Program Description

Miss Porter’s School Summer Programs

Summer Programs for Middle School Girls
Farmington, Connecticut


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For More Information, Contact
Summer Programs Office
Miss Porter’s School
60 Main Street
Farmington, Connecticut 06032
860-409-3692
800-HI SARAH (choose option 3; toll-free)
Fax: 860-409-3537
http://www.mpssummerprograms.org
E-mail: summer_programs@missporters.org

Type of Program: Leadership, science, athletics, Chinese
Participants: Girls entering grades 7–9 (athletics programs begin with grade 6)
Enrollment: 12 to 50 students per program; 150 total
Program Dates: Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 (Session 1): June 21–27; Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 (Session 2) and Level 2: June 27–July 3; The Athletic Experience: June 27–July 3; Summer Challenge: July 5–17; Daoyun Chinese Intensive Language Program: June 21–July 17
Head of Program: Terry Armington, Director

Location

The Miss Porter’s School Summer Programs take place on the campus of Miss Porter’s School in the historic village of Farmington, 9 miles from Hartford, Connecticut.

Background and Philosophy

Miss Porter’s School Summer Programs offer girls from across the United States and around the world the opportunity to explore and develop their interests and skills in leadership, science, Chinese language, or athletics and to try out boarding school life at Miss Porter’s School. Started in 1995, Summer Challenge was developed in response to research on the importance of the middle school years to girls’ continued interest and competency in mathematics, science, and technology. The Sarah Porter Leadership Institute was introduced in 2003, The Athletic Experience was launched in 2005, and the Trailside Cross-Country Program came to Porter’s in 2008. A respected leader in girls’ education since 1843, Miss Porter’s School offers the demanding curriculum, collaborative environment, and diverse community that distinguish the finest boarding schools.

Program Offerings

The Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 (June 21–27 or June 27–July 3; girls entering grades 7–9) develops girls’ leadership potential as they learn about communication, goal setting, conflict resolution, and more. After participating in the Level 1 curriculum during the first week, students who are accepted to the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 2 (June 27–July 3; girls entering grades 8 and 9) gain more extensive leadership experience through more advanced activities, projects, and trips.
Daoyun Chinese Intensive Language Program (June 21–July 17; girls entering grades 7–9) students learn to speak, comprehend, read, and write Chinese and are introduced to modern Chinese culture, speaking more often in Chinese as the program progresses.
The Athletic Experience (June 27–July 3; girls entering grades 6–9) is designed for beginning and experienced athletes to develop skills in three sports. Girls choose from basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, squash, and volleyball.
Trailside Cross-Country Program (June 27–July 3; girls entering grades 6–9) combines training and learning with fun. Focused on the needs of the female runner, from the beginning to the veteran harrier, the program is an outstanding early-season training experience.
Summer Challenge (July 5–17; girls entering grades 7–9) students become forensic investigators of a mock crime through hands-on activities.
More information about all of Porter’s Summer Programs can be found at http://www.mpssummerprograms.org.

Enrollment

Girls come to Porter’s Summer Programs from across the United States and around the world. Participants may choose one or more of the five programs; their stay on campus can vary from six days to a month.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Each of the programs offers special evening activities and field trips that support the program’s goals. For example, participants in the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1 complete a ropes course and hear presentations by women who are leaders in their fields, and girls who stay on for Level 2 go on a camping trip and plan and execute a service project in a nearby community. Athletes who attend The Athletic Experience and Trailside Cross-Country hear from a sports psychologist and attend a professional sporting event. Students in Summer Challenge may travel together to New York City or Boston for a weekend day of museum visits and exploration. Girls who attend more than one program enjoy time to relax and be with friends between the end of one program and the beginning of the next program. Girls have the chance to settle into their new dorm rooms, and activities are informal. There may be a trip to the movies or to play mini-golf.

Facilities

The Sarah Porter Leadership Institute, The Athletic Experience, Trailside Cross-Country Program, Daoyun Chinese Intensive Language Program, and Summer Challenge all make extensive use of the wide range of Porter’s facilities. The historic campus in Farmington Village, classrooms, theater, art studios, library, computer labs, language lab, and athletic facilities provide a resource-rich experience for Summer Programs girls.
Students live in small, homelike dormitories, most of which are former family residences. Meals are served in the Dining Hall in the Main building. The dorms are supervised by counselors, many of whom are recent graduates of Miss Porter’s School, and by senior program faculty members and program directors.
A security officer monitors the Porter’s campus around-the-clock. Each security officer, as well as several counselors, is trained in basic first aid and CPR. A security officer can respond to any campus emergency within minutes. Dormitories are kept locked; students gain access to their dorms by using the swipe card lock system.

Staff

All of the program directors are Miss Porter’s School teachers and administrators during the regular school year. Summer Programs teachers come from Porter’s and other area independent schools, and most of the counselors are recent graduates of Porter’s.

Medical Care

Medical care is provided by the Porter’s physician, who is on call 24 hours a day for consultations and to arrange office visits. For The Athletic Experience and Trailside Cross-Country Program, a licensed athletic trainer is also on hand throughout the programs. In an emergency, the student is taken to the Emergency Room of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. Parents (or guardians) are notified whenever contact is made with a physician regarding the health of their daughter. If an office visit is required, the family receives a bill from the physician. Enrolled students receive information regarding submitting a physical examination record, proof of health insurance (or purchasing health insurance), and medication authorization forms.

Costs

In 2008, tuition was $850 for the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute Level 1, $1000 for the Leadership Institute Level 2, $800 for The Athletic Experience and Trailside Cross-Country, $2250 for Summer Challenge (two-week program), and $3200 for Daoyun Chinese Intensive Language Program (monthlong program). Tuition included the academic/program fee, room and board, course materials, field trips, and a Porter’s Summer Programs T-shirt. The application fee was $35. The Dormitory Damage Deposit of $100 is returned at the end of the program if no damage has been done to the dorms or facilities. The suggested amount of spending money is $25 to $30 per week; spending money is deposited into personal accounts, from which students may make withdrawals as needed using their personal key/debit cards. Costs may be subject to change in 2009.

Financial Aid

For some of the programs, limited financial aid is available on a first-come basis for families who demonstrate financial need. Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid should contact the Summer Programs Office for a financial aid application, instructions, and an IRS Form 4506. Financial aid requests are reviewed when a student’s application folder is complete and the financial aid application and all necessary tax forms have been submitted. Decisions about financial aid awards are made beginning on March 31.

Application Timetable

For the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute, Daoyun Chinese, and Summer Challenge, students must submit an application form with a letter of recommendation from their school and teacher, an official school transcript, and a $35 nonrefundable application fee. Application and recommendation forms are available online at http://www.mpssummerprograms.org or by calling the Summer Programs Office. Admission decisions are made when all required forms and fees are received. To register for an athletic program, students must submit the registration form with a $150 tuition deposit.