Crest Summer School Program Guidelines for 2011

Application Deadline | Tuition | 2011 Schedule | Grading | Courses | Attendance & Homework | FAQs | Download Application

Enrollment

Students who fall into one or more of the following four categories may apply.

1. Students enrolled in Crest during the regular school year (prior to May 2nd.).

2. Students who need to take a class they missed or failed.  This category is composed of students who need to attend summer school to catch up or keep up with their class.  Special Education students with an IEP that recommends an extended school year are included in this category.

3. Students who wish to take Washington State History.  Upper-class students have priority for a limited number of spaces in this category.

4. Students who wish to take a course in order to gain flexibility in their high school schedule.  Typically, these are students who seek credit for a course like Health, PE, Work Experience, Art, or Volunteer Service.  Students in this category are prioritized first by grade level and then by registration date for a limited number of spaces.

Immediately following the application period, Crest will notify those who will fill the limited number of available spaces in categories 3 and 4.  Enrollment in categories 1 & 2 will stay open until the current school year ends in order to accommodate those students who fail to complete a required class during the current semester.  If, at that time, the summer program is not full, we will enroll additional students off a waiting list of category 4 applicants.

Applications

Beginning April 11th, applications may be obtained at Crest, the counseling center at MIHS, or downloaded from this website by clicking here on Download Application. The application period for Crest Learning Center's summer program commences on May 2nd and remains open through May 20th.  Applications may be brought or mailed to Mercer Island High School Counseling Center beginning 8:00AM on May 2nd. Applications submitted prior to April 12th will not be accepted.

Tuition

For students currently enrolled in Mercer Island School District, tuition is $300 per course.  Tuition for Island residents not currently enrolled in MISD and out-of-district students (accepted only if space is available) is $325. There will be partial reduced scholarships available for students on free and reduced lunch plans. See your counselor for details.

2011 Schedule

The Crest Learning Center Summer Program will begin with a student-parent orientation meeting on Thursday, June 16th, at 6:45pm. Crest will be open for summer school students Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, every week for six weeks through July 28th. Students have one individual appointment per week for 6 consecutive weeks.  The last day of the summer program is Thursday, July 28th.

Grading

Courses that do not involve direct instruction are offered solely on a Pass/No Grade basis.  Examples of such courses include Physical Education. 

Students enrolled in courses that involve direct instruction receive letter grades.  Examples of such courses include Washington State History, English, Health and US History.

Courses

It is the Crest staff’s recommendation that students enroll in no more than one academic course during the summer.  Students who must enroll in a second academic course will be required to have a second teacher appointment each week. 

Many students enrolled in one academic course add an elective such as PE.  This combination requires only one appointment per week.

During the summer Crest Learning Center offers independent courses in the following subject areas:  History, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education.

Attendance and Homework

Students must attend an appointment for at least four of the six weeks of summer school.  Students planning to be gone for more than two weeks of the six-week summer program should not enroll.

Students are expected to make regular progress on their coursework throughout the six weeks of summer school.  A minimum of approximately ten hours of work should be completed for each appointment. 

It is expected that students complete at least 50 hours of work by their last appointment.  This limits to 30 hours the amount of work students may complete without supervision during the time between the last appointment and the final due date, Monday August 30th.  Students who do not accomplish at least 50 hours of work by their last appointment and who wish to complete the course will be required to re-enroll the following summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit my application on the first day of the application period?

The answer depends on which category you fall into:  If you are an incoming sophomore, junior or senior applying for the Washington State History class, you will be accepted as long as you get your application in before the application period closes.  If you are an incoming freshman applying for Washington State History, you should get your application in ASAP to have the best chance of getting one of the limited spaces that will be available to younger students.

If you are applying for a course that you must take to keep up or catch up with your class, you will be accepted as long as you get your registration in before the application period closes.  If you want to take a course to create flexibility in your HS schedule or to accelerate your progress through MIHS, you would be wise to turn in your application early in the enrollment period.

How many incoming 9th graders will get a spot in the Washington State History course?

It is impossible to predict the exact number of spaces for 9th graders wanting to take Washington State History.  Until we know how many sophomores, juniors and seniors want to take the course, we won’t know how many spaces remain for freshmen. 

Why doesn’t Crest accept students for the summer program in the order they apply?

The Crest Learning Center Summer Program considers its most important mission to be helping those students that need the summer program to catch up or keep up with their graduating class.  Often, these students don’t know until the very end of the current semester whether they have failed a class.  Since these students have priority, other applicants must wait until the end of school before available spots can be filled.  Also, older students have priority when there are limited openings.

How should I fill out my MIHS registration form for next year if I don’t know whether I’ll be in summer school?

If you are an incoming freshman, assume that you won’t be in summer school when filling out your MIHS registration form.  If you already attend MIHS, see your HS counselor for advice on how to proceed.

What will happen if I don’t finish the course by the final due date in August?

To finish the course, you may apply to attend Crest Learning Center during the regular year, but space is not guaranteed. Most students who don’t finish their summer coursework reenroll the following summer.

What if I’m going to miss several weeks of summer school?

If you are unable to attend a minimum of four appointments with your assigned teacher, you should not enroll in the summer program.  If you can meet with your teacher at least four of the six weeks, you are welcome to apply.

Why must I pay tuition to attend summer school?

State and local funding does not support school programs outside the regular 180-day school year.  The Crest Summer Program is totally tuition-based.  Your tuition pays for teacher and secretary salaries, supplies and curriculum materials.  To apply, see your counselor.

What courses does Crest offer during the summer?

During the summer Crest Learning Center offers independent courses in the following subject areas:  History, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Health and Physical Education. 

What does it mean to take an independent course?

Students meet with a teacher once a week to discuss and evaluate progress.  Outside of that weekly meeting, students are expected to work independently to complete assignments, either at school or elsewhere.  During the summer session, the Crest building is open from at least 8 to 5 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, and students are encouraged to use the resources at the school where curriculum materials, teachers and other students are available to provide informal assistance.

Typically, the most difficult parts of completing an independent course are maintaining a consistent work schedule and staying organized.  Especially during the summer, procrastination beckons at full volume.

How will I know if my application was accepted?

Immediately following the application period, Crest will notify all applicants of their enrollment status.  On about June 1st, applicants will learn by mail whether they are enrolled or wait listed.

Updated 4/8/2010