Academic Courses

Each summer, students from around Northeast Ohio stretch their intellectual horizons at US.
Our Academic Courses offer both University School and non-University School students the opportunity to learn from our expert faculty. Students can get a head start with credit offerings or discover something new in non-credit courses. They experience the science, math, humanities, art, and design technology programs in our state-of-the-art classroom and design spaces. 
These robust and engaging educational opportunities will keep your child learning all summer long.

Art & Design

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • FabLab Art

    Coed, 9th-12th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 9:10 am - 10:20 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    This course is devoted to hands-on fabrications of projects related to art, technology, design, and engineering using our state-of-the-art equipment, including a 3D Printer (plastic), laser cutter (cardboard and wood), and CNC plasma cutter (steel). Through class demonstrations and individual attention, each student will complete several design projects that will challenge them to think more creatively with an emphasis on personal expression and originality. The Fab Lab Art class allows students to explore their ideas using the tools and techniques found in a digital fabrication lab while earning a full semester elective credit in art. All materials are supplied and all the projects can be taken home at the end of the course.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Digital Applications in Art

    Coed, 9th-12th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 8:00 am - 9:10 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    In this digital art course, students use Photoshop, Illustrator, digital cameras, and Surface Pro tablets to create and use images to develop unique, one-of-a-kind compositions. Through class demonstrations and individual attention, each student will complete several computer art projects that will challenge them to think more creatively with an emphasis on personal expression and originality, while earning a full semester elective credit in art. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to be creative and jump fully into digital applications! All materials and equipment are supplied.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Summer Painting

    Coed, Grades 9-12

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 10:20 am - 11:30 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    Learn the fundamental techniques of watercolor painting and explore different paintings while developing new skill sets with confidence. We will cover composition, color theory, and a variety of paint application techniques. Through class demonstrations and individual attention, each student will complete several art projects that will challenge them to think more creatively with an emphasis on personal expression and originality, while earning a full semester elective credit in art. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to try new things, push your creativity to new levels, and be the best artist you can be. All materials are supplied, and all the projects can be taken home at the end of the course.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

Math

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

  • Calculus AB Accelerator

    Coed, 9th, 10th, or 11th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 21st
    Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $1525
     
    This course covers the material listed in the College Board syllabus for AP Calculus AB. It consists of a study of limits, differentiation, integration, differential equations, and applications. The course will meet for four hours per day for six weeks. Evaluation is by means of homework sets, quizzes, tests, and a final exam. The final exam will consist of an AP exam which will be graded on the AP scale.

    University School students who take this course are required to earn a score of 4 or above on the final exam in order to qualify to take AP Calculus BC during the following school year. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus (Accelerated or Honors), or Honors Math 3. The class will not meet on 6/19 or 7/4.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

Physical Education & Health

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Health

    Boys, 9th-12th graders

    Regular Session
    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 8:00 am - 9:10 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480

    Condensed Session
    This is a two hour course that only meets for three weeks.  
    Dates: June 12th - June 30th
    Time: 9:10 am - 11:10 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    This course introduces safety and first aid, personal care and body systems, disease and disorders, coming of age, wellness, orientation to the fitness center, chemicals and your mind, healthy and safe relationships, mental and emotional health, and human development and sexuality. Various outside experts present on topics. Students will be certified in CPR/AED/First Aid. This course fulfills the freshman health requirement.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Health - VIRTUAL

    Boys, 9th-12th graders

    SESSION I
    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 8:00 am - 9:10 am

    Location: Online
    Tuition: $480
     
    This virtual course introduces safety and first aid, personal care and body systems, disease and disorders, coming of age, wellness, orientation to the fitness center, chemicals and your mind, healthy and safe relationships, mental and emotional health, and human development and sexuality. Various outside experts present on topics. Students will be certified in CPR/AED/First Aid. This course fulfills the freshman health requirement. Please note that this course will be taught online, with some elements requiring time on campus with the instructor.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

Science & Engineering

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

  • Stream Assessment Field Course

    Coed, grades 9 - 12
    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm (Mon.- Thu.) and 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Fri.)
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $1375

