Dear Educators, Families, and Friends,

ACCESS CHESHIRE, now in its third year, is a four-week interdisciplinary course of study in the arts and sciences open to intellectually curious and motivated students entering grades seven, eight, nine, and ten. At the heart of the program is a dynamic learning partnership among students, faculty, interns, and proctors designed to engage students within and beyond the classroom. The goal of ACCESS CHESHIRE is to excite wonder, create confidence, broaden horizons, expand possibilities, and even, perhaps, peek into the future.

As a participant in ACCESS Cheshire, students choose membership in one of six academic clusters:

Cheshire CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — Forensic Science, Digital Photograph and Detective Literature

Into Thin Air — Anatomy and Physiology, Adventure Literature, and Ropes Course

Festival of China — Introductory Mandarin, Ceramics, and the strategy game “Wei’ch’i

Media and Society — Film Studies, Economics and Advertising, and Journalism

Future Earth: A Green Planet — Physics, Architecture, and Sustainable Food NEW CLUSTER!

ACCESS CHESHIRE also offers rich possibilities for education and recreation beyond the classroom. Every Wednesday afternoon students take field trips that are designed to amplify and provide further hands-on experiences with their clusters. In addition, all students participate in “specials” or clubs that meet three times a week. Specials include: Rockets and Robotics; Sports Writing; Music Theory and Composition; Marine Biology; Vegan, Vegetarian and Locavore Cuisines; Creative Writing; Studio Art; and Ceramics.

In addition to afternoon sports such as tennis, swimming, yoga, fencing, basketball, and soccer, students participate in off-campus weekend activities along Connecticut’s coast, wooded trails, and mountain paths. In the middle of the session, all students spend the weekend in Boston where they visit the New England Aquarium, The Science Museum, and Faneuil Hall, enjoy dinner on the Spirit of Boston, attend a performance of Sheer Madness, and visit Harvard and MIT.

Music is encouraged for everyone. In addition to our summer chorus, students have the opportunity to take advantage of ensembles, jam sessions, and private lessons. We also offer Music Theory and Composition in our specials selection. After dinner every evening faculty and students share music that they enjoy, from Classical to contemporary, piano, voice, guitar, violin and even accordion.

ACCESS CHESHIRE is a dynamic international community. In 2011, we welcomed day and boarding students from not only around the US, and also from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, the Republic of Korea, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, and China.

Perhaps the greatest gift that we can give our children during the summer is that of opportunity. In the independent school tradition, ACCESS Cheshire participants will immerse themselves in an interest, exploring it in countless ways, and nurturing it through hands-on exposure to what is and what might be possible. They will discover great books, articles and websites, and visit galleries, museums, labs, salt marshes and mountains. They will be supported by talented mentors and enriched by the company of peers who share their curiosity and perhaps even their passion.

If you son or daughter would like to be part of ACCESS CHESHIRE 2012, please email me at diane.cook@cheshireacademy.org, or call me at 203-439-7400. I look forward to hearing from you.

Cordially,

Diane K. Cook, Director of ACCESS CHESIRE

Cheshire Academy

10 Main Street

Cheshire, CT 06410

203-439-7400