody Marberry
Cost: $350

Course Description: This summer math course is designed to help build a strong foundational understanding of several middle school math topics. It will allow students the opportunity to review skills from previous courses and look ahead to concepts learned throughout their middle school math experience. Throughout the course, students engage in activities and problem-solving exercises that will encourage them to build confidence in their mathematical abilities! Please note that participation in the course does not lead to acceleration in the math program.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 8th Graders (MICDS only)
Date/Time: June 8-18, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Teacher: Jody Marberry
Cost: $350

Course Description: This summer math course is designed to help build a strong foundational understanding of several middle school math topics. It will allow students the opportunity to review skills from previous courses and look ahead to concepts learned throughout their middle school math experience. Throughout the course, students engage in activities and problem-solving exercises that will encourage them to build confidence in their mathematical abilities! Please note that participation in the course does not lead to acceleration in the math program.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Who: Rising 5th-8th Graders
Date/Time: June 8 – 18, 12:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Teacher: Blake Whitney
Cost: $350

Have you ever wanted to learn to use power tools, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, vinyl cutters, or sewing machines? This is the place to do it! Maybe you already know how to use some or all of these tools and want to explore a project of your own, GREAT! By the end of the Maker course, participants will complete a project of their choosing using one or more of the tools described above.

This course is designed for current and incoming MICDS students.

Check out the options for STL Summer Sports Camps and Young Wizards Magic Academy (View YMA flyer)!

Tuition for Eliot Summer Academy is listed with each course. Some courses may have additional fees to cover books or materials, which would be indicated in the course description. Limited financial aid is available to MICDS families. Please contact Ciera Field, Associate Director of Admission – Tuition Assistance, at cfield@micds.org or (314)995-7405 for more information.

Early registration is encouraged, as class sizes will be kept small (10 to 20 students). A minimum enrollment of 10 students will be required for most courses. In the event a course is canceled, you will be contacted, and registration fees will be refunded.

• Programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The full payment is due for each camper at the time of registration. A camper will not be enrolled and a spot is not guaranteed until full payment is received.
• Registrations that are not paid for by 10 days prior to the start date of the course will be deleted from our system. 
• Payment can be made via credit card or an electronic funds transfer e-check/ACH payment.
• For questions about payment, please contact the Eliot Summer Academy office (contact information listed at bottom of page).
• Necessary medical information will be gathered by the individual coordinator of this program.

• Refunds are available through May 15, 2026, minus a $50 fee per session, per child.
• Beginning May 16, there are no refunds.

Having trouble working around other MICDS opportunities? Contact Director of Eliot Summer Academy Sam Cummins at eliotacademy@micds.org or (314) 995-7355, and we will work with you to schedule with other MICDS programs.