GRACE Summer Program

Two students in safety glasses look at a tall test tube, one points with a pencil

GRoton Accelerate Challenge Enrich (GRACE) provides an opportunity for Groton students to use the summer after Third Form (ninth grade) to accelerate their academic progress.

GRACE promotes flexibility within the Groton curriculum and helps all students reach their full potential. For some, GRACE will accelerate access to our most advanced courses; for others, it will fill a preparation gap and provide a foundation for success.

The optional four-week residential program, which starts in late June, prepares GRACE Scholars for the rigors of Upper School, while also recognizing the importance of summer fun and recreation. Each winter, Third Formers receive information about applying to GRACE.

The 2026 GRACE Summer Program runs from June 21 to July 17.

Read more about GRACE in The Quarterly.

Academic Courses and Goals

By immersing themselves in only one or two subjects at a time, GRACE Scholars can make meaningful academic progress in just four weeks. Students typically take either two A courses, one B course, or an A and a B course. Occasionally, two B courses may be taken, but only with special permission. A courses meet for an hour and a half each weekday; B courses meet for three hours each weekday, plus an hour on Saturday.

During free periods, students will have the opportunity to take enrichment classes in art.

One student stands in front of a white board with tips on speed reading, other students look on.

Course Options

English

History and Social Science

Latin

Mathematics and Computer Science

Math A: Taken after Geometry to firm up algebra skills in preparation for Algebra 2

Math B: Taken after Algebra 1 to move directly into Algebra 2; this class covers material from the year-long geometry course

Quadratics: For Geometry students moving to Algebra 2 with Quadratics, opening up the possibility of placement in Algebra 2 with Trigonometry in Fourth Form

Trigonometry: An option for students in Algebra 2 with Quadratics who are interested in taking Precalculus with Polar Coordinates or Accelerated Precalculus in Fourth Form

Science

World Languages

Below are some examples of our World Language courses. The various levels we offer each summer are determined by student interest. In past summers we have offered sections ranging from level 1 to 4.

Chinese 2: Is intended for students currently in Chinese 2 who want to shore up skills in preparation for Chinese 3 and for students who want to advance from Chinese 1 directly to Chinese 3. For this latter group, the department will make a recommendation about the most appropriate Fourth Form course placement (Chinese 2 or 3) at the conclusion of GRACE.

French 3: is intended for students currently in French 3 who want to shore up skills in preparation for French 4 and for students who want to advance from French 2 directly to French 4. For this latter group, the department will make a recommendation about the most appropriate Fourth Form course placement (French 3 or 4) at the conclusion of GRACE.

Spanish 1 (ñ): is intended for students currently in Spanish 1 who want to shore up skills in preparation for Spanish 2 and for students who did not take Spanish 1 but want to advance directly into Spanish 2. For this latter group, the department will make a recommendation about the most appropriate Fourth Form course placement (Spanish 1 or 2) at the conclusion of GRACE.

GRACE Enrichment Classes

Art: Art classes at GRACE will have a summer theme with artists exploring Plein Air painting with watercolor, basket weaving, tie dye and silk screen, jewelry making, candle dipping, and sculpture. No prior art experience is necessary for this class, just art enthusiasm!

Study Skills Seminars: We will offer study skills seminars (45 minutes) each week; The topics of the weekly seminars are listed below.
Week 1: Organizational Skills
Week 2: Time Management Skills
Week 3: Note-Taking Skills
Week 4: Test-Taking Skills

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to enrolling in courses, students will experience a variety of fun and enriching extracurricular activities. Groton’s Dining Hall will provide all meals, and students will stay in Groton dorms under the supervision of the GRACE faculty.

Weekday Recreation and Entertainment

Afternoon activities: swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, tennis, running, and group games
Off-campus entertainment (Wednesday nights): mini-golf, a trampoline park, movies, and bowling

Weekend Outings

Amusement park
Whitewater rafting
Boston

Six students and a guide in an inflatable raft paddling through rapids

Daily Schedule

Class Day Schedule

Class Day Schedule

How to Apply

Acceptance into GRACE is based on the recommendations of teachers and department heads who assess whether each student is well suited to benefit from the course or courses in which they are interested.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The tuition listed below covers all expenses, including not only the academic program, but also meals, art courses, recreational programs, entertainment, and field trips.

2026 Tuition: $8,300

Financial aid is available, in some cases exceeding levels allocated during the school year, to keep the cost of the program from preventing a student's participation in GRACE. Once students are admitted into the GRACE program in early February, parents will be contacted and given the opportunity to request financial aid.

Cort Pomeroy

Director of Enrollment Management, Director of GRACE

978-448-7516
cpomeroy@groton.org

In this Section...