A+ Summer Critical Thinking/Writing
For students who are driven by creative ideas or intuitive talents, who are above average in the classroom and want a fun, intellectual challenge this summer, A+ Summer is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be immersed in an environment that encourages advanced thinking, creative problem solving, and a lifelong love of learning.
Students have the exclusive opportunity to live and study with like-minded peers at some of America's most revered academic institutions. With the help of a dynamic staff of dedicated “live-in” instructors, participants will push beyond standard school curriculum and learn to think outside of the box. Our stimulating courses build student proficiency in the logic, critical thinking, and writing skills that are essential for academic success at any level.
A+ Summer is divided into three separate sessions—one for middle school students, one for rising 9th and 10th grade students, and one for rising 11th and 12th grade students. Each program boasts an exciting schedule of classes and unforgettable recreational activities, including Bay Area excursions, guest speakers and daily entertainment. To learn more about a particular session, click on the pertinent link below.
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The A+ Summer Pre-College program engages rising 11th and 12th grade students in college-level academic activities that build the practical skills necessary for college success.
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The A+ Summer High School program challenges rising 9th and 10th grade students in high-level academic activities that develop skills that promote high school success and achievement.
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The A+ Summer Middle School program challenges rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to design and execute their own solutions to contemporary problems, as they explore their potential as inventors, detectives, and strategists.
Admission Requirements A+ Summer programs are selective. Students must demonstrate academic abilities by submitting a copy of their report card or transcript evidencing a 3.0 GPA or equivalent. Exceptions to this rule are made on a case-by-case basis and require a writing sample.
“The bonds and relationships that I formed with fellow students is going to be ever lasting…This whole experience is one of the most beneficial and rewarding things in my life.” – Manasi Ghatge, A+ Pre-College camper
“I expected camp to be filled with nerdy kids and I was completely blown out of the water. The classes were interesting and captivating, and the people were some of the best I have ever met.” - Arielle Zina, A+ High School camper
California Actors Workshop
College Admission Programs
College admission is one of the most significant milestones in a student's life. Excellent preparation and informed support can make the greatest difference in realizing a student's future aspirations.
Education Unlimited pioneered the concept of comprehensive summer college admission preparation in 1993 with our groundbreaking College Admission Prep Camp®, a residential program that helps college bound students with SAT prep, college counseling, and essay writing instruction. We have since expanded our admissions prep offerings to help families find the CAPC that best fits their needs, schedule, and budget.
Diverse Options Education Unlimited offers three different version of our College Admission Prep Camp of varied intensities, locations and prices, so families can choose a best-fit program. Explore the links below to learn more about which program best suits your family's needs:
Click here to download a copy of the program brochure.
Why choose Education Unlimited's College Admission Prep Camp program?
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Education Unlimited's CAPC offers more than twice the SAT preparation offered by any other competing program.
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Students have the opportunity to intensively concentrate on SAT preparation without the distractions of school year assignments, clubs and activities.
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Personal Statement instruction is not an afterthought but a significant part of the daily schedule. Students receive one-on-one advice and instruction from the best English educators, in order that they may complete this portion of their application by the end of the program.
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Instructors live on campus with the students as supervisors and mentors. The professional bonds made between faculty and students facilitate a close-knit community unlike traditional school.
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Students make new friends from across the nation and around the world!
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With the guidance of college counselors, participants tour area universities, meet college students, and ask admissions representatives questions about life on campus!
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Students learn to prepare for an interview with admissions officers from any of their top choices.
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Student to teacher ratios are small: 1:10 in writing classes and no more than 1:15 in other units.
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After camp, students leave with a personalized college admissions timeline, flash cards, practice tests, a college essay, list of target schools and a clear vision of how to get into the college of their choice.
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Students have fun! With excursions to boardwalks, shopping malls, movie theaters and sporting venues, Education Unlimited programs balance academic rigor with amusement and adventure.
