ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages

For students entering grades 7–12 

Available on-campus and virtually

• Five-week program: On campus: July 1–Aug. 5, 2023. Online: July 3-Aug 4, 2023.

• Three-week program: On campus: July 1–22, 2023. Online: July 3-21, 2023.

Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program is for international students who want to improve their English language skills. 

Classes are available for all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, with three hours of instruction a day, Monday through Friday. (You’ll be placed in the appropriate level based on the results of an English-language placement test.) 

Our experienced ESOL teachers provide personal attention in small classes. In this supportive environment, you’ll find an array of opportunities for growth. You’ll build skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, through group discussions, collaborative skits, role-playing, and presentations. You’ll read novels, write essays, give oral presentations in English, research American culture, and interact with students from all over the world. 

Students in the on-campus program will also select a minor class and take part in a sport in the afternoon.

Alternatively, you may opt to take the Leadership, Education, Adventure & Discovery (LEAD) outdoor leadership program in place of the afternoon minor course and sports. Open to all grades, LEAD takes place every day from 1 to 5 pm. On- and off-campus activities include canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, wildlife tracking/observations, and wilderness first aid, along with goal setting, personal reflection, and leadership training. One day a week, NMH partners with Earthwork Programs for outdoor classes that immerse students in nature with hands-on wilderness survival skills — shelter building, edible plant foraging, fire-making, stone tool making, and wood carving  — that build confidence, leadership, and resilience. There is an additional charge for LEAD of $650 (for three-week students) or $995 (for five-week students).

On-campus students will also take part on Saturday mornings in personal development workshops, where you’ll focus on developing skills, social awareness, a sense of community, and self confidence.

View the on-campus daily schedule for our Rising Scholars (for students entering grades 7-9) and College Prep (for students entering grades 10-12) programs.

Students in our virtual ESOL program take classes in the morning only. The afternoon program is not available for online students, with exception of the SAT/SSAT test prep classes which are offered online.

ESOL Program Offerings

On-campus Five- or Three-week Options

Morning ESOL Courses

First Period: 8:30–9:45 am 
Second Period: 10:15–11:30 am

Afternoon Options for Grades 7–9 

Afternoon Options for Grades 10-12 

Alternatives to sports:

• Astronomy (made up of students from both the Rising Scholars and College Prep programs)

• Robotics (made up of students from both the Rising Scholars and College Prep programs)   

• SAT Preparation (see Enrichment Programs)

Students may choose to take two minors in the afternoon instead of one minor course and a sport.

Alternatively, you may opt for the Leadership, Education, Adventure & Discovery (LEAD) outdoor leadership program in place of the afternoon minor course and sports. LEAD is an all-afternoon program available to all grades from 1-5 pm. On- and off-campus activities include canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, swimming, rafting, wildlife tracking/observations, wilderness first aid, and survival skills, along with goal setting, personal reflection, and leadership training. There is an additional charge of $650 (for three-week students) or $995 (for five-week students).

Or you may choose College Counseling 101. (For grades 9–12. Wednesday, 12:30–2:30 pm.) The road to and through high school is an exciting time. Yet there's always much to consider when it comes to applying to college your senior year, which can be stressful. To reduce the stress associated with the college process, join members of the College Counseling Office at NMH this summer. Through lectures, activities, in-class assignments, and field trips, we'll get you ready for what awaits you!

Make! meets in the Guild Fabrication Lab in NMH’s Gilder Center, a dynamic learning laboratory that supports each student’s curiosity and puts their imagination to work. Students work on hands-on projects that are scaffolded to provide entry points for all levels of knowledge and skills. Interdisciplinary instruction guides individual progress while also emphasizing a collaborative atmosphere, where brainstorming and discussion help everyone to succeed.  Our “high-tech to no-tech” approach incorporates a wide range of materials and tools, allowing us to meet students where they are as they grow in competency and confidence. Students share all aspects of their creative process, with each “failure” embraced as a necessary, valuable step on the road to achievement. Projects include drawing, woodworking, small-motors robotics, digital design work using at Glowforge laser cutter, and 3-D modeling and printing. 
 

Virtual Five- or Three-week Options

Morning ESOL Class

First Period: 8:30-9:45 am 
Second Period: 10:15-11:30 am

Online students may also enroll in online SAT/SSAT Test Prep classes. 

SAT/SSAT Options: Get strategic! This course, taught by Summit Educational Group instructors, focuses on the academic skills and test-taking techniques you need to succeed on the SAT. You’ll get support and guidance based on your individual needs to maximize your scoring potential.

Afternoon Period 1 (1-2:30 pm)

• SAT Prep Math and English: Five-week program, four days a week
• SAT Prep Math and English: Three-week, four days a week

Afternoon Period 2 (3-4:30 pm)

• SAT Prep Math and English: Five-week program, four days a week
• SAT Prep Math: Five-week program, Monday and Thursday
• SAT Prep English: Five-week program, Tuesday and Friday
• SAT Prep Math and English: Three-week program, four days a week

SAT Prep Weekend,

• Five-week Program, Saturdays and Sundays, 8-9:30 am

SSAT Prep

• Three-week program, four days a week, 8-9:30 pm ET