Opportunities for Middle Schoolers >
PHS 101 Register here >
July 5th - July 28th
Monday – Thursday 9am — 2:00 pm
Cost $400.00
(After June 24th a $50.00 late fee will be applied)
Includes TACHS prep book and all supplies.
Lunch is provided.
About the Program for 7th & 8th Grade students
Preston High Schools Reach for Excellence program was developed to prepare ambitious middle school students for high school success. Although there are various sports activities and camps available in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, our program provides an alternative to students seeking to enrich their academics while exploring possible career interests.
Our program includes 3 TACHS practice exams.
Our extensive STEM component of our program engages our young women by immersing them into science, technology, engineering and mathematics through games and practical learning experiences. The Math class will review skills needed for the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High School) exam. In addition, our girls discover how things work through a hands-on approach in chemistry, forensic science, biology, physics, earth science, geometry, and applied math. By the end of the program, their excitement allows them to realize that careers and opportunities in STEM are rewarding, exciting, enjoyable, and viable.
The history class examines various time periods in World and U.S. History, including Ancient Greece and Rome, the founding of the Massachusetts Bay colony, the Salem Witch Trials, and the early days of the Constitution, while applying different lenses, including civics and economics. The class employs collaborative learning, project based learning, and independent work. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, utilize various forms of media, write creatively and illustrate their creations, and solve mysteries from the past. During the afternoon mock trial workshop, students learn legal vocabulary, steps in a trial, parties to a case, and rules of evidence. They are assigned a role in the case ranging from attorney to juror to reporter, and use the evidence and witnesses they have been given to put on a mock trial, where they decide guilt or innocence.
The English class reviews skills needed for the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) exam as well as writing skills and develops public speaking abilities. The young women gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of good writing through a variety of collaborative and independent activities, such as: poetry, fiction, creative and non-fiction readings, daily writing-related prompts and activities, and daily grammar and diction tips. The workshop environment teaches them to give and receive constructive criticism and, most importantly, encourages these young women to improve their work within a strong community of fellow writers. During camp, they can expect that their writing abilities and sensibilities to be refined and invigorated.
The language and culture appreciation part of the program provides an opportunity to learn the beginnings of a new language as well as exposing them to the culture and traditions. Physiological studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer several mental benefits. Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language. Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture. The language and culture appreciation part of the program provides an opportunity to learn one of the world's most elegant and historic languages while exploring the lively culture through food, music, dance, games and traditions.
The art classes provide an opportunity to explore their creative side. Projects may include photography, wire art, clay bowls, plaster masks. Art helps develop project management skills, different hands-on abilities, a sense of pride and achievement as well as time management skills.
During the video production seminar, students meet in the studio of our S.M.E.B. Center (Sister's Media, Editing & Broadcasting Center), where they are introduced to film-making: from interviewing skills and camera functions to editing and post-production music and graphics. Video production is a collaborative effort that requires many skill sets (form pre-production writing and organization to post-production visual and sound effects). It requires effort, but, as anyone who has tried to make a movie can attest, it is also a lot of fun!