College Tours
Education Unlimited offers two exciting college tour options for rising 9th through 12th graders. Students can choose between the California College Tour, which visits the top schools throughout California or the East Coast College Tour, which visits top universities from Boston to Washington DC! Both tours allow students to hear detailed admissions presentations, tour the campuses they plan to make their four-year homes and sample the local culture along the way! Our tour is unique in the quality of our housing, food and travel arrangements. Most nights we stay at high quality business and/or luxury hotels, though we sometimes spend the night at a college when a unique opportunity is available. Meals and our tour bus are also always of high quality, and students have often reported that our trip is far better in the quality of the travel arrangements than any other student tour they have ever taken.
For many students, the process of figuring out which school best fits their needs is an overwhelming and confusing task. The tours transform this experience into an enriching and fun summer adventure. We encourage students to enroll with friends, but even those who don’t arrive knowing someone will end up with a group of newly-found friends, usually from across the US and around the world,
Browse below for more information about each tour. Space is limited. Don't miss out!
Computer Camp
Web design and software development are perhaps the most sought-after skills in this hi-tech era. For tech-savvy students who want a leg up on the competition by building critical computer skills early in life, or for students who just love gaming, design and logic, Education Unlimited’s Computer Camp offers hands-on instruction in both creative and practical computer skills. Experienced instructors encourage students to use their imaginations while exploring fundamental and emerging technologies and software.
Why an Education Unlimited Computer Camp?
- Individualized Instruction: Education Unlimited seeks to offer the most personalized instruction possible, with separate sessions for elementary, middle school, and high school campers that break students into groups based upon skill level. Students are placed in small classes with remarkably low student to teacher ratios. On the first day, instructors assess each student’s previous experience and knowledge in order to challenge them appropriately and provide a fun, tailored learning experience.
- A Computer for Each Student: Each student receives his/her up-to-date PC during the course of the program.
- Skilled Instructors. We recruit instructors from top Universities and/or hire experienced industry professionals. Each instructor has a specialty in some aspect of web design and/or computer programming, in addition to experience working with K-12 students.
- University Campus Life: Students at Computer Camp stay on university campuses in the heart of American computer innovation—the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants eat in university dining halls and take classes on-campus. During breaks from the rigorous academic curriculum, they play sports on sprawling green quads, watch movies in dorm lounges, and get a taste of the exciting life of a college student on a prestigious campus.
- Challenging Core Curriculum: Each session gives students an opportunity to focus on a particular specialty.
Summer 2019 Courses (click for course descriptions, dates and locations):
- Stanford July 28 - Aug 2: Rising 5th - 8th grade
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Stanford July 21 - July 27: Rising 9th - 12th grade
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Stanford July 28 - August 3: Rising 9th - 12th grade
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Stanford July 14 - July 20: Rising 9th - 12th grade
Elementary Week: Snap: A foundation for programming + Webdesign
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Stanford June 30 - July 5: Rising 4th - 6th grade
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Stanford July 21 - Jul 26: Rising 6th - 8th grade
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Stanford July 28 - Aug 3: Rising 9th - 12th grade
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Stanford Aug 4 - Aug 9: Rising 6th - 8th grade
Our 2019 courses by grade:
Elementary School: Rising 4th - 6th grade
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Stanford June 30 - July 5: Snap - Coding Foundations/Webdesign
Middle School: Rising 5th - 8th grade
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Stanford July 21 - July 26: Web Design HTML/CSS
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Stanford July 28 - Aug 2: Python: Let's Code!
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Stanford Aug 4 - Aug 9: Web Design HTML/CSS
High School: Rising 9th - 12th grade
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Stanford July 14 - July 20: Graphic Design and 3D Imaging
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Stanford July 28 - Aug 3: Web Design 1: HTML/CSS
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Stanford July 21 - July 27: Java Programming 1
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Stanford July 28 - Aug 2: Java Programming 2
A few words from our Computer Camp Campers!
"My son enjoyed it [web development course, Stanford], and I felt it worth the money for the following reasons.
