Reading Latin + Art History in Florence: July 2-12, 2023

A unique summer learning experience in Florence, Italy designed for high school students to advance their expertise in reading Latin. Here, in the birthplace of the Renaissance, we make the Classics come alive through an interplay of literature, art history, and travel.

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Reading Latin & Discovering Art History in Italy

Calder Classics invites students entering 9th through 12th grades to join us in Florence in the summer of 2023. Over the course of a two-week program, the Classics come alive through the study of Latin, exploration of ancient and modern sites and immersion in daily Italian life.

We live together in a comfortable residence in the Oltrarno district of Florence. Language, art and scholarship merge fluently in this atmosphere of intellectual freedom and interdisciplinary exchange. Our days consist of reviewing Latin grammar and reading the great authors of Latin literature, exploring the historical treasures of Florence, and taking trips to the churches and monuments of Milan, Siena, Rome or other nearby places of interest. The evenings feature Italy’s many cultural, leisure, and culinary offerings.

Master Latin

Each day, students and their mentors read, translate and discuss Latin literature in a residential “salon” style environment. Our Latin readings include such influential authors as Lucretius, Livy, Vergil, Ovid and Petronius. Given that participants join us from a variety of schools, we begin with a brief review of Latin grammar. We then analyze the texts from both a grammatical and literary perspective, engaging in such topics as the significance of rhetorical devices, meter and intertextuality. At least one year of reading original (or slightly adapted) Latin texts is required.

Dive into Italy’s Art, Culture and History

Throughout the course, we engage with art that is related thematically to, or directly inspired by, the literature we have read. Guided by our resident art historian, every day we explore the treasures of Florence, a myriad of museums, monuments, churches, palazzos and piazzas, and view such works as Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus, Michelangelo’s David, Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, the Duomo of Florence, the Fra Angelico frescoes at the Convent of San Marco and a selection of Last Supper paintings. Our discussions will focus on the historical context and broader themes of the art as well as its connection to the Latin curriculum.

Calder Classics Students Have Joined Us From These High Schools (click here)…

Our Alums Have Enrolled in These Top Colleges and Universities (click here)…

Staff

Accommodations

Our residence is situated in the central district of Santissima Annunziata / San Marco, not far from the Galleria dell’Accademia and 10 minutes away from the Duomo. We are close to all the main points of interest in the city, which can be easily reached on foot. With access to a kitchen and living area, we cook, study, and relax together in a supportive and comfortable environment.

All rooms are doubles or triples with single beds. They feature air conditioning and internet service.

Dates & Fees

July 2-12, 2023

The $6,000 tuition includes accommodations, transportation within Italy, museum entries, instruction, and course materials (certain additional books need to be purchased). Breakfast and either lunch or dinner are also included. Depending on our daily schedules, students will be on their own for either a midday lunch break or an evening dinner break. Students are responsible for the cost of their own activities outside of the group. Airfare is not included.

Students who wish to join us on the next Calder Classics Learning Greek + Philosophy program in Greece from July 12-26 may stay travel with Cindy on July 12 from Florence to meet the group in Thessaloniki. Please contact us by email to confirm travel arrangements.

Application Deadline

Students are accepted on a rolling admissions basis while space is available. Please submit your application by the deadline of January 31 to receive priority consideration for this program. Applications received before this date will be considered as they are received and acceptances will be granted based on careful consideration by our staff. Applications received after this date will be carefully considered as they are received as long as spots are still available.

Your application will be processed and you will receive a reply regarding your acceptance status within one to two weeks of your submission date provided that we have received your teacher reference.

Transportation

Calder Classics will not be responsible for chaperoning students on flights to or from Florence. However, students may choose to travel on the same flight as our staff on either or both legs of the journey between New York City and Florence. Calder Classics will arrange transportation between the airport and the residence ONLY for those students who choose to travel on a flight with our staff, or who coordinate with our flight at arrival or departure. The details of the flight will be specified in advance. Students traveling on their own must make their own connections to the residence.

Testimonials

“I have such a strong passion for Classics and I honestly owe it to you and your program which introduced me to the idea of furthering my Classics studies. I still follow the Calder Classics instagram and I absolutely love seeing all the fun things the kids are doing year by year. I have such fond memories of my time with you in Florence!”

