Junior High Courses - Rising 7th-8th Grades

Registration for Summer 2026 is OPEN!

Students who are entering 7th or 8th grade are welcome to register for classes in our Junior High Courses. The Junior High Courses are taught by Ignatius educators and allow students a taste of a high school curriculum. Courses are offered for two hours a day for three weeks during the June Session (June 8 - June 26, 2026; no classes on June 19) and during the July Session (July 6 - July 24, 2026). Students are encouraged to register for two classes each Session in order to get the full Ignatius experience.

7th and 8th grade students are also welcome (and encouraged) to register for afternoon co-curricular and athletic camps that run each day from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.

Cost
Tuition for each course is $350. All who register a junior high (7th or 8th grade) student for at least 2 junior high courses will receive a 10% discount that will be automatically applied in the Campsite registration system.

List of 11 items.

Current Events and Communication Skills

This course offers students opportunities to learn about the important issues facing both the United States and the global community through examination of a wide variety of news sources, interactive lessons, debates, and role-playing simulations. Students will develop 21st Century skills including public speaking, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, negotiation, persuasion, technology competence, and leadership. These skills will help students succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fine Arts, Fun Arts

In this course, students play with the idea of art and image. Dabbling in art methods that span the centuries, students will see how different concepts across time can work together. They will tell a story, sometimes without words, and learn the power of visuals, the importance of composition, and other art standards! Students will work with some 19c photo processes, collage, image transferring, book making, paper marbling and much much more.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Geography

GeoAdventures: Exploring the World through Maps, Media and Movement

This interactive summergeographycourse introduces students to how maps, culture, and global connectivity shape the world around them. Through hands-on activities and digital media projects, students expand theirgeographicliteracy and learn to think like geographers. The course emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and real-world relevance. Students explore maps, human-environment interaction, and global issues while developing skills in collaboration, research, and digital media.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No June 19), 2026
Times: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Java Programming Basics

This course explores the basics of Java programming language. Topics covered include: the basic elements of computer hardware and software, proper programming style, Java syntax for declaring classes and objects, using constants and variables, manipulating arithmetic expressions, creating algorithms, designing conditional and iterative control structures, object-oriented programming concepts and one- and two- dimensional arrays.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Language Arts

This course explores the English language, with an emphasis on the principles of grammar, sentence structure, effective paragraph development, essay writing, vocabulary building, and critical reading.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Latin Language & Greek Mythology

This course is an introduction to Ancient Latin & Graeco-Roman Mythology. The first half of each class is a full-immersion into spoken Latin, using the Polis Institute method–students will get out of their seats and act out short, fun conversations in Ancient Latin. The second half of each class is a hands-on introduction to Graeco-Roman Mythology. Students will read, write about, and (equipped with dramatic props) act out key ancient myths. The ultimate goal is to acquaint young students with the Classical heritage in a way that is both substantial and meaningful to them.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (NO June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Mathematics

This course explores mathematical concepts appropriate for junior high students, including fractions, percentages, decimals, word problems, and practical mathematical applications.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Podcasting

Podcasts have become enormously popular over the past decade. This course will explore the podcasting phenomenon and its many different genres, from the celebrity interview to the scary horror story. Students will produce short podcasts in three different formats: interview-style, documentary-style, and entertainment-style. Students will engage with the full podcasting creative process, from brainstorming through writing, recording, editing, adding music and special effects, and sharing.

Dates in June Session: June 8 - June 26 (No June 19), 2026
Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Dates in July Session: July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Science Excitement

This lab-based course is designed for junior high students with an interest in science. Using our state-of-the-art science labs, the course will explore a variety of scientific topics through experimentation.

Dates: June 8 - June 26 (No Class on June 19) or July 6 - July 24, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Space Age

In this course, students will have the opportunity to dive into the history of the Space Age, from the beginnings of the Space Race through the Apollo program through the modern day. Students will be able to engage with historical texts, films, and fiction as they explore the connections between the space program and our modern world. They will develop collaboration, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills during an escape room based on the Apollo 13 mission. The course culminates with a project about the future of space exploration and where students envision humanity heading.

Dates: June 8 - June 26, 2026
Times: 8:00 am - 10:00 am or 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
World War II and the Movies

This course explores the history and pop culture of World War II and the movies from the 1930s to the present. Students will explore a wide range of historical topics and films including Hollywood classics, newsreels, vintage cartoons, Holocaust films, combat films, and more recent blockbusters as they develop critical thinking, analysis, writing and presentation skills. Fostering a creative exploration of the past, lessons and activities will encourage students to make connections between the fields of Social Studies, Fine Arts, and English.

Dates: July 6 - July 24, 2026
Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.