8 hours/day of teaching on web development covering coding that my son didn't know as well as reviewing areas my son did know
Field trip to computer museum to see history of computer science
Students had to come up with a presentation by end of week and had to to a crash project to demonstrate that they learned something. Presentations were done in a classroom. All had impressive projects
Students also get one field trip to Santa Cruz Boardwalk to relax and get to hang with each other.
International and national student exposure. My son's roommate was from Arkansas. Some of his classmates were from Florida and London, England and New York City.
I extensively spoke to [the instrictors] Michael and Navid. Navid really put thought into this program. Michael has real world practical experience in web development and CS programming, so he had great advice to help me guide my son.
I looked at [other Bay Area computer camps], but after searching reviews on the internet, they seemed to be more into providing fun games and times for kids and less on class time of real programming. My son had to do intense work on his web presentation.
Finally it was good for my son to get out and experience the college life. I think parents who enroll kids in this course are looking for more serious courses."
— Jacob L., parent
"The best feature of this camp was the amazing amount of time we spent doing practice applications with the programming language, gaining lots of hands on experience." — Murtaza Munaim
“(The instructor) is fun and lets us learn hands-on and is there when we need help...I want to come back.” — Cathy McDermott
Emerging Writers Institute
The Emerging Writers Institute™ offers challenging workshops in fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry for both new and accomplished high school writers. Through our intensive MFA-style workshops and fun literary outings, EWI offers an immersive writing experience. Students study craft with experienced authors and instructors, work in a collaborative environment, and live with other students in a college dormitory. Our unique program lets young writers from around the world make literary friendships that can last a lifetime.
There are two programs to choose from:
Mock Trial
American Legal Experience offers high school students a unique opportunity to learn public speaking skills through a focus on the American government and judicial system. Two programs are offered: Mock Trial, an intensive "courtroom" program offered at Stanford University, Yale and UCLA and Leadership and the Law, a seminar in government, law and leadership held in Washington, D.C.
Online SAT Prep
In order to give our client families a year-round SAT test prep option, we have partnered with ePrep, provider of the world's first online video-based standardized test study programs. ePrep is a leading innovator in SAT test preparation and features online, video-based courses with expert instruction. Founded by a team of Princeton University graduates, ePrep is the most affordable, expert way to maximize your standardized test scores online. ePrep offers score guarantees, video instruction on right and wrong answers, questions carefully crafted to provide exact simulation of real SAT questions, and a proven record of score improvement. Act now and get discounts of up to 40% off ePrep SAT prep online courses! View a demo of ePrep and learn more about online SAT prep at our partner page: http://www.eprep.com/partner/educationunlimited. Enroll in an ePrep course through Education Unlimited and receive 30% off ePrep's retail prices!
Pre-Paid Camp Certificates
Are you still looking for a great gift for one or more of the special kids in your family? Available during the holiday season, our **pre-paid camp certificate packages** enable you to give the gift of an Education Unlimited summer camp! We've also priced these special packages to give you extra value for your money -- for each certificate you purchase, you'll receive an extra bonus credit of up to 10% of the purchase price depending the package you choose. With the wonderful array of camps Education Unlimited offers, from Acting Camp to Video Production to College Admission Prep Camp to Sally Ride Science Camp to Public Speaking Camp and even more, there is sure to be a choice that will be a good fit for the kids in your life, and that will give them an experience they will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. To purchase a certificate*, go to our online application and begin the enrollment process. At the prompt for camp selection, select “Pre-Paid Certificate” and then choose the amount you’d like to purchase from the drop-down menu. After your online purchase you will receive a follow-up email with details about how to redeem your certificate. Please see the terms and conditions below and on our website*. If you would like to purchase a gift certificate over the phone, please call our staff at 510-548-6612. * Certificate terms and conditions: certificate purchases are non-refundable and are not redeemable for cash. Our standard cancellation policies apply to any certificate redemptions. Certificates expire three years after the date of purchase and may be redeemed at anytime after January 2, 2011. Certificates cannot be combined with any other discount or offer. Unredeemed certificates may be transferred to another student.