“What a wonderful experience exploring Florence and learning Latin! Cindy is very organized and sends detailed information prior to the trip so students are prepared. Living in the villa and making new friends made the journey even more memorable. Thank you Calder Classics!" - Amy, parent

”I cannot stress enough what a magical and valuable time I had at Calder; the instructors are thrilling teachers, the students excel and the chaperones are inspiring; plus, everyone is really fun! Translating the Aeneid Book 6, De Rerum Natura, the Satyricon, and other esteemed texts, visiting Siena and Fiesole, and touring almost every Florentine Museum, brought tears of awe to my eyes daily on the Florence Program.” Maude G., student

“I want to thank everyone involved with making this program happen for both introducing me to really great times as well as an opportunity to greatly improve my Latin and my knowledge of history and the arts.” Elena, student

“A wonderful introduction to Florence. My daughter loved Latin but had never enjoyed museums until her trip with Calder Classics.” C. M., parent

"Our daughter is indeed lucky to be participating in such varied and valuable experiences.” A.S., parent

"I want to thank you for teaching me so much Latin and offering exposure to more difficult texts. I now feel more prepared for next year all thanks to this program." Erin, student

"Thank you for the great experience in Florence and this wonderful opportunity Calder Classics have provided me. It is an honor to be a part of this community, and to learn a brand new language that I found so much interest in". Gago, student

"I feel that I’ve learned a lot and I feel really motivated to practice on my own for the rest of the summer and hopefully see myself improve. Thank you so much." Humu , student

"I really learned a lot on this trip- not just on the educational side of it, but I also learned to really appreciate and understand Latin and Renaissance art and its influences on so many other things. I'm definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!” Angela, student

"I am a firm believer that happy kids love to learn, especially when they are in an environment surrounded by great educators and other enthusiastic students. My daughter loved your program. The photos and updates you sent home were priceless and she enjoyed the small intimate group. These kids will be friends for a long time." - Jojo, parent

"Calder Classics is an amazing experience that greatly improved my translation skills and added to the wonder of the city of Florence. Exploring the city and seeing some of the most beautiful art that exists was the highlight of my summer, especially because it was with such a great group of people. Cindy is fantastic, and I would recommend the program to all." - Anson, student

"I had an amazing time in Florence this summer with Calder Classics. The program was a great mix of academic Latin and cultural immersion. I made so many great friends from across the country and saw buildings and statues that we had read about in my Latin class at school. I loved the experience of reading Latin in the morning and then seeing either, artwork that the texts inspired, or the geological areas by which it was inspired, in the afternoon." - Davis, student

"It wasn’t until the Calder Classics Latin Program in Florence that I realized that Classics is the best way for an artist to ground his interests in academics. Art, culture, and the origin of the Romance languages come together in one program that is by far the only summer course I would consider returning to again. I recommend Calder Classics for those who want to challenge their intellect and immerse themselves in new experiences." - Matthew, student

"Thank you, Calder Classics, for providing our daughter with a memorable summer experience of three interrelated components: language, culture and fun. She returned with newfound confidence in her Latin skills and has begun a new semester reading from prose and verse authors with ease. The engaging activities and friendships she established from this unique learning and personal growth adventure will not soon be forgotten." - Darlene , parent

"Sarah's trip to Florence with Calder Classics was the highlight of her summer. The class time reading Latin was challenging and interesting and always led to something that the group could then experience or see in a new way in the city- she loved that. She also enjoyed her travel companions; she came home with lots of stories and many pictures! She left with a sense of having really lived in Florence and with a greater appreciation of the history and culture of what she studies when she reads Latin." - Kristin, parent

"I had an absolutely incredible time in Florence! All the people on the program were amazing and Mrs. Calder was a wonderful Latin teacher. I really feel that going on this program helped me gain confidence in my translating abilities and important translation experience. Meg, who was our Art/Art History aficionado/teacher, had a staggering amount of knowledge to impart upon us each day about the sights we were visiting. I loved this program, so I would love to come back someday!" - Alexia H., student

“Calder Classics was an amazing experience. The Latin and Art History teaching was fantastic, and I loved making new friends and exploring Italy." - Alexis B., student

"Calder Classics provides a first class opportunity for high school students to learn Latin and Art History from exceptional teachers. The program does a particularly wonderful job incorporating the treasures of Florence and Tuscany into the curriculum." - Debbie and Richard , parents

“I loved my first summer at Calder Classics. My Latin improved vastly and I would love to spend another summer in Italy.” - student, Florence and Rome programs

Photos from Previous Trips

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