Online Academy

The Online Academy for Boys

Today there are many options for online learning, but there are not any options for online coursework specifically designed for high school boys. University School, experts in boys education for more than 130 years, now offers online classes through The Online Academy for Boys. Taught by some of the finest teachers in the country – our own University School faculty – these semester- or year-long courses are now available as a virtual option to high school boys not currently enrolled at the school.

Through The Online Academy for Boys, experienced teachers who understand how boys learn and grow will engage boys in challenging curricula, create opportunities for them to collaborate and connect with classmates from around the globe, and support them in developing the knowledge and skills they will need in the future.

Housed within the Center for the Education of Boys at University School, The Online Academy for Boys currently offers six high school courses in English, math, science, foreign language, and the arts. Our faculty has an average of more than 20 years teaching experience and all hold master's degrees.

Dr. Michael J. Smith
Director
The Online Academy for Boys

Course Offerings

List of 6 items.

AP Environmental Science

Instructor: Michael Smith
Full-year Course
Mondays and Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM
Environmental Science is a multidisciplinary course focused on the scientific principles, ideas, and skills needed to understand how human beliefs and actions impact the natural world.
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Students explore and analyze environmental issues, identify challenges and problems, evaluate risks, and propose solutions using data collected at home, in the field, and online. Students will work collaboratively as they use discussions, activities, labs, and projects to evaluate solutions to environmental problems, both natural and human-made. Topics covered in the course include ecosystems, biodiversity, populations, Earth systems, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Students completing this course will be well-prepared to take the AP Environmental Science exam in May.

Enrollment Requirements: Students who have completed high school biology and chemistry may enroll in this course. APPLY NOW
AP Computer Science

Instructor: Peter Sweeney
Full-year Course
Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00- 7:00 PM
In this course, students will build their programming skills, focusing on object-oriented programming using the Java programming language. Topics covered include class design, Boolean expressions, repetition, recursion, arrays, and inheritance.
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Students will be introduced to the principles of algorithm construction and data structures. Special topics of this course may include more advanced data structures, measuring algorithm efficiency, cryptography and cryptanalysis, network applications programming, designing a GUI, and animation and graphics. Evaluation is based on tests, programming assignments, and homework exercises. Students who complete this class will be well prepared to sit for the AP Computer Science A exam in May.

Enrollment Requirements: Students who have earned good grades in math and have completed Algebra 2 (or equivalent) may enroll in this course. Note: No prior programming experience is required. APPLY NOW
AP Chinese

Instructor: Shi Jiang
Full-year Course
Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-8:30 PM
The AP Chinese course is designed to immerse students with various opportunities to further advance their skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Chinese by focusing on the following thematic units: families and communities, personal and public identities, beauty and aesthetics, science and technology, contemporary life, and global challenges.
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Students enrolled in this course will develop communicative competence in the Chinese language through immersion of Chinese cultural elements and their use of critical thinking skills gained through class materials to further develop their writing skills in Chinese. In class, students interact with the teacher and other students through communicative tasks of vocabulary, grammar, and cultural aspects of the language. They then will apply what they've learned in extensive written and spoken exercises. Students completing this course will be well-prepared to take the AP Chinese exam in May. Successful completion of this exam may earn college credit.

Enrollment Requirements: Students who have completed three or more years of Chinese Language instruction and earn a satisfactory result on the Chinese Language placement test may enroll in this course. APPLY NOW
English 11/12: Gender, Race and Social Justice in 2020

Instructor: Michael N. Khoury
Fall Semester
Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM
This course employs the concepts of gender, race and social justice to examine and analyze a variety of topics and disciplines in contemporary American society.
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These topics include the Black Lives Matter movement, immigration, the Hispanic and Latinx communities, gender equality, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Through theory and application, students will reflect on a multitude of current societal issues as they are impacted by concepts of gender, race and social justice in the United States, and will hypothesize possibilities that make our society more equitable and inclusive.

Enrollment Requirements: High School juniors and seniors are welcome to enroll in this course. APPLY NOW
English Composition: Adventures in Narrative Writing

Instructor: Kevin O'Brien
Fall Semester (half-time course)
Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 PM
Every writer is on a hero’s journey. This course will offer mentoring and a band of brothers on this quest to write, sharing stories along the way.
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Beginning with poetry and memoir writing, students will look in the mirror, exploring their identity and how they relate to others. Like journalists, students will also interview friends and family about their experiences, opening windows and conversations with compassion and curiosity.

