About SELP

friends at English summer camps

During the past 31 years, The Athenian School has served international students from 43 different countries. We are committed to meeting the academic and social needs of each student through rigorous English classes, fun field trips, and enriching arts, sports and drama activities.

The school is located on 75 acres in the scenic foothills of Mount Diablo, a half-hour drive from the cultural and recreational opportunities of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Athenian School Summer English Language Program offers students from around the world the opportunity to spend five weeks in a residential community, and to improve their English skills by attending intensive English as a Second Language classes. We have put together a program which challenges all students and encourages each of them to participate in developing their language skills.

We will only accept 40 students into our summer program. Because our class sizes are small, students experience the benefits of individual attention and intensive ESL practice. Students quickly form close relationships with teachers, counselors, and each other.

We have designed our program to accommodate students with beginning, intermediate, and advanced level English skills. Students are tested and grouped according to their English language proficiency levels. Students will have the opportunity to learn American customs, and to travel to cultural and entertainment attractions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Important Dates

July 6, Check-in day
July 7, First day of classes
August 7, Thursday, Last day of classes and Final Performance
August 8, End of program - Dorms close at 4:30 pm

View MapStudents learn English and go on excursions during summer camps

The Summer English Language Program is a wonderful introduction for students to become accustomed to a private boarding school environment. The Summer English Language Program can give students a great advantage when preparing for the TOEFL exam and continuing their education in American schools. Students will have a final evaluation using The Athenian School TOEFL readiness assessment.

Who Should Join This Program?

Who Should Join This Program? This program is open to all students ages 10 to 18 years old who want to learn and improve their English skills. All levels of English proficiency are welcome. TOEFL test scores are not required. Students who have participated in our program in the past have come from Germany, Italy, Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Russia, and Mali.

This program is suitable for most students. The Athenian School however, does not tolerate students who drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, lack cultural sensitivity, or are unwilling to work in a team environment. Specifically, our program is not suitable for students with significant behavioral problems. The Athenian School reserves the right to remove any student who consistently disregards staff instructions, interferes in the learning process of others, or who possess an uncooperative attitude that is disrespectful to others.