A+ Summer
For students who are driven by creative ideas or intuitive talents, who are above average in the classroom and want a fun, intellectual challenge this summer, A+ Summer is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be immersed in an environment that encourages advanced thinking, creative problem solving, and a lifelong love of learning.
Students have the exclusive opportunity to live and study with like-minded peers at Stanford University, the academic heart of American innovation and entrepreneurship. With the help of a dynamic staff of dedicated “live-in” instructors, participants will push beyond standard school curriculum and learn to think outside of the box. Our stimulating courses build student proficiency in the logic, critical thinking, and writing skills that are essential for academic success at any level.
A+ Summer is divided into three separate sessions- one for middle school students, one for 9th and 10th graders, and one for entering 11th and 12th graders. Each program boasts an exciting schedule of classes and unforgettable recreational activities, including Bay Area excursions, guest speakers and daily entertainment. To learn more about a particular session, click on the pertinent link below.
The A+ Summer Pre-College program engages 11th and 12th grade students in college-level academic activities that build the practical skills necessary for college success.
The A+ Summer High School program challenges 9th and 10th grade students in high-level academic activities that develop skills that promote high school success and achievement.
The A+ Summer Middle School program challenges 6th to 8th grade students to design and execute their own solutions to contemporary problems, as they explore their potential as inventors, detectives, and strategists.
Admission Requirements A+ Summer programs are selective. Students must demonstrate academic abilities by submitting a copy of their report card or transcript evidencing a 3.0 GPA or equivalent. Exceptions to this rule are made on a case-by-case basis and require a writing sample.
“The bonds and relationships that I formed with fellow students is going to be ever lasting…This whole experience is one of the most beneficial and rewarding things in my life.” – Manasi Ghatge, 2007 Pre-College camper
“I expected camp to be filled with nerdy kids and I was completely blown out of the water. The classes were interesting and captivating, and the people were some of the best I have ever met.” - Arielle Zina 2006 A+ High School camper
California Actors Workshop
California Actors Workshop offers a concentrated summer training experience in the art and craft of acting. Young actors have the opportunity to learn the crucial skills of building characters, playing objectives, and expressing interior emotions physically and vocally. Students discover not only how to express themselves individually but also how to work as an ensemble, gaining valuable leadership skills while having fun and making friends.
Practice the Techniques Professionals Use This hands-on, conservatory-style program gives students a chance to learn some of the most important and influential acting practices of the modern theater. Our core curriculum draws from Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares, the foundation of twentieth century realistic acting. Other courses (based on faculty expertise) may include Improvisation, Voice, Movement, Script Analysis, Shakespeare, and Acting for the Camera. Courses become more advanced and intensive over the course of our three specialized sessions.
Learn from Real Theater Artists At the California Actors Workshop, we believe that actors learn best by actively working with professional and academic theater artists who are devoted to nurturing the next generation of actors. Students here immerse themselves in scene work and exercises under the instruction of a top-notch faculty. All of our instructors either teach acting at prestigious universities such as UC Berkeley and Stanford University or have substantial professional acting and directing experience. Additional master classes offer students the rare opportunity to develop their craft with inspiring and accomplished guest artists.
Visit Theaters in the San Francisco Bay Area Located on the Stanford University campus, the California Actors Workshop exposes students to the rich theatrical heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area. Actors ranging from Annette Bening to Robin Williams got their starts in San Francisco. Bay Area theaters such as the American Conservatory Theater, the Magic Theater, and the Berkeley Repertory Theater have launched many successful acting careers and have given voice to some of the most important playwrights of the twentieth century, including Sam Shepard, Tony Kushner, and David Henry Hwang. Students at this Workshop will attend plays at professional San Francisco and Berkeley theaters, discuss production choices with actors and directors, and even have the opportunity to see what goes on “behind the scenes.”
College Admission Programs
College admission is one of the most significant milestones in a student’s life. Excellent preparation and informed support can make the greatest difference in realizing a student’s future aspirations.
Education Unlimited pioneered the concept of comprehensive summer college admission preparation in 1993 with our groundbreaking College Admission Prep Camp, a residential program that helps college bound students with SAT prep, college counseling, and essay writing instruction. We have since expanded our admissions prep offerings to help families find the CAPC that best fits their needs, schedule, and budget.
Diverse Options Education Unlimited offers two different version of our College Admission Prep Camp of varied intensities, locations and prices, so families can choose a best-fit program. Explore the links below to learn more about which program best suites your family’s needs:
Why choose Education Unlimited’s College Admission Prep Camp program?
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Education Unlimited's CAPC offers more than twice the SAT preparation offered by any other competing program.
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Students have the opportunity to intensively concentrate on SAT preparation without the distractions of school year assignments, clubs and activities.
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Personal Statement instruction is not an afterthought but a significant part of the daily schedule. Students receive one-on-one advice and instruction from the best English educators, in order that they may complete this portion of their application by the end of the program.