Prep Camp Excel
Public Speaking Institute
Education Unlimited is the national leader in providing noncompetitive public speaking summer programs for kids and teens. Education Unlimited was founded in 1993 by a group of speech and debate coaches who developed our innovative curriculum. Today, our curriculum directors and on-site faculty and staff include coaches at some of the nation’s premiere high schools and universities and former speech, debate, and mock trial competitors who reached national levels of success.
Public speaking can be incredibly fun, interactive, and collaborative when taught with the right approach. In our delivery focused major students will learn to speak with fluency and enthusiasm so that they will have the tools to speak in public effectively and with comfort. Public speaking is rarely taught as its own subject at most schools, and as a result what is really just writing an essay and reading it outloud is often passed off as 'public speaking.' Our ultimate goal is for students to speak in an organized fashion, with little or no notes, and in their own authentic voice. As such, our students learn the value of preparation and learning a subject so well that they can speak on it with ease. In our debate and argumentation focused major program participants learn the art of verbal combat, including how to construct an effective and complete argument, how to directly clash with an opponents argument, and even how to compare and contrast arguments and in so doing defend their argument as ultimately superior. Sharpening communication abilities helps young people succeed in a world that demands confidence, articulation and the ability to clearly communicate ideas. By building superior speaking skills, students will prepare to excel in school, learn to defend their beliefs and values, improve their chances of becoming leaders in their schools and communities, and as some former students have shared with us can even start along the path toward attaining their dream jobs.
How important is learning public speaking and argumentation, now and into the future? One former student of our programs from over a decade ago noted that “I now work in litigation and frequently use the public speaking and critical thinking skills and techniques I learned at camp.” A parent of a past camper said, "...the instructors are very good and enthusiastic. The atmosphere was fun, the group was good (a balanced mix of US and international kids) and everybody had a great time." Inc Magazine commented on the issue of learning public speaking, "Imagine working on one skill in 2017 that--once you improve it--will raise your value [to employers, according to Warren Buffet] by 50 percent. The one skill is public speaking. ...mastering the art of public speaking is the single greatest skill to boost your career." We have a unique, well thought out and effective approach, and we hope you will join us for these exciting communications programs this summer!
5 Reasons to Focus on Public Speaking This Summer!
- Public speaking is a necessary and indispensable life skill, and most people are called upon to speak in public at some point in their lives.
- Public speaking improves research and organization abilities- crucial skills for high school and college success.
- Employers rank public speaking as one of the top skills they look for in employees. Students can get a head start on their dream careers by developing skills that will translate in the workforce.
- Speech and debate activities involve “active construction of knowledge.” Students have the opportunity to synthesize, analyze, and utilize new information, rather than merely memorizing facts. According to Communication Education, debate can increase critical thinking skills by 44% in one year and high school reading skills by as much as 25% in one year.
- Speech helps develop social skills, such as confidence, eye contact, poise, and articulation.
Sally Ride Science Camp
“If we’re going to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world, we’ve got to open doors for everyone. We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.”
-- First Lady Michelle Obama
September 26, 2011
Encouraging girls’ interest in science has never been more important. The National Science Foundation, NASA and the White House have all recognized increasing demand for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers – which rested at a mere 24% in 2009 – yet fewer and fewer students are being prepared for these important industries.
Education Unlimited® has partnered with Sally Ride Science™, founded by Dr. Sally Ride, America's first woman in space, to provide engaging and innovative science programs for girls entering grades 4 through 9.
Sally Ride Science Camps encourage girls’ interests in science by providing hands-on learning in an environment that is designed to be supportive, enriching, and – most importantly – fun! These unique overnight camps provide girls an opportunity to explore science, technology, and engineering through experiments and observations while staying on a university campus. We offer several weeklong residential camps throughout the summer at UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC San Diego and day camps at Caltech and MIT.