Writers must also be readers: students will read selected mentor texts to model while also discovering and diving deep into a writer that speaks to their style and interests. In late October, students will shift their attention to fiction – writing stories based on true events that take a dramatic turn with a reversal of fortune or a humorous twist of fate. In November, students will set writing goals for National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWriMo). Inevitably, students will stumble and fail to reach their daily word count goals; however, that’s part of the process. As a community of writers, students will support each other to press on and foster resilience. By establishing a dedicated writing habit, students will collaborate as co-conspirators and surprise themselves in this process. In December, students will revise and refine writing pieces for presentation in a digital portfolio as well as submission to writing competitions. For seniors, this course will be helpful for college essays and portfolios. Requisites include having courage to be vulnerable in sharing stories and commitment to the work – to write daily – and to collaborate and support fellow writers on their journey.

Enrollment Requirements: This course is open to all high school students. APPLY NOW
Portfolio Preparation for Art and Design Colleges

Instructor: Michael Starinsky
Fall Semester (half-time course)
Tuesdays 6:00 -7:00 PM
Do you want to get into your choice art school next year? This online portfolio preparation course will help you highlight your works and your work process to make the entire package ready for review.
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This course will also put you directly in touch with art school reps during evening forum conversations so that you can ask questions, share your works and make better informed decisions about the schools you are targeting for your undergraduate studio studies. This class will visit with the reps from the best art schools including: OTIS, SAIC, CIA, CCS, RIT, MICA, RISD, SCAD, NC ST, to name a few, who will join us remotely to show what their programs offer without you having to leave the comfort of your home studio. This is a great way to forge a relationship with your school of choice early and customize your work and process to your choice school.

Alternating sessions will focus on the body of work you are planning to present and the area of study with which you are interested. Important portfolio items like; your sketchbooks, concept drawings, digital renderings, and your finished works in every medium will be reviewed both as a class and one-on-one with the instructor. Learn the value of the phrase, “You are only as good as your worst piece,” as the formula for editing down to your best works. Work during studio sessions around photographing, editing and presentation formatting as you create, and more importantly hone, a top-notch digital portfolio over the 13-week session.

Find your dream art school and create an amazing portfolio to insure you study where you want to, (maybe even gain some scholarship support). Don’t stress by yourself. Work with other creative high school students from all time zones and a seasoned art teacher with a long history of leading students to visual art and design careers.

Enrollment Requirements: Juniors or seniors applying to art and design colleges for a bachelor’s degree or who plan to study studio art at a traditional college may enroll in this course. APPLY NOW

FAQs

List of 13 frequently asked questions.

Who would benefit from taking classes through the Online Academy for Boys?
The Online Academy serves highly motivated and outstanding students…
- from traditional public or independent schools who are looking for advanced content
- who are now being home schooled and will benefit from high-level instruction
- who are studying at American or English Speaking Schools around the globe and seek native-speaking engagement
Are the Courses delivered in real-time?

The courses are scheduled in the early evening to accommodate students who have other daytime commitments. The content is delivered both in real time and asynchronously. For full-time courses, there are two classes in real time, one office hour, and additional content that can be studied independently each week.
What are the features of the program?

The Academy provides small classes with highly personalized attention. Most classes will be small, and all will be capped at 15 or 18 students depending on the subject.

Each course will offer life-changing interaction with students and teachers from a variety of backgrounds.

The all-boys environment enables boys to express themselves openly and freely, and teachers are highly experienced in working with boys.

Students who commit to doing well will be highly prepared for whatever comes next in this subject area.
How will we be assessed?
Students will be given the following grades based on their engagement in mastering the material in the class:
- High Honors
- Honors
- High Pass
- Pass
- Did not Persist
Students who pass will receive a certificate of completion along with their respective assessments.
I see a discount code. Does that apply to me? Are there scholarships available?