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Instructors live on campus with the students as supervisors and mentors. The professional bonds made between faculty and students facilitate a close-knit community unlike traditional school.
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Students make new friends from across the nation and around the world!
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With the guidance of college counselors, participants tour area universities, meet college students, and ask admissions representatives questions about life on campus!
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Students learn to prepare for an interview with admissions officers from any of their top choices.
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Student to teacher ratios are small: 1:10 in writing classes and no more than 1:15 in other units.
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After camp, students leave with a personalized college admissions timeline, flash cards, practice tests, a college essay, list of target schools and a clear vision of how to get into the college of their choice.
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Students have fun! With excursions to boardwalks, shopping malls, movie theaters and sporting venues, Education Unlimited programs balance academic rigor with amusement and adventure.
Computer Camp
Computers and Video Production programs.
Emerging Writers Institute
Creative writing camp in Berkeley for teens. Participants learn to write for real publications & experience Berkeley & San Francisco writing scene while living in college dorms!
Online SAT Prep
In order to give our client families a year-round SAT test prep option, we have partnered with ePrep, provider of the world's first online video-based standardized test study programs. ePrep is a leading innovator in SAT test preparation and features online, video-based courses with expert instruction. Founded by a team of Princeton University graduates, ePrep is the most affordable, expert way to maximize your standardized test scores online.
ePrep offers score guarantees, video instruction on right and wrong answers, questions carefully crafted to provide exact simulation of real SAT questions, and a proven record of score improvement.
Act now and get discounts of up to 40% off ePrep SAT prep online courses!
View a demo of ePrep and learn more about online SAT prep at our partner page: http://www.eprep.com/partner/educationunlimited.
Enroll in an ePrep course through Education Unlimited and receive 30% off ePrep's retail prices!
Pre-Paid Camp Certificates
Are you still looking for a great gift for one or more of the special kids in your family?
Available during the holiday season, our pre-paid camp certificate packages enable you to give the gift of an Education Unlimited summer camp! We've also priced these special packages to give you extra value for your money -- for each certificate you purchase, you'll receive an extra bonus credit of up to 10% of the purchase price depending the package you choose.
With the wonderful array of camps Education Unlimited offers, from Acting Camp to Video Production to College Admission Prep Camp to Sally Ride Science Camp to Public Speaking Camp and even more, there is sure to be a choice that will be a good fit for the kids in your life, and that will give them an experience they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives.
To purchase a certificate, go to our online application and begin the enrollment process. At the prompt for camp selection, select “Pre-Paid Certificate” and then choose the amount you’d like to purchase from the drop-down menu. After your online purchase you will receive a follow-up email with details about how to redeem your certificate. Please see the terms and conditions below and on our website. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate over the phone, please call our staff at 510-548-6612.
- Certificate terms and conditions: certificate purchases are non-refundable and are not redeemable for cash. Our standard cancellation policies apply to any certificate redemptions. Certificates expire three years after the date of purchase and may be redeemed at anytime after January 2, 2011. Certificates cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Unredeemed certificates may be transferred to another student.
Prep Camp Excel
Public Speaking Institute
Too many young people have something to say but do not have the tools to speak in public effectively and with comfort. Sharpening communication abilities helps young people succeed in a world that demands confidence, articulation and the ability to clearly communicate ideas. By building superior speaking skills, students will prepare to excel in school, attain their dream jobs, defend their beliefs and values, and become leaders in their schools and communities.
Education Unlimited is the national leader in providing noncompetitive public speaking summer programs for kids and teens. Education Unlimited was founded in 1993 by a group of speech and debate coaches who developed our innovative curriculum. Today, our curriculum directors and on-site faculty and staff include coaches at some of the nation’s premiere high schools and universities and former speech, debate, and mock trial competitors who reached national levels of success.
5 Reasons to Focus on Public Speaking This Summer!
Public speaking is a necessary and indispensable life skill, and most people are called upon to speak in public at some point in their lives.
Public speaking improves research and organization abilities- crucial skills for high school and college success.
Employers rank public speaking as one of the top skills they look for in employees. Students can get a head start on their dream careers by developing skills that will translate in the workforce.
Speech and debate activities involve “active construction of knowledge.” Students have the opportunity to synthesize, analyze, and utilize new information, rather than merely memorizing facts. According to Communication Education, debate can increase critical thinking skills by 44% in one year and high school reading skills by as much as 25% in one year.
Speech helps develop social skills, such as confidence, eye contact, poise, and articulation.
Sally Ride Science Camp
Sally Ride Science Camps encourage girls’ interests in science by giving them hands-on science learning and activities in an environment that is designed to be supportive, enriching, and – most importantly – fun! Education Unlimited® has partnered with Sally Ride Science, founded by America’s first woman in space, to provide innovative science programs for girls entering grades 4 through 9. These unique overnight and day camps provide girls an opportunity to explore science, technology, and engineering while doing fun science experiments for kids on an actual college campus.
