SKILLS IN LITERATURE
The goal of this course is to encourage you to enjoy reading. Develop skills in understanding and analyzing fiction, drama, and poetry through daily reading and writing assignments. We’ll read and discuss fiction of different styles; study fundamental elements such as plot, setting, and theme; and relate the literature to your own experiences. Vocabulary is studied daily to enhance comprehension. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

THE WORLD OF THE SHORT STORY 
In this course, you’ll write your own short story. Learn the pieces that make up a short story and how setting, characters, and plot fit together. We’ll read and discuss short stories that are realistic as well as those that stray from the real world, and tackle writing assignments to help you ultimately create your own work. (Period 2 only: 10:15 am ET)

THE ART OF WRITING 
Are you a poet in the making? Do you have a story to tell? In this course, you’ll try your hand at different types of writing such as essays, drama, fiction, and poetry. You’ll also read short stories, essays, and poems; practice free-writing; and develop and revise your own work with feedback from the teacher and classmates. (Periods 1 or 2: 8:15 am or 10:15 am ET)

PRE-ALGEBRA
Gain a strong foundation in the most important concepts of algebra. You’ll study variables and properties, solve equations and inequalities, learn about functions and graphing, work with triangles and lay a foundation for geometry, and build the skills you need for success in future mathematics courses. (Period 1 or 2: 8:30 am or 10:15 am ET)

ADVANCED MATH OPTIONS
The following math courses are designed to cover a full year of curriculum in five weeks. Students should expect a fast-paced, intensive course, and must demonstrate a pattern of high achievement with a recommendation from their current math teacher. While these courses are for credit, NMH cannot guarantee credit or acceleration at another school. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain approval from their school prior to commencing the course.

ALGEBRA I (see College Prep section): On campus only.
ALGEBRA II (see College Prep section): Available online or on campus
GEOMETRY (see College Prep section): Available online or on campus

FORENSIC SCIENCE
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of forensic science, which starts with crime scene investigation. You’ll learn about collecting and processing evidence, and scientific tools and techniques for analyzing certain types of evidence. Pattern recognition — including fingerprint analysis, document analysis, and ballistics analysis — may be emphasized. Case studies of actual crime scenes will be presented and discussed. A background in biology or chemistry is not required, but we’ll cover basic forensic biology and chemistry topics such as DNA analysis, hair analysis, toxicology, and materials analysis. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

MARINE BIOLOGY
The ocean is like a layer cake that covers two-thirds of our planet. Discover the creatures that live in it, how they interact with each other, and how they adapt to the various marine environments within the ocean. Examine the effects that pollution and human activities, such as fishing, have on our oceans and discover how you can make a difference. (Period 2 only: 10:30 am ET)

FIELD BIOLOGY
The environment really does make all the difference. Northfield Mount Hermon is the perfect place to take your education outdoors. In this class, you’ll explore and study habitats, plants and animals, and environmental issues on our campus that is situated on the beautiful Connecticut River and surrounded by forests, streams, fields, and freshwater ponds. You’ll also work in the classroom and lab. (Period 2 only: 10:15 am ET)

PANDEMICS & PLAGUES THROUGH HISTORY
Living with COVID-19 have you ever wondered how viruses spread, what causes them, how does your body fight them, and how do vaccines work? Look back in history to the Black Death, Yellow Fever, and the Spanish Flu for example and see how they impacted society, and look at how epidemics such as AIDS, H1N1, Ebola, and COVID-19 have impacted modern day society. Understanding the challenges that face us and how they were handled in the past, will help us formulate plans for the future! (Period 2 only: 10:15 am ET)

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
How do people think about themselves and others? What motivates their behavior? Using literature, experiments, and group projects, we’ll learn how humans interact, communicate, and connect with others. We’ll examine positive and negative influences such as decision making, group behavior, attraction, aggression, and factors that promote health and well-being. We’ll make observations, conduct experiments, and report findings as we seek to understand the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

HEROES AND VILLAINS  
In this course, we’ll dive into the epic struggle between good and evil. Embark upon a hero’s journey through literature, film, legend, and history. Are villains just heroes of their own stories? How can YOU be a hero in your own life? Through discussion and consideration of heroes and villains ranging from Achilles and Agamemnon to Iron Man and Thanos, we’ll look at morality in a whole new light and deepen our perceptions of heroism and villainy. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

MEDIEVAL HISTORY 
Sharpen your sword, don your armor, and saddle up your warhorse! Learn about knighthood, chivalry, and the art of battle. Explore castles, investigate the inner workings of the church, and step into the shoes of an average peasant. Discover why legendary heroes — both real and mythical — such as Joan of Arc, King Arthur of Camelot, and Marco Polo continue to influence our stories and culture today. A world of honor, duty, and adventure awaits! (Period 2 only: 10:15 am ET)

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
This course will strengthen design-thinking skills through challenges to solve large- and small-scale environmental problems. We will focus on climate change and food systems, building out prototypes and working together to challenge assumptions and strengthen creative approaches to problem-solving. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

Theater
Whether you want to take center stage or work behind the scenes, you’ll get a taste of live theatre as literature, production, and performance. Learn about acting techniques such as scene study, improvisation, vocal production, and stage movement. Perform both short scenes and monologues. Get to know the basics of stage production in set design and construction, design and use of lighting, elements of costume design, and the use and construction of props. (Period 1 only: 8:30 am ET)