Before camp, each girl will choose a science major that includes related labs and activities during their morning classroom sessions. Majors vary by location and length of the program.
Enrichment Activities fill up most of the afternoons and evenings to give girls an opportunity for informal science learning, as well as leadership and problem-solving training, through workshops, experiments and recreational activities. Students will also attend a mid-program excursion to a local science venue.
A Sally Ride Science Camp graduate will have:
- Completed the exclusive Sally Ride Science curriculum
- Participated in an in-depth variety of hands-on science learning and activities
- Gained confidence and experience in a supportive girls-only classroom environment
- Learned from experienced and inspiring instructors
- Experienced a taste of college life
- Made lots of new friends from around the country or even globe!
Special day-only sessions of the Sally Ride Science Camp are offered at Caltech and MIT. These programs feature a convenient 5-day schedule, with programming from approximately 9am to 5pm each day (morning is usually designated for the more formal classes, and most of the afternoon times for more general science activities, recreation, etc). Please note that due to the program’s shorter duration, students at the program participate in a truncated version of the curriculum offered at overnight sessions. Beginning and intermediate Majors are offered. (Note: advanced 8th and 9th graders should consider the overnight programs rather than the day camps.)
Science and Engineering Camps
“If we’re going to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world, we’ve got to open doors for everyone. We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.”
-- First Lady Michelle Obama
September 26, 2011
Encouraging girls’ interest in science has never been more important. The National Science Foundation, NASA and the White House have all recognized increasing demand for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers – which rested at a mere 24% in 2009 – yet fewer and fewer students are being prepared for these important industries.
Our engaging and innovative science programs for girls entering grades 4 through 9 encourage girls’ interests in science by providing hands-on learning in an environment that is designed to be supportive, enriching, and – most importantly – fun! These unique overnight camps provide girls an opportunity to explore science, technology, and engineering through experiments and observations while staying on a university campus. We offer several weeklong residential camps throughout the summer at UC Berkeley, Stanford, UC San Diego and day camps at Caltech and MIT.
Before camp, each girl will choose a science major that includes related labs and activities during their morning classroom sessions. Majors vary by location and length of the program.
Enrichment Activities fill up most of the afternoons and evenings to give girls an opportunity for informal science learning, as well as leadership and problem-solving training, through workshops, experiments and recreational activities. Students will also attend a mid-program excursion to a local science venue.
A Science Camp graduate will have:
- Completed our exclusive curriculum
- Participated in an in-depth variety of hands-on science learning and activities
- Gained confidence and experience in a supportive girls-only classroom environment
- Learned from experienced and inspiring instructors
- Experienced a taste of college life
- Made lots of new friends from around the country or even globe!
Special day-only sessions of our Science Camp are offered at Caltech and MIT. These programs feature a convenient 5-day schedule, with programming from approximately 9am to 5pm each day (morning is usually designated for the more formal classes, and most of the afternoon times for more general science activities, recreation, etc). Please note that due to the program’s shorter duration, students at the program participate in a truncated version of the curriculum offered at overnight sessions. Beginning and intermediate Majors are offered. (Note: advanced 8th and 9th graders should consider the overnight programs rather than the day camps.)
Video Production Camp
Video Production Camp is a fun and exciting program that allows students to work directly with professionals in the field of industrial film and video production. Campers produce, direct, light, shoot and edit like the experts as they make their own movies. Students will learn to utilize titles, graphics, music, voice-over and live-action video while developing leadership, communication, project management, creative design and technical skills. Students work in a lab equipped with all the video cameras, production lighting and PC-based editing systems so that they may learn-by-doing as they shoot and edit their own movies. A professional staff of instructors with over twenty years in film, television and video production guides students through a fun and exciting educational experience. Dynamic instructors, a full program of elective activities and the latest production technology provide a nurturing environment with a challenging edge.
We offer a Regular and an Advanced Session of Video Production Camp. Please click on the links below to learn more about the programs.