What makes Salisbury Summer School Unique?

While many summer schools offer reading and study skills courses, only Salisbury immerses students in a curriculum and academic environment structured exclusively to promote better organization and improved reading and writing. Minimizing distractions and maximizing student teacher contact (a 4:1 ratio), Salisbury employs experienced teachers, who also serve as dorm monitors and advisors. Students become part of a five-week summer boarding school in which teachers get to know students more thoroughly than during an eight-month regular boarding school.

Five unique aspects of this program have been developed over time and have proven to be highly successful in meeting the objectives that were established over five decades ago. These distinguishing features are: 

Assessments in Lieu of Grades

The opportunity to work solely for personal improvement and to take some academic risks is enhanced by the Salisbury Summer School's tradition of replacing grades with extensive teacher assessments and frequent advisor-advisee meetings.

Reading Rate Classes

During the first week all students are tested for their reading skills. Using these results as guidelines, our reading rate specialist meets with each of the Reading and Study Skills classes three times a week. The final week is devoted to further testing to measure students' improvement.

SAT Improvement

Each course employs specific materials and drills which will, among other benefits, improve standardized test scores. Vocabulary classes use words which occur most often on the SAT's; Compositition classes practice timed, short, actual SAT II essay questions; Reading and Study Skills class focuses on both the rate and comprehension of standardized tests. In additition, our upper level algebra elective class concentrates on SAT practice in Math.

Friday Assembly Program

The goal of the assembly program is to include every member of the Summer School community at some point over the course of the session. Faculty members will demonstrate readings and performances at the opening assembly, and they will encourage students and advisees to get involved as the summer progresses. Offerings may include poetry and prose readings, brief dramatic scenes and musical performances.

Positive Reinforcement

Teachers and advisors seek to foster close student-teacher relationships by being supportive and understanding. Weekly faculty meetings, in which each student is discussed, ensures a consistent, team-generated approach to each individual.