Studio Art
Anyone can be an artist! Try your hand at drawing in pencil, charcoal, and ink. Then, dabble with pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. You’ll even have the chance to work with linoleum-block printmaking, collage, clay and 3-D sculpture. Open to students of all levels. (Period 2 only: 10:15 am ET)

The World Around Us: Global Environmental Issues 
Build awareness of the critical issues affecting our world today. From climate change to recycling, farming methods to pollution, and sustainability to animal cruelty. Learn the facts, and discover how you can make a difference. (Three weeks, July 2–23, on-campus only, grades 7–9)

Exploration of Physical Sciences
In this three-week course, students will explore a variety of topics in physics, chemistry and geology based on the unique resources available in our state-of-the-art Gilder science building. Topics explored will include analyzing motion in one and two dimensions, understanding the structure of matter, and exploring the stories recorded in the rocks and fossils of the local environment around NMH. Emphasis will be placed on hands-on exploration and discovery, as well as building laboratory skills that will support a sound foundation for any high school science class.(Three weeks, July 2–23, on-campus only, grades 7–9)

Journalism
This three-week virtual intensive on reporting on creativity in the midst of devastation and writing on culture and social movements will give budding student journalists the framework and practical tools they need to become responsible reporters in an emergent media environment. Students will develop essential reporting skills, strengthen storytelling abilities, and consider a host of ethical questions that apply to anyone wishing to be a chronicler of turbulent times. This course will give equal time to both reporting and writing. Students will exit with invigorated knowledge of themselves as storytellers and a sharpened outlook on their world. This class will meet for three hours each day, Monday through Friday, and the instructor will be available for one hour daily outside of class time for individual appointments. Exact times will be announced when enrollment is finished and will best accommodate the students’ time zones. (Three weeks, July 4–22, online only)

 

Rising Scholars minor courses meet in the afternoon from 3:30 to 5 pm.

ASTRONOMY
Ever gazed up at the sky and wondered what’s out there? How was the Earth created? How big is the universe? What is a black hole? This course will answer these questions and so much more. NMH’s observatory is a wonderful location for viewing and studying stars and planets due to the minimal amount of light “pollution” from neighboring houses and towns. The course includes a daily classroom component as well as two evening viewing sessions per week. 

COMMUNITY AND SERVICE
Get involved with the community! This course is all about building awareness of local and global needs and working with various organizations to offer support. Our discussions, fundraising efforts and activities will focus on issues such as homelessness and housing, health care, education, and children’s welfare. 

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Capture the world around you! Brush up on camera basics; master shutter speed, apertures, depth-of-field, and flash. You’ll work to take high-quality photographs under varying conditions, and you’ll experiment with landscape photography, close-ups, portraits, and athletic events. You must have your own digital SLR camera.

DRAMA
Are you theatrical? Do you love to perform? In this course, you’ll explore acting, improvisation, and mime. You’ll practice monologues and prepare a production to be presented to the campus community at the end of the session.

DRAWING AND PAINTING
Express your creativity and capture the world around you in bright colors — or black and white. This course will be tailored to you and your individual interests and abilities and is an opportunity for students of all levels to develop skills in drawing and painting. 

LEARNING STRATEGIES AND SKILLS
Hone your study techniques and become a more efficient learner. Learn to plan and be organized, build skills such as note-taking, skim-reading, citations, bibliographies, and memorization. You will also look at how best to present your work, and will practice with PowerPoint, Google, and Excel.

PRACTICAL ECONOMICS
Ever wonder what the Dow Jones Industrial Index actually is? Or how the stock market operates? In this course, we’ll look broadly at simple economic principles and approaches to responsible personal financial management. Even if you have no knowledge of or experience with the business world, you’ll gain an understanding of financial and economic topics that will help you throughout your life.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Our changing climate has created a great need to change our policies about how we generate electricity. Build your knowledge and awareness of renewable energy sources and how they can make our world more sustainable. In addition to classroom time, you’ll head out on field trips to local solar, wind, and hydroelectric power facilities.

ROBOTICS
Investigate! Design! Solve problems! And, yes, create a robot! You’ll begin with the history of robotics and move on to learning the basic components of a robotic system. You’ll experiment with the various methods that make robots move, with sensors, and with programming. Students must provide their own Chromebook or Windows-based Mac laptop. 

SCULPTURE
Do you like working with your hands and building things? In this course, you'll make three-dimensional sculptures in various media, like wire, stone, clay, plaster, and paper, and play with line and form in space. We'll explore the elements and principles of design as well as be introduced to the evolution of humankind as seen through three-dimensional artwork.  

SSAT Preparation
This course, taught by instructors from the Summit Educational Group, focuses on the test-taking strategies and academic skills you’ll need to succeed on the SSAT. Summit will customize its instruction to meet your individual needs and maximize your scoring potential. The course covers both math and verbal sections. This course is not available online.
Summit’s fee: 

• Five-week: $950
• Three-week: $575

This fee will be reduced for students who receive financial aid.

Offered as a minor course from 3:30 to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.