Academic Enrichment
WHY CHOOSE CAPSTONE
Individualized Attention
- Small classes ensure that students will receive the attention required for their personal academic growth.
- Lessons are tailored to challenge individual students’ strengths while supporting and developing areas of weakness.
- Students receive tangible feedback during and after each lesson to outline a clear path towards improvement.
Experienced, Engaging Instructors
- Capstone instructors have graduated from Ivy League and Oxbridge universities, including MIT, Stanford, and Cambridge, bringing a wide breadth of professional and academic experience to the classroom.
- Our teaching staff is made up of individuals who have previously worked in academia, law, business, consulting, and finance.
A Record of Achievement
- Instructors have experience working with hundreds of top Hong Kong local and international school students who go on to attend top boarding schools and universities around the world.
- Our students consistently outperform their peers in top schools around Hong Kong in local, regional, and international competitions.
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Capstone courses prepare students to analyze, argue, research, persuade, and present. Our students become not only innovative thinkers but also adept communicators – an invaluable skill in an ever-evolving global market.
Aspiring Writers
G1-G6
The Aspiring Writers Program starts with the foundation of idea development and basic writing structures. At each level, students practice the important steps of the writing process. As students progress in the enrichment program, they learn level-appropriate literary skills and techniques to hone their writing skills. These skills are developed through reading and evaluating texts; teacher instruction and modeling; close attention to the writing process; and regular feedback on activities and assignments.
Course Highlights:
- Students will work to master the writing process: brainstorming, outlining, writing, and revising.
- Students will explore a variety of writing genres, learning to modify style and structure to suit a specific audience and purpose.
- Students will develop excellent planning skills that map out the flow of ideas and arguments.
- Students will enhance their writing with vocabulary and specific literary techniques such as alliteration, metaphor, and simile.
Perfect for:
- Students who want to express their ideas and opinions in an organized and clear manner
- Students who need guidance in systematically planning or editing their writing
- Students who feel comfortable with creative writing but need to prepare for more persuasive and academic writing
- Students who want to advance their writing with higher-level vocabulary and writing techniques
(Level 2) Over the duration of this enrichment course, students will
- Expand upon the structure of the narrative arc
- Learn and apply the basic structure of an essay
- Develop descriptive writing skills using sensory details
- Further develop and practice paraphrasing and summarizing skills
- Expand upon the range of transition words to organize and connect ideas
(Level 3) Throughout the curriculum, students will
- Learn and apply a more in-depth narrative arc
- Learn and apply figurative language to descriptive writing
- Expand upon developed persuasive writing skills
- Be introduced to transition words to signal cause/effect, reason/result, etc
- Further develop more advanced paraphrasing and summarizing skills
- Learn and apply different sentence beginnings to create complex sentences
- Expand upon types of conflict and apply them to narrative writing
(Level 4) As part of this course, students will
- Practice in depth and master the 3 main types of writing: narrative, informational, persuasive
- Organize and develop ideas in a clear and effective 5-paragraph essay
- Practice and master the use of figurative language in descriptive writing
- Expand upon the range of transition words and use them accurately and effectively in writing
- Vary sentence length and structure to express ideas effectively
- Expand upon types of conflict and apply them to narrative writing
(Level 5) Throughout this course, students will
- Transition from informational writing to the genre of expository writing
- Learn to modify the style and structure of a writing piece for audience and purpose
- Be introduced to characterization methods to develop characters
- Develop higher-level vocabulary and specific literary techniques to enhance descriptive writing
- Learn to map the flow of ideas and arguments for strong persuasive writing
- Learn research techniques and use research findings in writing
- Expand upon types of conflict and apply them to narrative writing
(Level 6) In this course, students will
- Explore more in-depth a variety of genres and to strengthen overall writing proficiency
- Deploy specific and interesting vocabulary to create mood and atmosphere in narrative writing
- Learn and apply effective persuasive strategies in writing
- Practice and master crafting a thesis-driven essay – expand upon techniques to research effectively and synthesize findings
- Craft strong and relevant evidence to thoroughly explain and support opinions and arguments
- Expand upon types of conflict and apply them to narrative writing
Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought
G3-G6
The Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought (FAST) program is designed to develop students’ critical thinking, analysis, and presentation skills. In this skills enrichment program, students learn ways to study and analyze relevant real-world issues to speak on them persuasively. Students will learn valuable skills and techniques to evaluate, process, and articulate complex ideas and learn how to structure their arguments so that they come across as poised, confident, and thoughtful during both presentations and everyday discussions. Students who have completed our FAST program are positioned to confidently participate in more discussion-heavy school classes, progress into the world of debate, or delve deeper into critical thinking with our RAPS or Mentorship programs.
Course Highlights:
- Students gain the ability to present themselves effectively and confidently.
