Enrichment Classes for Gifted and Talented Students in Grades 6-9

Interactive Fiction with Twine

Take your readers on adventures where their choices drive the story and bring your creative writing to life! In this class, students will learn how to use Twine, an open source, HTML based non linear storytelling tool, to create interactive fiction. Students will create Choose Your Own Adventure stories and worlds for their reader to explore. No HTML knowledge is required; we will learn together! All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor, Maria DiGiovanni.

Mondays

  • 12pm PST

  • July 6 - August 24

  • $440 (taxes included)

Thursdays

  • 11am PST

  • July 16 - August 27

  • $385 (taxes included)

 
“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.”
 

Writing Clinics

Participate in guided writing exercises with a focus on syntax, vocabulary and grammar. Both creative and essay prompts are presented. Individualized feedback is provided in real time. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below.

  • July 13 - 17

  • 4pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

Essay Writing

Read sample essays and identify effective/ineffective elements. Explore personal narratives and persuasive rhetorical devices. Formulate a claim and write essays using details and textual evidence to substantiate your ideas. Receive feedback and revise your essays. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Persuasive

  • July 27 - 31

  • 4pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

OR

  • August 3 - 7

  • 6pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

Personal Narrative

  • August 10 - 14

  • 6pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

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. Preparatory work and homework provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell

Non-Fiction

  • July 13 - 17 at 1pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

Fiction

  • July 20 - 24 at 6pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

Creative Writing

Engage in activities that hone your skills and foster your love of writing as storytelling. Areas of focus are Sentence Fluency and Word Choice with the goal of cultivating descriptive language, specifically in employing similes, metaphors and other literary devices. Optional homework activities are provided. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below. Limit 8.

Wednesday Writers

  • Wednesdays

  • 5pm or 7pm PST

  • July 8 - August 26

  • $440 (taxes included)

Characters & World Building

  • Saturdays

  • 10am PST

  • July 11 - August 29

  • $440 (taxes included)

Playwriting & Performing

  • Saturdays

  • 11am PST

  • July 11 - August 29

  • $440 (taxes included)

Plots & Characters incorporates big-picture concepts related to world-building, character development, as well as structuring plots and sub-plots to build suspense and engage the reader.

  • July 6 - 10 at 2pm PST

  • August 10 - 14 at 1pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

Descriptive Writing focuses on the details - including literary devices to paint a picture in the mind of the reader and how to implement dialogue in a way that propels the story forward or deepens the readers’ understanding of the characters.

  • July 27 - 31 at 2pm PST

  • August 24 - 28 at 10am PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

Persuasive 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 audience and the speaker. Learn how to project your voice, gesticulate effectively, end your sentences definitively and engage your audience. All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8. To register, complete the form below. Instructor: Robin Russell

Persuasive

  • July 20 - 24

  • 2pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

Academic Skills

  • Reading Comprehension

    • Finding Evidence

    • Identifying Main Ideas

  • Grammar Foundations

    • Parts of Speech

    • Subjects & Predicates

    • Run-on Sentences

  • Essay Outlines

  • Vocabulary Expansion

All sessions are online, via Zoom. Limit 8. Instructor: Robin Russell. To register, complete the form below.

  • August 24 - 28

  • 6pm PST

  • $275 (taxes included)

 

Debate Preparation Series

The three classes listed below 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. To register, complete the form below. Instructor: Robin Russell

Individual Classes: $275 each

Series (three classes): $700

Effective Research (Reading Comprehension Non-Fiction)

  • August 3 - 7 at 1pm PST

Persuasive Public Speaking

  • July 20 - 24 at 2pm PST

Creating a Cogent Argument (Persuasive Essay Writing)

  • July 27 - 31 at 4pm PST

 
“You gave very nice feedback and were very encouraging. I also liked how you gave us examples and made sure the classroom was relaxed.”
 

Summer 2026 Registration

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