Programs at Stonehill College Challenging Foxborough Academically Talented Students

The following is part of the Foxborough School Committee’s Teaching and Learning Highlight Series and was submitted by Assistant Superintendent Amy Berdos.

Project Contemporary Competitiveness (PCC) an advanced studies summer program for incoming high-ability 8th, 9th and 10th grade students and was the topic of the Teaching and Learning Highlight at the last School Committee meeting. PCC is a six-week residential summer program that takes place at Stonehill College and has been in existence for the last 47 years. Dr. Ronald Gerhart, Executive Director of PCC, was joined by PCC Counselor and former student Jarod Craig to present and explain how this leadership program for academically talented students offers a different experience for them with more than 36 different courses to choose from. Jarod is also a professional actor and he shared that his PCC experience gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams. The course offerings are diverse allowing students to choose their classes based on their own personal interests. Some examples mentioned include Architecture Studio, American Sign Language, Creative Writing, Forensic, Aviation and Marine Science, Psychology, Model United Nations, Music and Movement and the list goes on. New courses are offered each summer.

Both the Ahern Middle School and Foxborough High School principals, Ms. Susan Abrams and Ms. Diana Myers-Pachla were present to share their support for Foxborough becoming a member district to PCC. Ms. Abrams noted that the PCC provides something different that we don’t offer. “It is an opportunity to enrich students’ lives with the courses they offer.” Ms. Myers-Pachla agreed stating that it is a “win-win for our students and another opportunity for them to go after their dreams or pursue something we do not offer.”

The mission of PCC is “to provide an intellectually enriching, socially stimulating, affordable six week residential summer program at the campus of Stonehill College in a friendly, supportive, learning environment with a carefully constructed balance of freedoms and responsibilities for mature ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade high ability students who are open to the excitement of learning, and ready for a challenge.” The summer program runs Monday through Friday with students living on campus during the week. Counselors, referred to as Proctors, provide supervision 24/7 staying on campus with students throughout the week. Students go home on weekends returning each Monday morning.

A parent information night will be scheduled after the New Year at Foxborough High School to provide more detailed information regarding the PCC program, registration and associated costs. To learn more information prior to this time, please visit http://www.pccasp.org.