Summer 2024 Course Offerings

Each course earns a student one (1.0) credit, unless otherwise noted by an asterisk (*). Courses earning one or one-half credit will appear as graded courses on a student transcript and will factor into student GPA calculation.

Summer courses DO NOT fulfill graduation requirements (with the exception of Honors Physics, Spanish 2, and Theology). 

Day students who reside in the geographic vicinity of Georgetown Prep are expected to attend summer classes in person. Any student who feels he cannot attend class in-person for any reason must receive the approval of the teacher and Dr. Maginnis before enrolling.

Resident students who do not reside in the vicinity of Prep are welcome to attend classes virtually with the approval of the teacher and Dr. Maginnis.

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Piano & Keyboard Tutorials - These tutorials will focus on development and improvement of keyboard skills such as repertoire, technique, music reading, improvisation, harmonization, score reading, and transposition. Lessons will be for at least two hours per week and can be arranged at the mutual convenience of the teacher and student. Please contact Mr. Ashur to arrange a schedule for the tutorials (tashur@gprep.org). This course is for enrichment only; it will not appear on a student’s transcript.
Cost: $1000
Instructors: Mr. Tony Ashur
Session & Class Time: Session 1

Summer Geometry – This course is intended to accelerate the curricular progression for rising sophomores. This course is by invitation only; a student must have excelled as a freshman in Intermediate Algebra or Algebra, and must have shown the requisite level of mathematical fluency and ability to be considered for enrollment by the Department. A student must enroll in Honors Precalculus as a sophomore following successful completion of the course.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Mr. Bill Whalen
Session & Class Time: Session 1, 9 am - 12 pm

Honors Physics - This course will follow traditional subjects of classical mechanics.  The students will start by learning the concepts of kinematics.  We will then show the connection between kinematics and force by showing the relationship between acceleration and net force.  Once we cover these topics we will start to talk about rotational motion and how this is connected to our previous topics.  We will learn about torque, moment of inertia and angular acceleration.  Next we will learn about simple harmonic motion and its connection to wave motion.  During the last section of this course we will learn the principles of electric force, electric field, electric potential and electric potential energy.  We will make connections between the gravitational fields and electric fields.  This course will cover the same content as a full year Honors Physics course at Prep.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Mr. Tom Fenfert
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Organic Chemistry Inquiry Labs: This course will teach fundamental lab techniques for chemistry research through a series of experiments designed to hone specific skills. From utilizing the scientific method to design the optimal procedure to make the perfect cookie (yes, we'll be baking) to the investigation of different variables and their effect on substitution reaction mechanisms, students will learn how to synthesize organic molecules, isolate, purify, and identify their products. These skills are used every day in chemistry research labs, so you will get a feel for what sorts of manipulations and approaches are used in actual research settings.

This course is in collaboration with the University of Maryland, so students will go on multiple field trips to UMD to use a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to collect spectroscopy data, tour their lab facilities, and sit in on a college lecture relevant to their project. By the end of the course, students are expected to write a scientific paper and give a research presentation for a final grade.

This course was designed to prepare students for future research, internships/careers, and advanced degrees in Chemistry, or similar fields.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. Kim Rehwoldt
Session & Class Time: Session 1, flexible timing

Introduction to Trial Law - So you think you want to be a trial lawyer? This class will provide valuable insight into the requisite skills of the trial lawyer and the importance of teamwork. You will gain exposure to the key elements of a winning case. These elements include analyzing and addressing the strengths and weaknesses of your client’s case, preparing a trial strategy, witness prep, direct and cross examination of witnesses, making objections, and drafting and delivering effective opening statements and persuasive closing arguments. The class will culminate in a mock trial. The class will meet for 2 weeks, Monday - Friday, 9 am – 2 pm, June 3–14. Active class participation, case reading, and some writing assignments will be required. Enrollment is limited to 18 students.
Cost: $1500
Instructor: Mr. Errol Patterson
Dates: Monday, June 3 - Friday, June 14, 2024, 9 am–2 pm
Mr. Errol R. Patterson is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Baltimore School of Law school where he teaches Civil Procedure. He has over thirty years of trial law experience. 