- Students bolster critical thinking skills by developing numerous ideas and examining them for faults.
- Challenging source material and teacher guidance allows students to engage with difficult concepts.
- Fun and engaging problem-solving case studies based on real-world issues will expand students’ scope of knowledge and abilities.
This academic enrichment program is perfect for:
- Students who are interested in exploring and analyzing real-world issues and topics
- Students who Want to develop stronger, better-supported arguments
- Students would like further practice in logical reasoning
- Students are looking to gain more practice with public speaking and to build their confidence
In this enrichment course, students will
- Learn to understand different types of texts by breaking down complex ideas into more accessible pieces
- Explore relevant current events and real-world issues
- Practice structuring and presenting their ideas and arguments effectively, concisely, and persuasively
- Develop basic oral presentation skills by giving regular speeches in front of classmates
Research, Analysis and Problem Solving (RAPS)
G3-G6
In this course, students will gain the necessary tools to recognize and access credible sources. Students will be able to gather and collect data and information. They will be able to evaluate and synthesize information from various sources to assist their analytical and problem-solving skills. Through case studies, students will be able to analyze successful and unsuccessful models to skillfully identify, conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information from a variety of media. The goal of this enrichment course is to teach students how to empathize with and define problems in an ever-changing world. It teaches them how to brainstorm, design, test, and re-test solutions to those problems.
Course Highlights:
- Students gain the ability to present themselves effectively and confidently.
- Students bolster critical thinking skills by developing numerous ideas and examining them for faults.
- Challenging source material and teacher guidance allow students to engage with difficult concepts.
- Fun and engaging problem-solving case studies based on real-world issues will expand students’ scope of knowledge and abilities.
This academic enrichment program is perfect for:
- Students who love to discuss ideas
- Students who always want their opinions to be heard but lack the substance and structure to really make their opinions impactful
- Students who may be very logical but lack the tools to share their logic and ideas with others
(G3-4 RAPS) Throughout this course, students will
- Explore different forms of analysis through the exploration of real-world issues.
- Tackle more complex articles and reports to develop students’ critical reading and thinking skills.
- Expand upon presentation skills.
- Learn and apply basic techniques for impromptu speaking.
(G5-6 RAPS) Over the duration of this course, students will
- Explore relevant current events and real-world issues.
- Further their understanding of formal presentation formats and expand upon impromptu speaking skills.
- Present without guidance, in a myriad of situations.
- Engage in activities designed to further develop and improve structured logical thinking processes and problem-solving frameworks and techniques.
Public Speaking and Debate
G3-G6
Capstone’s Public Speaking and Debate program uses the activities of speech and debate to train students to both see the world with a critical eye and then speak eloquently and persuasively. By setting debates within relevant global and philosophical contexts, students not only learn more about the world and gain increased confidence and critical thinking skills but also become prepared to attend debate competitions if they choose to do that in the future. Introductory courses are intended to equip students with training in processing abilities and get them accustomed to the practice of debating. Meanwhile, advanced courses focus on honing students’ abilities to deliver consistently engaging speeches in competitive debate formats.
Course Highlights:
- Students get their first taste of constructing compelling logical arguments and responses using their reasoning abilities and evidence.
- A lively environment conducive for building self-confidence, persuasive presence and engaging but critical interactions.
This skills enrichment program is perfect for:
- Students who want to improve their confidence in public speaking or improve their spontaneous logical reasoning skills.
- Students who have thoughts and opinions about the world and are looking for an outlet to speak up and be heard.
PSD I – Introductory (Grade 3-4) In this course, students will
- Learn about a variety of important current issues and develop personal opinions about them.
- Practice basic speech techniques to present on any topic persuasively.
- Respond critically and competently to a peer’s arguments.
- Develop their confidence in front of an audience.
PSD I – Introductory (Grade 5-6) In this course, students will
- Learn about more complex current issues and begin to evaluate them independently.
- Practice basic speech techniques to present on any topic persuasively.
- Respond critically and competently to a peer’s arguments.
- Develop their confidence in front of an audience.
PSD II – Intermediate (Grade 5-6) In this course, students will
- Apply their critical thinking skills on analyzing important global issues and create well-rounded arguments through a variety of perspectives.
- Gain exposure to the most globally competitive debate formats, including British Parliamentary and World Schools (3-v-3).
- Hone their speech techniques for more consistently persuasive delivery.
- Respond confidently to the arguments of the opposing teams.
Academic Writing
G7-G9
Academic Writing improves students’ mastery of the four main writing genres secondary students encounter at school: persuasive, descriptive, expository, and fiction. Students will develop the tools necessary to research and write essays that are well-organized, clear, and persuasive, and will learn how to use descriptive techniques skillfully to create powerful written images. In this skills enrichment program, students will be challenged with texts that require them to exercise their critical thinking and employ careful analysis to come to their conclusions. In addition to giving students the skills they need to master the four genres, lessons will emphasize the importance of effective planning, editing, and revising.
