Summer Requirements
Part of what makes Charleston Collegiate such a unique learning environment is our commitment to creating lifelong learners - not only through classroom experiences, but also from our community, our families, and the world that surrounds us.
On this page, you'll find required activites for each grade level, including reading lists and math packets, as well as school supply lists for the 2018-2019 school year. These activities reinforce the skills and values our students have already learned at Charleston Collegiate, prepare them for the upcoming year's classes, and will help them stand out as students and as they apply to colleges in the future.
On this page, you'll find required activites for each grade level, including reading lists and math packets, as well as school supply lists for the 2018-2019 school year. These activities reinforce the skills and values our students have already learned at Charleston Collegiate, prepare them for the upcoming year's classes, and will help them stand out as students and as they apply to colleges in the future.
Lower School Summer Requirements
Lower School students are required to complete reading and math packets over the summer. The goal is to maintain the foundations developed in the previous year to keep them as prepared as possible for their upcoming challenges in their next grade level.
Click here to find your child(ren)'s grade's Reading, Math, and Supply Lists.
Please note there is no Summer Math requirement for Preschool. If you have any questions, please reach out to Yvonne Barhight, Lower School Dean, at ybarhight@charlestoncollegiate.org.
Click here to find your child(ren)'s grade's Reading, Math, and Supply Lists.
Please note there is no Summer Math requirement for Preschool. If you have any questions, please reach out to Yvonne Barhight, Lower School Dean, at ybarhight@charlestoncollegiate.org.
Middle and Upper School Summer Activity Requirements
Each student in grades 5-12 will be asked to complete a summer math and summer reading assignment, as well as one of the ten activities below. By the first day of school, students should email Mr. Dan Miller a paragraph describing their experience and a photograph of them participating in the activity that they chose. Students should log their selected activity here. This list reflects the 2018-2019 requirement.
1- Volunteer
There are all kinds of volunteer opportunities in your community from animal shelters, to the public library, to reading to children in a hospital, to working with others on beach cleanup. Since there are so many activities available, choose one that interests you or matches your passions and volunteer for at least one week (15-30 hours). Upper School students can count ten of these summer volunteer hours as part of their annual 20 hour requirement.
2- Start a Business
Summer is an excellent time to start your own business: Become a teenage entrepreneur. Something as simple as mowing lawns or babysitting is a good place to start. You might also demonstrate your creative side by selling art on Etsy. If you are good with computers, you can start a computer repair business. If you enjoy writing, consider freelance paid writing jobs. Starting a business will communicate your strong work ethic and your desire to be enthusiastic about the things you love.
3- Attend College Programs
Trident Technical College offers a variety of summer camps, programs, and college courses for high school students. Click here to see the options at Trident Tech.
4- Study Abroad
A summer abroad can break you out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons while also experiencing other cultures. There are programs offered in the areas of service, adventure, skill training, and academics. Two great examples are the Clemson University Summer Scholars Program and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
5- Intern
Paid and unpaid internships offer you a chance to gain valuable hands-on experience within a career or field you may want to pursue. Contact local companies, office managers, and human resources offices to inquire about their intern hiring policy. Start-up companies love hiring interns because they are inexpensive or unpaid and fit into the company’s tight budget constraints. Internships are also a way to begin collecting a network of business contacts that can help you after graduation from college.
6- Get a local job
Try to work at a job that is in a field of your interest and that allows you to learn valuable skills from your employer.
7- Work on a Charity Project
Be imaginative and start a charity project. There are groups and organizations in need of help raising funds or gathering materials. Not only will you be helping others but it communicates that you value your community.
8- Work at a Summer Camp
There are many summer camp jobs available to students: YMCA camps, academic camps, Boy Scout camps, and others. Summer camp jobs offer skill-building, leadership, training, and enrichment opportunities. Camp experiences allow you to learn and develop life skills; in fact, business executives often say that experience as a camp counselor translates into good management and personnel skills.
9- Go on a College Tour
Getting exposed to different colleges will help you to adjust to life after CCS, and it will help you narrow down the college that is right for you.
10- Audit a College Course
Auditing a course allows students to take a class without the benefit of a grade or credit for a course. Auditing a class allows students to get the experience of a college course for the purpose of enrichment and academic exploration.
Middle and Upper School Supply Lists and Summer Reading/Math Requirements
SUPPLY LISTS
Intermediate (5th and 6th grade)
Junior High (7th and 8th grade)
Upper School (9th through 12th grade)
SUMMER READING
Each student is required to read at least two summer reading books. There is one required book for each grade and students gets to choose the second book from the Accelerated Reader book list. All students should complete both books and the corresponding assignments by the first day of school. Students who enroll after July 31st will need to turn in the required reading assignment on the first day of school, but will be able to submit the assignment on the book of their choice on September 12th. Parents, you are encouraged to read the books as well. They are great tools to initiate discussions between you and your child. The links below represent the 2018-2019 requirements.
Intermediate (5th and 6th grade)
Junior High (7th and 8th grade)
Upper School (9th through 12th grade)
SUMMER READING
Each student is required to read at least two summer reading books. There is one required book for each grade and students gets to choose the second book from the Accelerated Reader book list. All students should complete both books and the corresponding assignments by the first day of school. Students who enroll after July 31st will need to turn in the required reading assignment on the first day of school, but will be able to submit the assignment on the book of their choice on September 12th. Parents, you are encouraged to read the books as well. They are great tools to initiate discussions between you and your child. The links below represent the 2018-2019 requirements.
SUMMER MATH PACKETS
All students entering 5th – 12th grade are required to complete a math packet over the summer, unless you received a 90% of higher on the exemption test that will given at the end of the school year. These review packets will reinforce all of the skills your child should have mastered in previous years and prepare them for next year’s math class. Students are expected to have completed their grade-appropriate review packet by the first day of school. New students who enroll after July 31st have until September 11th to turn in the completed packet.
We know that students’ time with their families is important over the summer and not all students need to practice math skills that they have already mastered. Therefore, students who receive a 90% or higher on an optional exemption test will not need to complete the Summer Math Packet. Students will be given an opportunity to take these tests in their math classes toward the end of the school year. If a student is interested in retaking the exemption test he or she can email Mr. Dan to schedule another testing time (dmiller@charlestoncollegiate.org). The deadline to take the exemption test is Friday, June 15th.