Theology III –  This summer Theology course is designed for rising juniors who would greatly benefit from increased flexibility in their school-year schedule. The course will focus on Christian ethics, both personal and social. Students will engage the questions of what it means to be virtuous and how to make ethical decisions by drawing on the classical philosophical traditions, social psychology, and the Christian spirituality. Through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, students will also examine what it means to live a faith that does justice.
This summer class covers the academic coursework of Theology III, but students are still expected to be in contact with the teacher throughout the school year, during which time additional spiritual components of the course (e.g., service reflections) will be completed. (Prerequisite: Theology II and approval of both the Academic Dean and Theology Chair)
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Mr. Julius Tangwe
Session & Class Time: Session 1, 9 am - 12 pm
 

Day students who reside in the geographic vicinity of Georgetown Prep are expected to attend summer classes in person. Any student who feels he cannot attend class in-person for any reason must receive the approval of the teacher and Dr. Maginnis before enrolling.

Resident students who do not reside in the vicinity of Prep are welcome to attend classes virtually with the approval of the teacher and Dr. Maginnis.

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Latin 2 - This course covers all of the same material as the course during the school year, but at a faster and more dedicated pace.  This class is perfect for sophomores in Latin I who find that they really enjoy the material, or freshmen who want to speed up their progress through the departmental progression.  It should be noted that Advanced Placement Latin is the fourth year course; any student who starts Latin as a sophomore can only reach the AP level by taking a summer course. Like Latin I, Latin II combines the study of grammar, vocabulary, and translation. The summer class allows the student to pull off the proverbial band-aid of grammar and vocabulary and move more quickly into high level material. By focusing on five weeks of rigorous study, the student can move directly into Latin III – a translation, culture, and history based course. This course does not complete the Latin requirement; every student must enroll in Honors Latin III the following school year.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. Bob Brewer
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Latin 3 -  This course covers all of the same material as the course during the school year, but at a faster and more dedicated pace.  This class is perfect for juniors who just completed Latin II, or for sophomores who would like to advance directly to the AP class as juniors.  In addition, the Prep Latin department offers Latin V for those students who take AP as juniors and would like to take another year of Latin.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. George Hendren
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Homeric Greek – Homeric Greek is an intensive introduction to the dialect of the Homeric epics (the Iliad and the Odyssey). The course is intended for students with little to no background in Ancient Greek, and covers material similar to that found in the college-level introductory sequences. Students will leave Homeric Greek prepared for intermediate (second-semester) Attic Greek at the college level, and capable of reading select passages from the Iliad and the Odyssey with the aid of a commentary and dictionary.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. George Hendren
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 12 - 3 pm

Latin I - Incoming freshmen with some experience in Latin and advanced sophomores may accelerate their progression through the Classics requirement by taking summer Latin I. This class covers the same material as Latin I in the academic year, but at a faster pace, combining the study of grammar, vocabulary, and translation. The summer class allows students to take AP Latin in their sophomore or junior year, creating flexibility in scheduling for upperclassmen. Students will leave Latin I prepared for Latin II or honors Latin II during the school year. This course does not contribute to the Latin requirement; every student must enroll in two years of Latin during the academic year.
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. George Hendren
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 1 - 4 pm