Course Highlights:
Appropriately-paced lessons to simultaneously build English language as well as expose students to the various writing genres.
This academic enrichment program is perfect for students who:
- Are looking to hone their writing skills to bolster their grades at school and beyond.
- Need a toolset to tackle any writing assignment confidently.
- Struggle with organizing their ideas.
- Want to find ways to express themselves more eloquently and fluently in writing.
ACADEMIC WRITING I
In this enrichment course, students will:
- Gain foundational exposure to the genre expectations of persuasive, expository, descriptive, and fiction writing.
- Practice organizing their ideas in clear and effective 5-paragraph essays and within coherent paragraphs.
- Learn essential descriptive techniques necessary to paint a vivid picture.
- Consider story structure and characterization prior to composing their own stories.
- Develop necessary research skills.
ACADEMIC WRITING II
This enrichment course aims to help students to:
- Consistently implement the genre expectations of persuasive, expository, descriptive, and fiction writing.
- Confidently organize their ideas in clear and effective 5-paragraph essays and within coherent paragraphs.
- Consider the effectiveness of the descriptive techniques they use when drafting and revising.
- Evaluate fiction written by others to compose their own stories more compellingly.
- Hone their research skills to be more efficient and effective.
ACADEMIC WRITING III
Through this course, students will:
- Employ the necessary genre conventions within more nuanced and targeted writing assignments.
- Learn more complex forms of writing within the four standard genres taught at Capstone.
- Evaluate their own work and the work of others for greater efficacy.
- Use their literary analysis skills in order to inform their own descriptive and fiction writing.
- Fine-tune their writing habits to allow for greater consistency and independence.
ACADEMIC WRITING III+
Over the duration of this course, students will:
- Be expected to craft writing assignments independently.
- Probe genre conventions more deeply to consider the why behind them.
- Evaluate their own work and the work of others for greater efficacy.
- Discuss topics with greater nuance in order to produce deeper written work.
- Continue to fine-tune their writing habits to allow for greater consistency and independence.
Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought (FAST)
G7-G9
Foundations of Argumentation, Speech, and Thought course introduces students to foundation-level critical thinking and presentation skills. Through this skills enrichment program, students will gain useful world knowledge and hone their analytical abilities by applying them to Capstone-created case studies and authentic sources such as The New York Times and the BBC. In addition to gaining analytical abilities, students will apply those skills to an oral presentation at the end of the lesson. Students who have completed our FAST program are positioned to confidently participate in more discussion-heavy school classes, progress into the world of debate, or delve deeper into critical thinking with our RRAPS or Mentorship programs.
Course Highlights:
Continued growth of students’ overall academic proficiency through challenging exercises and assignments that teach advanced techniques.
This academic enrichment program is perfect for students who:
- Hope to improve their analytical, deductive, and creative thinking.
- Wish to widen their world knowledge in a comfortable environment.
- Are looking to add more compelling structure and substance to their arguments.
- Need practice with public speaking and would like to gain more confidence.
In this course, students will:
- Encounter increasingly complex situations and scenarios to analyze.
- Learn to see issues through various perspectives by considering stakeholders.
- Get training on important presentation skills and practice those skills regular.
- Develop confidence with both prepared and impromptu speeches.
Research, Rhetoric, Analysis and Problem-Solving (RRAPS)
G7-G9
Research, Rhetoric, Analysis and Problem-Solving will continue to have students tackle increasingly complex topics. With a heavy discussion component, this enrichment course will build on students’ critical reading/media analysis, argument formation, public speaking, and problem-solving. Course content comes from a wide range of sources, including media outlets such as The Guardian, technical papers, and Capstone-created case studies. After processing, questioning, and analyzing complex information, students in this course are then expected to synthesize, critique, and present their thoughts on what they have learned within various contexts, such as mock trials, boardroom meetings, town hall meetings, debates, and formal presentations.
Course Highlights:
Continued growth of students’ overall academic proficiency through challenging exercises and assignments that teach advanced techniques.
Perfect for students who:
- Want to expand their knowledge of current events and real-world issues.
- Have some good ideas but struggle to articulate these ideas.
- Wish to strengthen their reading and argumentation skills.
- Hope to broaden their approach to problem-solving.
Throughout this enrichment course, students will:
- Gain a greater understanding of political, economic, or cultural current events and historical issues.
- Learn to speak confidently, clearly, and convincingly in front of an audience.
- Create logical arguments and apply them in their presentations.
- Analyze any given situation from a variety of perspectives and practice selecting appropriate speech methods to address their audience appropriately.