We offer Overnight and Day Camp options at six campuses in California and Boston. Click on the links below to learn more about the program.
Summer Focus at Berkeley
Summer Focus at UC Berkeley - Summer Session for high school students
Summer Focus summer study at UC Berkeley is a comprehensive 6-week pre-college summer program offered for high school students in a rare public-private partnership between Education Unlimited® and UC Berkeley Summer Sessions. Summer Focus pre-college camp for high school students at UC Berkeley is designed to provide a small-group learning environment for talented and motivated high school students who want to experience college life. Student attend an actual UC Berkeley Summer Sessions class, receive support from our Education Unlimited program staff, tutoring as necessary, and have fun learning with other high schools students from around the United States and from other countries.
Precollege program for high school students - summer academic study
Summer Focus pre-college summer study camp allows entering junior and senior high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while being introduced to college life, and have a great time on a variety of recreational excursions while meeting new people from diverse backgrounds.
Summer Focus students take one UC Berkeley course for 3-4 units of transferable college credit, and choose two Summer Focus enrichment courses taught by Education Unlimited's® expert staff. Our Summer Focus enrichment courses are afternoon classes designed to offer additional educational opportunities such as Kaplan® SAT Test Prep or College-Level Writing as well as fun learning adventures such as Surfing, Literary Tour of the Bay Area, or Creative Writing and Illustration. Enrichment courses are designed to compliment the student's overall Summer Focus at UC Berkeley experience and offer a much more memorable experience than regular summer school classes.
Summer Focus Fun! Summer Focus is pre-college preparation for high school students but is designed so participants not only learn a lot, but also enjoy a true college experience! Summer Focus usually attracts a number of study abroad students from foreign countries looking for summer study and pre-college enrichment in Berkeley, bringing a strong cultural exchange experience to the program. In addition to excellent academics, Summer Focus offers a great social environment and exciting recreational activities. Students have the opportunity to explore the vibrant and culturally rich city of Berkeley, including Telegraph Avenue and other areas surrounding the campus. We also dine out in Berkeley occasionally, enjoy films in the dorms and around town, and visit local cultural attractions. Summer Focus students swim at Strawberry Canyon, play basketball at the Golden Bear Recreation Center, study over espresso in local coffee houses, and generally have a chance to experience life as a Cal undergraduate.
The EU Advantage The Education Unlimited® Headquarters is located in the heart of Berkeley, allowing us to maintain strong ties to the city, campus, and the greater Bay Area. The tuition for our six-week Summer Focus program, includes:
- UC Berkeley tuition fees
- Room & Board on the UC Berkeley campus
- All recreational excursions
- ALL summer 2009 and 2010 participants who completed to program said they would recommend the program to other students, and most rated to program 9/10 or 10/10 in overall program quality.
- Great student staff ratios with the summer 2010 program averaging one on-site staff member for every six participants.
Program Requirements
Enrollment in the Summer Focus program is restricted to rising high school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students are also required to submit a letter of recommendation from a current teacher and will be interviewed by an Education Unlimited home office staff member before being granted admission to the program. UC Berkeley Summer Sessions maintains its own records on each student, and after an account has been established for a student it is generally the case that the student/family must make changes in course enrollments directly with the University. If a student withdraws from the program entirely, responsibility for notifying the Summer Sessions office for the purpose of tuition assessment lies completely with the family. All tuition fees assessed to a student's account and billed to Education Unlimited by UC Berkeley Summer Sessions are not refundable from Education Unlimited, and any requests for tuition adjustment once class enrollment is finalized must be submitted directly to UC Berkeley Summer Sessions.
What courses can I take?
Education Unlimited has prepared a list of courses which we suggest for students in our Summer Focus program. Please visit our Summer Focus suggested courses page for more information about specific courses.
To Learn More... Summer Focus at Berkeley is commonly known as a 'pre-college summer program' or 'summer study program,' but what you need to know is that this program effectively combines learning with summer adventures and excursions, so that you truly get a feel for college before having to make the important decision of what college to choose. Please contact us for a course listing and any additional questions you may have.
Video Production Camp
Video Production Camp is a fun and exciting program that allows students to work directly with professionals in the field of industrial film and video production. Campers produce, direct, light, shoot and edit like the experts as they make their own movies. Students will learn to utilize titles, graphics, music, voice-over and live-action video while developing leadership, communication, project management, creative design and technical skills. Students work in a lab equipped with all the video cameras, production lighting and PC-based editing systems so that they may learn-by-doing as they shoot and edit their own movies. A professional staff of instructors with over twenty years in film, television and video production guides students through a fun and exciting educational experience. Dynamic instructors, a full program of elective activities and the latest production technology provide a nurturing environment with a challenging edge.
We offer a Regular and an Advanced Session of Video Production Camp. Please click on the links below to learn more about the programs.