Scholarships are not available at this time. We do have a partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). Through a special grant, CMSD students will have access to courses and they will be using the discount code when they sign up.
When do we meet?
There are four potential slots:
- Monday/Wednesday 6:00 to 7:00 pm plus one office hour
- Monday/Wednesday 7:30 to 8:30 pm plus one office hour
- Tuesday/Thursday 6:00 to 7:00 pm plus one office hour
- Tuesday/Thursday 7:30 to 8:30 pm plus one office hour
What are the Current Class Offerings and fees?
Some offerings are for one year, and others are for one semester. Fees are based on the length of the course and on how often they meet.
- AP Environmental Science (Full Year, $1900)
- AP Computer Science (Full Year, $1900)
- AP Chinese (Full Year, $1900)
- English 11/12: Gender, Race and Social Justice in 2020 (One semester, $950)
- English Composition: Adventures in Narrative Writing? (One semester, one period per week, $475)
- Art: Preparing Your Portfolio for College and Art Schools (One semester, one period per week, $475)
Do you offer refunds if I discontinue the course?

We offer full a refund for withdrawals prior to the start of the class. If a class is dropped during the first two weeks of class, we will refund all but 10% of the fee. Courses dropped after two weeks into the class are nonrefundable.
Does the Academy issue course credits?

The Academy does not issue credit for courses. Students who complete a course will receive a certificate of completion which notes their grade. Students who wish to ask their school to offer credit can provide the certificate and a copy of the course syllabus and description to their high school guidance counselor or registrar to discuss options for receiving credit.
Does the Online Academy offer any help with signing up for the AP test?

Some students who take an AP class will want to sit for the exam. Others may choose not to. Because students will be taking the test in sites across the globe, they will be responsible for all aspects of sitting for the exam including meeting deadlines, signing up for tests, paying the examination fee, and all other aspects of taking the test.
Do course registration fees cover textbooks, materials, and supplies?

Because fees vary based upon the class, they are additional. Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks, materials, and supplies and can source them on their own.
Can I get a University School diploma through the Online Academy?

At this stage, the Academy is only providing supplementary courses. The full US experience includes mentorship through the sponsor program, a culture of public speaking required of all students, a program based on Responsibility, Loyalty, and Consideration, college advising, regular assemblies with outside speakers, engagement in areas of interest outside of class, and an environment where students often do mentor research. Students interested in the full US experience need to apply to the school for admission.
Who can I reach for further information?

We are more than happy to answer your questions. Please send us an email at onlineacademy@us.edu.

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Calendar & Fees

FALL SEMESTER
September 28-December 18, 2020

SPRING SEMESTER includes 2-week break
January 4-April 23, 2021

FEES
$ 1900 per course for full-year courses
$ 950 for one-semester courses
$ 475 for ½ time, one-semester courses

Our Mission

To provide an outstanding online educational experience for boys from around the globe through high-quality instruction with exceptional faculty.

Our Faculty

List of 6 items.

Michael Smith

Biology, Environmental Science
READ BIO
Michael Smith is in his 31st year as a science educator. He earned degrees in geology from the College of Wooster and Rice University and a doctorate in science education from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Smith began his career as a professional geologist with Shell Oil Company, served as Director of Education at the American Geosciences Institute, and taught at the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania. At University School, he teaches biology, environmental science, geology, and oceanography. He also advises the Students for Sustainability Club and the Geology Club. Dr. Smith served the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) as its Secretary, Journal Editor, and Eastern Region Director, and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) as Eastern Section President. He received the Maurice Ewing Fellowship in Geology at Rice University, Outstanding Educator Award from Kappa Delta Pi at the University of Delaware, NESTA's Distinguished Service Award, and Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards for the Central United States (2019), Delaware (2007), and Pennsylvania (1991) from the NAGT.
Peter Sweeney

Computer Science, Klein Chairholder in Computer Science, Robotics
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Mr. Peter Sweeney has been teaching computer science for more than 15 years. In addition to programming, he has taught post-AP courses in data structures and machine learning, and elective courses in virtual reality, iOS app development and cybersecurity. In 2017, University School awarded him the Michael S. Klein Chair in Computer Science. Mr. Sweeney coaches the school’s programming team, which has won several awards including the Baldwin-Wallace ACM programming competition in 2018 and 2019. He also coaches the school’s FTC Robotics team that has qualified to compete at the state of Ohio championship four of the last five years, and in 2018 competed in the World Championship. Before he became a teacher, Mr. Sweeney worked for ten years for Fortune 500 companies in the IT industry as a computer consultant, a network administrator, and a database/systems programmer.
Shi Jiang

