Georgetown Visitation Case Study: Summer Courses

​More than twenty-five years ago, before social-emotional learning was part of the broader lexicon, the faculty at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington DC took a close look at their student wellness. They noticed that eleventh grade saw a convergence of heavy reading loads in both English and U.S. History classes, and students were choosing to give up electives such as Studio Art in order to have more free time during the day.

In response, the school began to offer a U.S. History course in the summer. Over the years, even more benefits became visible. Completing a graduation requirement in the summer gave students more options for their high school program. They could pursue advance coursework, study two languages, or spread out their workload. Having the option of summer work opened up a new range of student opportunities.

Having the option of summer work opened up a new range of student opportunities.

In addition, intensive study gave students a new perspective. By focusing intently on a single topic, students saw the themes and patterns of American history with a new clarity. The course was easier and more engrossing in the summer, one student said, because “ideas touch.” Sue Foreman, Academic Dean at Georgetown Visitation, describes the summer course as helping students to “connect the dots” because of their immersion in the content.
 
Then came the pandemic. Offering a summer course on campus was impossible, but the school knew that the option of summer work was still a vital need for their students. As a long-standing member of the One Schoolhouse consortium, Visitation turned to One Schoolhouse and their Summer 2020 US History course.

Even after on-campus learning resumed on Visitation's campus, their partnership with One Schoolhouse continues. For three years now, Visitation students have enrolled and succeeded in our summer courses, including Summer AP Computer Science Principles as well.  Sue Foreman says, “The One Schoolhouse Summer courses share the rigor and focus on growth that we expect in our own courses on campus. I have confidence in the program.”

“The One Schoolhouse Summer courses share the rigor and focus on growth that we expect in our own courses on campus. I have confidence in the program.”
​- Sue Forman, Academic Dean,  Georgetown Visitation 
​Preparatory School

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One Schoolhouse’s for-credit summer courses help students to complete requirements in the summer and pursue their academic goals on campus in the fall. Explore this summer's offerings here.