Advanced Filmmaking

13-17

Take your filmmaking to the next level! Designed for students who already have a foundation in video production, this advanced course dives deeper into the art of visual storytelling. Students will learn complex camera movements, advanced lighting setups, sophisticated audio design, and professional post-production editing techniques. Working independently or in specialized crew roles, students will pitch, direct, and polish a high-quality short film from concept to final cut.

$25.00

Instructor: Erica Harrison

Art for High School

13-17

Art for High School: Students will learn about significant artists and artworks using a humanities-based approach that focuses on the historical and cultural contexts in which these artists lived and worked. We will cover ancient art through the Renaissance up to the present day, exploring many themes, styles, and movements in between. Students will use the concepts that they have studied to inspire their own artwork. No prior art experience is necessary!

$25.00

Instructor: Aeden Ahlers

Art for Middle School

10-14

Art for Middle School: Students will learn about significant artists and artworks with a humanities based approach that focuses on the historical and cultural contexts in which these artists lived and worked. We will cover the Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Modernism movements and also learn about contemporary art. Students will use the concepts that they have studied to inspire their own artwork. No prior art experience is necessary!

$25.00

Instructor: Aeden Ahlers

Choir

10-14

Discover the joy of group singing! This welcoming choir class is open to all students ages 10–17 with no experience required. We will explore fun vocal warm-ups, learn exciting group pieces, and build musical confidence together. Just bring your voice and a love for music!

$10.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Curious Minds: Inquiry in Science

10-14

Why do the leaves change color in the fall? What are the environmental impacts of data centers? What is puberty doing to my brain? What questions do you have about yourself and the physical world around you? In “Curious Minds: Inquiry in science, learners will engage in guided inquiry to explore the physical world, generate questions, conduct research, and present their findings in creative ways.

$25.00

Instructor: Erica Harrison

Debate

10-14

Master the Art of Argument: Fun & Fast-Paced Middle School Debate is a lively, high-energy course designed to turn everyday opinions into powerful, persuasive arguments without the stress of boring lectures. Students will learn the essentials of public speaking, research, and critical thinking by tackling highly relevant questions—ranging from serious topics like classroom smartphone bans to hilarious debates like whether pineapple belongs on pizza. Through interactive games and team showdowns, young debaters build the confidence to speak clearly, listen actively, and respectfully disagree with their peers.

$20.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

English for High School—Reading and Writing Rhetorically

13-17

This year-long high school English course will help students become more skillful readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers. We'll read, view, and discuss a wide variety of media and texts, including short stories, novels, poetry, speeches, ads, essays, nonfiction articles, and op-eds. Throughout the year, students will create a portfolio of their work, setting individual goals and reflecting upon their learning. Class time will be a mix of instruction, writing, modeling, discussion, and group/pair work. I'll be using Google Classroom to post weekly assignments and keep us all on the same page. I like to use a mix of videos, readings, and slides to reinforce class concepts and to introduce new ones that we'll talk about in the coming week. Because we only meet once a week, it's important that students follow up with their work at home, which will require about three hours a week. [Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird] Note: We'll be reading a wide variety of texts throughout the year—these are just the stand-alone books to purchase.

$25.00

Instructor: Elizabeth Price

English for Middle School

10-14

English (Middle School): Students will explore poetry, short stories, and other literary works while developing the skills they need to become stronger, more confident writers. Through thoughtful reading and discussion, students will learn how to build strong paragraphs, develop and support ideas with evidence, strengthen vocabulary, and gradually grow their paragraphs into well-organized presentations. Reading and understanding literature will become the foundation for learning how to think, communicate, and compose descriptive writing. Our class will develop tools to express ideas with greater clarity, depth, and confidence. No previous writing program is required!

$20.00

Instructor: Aeden Ahlers

Financial Literacy & Business Development: Real-World Math for Real Life

13-17

Ever wonder how money really works? How it grows, how it disappears, and how to make it work for you instead of against you? This hands-on course turns math class into a real-world look inside the financial world. Students discover how interest can build wealth or create debt, how to bank, write a check, and reconcile an account, and how the stock market and investing actually work. Along the way, they'll explore what it takes to start and run a small business — building an understanding of hard work, smart decisions, and the real value of investing in your future.

$40.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Gardening

10-14

coming soon

$25.00

Instructor: Sara Shea

Geography for Middle School

10-14

Bring geography to life! Through interactive mapping, educational games, hands-on activities, and puzzles, students will explore the wonders of our world. This dynamic approach makes learning global geography both memorable and fun for middle schoolers.

$20.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Intro to Computer Programming

10-14

Build a coder’s foundation and design thinking skills that will lead to more advanced programming classes. The class builds progressively from basic HTML to more advanced CSS and JS, while keeping things fun and creative. We will be teaching basic structure of an HTML document, common tags for text, images, and links, semantic HTML for accessibility, forms, tables, and embedding multimedia like videos. This includes practical elements like using a student chosen code editor, developing web pages, understanding URLs, and applying debugging strategies. We will have weekly mini-projects with student reviews ending the semester with a final parent showcase.