    According to the EPA, 90% of Ohio's watersheds are impaired. Waterways become impaired when excess sediments and nutrients enter streams and when habitats are changed during construction or by removing vegetation. In this field-based course, students will learn how to evaluate the geology and biology of streams in the Chagrin River watershed. You will measure water quality and perform a qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) to measure the stream’s ability to support well-balanced fish communities. You will sample and interpret the rocks, sediment, and soils that streams flow through. Finally, you will learn how to measure stream patterns, dimensions, depths, and flows to assess the stability of the stream. Students will practice techniques using streams on our campus four days a week and travel by van each Friday to a larger stream in the Canyon Lakes Development in Bainbridge Township to collect data for an ongoing study of McFarland Creek. Students will earn a half-credit for this course.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Introduction to Biology

    Coed, 9th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 9:15 am - 1:15 pm
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $1375
     
    This accelerator course covers the foundational topics and laboratory skills typically included in a yearlong course. Students who successfully complete this course take Chemistry as a freshman and are required to take AP Biology as a sophomore or junior. The class will not meet on 6/19 and 7/4.

    To be considered for enrollment in this course, please review the additional details in this document: Summer Science Self-Assessment, and complete the form. The completed Student Self-Assessment should be sent to Mrs. Karen Axelrod at kaxelrod@us.edu. Enrollment will be facilitated upon acceptance into the class.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Introduction to Chemistry

    Coed, 9th or 10th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 9:15 am - 1:15 pm
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $1375
     
    This accelerator course covers the foundational topics and laboratory skills typically covered in a yearlong course. Students who successfully complete this course the summer before freshman year typically take Biology as a freshman and are required to take AP Chemistry as a sophomore or junior. Students who successfully complete this course before their sophomore year are required to take AP Chemistry in their sophomore or junior year. The class will not meet on 6/19 and 7/4.

    To be considered for enrollment in this course, please review the additional details in this document: Summer Science Self-Assessment, and complete the form. The completed Student Self-Assessment should be sent to Mrs. Karen Axelrod at kaxelrod@us.edu. Enrollment will be facilitated upon acceptance into the class.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Introduction to Physics

    Coed, 11th or 12th graders

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $1375
     
    This accelerator course covers the foundational topics and laboratory skills typically included in a yearlong course. Students most often take this course before their junior or senior year, although some have opted to complete the course prior to their sophomore year. Students who successfully complete this course are required to take AP Physics. The class will not meet on 6/19 and 7/4.

    To be considered for enrollment in this course, please review the additional details in this document: Summer Science Self-Assessment, and complete the form. The completed Student Self-Assessment should be sent to Mrs. Karen Axelrod at kaxelrod@us.edu. Enrollment will be facilitated upon acceptance into the class.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

Spanish

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

Writing

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

  • Art and Craft of Writing

    Coed, grades 9 - 12

    Dates:
    June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 10:20 am - 11:30 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    For those interested in creative writing in general, this workshop course will give students the opportunity to write creatively and revise their work by composing their own original short stories, essays, and poems. In this workshop course, students will also examine and discuss established writers' works and their classmates' works and study creative writing not only as critical readers but also as engaged writers.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

  • Writing Workshop

    Coed, grades 9 - 10

    Dates: June 12th - July 14th
    Time: 10:20 am - 11:30 am
    Location: Hunting Valley Campus
    Tuition: $480
     
    This course focuses on preparing students to meet the standards and expectations of high school writing in English and history classes. Beginning with practice and instruction in the basics of punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary, this course will give students the opportunity to improve their general writing skills through practice and revision as they also learn to write effectively and persuasively about literature and history with particular attention to the composition of paragraphs and essays.

    Questions? Contact Bill Champ

Shaker Heights Campus

20701 Brantley Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
GRADES Junior K-8
Phone: 216-321-8260

Hunting Valley Campus

2785 SOM Center Road
Hunting Valley, Ohio 44022
GRADES 9-12
Phone: 216-831-2200
University School serves 870 boys in Junior Kindergarten to grade 12 on two campuses in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. The School’s mission is to inspire boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. Dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and experiential programs foster intellectual, physical, creative, and moral excellence. University School is a diverse and inclusive community where each boy is known and loved. 
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