The Pioneer Program is a three-week residential program at the University of Denver for mature 8th-10th graders. Students focus on one intensive course of study for six hours a day that is an equivalent to one full year of honors level high school content or one semester of college content. Many schools consider these courses for high school credit, although the CITY cannot guarantee this transfer (see p.25). As much as students think hard in the accelerated courses, they play hard in this deepened residential experience. Many students find that life-long friends are made during this program, and several weekend trips are part of an energetic, structured residence life program.
STUDENTS: Students entering grades 8-10 in fall 2008
DATES: July 6-26, 2008
| Math/Science Admission | Humanities Admission |
| SAT-M 560 | SAT-CR 545 |
| ACT-M/S 19 | ACT-R/E 22 |
| or portfolio application | |
2008 Courses
The Writing Community
Film Appreciation and Filmmaking
Cryptology: Codemaking and Breaking
Intensive Spanish Language Study
Postcolonialism and the Politics of Identity
To the Limit: X-Games Physics
Power, Politics, and Peacekeeping
Personal Inquiry and Research
Student Housing and Supervision
Students will be housed in a modern residence hall, which is locked at all times to outsiders. Students live in wings of no more than 12 participants per Residential Assistant. Girls and boys live on separate wings in double rooms, and each wing has its own bathroom and shower facilities. Students will be assigned a roommate in the same course or area unless they have made specific requests—both students must request one another on their applications. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed to be filled and roommates are not reassigned. Residential Assistants are screened and selected for their ability to relate to students of this age and participate in a rigorous pre-program training that includes other University of Denver campus personnel who are present throughout the program to ensure student safety. Students are required to live on campus and to participate in both the academic and residential life of the program. This may mean that Pioneer students will miss sports practices or other extracurricular commitments at home.
Residence Halls are not air-conditioned. Access to e-mail or phone calls will be available on a limited basis only. Students may not bring personal computers or cell phones. CITY is unable to accommodate specific physical training regimens or lessons schedules.
Approximate Daily Schedule
| 7:30am-9:30am | Morning meeting, community service, and breakfast |
| 9:00am-11:30am | Instruction |
| 11:30am-12:30pm | Lunch |
| 12:30pm-3:00pm | Instruction |
| 3:00pm-5:00pm | Activities |
| 5:00pm-6:00pm | Dinner |
| 6:00pm-7:00pm | Study Period |
| 7:00pm-9:00pm | Activities |
| 9:00pm-9:30pm | Wing Meetings |
| 9:30pm-10:30pm | Quiet Time |
| 10:30pm | Lights Out |
The schedule for this program is not as structured as younger students’ programs. We have a wide range of activities planned for afternoons and evenings for students to choose from as part of the community life of the program. However, in this program, students will have more unstructured time to schedule as they choose. Students are expected to adhere to the outlined schedule, regardless of how it may differ from life at home, for the safety and well-being of all students. Students are still held accountable for their whereabouts and personal responsibility at all times.
Activity Periods
During each activity period, residential staff offer a variety of options in which students choose to participate. From athletics to academics to fine arts, these opportunities give kids a chance to do something they love or try something new, and to take a well-deserved break from class. They also are a great time to meet other kids in the program from different courses and wings as the community learns more about one another. All activities are supervised and vary each day and each period. Down time in the residential hall is always an option during these times to sleep or catch up on writing home or class reading.
