Chinese History
Dates TBD
Cost: $900
This full credit course is designed to be a broad overview of Chinese history and culture. The course begins with the Sage Kings and prehistoric China and ends with the rise of a new global superpower at the dawn of the 21st Century. Each period of Chinese history will be addressed, but a clear focus will be on the developments from the dawn of the modern era through the present day. The course will explore the key themes central to understanding Chinese history, society, and culture, with special focus on the key ideas that have driven the Chinese people from its earliest days. Studying Chinese history will also expose students to an unfamiliar culture, different ways of viewing the world, and serves as a challenge to a Western or American centric view of history.
The course will be taught virtually and in-person by Mr. Sam Manelski. The course is open to rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Students must be available for the entire course.
Students may also choose to enroll in this course as an honors level course. Students who decide to take the honors track will complete additional course work and an expanded final assessment.
Abstract Math Course
Dates 6/8-7/30/2026
Cost: $900
This course is the equivalent of a full-year, honors-level course in abstract mathematics. It is designed for highly motivated students who have completed Precalculus and are eager to challenge themselves beyond the standard curriculum. Students will explore a diverse range of advanced topics, including number theory, quaternions, abstract algebra, graph theory, and game theory. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on developing students’ ability to construct clear, rigorous mathematical proofs while gaining exposure to higher-level mathematical thinking. In addition, the course aims to connect these areas of pure mathematics to real-world applications, demonstrating how pursuing mathematics for its own sake can lead to meaningful impact. Applications will be drawn from fields such as computer science, political science, philosophy, and others. The course provides both a strong foundation in proof-writing for mathematics competitions and an introduction to topics beyond the traditional applied curriculum. Daily homework will be assigned, and weekly in-class summative assessments will be administered.
This course will meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm from June 8 until July 31, with no class during the week of June 15. Each week of the course is generally self-contained, so students who miss no more than one week are encouraged to enroll and coordinate make-up work with the instructor. However, students who plan to miss intervals of time in multiple different weeks will likely face difficulty in completing the course.
Questions about course pre-registration procedures or content can be directed to Mr. Henry Erdman at
rerdman@loyolablakefield.org.
Loyola Blakefield students may only take this course with prior permission from Mr. Henry Erdman.
Geometry Course
Dates June 8- 17
Cost: $900
This standard first course in Geometry covers the required concepts of Euclidean Geometry including definitions, postulates, and theorems. Areas of study include angles, parallel lines, congruent and similar figures, polygons, circles and arcs, and the Pythagorean Theorem. Special topics covered include coordinate and spatial geometry, introductory trigonometry, areas of two-dimensional figures, and areas and volumes of three-dimensional figures. In addition, problems are included which serve to review algebra skills.
The course covers the entire college preparatory Geometry curriculum during a five-week period, so it is taught at a highly accelerated pace. Students should expect at least an hour of homework each day. A midterm exam and a final exam will be given. Students should be self-motivated. The course will be taught in-person and attendance is mandatory for the five-week session. The course will be taught by Mr. Drew Barker.
*This course will be offered to Loyola Students ONLY.
*Loyola Blakefield students may only take this course with prior permission from the Math department chair.
Loyola Blakefield students may only take this course with prior permission from the Math department chair.
The Two Cities Religion Course
Dates TBD
Cost: $900
The Two Cities will use a humanities-based approach to examine the rich legacy of Catholic political thought throughout human history. We will examine the challenges of Modernity through the lens of the Theologico-Political problem, as well as St. Augustine’s understanding of the “City of Man,” and the “Heavenly City.” The course will underscore the bishops’ call to address how Christ’s mission continues through the Church. Topics may include Justice, natural right, faith and reason, Athens and Jerusalem, Modernity, and Christian Revelation (Divine love).
This is a full credit course and will be taught online through Microsoft Teams by Mr. Jesse Harris. Class will not be held on 7/4 and will be asynchronous on 7/3.
College Essay Writing Workshop
Session 1: June 15-18 9:00am-12:00pm
Session 2: June 22-26 9:00am-11:00am
Cost: $200 per session
College application workshops are great summer courses for high school students. Many high school students use the summer season to polish their college applications. After all, you can’t fully plan for college until your application has been submitted and accepted. The summer gives you ample time to work on your college application, preparing each credential thoughtfully to highlight your accomplishments.
Our college application workshop is held for one week in June for rising high school seniors only. You will be guided through the process of how to write an excellent application essay. During these lessons, the instructors will assist you with outlining, developing, and revising the essay. You will be offered writing expertise and constructive feedback to improve the quality of your essay.
Our goal is to help students craft a substantial application essay that will truly impress colleges. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have at least one completed college application essay under your belt. You will also gain insights into the application process, which can be invaluable for your journey towards college.
This course is open to Loyola Blakefield students only.