High School Summer Advancement Program

Serra's high school summer courses for credit and advancement offer ambitious students an opportunity to unlock their potential and achieve academic goals. These courses offer college preparatory curriculum, are taught by top Serra teachers and provide an engaging environment, where you can earn credits, sharpen your skills and dive into subjects you're passionate about. Most courses can be taken for advancement, are open to boys and girls from any school and are UC/CSU approved.

Attendance:

All courses are offered in-person only. In order to receive credit, you may miss only two days of class during the five-week summer session and you must complete the final exam. Final exams will not be rescheduled to accommodate student absences. June 19 and July 4 are school holidays. 

Important:

If you do not attend Serra High School, you are strongly advised to consult with your school counselor or academic dean to ensure that the classes you wish to take will meet the requirements for the credits you need. Pre-approval is required for students who wish to enroll in the Advancement classes (see details below).

lunch:

A variety of lunch options are available for purchase.

course cancellations

The last day that you may cancel a class and receive a refund is Thursday, June 19, 2025. A $100 fee will be deducted from the refund for each class you cancel. No refunds will be given for classes cancelled after the June 19 deadline. In the event that Serra cancels a specific course or program due to insufficient enrollment, a full refund will be provided.


Calendar at a Glance

(click on course to go directly to description)
 
June 16-20 June 23-27 June 30-July 3 July 7-11 July 14-18
Honors Algebra for Advancement -----------------------------> ----------------------------->

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Geometry for Advancement
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Honors Geometry for Advancement
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Honors Pre-Calculus for Advancement

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Honors Chemistry for Advancement
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Spanish I for Advancement -----------------------------> -----------------------------> -----------------------------> -----------------------------I
 
College Essay Writing Option I College Essay Writing Option 2   College Essay Writing Option 3  

 


MATHEMATICS

honors ALGEBRA 1 for advancement
dates: June 16-july 18 (no class on june 19 or July 4)
hours: 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m. (10 units)
course fee: $1,400

This is the first course in the honors college preparatory program and is a more in-depth approach to the Algebra 1 course. It extends beyond the topics from Algebra 1 to also introduce imaginary numbers, trigonometric ratios, circles, and ellipses. This course begins with the study of the real number system culminating with work on quadratic equations and integrates components of the CA Common Core State Mathematics Standards. The course is designed to develop critical thinking skills and demonstrate the relevance of mathematics to students’ lives. 

Incoming Serra students: Incoming Serra freshmen need to be approved to take this class for advancement. Assistant Principal: Academics, Mrs. Lee, will communicate directly with families who qualify for this summer advancement class.

Students not attending Serra in the fall: You must submit the Summer Agreement prior to the first day of class. You may scan and email the completed form to email, or mail it to Junípero Serra High School, 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, attention Summer School.

Textbooks: Algebra textbooks are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here

 


Geometry for Advancement
dates: june 16-july 18 (no class on june 19 or july 4)
Hours: 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m. (10 units)
Course Fee: $1,400

Topics covered in this course include tools of geometry, reasoning and proofs, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, triangle relationships, quadrilaterals, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, area of polygons, surface area and volume of solids, circles and probability.

Incoming Serra students: Incoming freshmen Serra students need to be approved to take this class for advancement and Mrs. Lee will be communicating directly with families who qualify for this summer advancement class.

Current Serra students: You may enroll in this class only after you have met with your counselor, received permission from Serra’s Dean of Studies, Mr. Tom Sullivan and completed the Mathematics Department Advancement Contract. You can obtain this form from Mr. Sullivan or from your counselor.

Students not attending Serra in the fall: You must submit the Summer Agreement prior to the first day of class. You may scan and email the completed form to email, or mail it to Junípero Serra High School, 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, attention Summer School.

Textbooks: Geometry textbooks are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here

 


Honors Geometry for Advancement
dates: june 16-july 18 (no class on june 19 or july 4)
Hours: 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m. (10 units)
Course Fee: $1,400

Topics covered in this course include basic geometric concepts, inductive and deductive reasoning, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles and triangle relationships, quadrilaterals, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, transformations, area, surface area and volume, circles, and probability.

