Saint Bernard School launched a new online studies program to encourage students to stay engaged with learning and stay connected to the school during the summer.
The program allowed students to enroll in online courses for credit and as academic enrichment, and was open to current Saint Bernard students and middle school or high school-aged students interested in participating. The virtual classes were taught in real-time to resemble the look and feel of a classroom.
“We recognized a need in our own school and the region for students to stay connected to each other and their education over the summer,” said Holly Cyr, school counselor at Saint Bernard and the summer program coordinator for the school. “This new program was designed to give students and parents those opportunities in a safe, but rigorous academic environment.”
Courses were taught by a Saint Bernard faculty member or professors from a local college. Subjects ranged from general interest classes such as creative writing to more specialized topics such as constitutional law, Chinese influence in Latin America, intimations of infinity, economics, and computer science. Enrichment classes included SAT preparation, writing the college essay, survey of advanced mathematics, competitive math, and study skills. The courses were offered on a staggered basis throughout the summer.
In addition to opening the online classes to all residents of Southeastern Connecticut, Saint Bernard School officials partnered with schools in other parts of the world to allow students to participate.
“This summer program was part of our school’s wider mission to serve the needs of students not just at our school but throughout the region,” Cyr said. “We received positive responses from families happy to have this opportunity, and added extra class sections to accommodate that interest.”
For more information about Saint Bernard School, please visit the school website at saintbernardschool.org or call 860-848-1271.
By Kim Hodges