Child 1 Age 14 - 16 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Credit Courses
(5) Overall experience
My child has voluntarily elected to take a course as part of the BSS Summer Academy each of the last three summers. She likes the concentrated nature of the subjects and has really enjoyed the instructors. Summer courses have enabled her to satisfy credit requirements and free up additional space in her course load during the school year. It's been a great option for keeping academic skills sharp and keeping her engaged throughout the summer. She eagerly looks forward to seeing what summer courses will be offered during the Summer Academy and has enjoyed sharing the experience with her fellow classmates, as well as meeting students outside of BSS.
(5) Reason for choosing the program
As a current BSS student, our daughter learned about the Summer Academy program through school. Initially, the program presented an opportunity to satisfy the new provincial requirement for Grade 10 students to complete a course on Skilled Trades and Design Technology over the summer. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the class and did very well. Her experience made her want to consider additional summer courses, and she took Canadian History the following summer. She is registered to take the Functions course this coming July.
(4.5) Program quality and activities
We've been particularly impressed with the instruction for the Summer Academy program. Both experiences have involved teachers outside of BSS who have demonstrated a high degree of enthusiasm for the subject matter. The concentrated nature of the course design allows students to go deeper into certain aspects that are of particular interest to them. Students were also able to apply their own personal interests in executing some of the tasks in design technology, making the subject matter appeal more broadly to their own worldview.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
My child had such a great experience with her initial Summer Academy program that she recruited a number of her friends to take a class the following summer. In total, about 8 of her friends were enrolled in various summer courses, and they would rotate social activities after class each week, including swimming, hosting potluck dinners, or going to an escape room as a group.
(5) Skills and growth
Summer Academy courses require a commitment to academics for 4 weeks. Students spend a full day in class and often have homework or need to prepare for tests or project work outside of the classroom, often including weekends. With that said, my child has thoroughly enjoyed both the instructors and the course material and has never complained about the amount of work required. She likes the singular focus on a particular subject, and it gives her some insight into what it will be like to select a major/minor at university and study a particular area of interest.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
Instructors for the two BSS Summer Academy courses my child has taken have been excellent. In each instance, the instructor was very enthusiastic about the subject matter and was well prepared to keep students engaged for the duration of the school day, without relying too heavily on "self-directed work." I received detailed feedback on my child's progress and performance in class. We've been very happy with the quality of instruction and the overall mark received.
(4.5) Advice and tips
Summer Academy requires a dedicated focus and commitment for the full 4 weeks of the program. With a full day of classes, many evenings and weekends require additional time for reading, studying, and project work. It would be difficult to manage the course load with other competing obligations like part-time jobs, sports, or other family activities while classes are in session.