$20.00

Instructor: Ted Hover

Intro to Filmmaking

10-14

Lights, camera, action! This hands-on course introduces students to the exciting world of cinematic storytelling. From scripting and storyboarding to operating a camera, directing, and basic editing, students will collaborate to bring their creative visions to life on screen. By the end of the class, everyone will have a foundational understanding of how movies are made and a short project of their own to share!

$25.00

Instructor: Erica Harrison

Math for Middle School

10-14

Get on the road to learning with our adaptive math program, built for middle school students to succeed! Based on Saxon Math, students move at their own pace through the "skinny path" of the curriculum, mastering concepts without excessive practice of what they already know. With this method, students can fill what they've missed and, if they put in effort outside of class, often move through curriculum very quickly. All curriculum is provided. All homework is corrected as it is turned in. Curriculum covers grades 4-10 and adapts to individual student needs.

$40.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Medieval History Around the Globe - High School

13-17

This course offers a comprehensive, project-centered exploration of medieval cultures across five 6-week sessions. Designed for curious minds, the curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning to bring global history to life. Optional weekly homework is provided to enhance student understanding and extend learning outside the classroom. Session Schedule: Asia (9/14-10/19) | Africa (11/2-12/14) | North America (1/4-2/8) | South America (2/22-3/29) | Europe & Australia (4/19-5/24)

$25.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Medieval History Around the Globe - Middle School

10-14

This course offers a comprehensive, project-centered exploration of medieval cultures across five 6-week sessions. Designed for curious minds, the curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning to bring global history to life. Optional weekly homework is provided to enhance student understanding and extend learning outside the classroom. Session Schedule: Asia (9/14-10/19) | Africa (11/2-12/14) | North America (1/4-2/8) | South America (2/22-3/29) | Europe & Australia (4/19-5/24)

$25.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Odyssey of the Mind

10-14

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international educational program that fosters creative problem-solving, teamwork, and performance skills through competitive challenges. Students work in teams to solve long-term and spontaneous problems, developing self-confidence and new friendships along the way. The program culminates in tournaments where teams present their solutions and compete with others. This year we are hosting a Middle School team with a maximum of 7 students.

$30.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Organizing for Teens: What to Do in the Present to Prepare for Your Future

13-17

This course gives teens the practical skills they need to move confidently into what's next: college, a trade, a business, or the workforce. Students learn effective notetaking, study strategies, and organizational systems, then apply those skills to real-world goals: building a resume, planning for college, writing a standout college essay, and exploring trade and entrepreneurial paths. Whatever direction a student is headed, they'll leave with concrete tools and the confidence to plan their own next steps.

$20.00

Instructor: Shifra Ahlers

PE for High School

13-17

This class provides a dynamic, inclusive environment where high school students discover the joy of movement, fitness, and cooperative play. Recognizing the wide age and skill range, the curriculum emphasizes personal progress, leadership, and lifelong wellness over intense athletic competition. Students will participate in a diverse mix of team-building challenges, traditional sports, and individual fitness disciplines designed to build strength, agility, and cardiovascular health.

$10.00

Instructor: Burton Center Staff

Phys Ed for Middle School

10-14

This class provides a dynamic, inclusive environment where middle school students discover the joy of movement, fitness, and cooperative play. Recognizing the wide age and skill range, the curriculum emphasizes personal progress, leadership, and lifelong wellness over intense athletic competition. Students will participate in a diverse mix of team-building challenges, traditional sports, and individual fitness disciplines designed to build strength, agility, and cardiovascular health.

$10.00

Instructor: Burton Center Staff

Python Advanced Class

13-17

An intermediate-to-advanced Python class designed to sharpen logic, structure, and software‑building skills. Students work with functions, modules, data handling, and multi‑file programs while learning how real developers design and debug applications.

$25.00

Instructor: Ted Hover

Rock Band

13-17

Ready to rock? This dynamic class is designed to give students the ultimate rock band experience! Musicians will work together to select their own setlists, collaborate in a creative group environment, and rehearse toward a live performance. This class is open to a wide variety of musical instruments and playing abilities—whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there's a spot for you in the lineup!

$25.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith

Science for High School

13-17

TBD

$25.00

Spoken Word

13-17

Unlock the power of your voice in this dynamic, performance-based creative writing course. This class transforms the written word into a living, breathing art form. Students explore the intersection of poetry, theater, and social commentary. Throughout the semester, you will analyze contemporary spoken word artists and study diverse poetic traditions. You will experiment with rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and storytelling. The classroom serves as a supportive workshop where you will write original pieces and receive peer feedback. Beyond writing, this course emphasizes the physical art of performance. Students learn to use vocal inflection, stage presence, pacing, and body language to project confidence and emotion.

$20.00

Instructor: GG Brodsky

World Geography: Geopolitics and Global Conflict

13-17

This course investigates the critical intersections of physical landscape, national identity, and international power struggles. This course shifts beyond simple map-making to analyze how the "why of where" drives modern global tensions. Students will examine how borders, choke points, and natural resources shape the foreign policies of nations and cause international disputes. By applying spatial thinking to current events, students will analyze the roots of territorial claims, migration crises, and ideological wars, building the critical thinking skills required to evaluate contemporary global crises.

$25.00

Instructor: Lisa Smith