Largest Ever GRACE Summer Program Begins

The GRACE (GRoton Accelerate Challenge Enrich) summer program kicked off a month of academic challenge this week, fortified with virtual learning experience from spring term and creative new approaches to summer fun.

 

GRACE, now in its fifth year, has grown substantially every year but the 2020 group is by far the largest, with fifty-six students. The program, for rising Fourth Formers, is designed to propel students to advanced courses and fill preparation gaps during the summer before Upper School. Most GRACE Scholars take two courses, choosing among math, chemistry, English, and Latin.

 

Forty-eight GRACE Scholars had signed up for this summer's program, compared to thirty-six last year, but when the program went virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even more students enrolled. “When we went to virtual learning we thought we might have a reduction of interest, but the interest actually grew,” said GRACE Program Director Cort Pomeroy. 

 

GRACE classes began on Monday, June 29, incorporating feedback from surveys taken after spring virtual learning—as well as a little extra creativity. To maintain the hands-on experience, chemistry kits were sent to science students’ homes so they could still do experiments. Social activities were completely reimagined.

 

“We really are trying hard not to lose the communal aspect of GRACE, the sense of fun and bonding that happens when you’re here,” said Mr. Pomeroy. When the program is in person, participants go on weekend excursions such as ziplining and rafting, work in the art studios and Fab Lab during free periods, and have varied afternoon activities outdoors.

 

Group activities this summer range from online yoga, meditation, and workouts to card games, national park tours, Wednesday night competitions (this week: trivia), and the twice weekly “Baking with Katherine” demo, hosted by teaching assistant Katherine Brown ’19.

 

GRACE Scholars can still take art during a free period. Art teacher Jennifer Ho is offering workshops, one each week, teaching editorial photography, drawing, piñata making, and how to customize sneakers.

 

GRACE has ten faculty members, all current or former Groton teachers, and eight teaching assistants, including six 2020 Groton graduates and six former GRACE students. Together, they are building a virtual GRACE program as close to the in-person experience as possible.

 

“While we would have much preferred to be together,” said Mr. Pomeroy, “GRACE will still provide academic challenge and enrichment, bonding opportunities for the Fourth Form, and a lot of fun. We're looking forward to our four weeks together."