SANTA CLARITA – With more classes in both the “for-credit” and “classes-just-for-the-fun-of-it” categories, College of the Canyons is offering the biggest, and most diverse election of summer classes in its thirty-five year history.  The first session of summer school begins on May 23 and there are starting dates in June and July as well. It is so large, in fact, that residents will be receiving two summer schedules in the mail in the next few weeks.  Several categories of classes will be available for students to take this summer, including important lower-division classes that are transferable to other colleges; self-improvement and leisure topics; and a brand new listing of unusual, two-week “Institutes” that are so jam-packed with fun activities students won’t realize they’re learning something new!  There is even a category of FREE classes for those who want a no-pressure, high-return learning experience!

        Starting between 5:30 and 7 a.m., the Early Bird classes range from fitness activities to more academically-challenging classes like speech, college writing and reading, US history, statistics and more.  The early time slots are based on feedback from students, faculty and staff regarding new  options they would be interested in for summer and the ability to take classes before going to work while the temperature is still cool.  Nearly two dozen of these classes are available.

        Most of the new, two-week institutes are offered during the May 23 to June 4 time period.  The institutes include a wide range of interests and skills such as Web design, health and fitness, art history complete with field trips to area museums, wine and food appreciation, Italian language and culture, photography skills through field trips, and more.  Also, in June and July, a Spanish Language Institute will be held, as will a Performing Arts Academy.  For those students headed off to college in the fall, a College Success Boot Camp will be held in June designed to help students transition to college life by providing suggestions for study skills and college life in general, regardless of which college a student plans to attend.

        Early bird classes and the Institutes are credit classes at the college and cost $26 per unit.

        “We understand that some community members, especially in our adult population, often have some extra time during summers,” said Dr. Nancy Smith, Interim Dean of Instruction at College of the Canyons, “so we have lined up some fun activity and self-improvement classes that will be offered at convenient locations throughout the community.”  These are classes taken for no college credit and are FREE of charge.

        Rounding out COC’s offerings for the summer is an extensive list of Community Extension Classes – classes that provide for fun, leisure and life-long learning.  These classes are generally of very short duration and have individual fees since they are part of the fee-based classes offered year round by the college.

        “We really feel we’ve got a lot to offer the community this summer, “said Sue Bozman, Dean of District Communications, Marketing and External Relations at the college,  “and hope the many choices and flexibility of scheduling will make it possible for everyone to enjoy taking classes this summer.”

        Additional information about summer offerings can be found at: www.canyons.edu,  at the Community Extension Web site at: www.canyons.edu/offices/com_ext, or
by calling (661) 259 – 7800.