Algebra 2 Bridge Class – This is a math academic support course, meant to help rising juniors prepare for the Algebra 2 curriculum. Designed for students who struggled in both Algebra 1 and Geometry, this course aims to give students the skills and confidence to be successful in the junior and senior year math curricula, as well as on the important standardized tests taken in those years. This course will run for four weeks, from 7/15 to 8/9; class will meet for synchronous sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with Tuesday and Thursday reserved for independent student work. This course is for enrichment only and no grade or credit will be assigned.
Cost: $1500
Instructor: Mr. John DeCaro
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Geometry Bridge Class - This is a math academic support course, meant to help rising sophomores prepare for the Geometry curriculum. Designed for students who struggled in Algebra, this course aims to give students the skills and confidence to be successful in the sophomore year curriculum and beyond. This course will run for four weeks, from 7/15 to 8/9; class will meet for synchronous sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with Tuesday and Thursday reserved for independent student work. This course is for enrichment only and no grade or credit will be assigned.
Cost: $1500
Instructor: Mr. John DeCaro
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 1 - 4 pm

Spanish 2 – This summer Spanish course is designed for students interested in fulfilling their modern language requirement ahead of schedule. It is an intensive, fast-paced course that will reinforce and build upon the language skills acquired in Spanish I. Students will develop the ability to tell stories in the past and make predictions about the future, while also learning to communicate about a variety of foundational topics, including students' homes and communities, their childhood experiences, events taking place in the news, and the world of technology. The main goal of this course is to develop a higher proficiency of communication skills in the Spanish language. Students will also deepen their understanding of the rich cultural traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. (Prerequisite: Spanish 1 or Honors Spanish 1)
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Mr. Matt Fitzgibbons
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Honors Chemistry - Honors Chemistry is a rigorous introductory chemistry course. The class will emphasize an understanding of the microscopic basis for why macroscopic phenomena occur rather than memorization of the phenomena themselves. Honors Chemistry will also demand greater dexterity with mathematics and problem solving than regular Chemistry. The course will develop students’ ability to reason critically and scientifically, to justify claims with evidence, and to effectively communicate their ideas.  The summer administration of this course does not fulfill a student’s second-year Science requirement; each student must continue on to another science course in the following year.     
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. Kim Rehwoldt
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 1 - 4 pm

The Colonna Biomedical and Biotech Enrichment Program - In this summer enrichment program students will track the molecular causes of disease, learn about tools used to study disease mechanisms, and explore emerging technologies to treat disease. Students will investigate central concepts in molecular biology, immunology, bioinformatics and structure-based drug design. Students will also research a disease of their choice, describe its molecular origin, and explore current and future treatment options. At the end of the course students must present their findings at a poster colloquium. Moreover students will be required to work collaboratively to create a short demonstration of what they learned for future students and with future Hoyas. Due to the nature of the class, students will need to have flexibility in their schedule to conduct research outside of class, and they may be asked to stay longer than the typical 3-hr class schedule to participate in field trips and/or extended lab work. Students will gain a rigorous introduction to biomedical research and lab skills that may enable them to be more competitive in pre-collegiate lab internship applications. Students will also have the opportunity to pitch independent research projects and continue their work through the school year. (Prerequisite: A 90 or above in Freshman Honors Biology, Hon Chemistry or special permission from Dr. DeFeo.)
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Dr. Chris DeFeo
Session & Class Time: Session 2, 9 am - 12 pm

Theology II –  This summer Theology course is designed for rising sophomores who would greatly benefit from increased flexibility in their school-year schedule. The course will serve as an introduction to the Bible. Students will examine its formation, history, content, and relevance, both in a historical and contemporary context. In this course, students will actually examine the Biblical text in an attempt to discover who wrote the stories, why these stories were written, how the stories have been redacted, what is the deeper meaning of these texts, and how are these stories relevant today.

This summer class covers the academic coursework of Theology II, but students are still expected to be in contact with the teacher throughout the school year, during which time additional spiritual components of the course (e.g., service reflections) will be completed. (Prerequisite: Theology I and approval of both the Academic Dean and Theology Chair)
Cost: $2000
Instructor: Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald

Summer Theology II and Summer Theology III
There is a special application process for these courses. If accepted, the student will receive a private registration link. 

Theology II - Application

Theology III - Application

Dr. Erik Maginnis
Academic Dean, Latin Teacher, Faculty
emaginnis@gprep.org
301-214-1229