Chinese Teacher
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Shi Jiang is in her 12th year of teaching Chinese as a second language. Born and raised in Hubei Province of China, Ms. Jiang received her bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Wuhan University. She moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 2016 and taught all levels of Chinese classes at John Carroll University as a visiting professor from 2016 to 2018. As a travel lover, Ms. Jiang later taught Chinese to Spanish speakers at the Centro Chino in Santiago, Chile for a year. Currently Ms. Jiang is the Chinese teacher at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio.
Michael N. Khoury

Junior K-8 Foreign Language Department Chair, Latin, Spanish, French, 5-8, CFE Enrichment & Support
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Michael N. Khoury, M.A., Jr. K– 8 Language Department Chair at University School, Lecturer of Spanish at John Carroll University, has lived in Mexico for 12 years, Brazil for five, and France for one. During his thirteen-year tenure in education, he has taught French, Latin, Portuguese, and Spanish (language, literature & culture courses) at the primary, middle school, and college levels. At University School, he leads student trips to India, Morocco, and Senegal. Mr. Khoury has completed his doctoral course work at Georgetown University in pursuit of a PhD in Spanish and Portuguese Language and Literature. He was awarded his M.A. in Spanish from Cleveland State University, and his B.A. in French with a minor in Spanish also from CSU. He is fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, and he is a native speaker of Spanish. While completing his graduate studies both at CSU and Georgetown, he served as a teaching assistant and taught a variety of courses including beginning, intermediate, and advanced Spanish including Spanish literature courses, as well as beginning and intermediate levels of French and Portuguese. At Georgetown, he served as one of the Events Committee Coordinators for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. As such, he was in charge of planning and coordinating lectures of guest speakers sponsored by the department. He coordinated events in conjunction with the Mexican Cultural Institute, as well as the Brazilian, Portuguese and Spanish Embassies in Washington, DC in order to promote cultural liaisons and activities between Georgetown’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the above institutions. At Georgetown, he also served as editor and proofreader for articles published in Comedia Performance, a journal published by Georgetown University Press that specializes in Spanish Golden Age Theater.
Kevin O'Brien

English Teacher
READ BIO
In his third year at University School, Kevin O’Brien is in his 19th year of teaching English at independent schools, including St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Western Reserve Academy, Episcopal Academy, and The Hill School. A graduate of Phillips Academy Andover and the University of Pennsylvania, he earned his master’s degree from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. His experience in writing workshops in poetry and creative writing at Bread Loaf have inspired this course. Having coached soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, he cares deeply about fostering supportive team culture in his classroom. Dedicated to creating inclusive and equitable communities, Mr. O’Brien is trained as a leader in the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity). Also, as a yoga instructor, he incorporates mindfulness and social-emotional learning into his teaching and mentoring.
Michael Starinsky

Arts Chair, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
READ BIO
Michael Starinsky is in his 33rd year of Art Education. He has worked and taught in every conceivable arts environment from basement classrooms to interactive museum spaces. During his graduate studies he worked as a Martha Holden Jennings artist-in-residence in Cleveland Metropolitan Schools painting several large-scale murals with children. His first formal teaching position between 1991-2000 was with University School’s Primary School program. Later he served as Executive Director of Friends of Cleveland School of the Arts, 501c3, where he garnered philanthropic support for urban high school arts programing and scholarships. He joined the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2001 where he oversaw the Education Art Collection, then in 2003 he created Gallery One, the museum’s internationally renowned and award-winning interactive gallery, enjoyed today by thousands of patrons and school groups each year. Mr. Starinsky served as its founder and Director until 2011, when he returned to University School, this time to the Upper School, where he participates in the design process of new studio and design teaching spaces as a part of the schools’ campus renovation. As Arts Chair at University School in Hunting Valley Ohio, he oversees the Theater, Music, Visual Arts and Design departments while teaching three levels of photography, sculpture in ceramics and metals, and portfolio preparation.