Enrichment Classes for Gifted and Talented Middle School Students

Creative Writing

Engage in activities that hone your skills and foster your love of writing as storytelling. Areas of focus are Ideas, World Design and Character Building with the goals of cultivating your writer’s voice and engaging the reader. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Each class lasts 50 minutes. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Wednesdays

  • September 16 - November 18

  • 5pm PST

  • $550

 

Short Story Seminar

Write and revise short stories for weekly contest submissions. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Participants should expect to spend time writing outside of class. This is a multi-age class for middle school and high school students. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Each class lasts 50 minutes. Instructor: Robin Russell

  • Sundays at 6pm PST

  • September 13 - October 11

  • $550

 

Grammar Clinic

This course focuses on both written and spoken grammar. For writing, we’ll address run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement, phrases and clauses. There will be some diagraming of sentences. For speaking, we’ll address common errors and vocabulary expansion through extemporaneous conversation. This is a multi-age class for middle and high school students. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Each class lasts 50 minutes. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

  • Mondays at 7pm PST

  • September 14 - November 16

  • $550

 

Application Essays

Take this course to write and workshop an authentic personal statement and short-answer responses for high school and college applications. No matter whether you haven't started or you are on draft 23, this class is for you. This course will use a workshop model to get to the beating heart of what you want to say and how you want to say it. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Each class lasts 50 minutes. Limit 8. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan

Eastern Time

  • Sundays at 9am EST

  • September 13 - October 11

  • $275

Pacific Time

  • Tuesdays at 7pm PST

  • September 15 - October 13

  • $275

 

Essay Writing Essentials

In this class, you will learn the principles behind writing an outstanding essay for any humanities class AND doing it in a time-efficient way. You will learn how to develop a position on a spectrum between “DUH!” and “HUH‽,” how to build credibility with your voice, and how to surprise your Language Arts and history teachers with your line of reasoning! No matter whether you hate writing or love it, this class will give you a new perspective to think about your academic essay writing. This is a multi-age class for middle and high school students. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Each class lasts 50 minutes. Limit 8. $250. Instructor: Benjamin Morgan

Eastern Time

  • Sundays at 8am EST

  • September 13 - November 15

  • $550

Pacific Time

  • Tuesdays at 6pm PST

  • September 15 - November 17

  • $550

 

Debate Preparation Skills

Focus on the specific skills required for a successful debater: effective research, creating a cogent argument, speaking persuasively. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8. Each class lasts 50 minutes. To register, complete the form below. Instructor: Robin Russell

Effective Research: Engage in activities that strengthen your critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Discern key information to substantiate your claim.

Creating a Cogent Argument: Explore persuasive rhetorical devices. Formulate a claim and write essays using evidence to substantiate your ideas.

Persuasive Public Speaking: Learn how to project your voice, gesticulate effectively, end your sentences definitively and engage your audience.

Thursdays

  • September 17 - November 19

  • 6pm PST

  • $550

 

Reading Comprehension

Engage in discussion and activities that strengthen your critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Through short stories, articles, writing exercises and discussion, we'll explore how authors convey deeper meaning for greater understanding. Optional homework provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Each class lasts 50 minutes. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

  • Sundays at 4pm PST

  • September 13 - November 15

  • $550

 

Public Speaking & Presentations

Being comfortable in front of an audience and able to express your ideas concisely are valuable skills to possess. Being able to capture the undivided attention of your audience and keep them in the palm of your hand as you rally them to action are skills that can transform both the listeners and the speaker. Learn how to project your voice, gesticulate effectively, end your sentences definitively and engage your audience. Create cogent and captivating presentations. Practice responding to a variety of questions. This is a multi-age class for middle and high school students. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Each class lasts 50 minutes. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

  • Sundays at 5pm PST

  • September 13 - November 15

  • $550

 
“Your classes have helped me improve greatly on how I speak my views on or talk about certain topics. You have exposed me to persuasive speeches and expository speeches, and have helped me succeed in giving both.”

Fall 2026 Registration

Note: If you do not receive a confirmation email, please check your Junk Mail.