Incoming Serra students: Incoming freshmen Serra students need to be approved to take this class for advancement and Mrs. Lee will be communicating directly with families who qualify for this summer advancement class.

Current Serra students: You may enroll in this class only after you have met with your counselor, received permission from Serra’s Dean of Studies, Mr. Tom Sullivan and completed the the Mathematics Department Advancement ContractYou may obtain this form from Mr. Sullivan or your counselor.

Students not attending Serra in the fall: You must submit the Honors Placement Agreement prior to the first day of class. You may scan and email the completed form to email, or mail it to Junípero Serra High School, 451 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, attention Summer School.

Textbooks: Honors Geometry textbooks are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here



honors Pre-Calculus for Advancement
dates: june 16-july 18 (no class on june 19 or july 4)
Hours: 8:15-2:00 pm (10 units)
Course Fee: $1400


this enrichment course is offered to rising serra seniors only.

Topics covered in this course include Polynomials, Inequalities, Functions, Exponents and logarithms, Analytic Trigonometry and Trigonometric functions, Advanced graphing including the use of polar coordinates, Conic sections, Vectors and determinants, Infinite sequences and series, Analytic geometry, Probability and an introduction to Calculus.

Current Serra students: You may enroll in this class only after you have met with your counselor, received permission from Serra's Dean of Studies, Mr. Tom Sullivan and completed the Mathematics Department Advancement Contract. You can obtain this form from Mr. Sullivan or from your counselor.

Texbooks: Honors Pre-Calculus textbooks are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here

 



SCIENCE

honors CHEMISTRY for advancement
dates: june 16-july 18 (no class on june 16 or july 4)
hours: 8:15 a.m.-2 p.m. (10 units)
course fee: $1,400
this course is offered to serra students only.

Current Serra Students: You may enroll in this class only after you have met with your counselor, received permission from Serra's Dean of Studies Mr. Tom Sullivan and completed the Science Department Advancement Contract. You may obtain this form from Serra's Dean of Studies or your counselor.
Topics covered in this course include Naming of Polyatomic Ions and Common Molecules, Atomic Structure, Isotopes, Electron Configuration, Bonding, Molecular Geometry & VSEPR Theory, The Mole Theory, Chemical Reactions, Stoichiometry, Limiting and Excess Reagents, Thermochemistry, Gas Laws, Molarity and Acids/Bases.

Textbooks: Honors Chemistry resources are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here

 



ENGLISH

WRITING WORKSHOP: CRAFTING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAY
hours: 8:15 a.m.-11 A.M.
course fee: $500
OPTION 1: JUNE 17-20 (monday-wednesday, FRIDAY)
oPTION 2: JUNE 23-26 (MONDAY-THURSDAY)
oPTION 3: JULY 7-10 (MONDAY-THURSDAY)


this ENRICHMENT Course is offered to RISING SERRA SENIORS ONLY.

Are you ready to start your college application journey? This hands-on, supportive summer workshop is designed specifically for rising seniors who want to craft a powerful college essay. Whether you are unsure where to start, have a rough draft that needs polishing, or you are looking for guidance to fine-tune your story, this workshop will help you bring your authentic voice to the page. Get a head start on the college admissions process and set yourself up for success. Space is limited to ensure individualized support. 

register here

 



SPANISH

spanish I for advancement
dates: june 16-july 18 (no class on june 19 or july 4)
Hours: 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 
Course Fee: $700
this course is offered to incoming serra freshmen only.

This course is designed for students who have had at least two years of middle school Spanish (or are heritage speakers) and would like the opportunity to challenge into Spanish II or Spanish II Honors. The class will review and extend the student's prior knowledge of basic Spanish grammar and structure, vocabulary and culture at the novice-high to intermediate-low levels. The final assessment will determine the student's proficiency and readiness for a second year Spanish class at Serra.

Textbooks: Textbooks are loaned to students for the duration of the summer session.

register here

 


Questions? Send us an email