Public Speaking & Debate
G7-12
Capstone’s Public Speaking & Debate courses are designed to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in competitive debate with the intent to engage their listeners with strong rhetoric and critical thinking. Through a focus on debating, students learn more about global and contemporary issues, develop their analytical abilities, and gain greater confidence and fluency when presenting. The introductory levels of the program focus on giving students the necessary critical thinking skills while getting them accustomed to debate within Capstone’s competitive format. At the intermediate levels of the program, students learn specialized debating skills within standard competitive debate formats. Capstone’s advanced debate program is a premier training course for debate and public speaking that prepares students for competitive success and for joining the national debate team.
PSD I – INTRODUCTORY
Course highlights:
Experiential learning through simulated scenarios where students advocate for a diversity of contemporary issues by practicing the fundamentals of persuasive speech.
Perfect for students who:
- Would like a better understanding of global events and important contemporary issues.
- Have thoughts and opinions about the world and are looking for an outlet to speak up and be heard.
- Want to hone their competitive spirit by engaging in the exciting world of competitive debate.
Throughout this course, students will:
- Learn about complex current issues and evaluate them independently.
- Practice basic speech techniques to present on any topic persuasively.
- Respond critically and competently to a peer’s arguments.
- Gain exposure to basic debate terminology and concepts.
PSD II – INTERMEDIATE
Course highlights:
Specialized exercises in logic rhetoric and competitive argumentation to foster further growth in speaking and confidence.
Perfect for students who:
- Would like a better understanding of global events and important contemporary issues.
- Have thoughts and opinions about the world and are looking for an outlet to speak up and be heard.
- Want to hone their competitive spirit by engaging in the exciting world of competitive debate.
Throughout the curriculum, students will:
- Continue their education on important global issues and apply various perspectives to understand them.
- Gain exposure to standard competitive debate formats, including British Parliamentary and World Schools (3-v-3.)
- Learn important debate terminology and concepts in greater depth.
- Rebut the other team’s arguments by consistently and accurately identifying the flaws in them.
PSD III – ADVANCED
Course highlights:
Deep discussion and robust examination of current issues to enhance strategic reasoning skills for advanced competitive debating.
Perfect for students who:
- Would like a better understanding of global events and important contemporary issues.
- Have thoughts and opinions about the world and are looking for an outlet to speak up and be heard.
- Want to hone their competitive spirit by engaging in the exciting world of competitive debate.
- Build on an extensive repertoire of ideas within the fields of economics, philosophy, political science, international relations, and more.
- Leverage experience to compete with confidence at the elimination round level and beyond at major debating competitions.
- Train using more advanced and nuanced debating strategies.
- Learn to perform well within the crucial areas of style, substance, and strategy.
Writing, Discussion, & Thinking (WDT)
G10-G12
Writing, Discussion, & Thinking (WDT) is designed to prepare students for both the academic rigor and discussion-driven learning environment of upper secondary school and university. WDT draws on elements from Capstone’s Academic Writing and Scholars courses to provide high school students with a comprehensive educational experience. Writing assignments contain heavy elements of independent research and demand initiative and an inquisitive approach. Students will revise and workshop their essays with both their teacher and their peers. In doing so, they will develop good habits of drafting and editing that are vital to success at university and beyond. Throughout the course, students will be expected and encouraged to raise questions, challenge opinions, as well as lead discussions of their own. All of this will be set within a lively academic setting where students will engage intellectually with a wide range of carefully selected and challenging materials from the humanities and social sciences, including philosophy, ethics, and politics.
Course Highlights:
Assignments are designed to improve students’ writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills through challenging and engaging content.
Designed for students who:
- Understand basic writing conventions but do not always employ these guidelines and techniques in their own writing.
- Present strong points but may lack clarity in verbal and written work.
- Make general claims that are not supported by relevant, compelling evidence.
- Need to develop more initiative and confidence to participate in class discussions.
After the course, students will:
- Express ideas fluently and according to the conventions and requisites of different genres (persuasive, expository).
- Think about critical issues holistically and, as a result, write in-depth analyses.
- Articulate complex ideas using contextual evidence to anchor their arguments.
- Steer class discussions and foster dialogue with peers.
Early Test Prep
G7 – G9
Early Test Prep is ideal for students seeking to guarantee long-term mastery of various secondary and boarding/preparatory school entrance exams. This enrichment course is designed to reinforce vocabulary acquisition and the relevant reading skills and strategies necessary to achieve a higher score on the reading and vocabulary sections of numerous standardized entrance exams, including the SSAT, SAT, and ACT. Capstone’s Early Test Prep course utilizes custom-edited passages, vocabulary lists, and quizzes to ensure that students are learning at the right level and are achieving constant progress in their learning.
SSAT Bootcamp
G7 – G9
Capstone’s SSAT Bootcamp Capstone’s SSAT Bootcamp equips students with the required skills and test-taking strategies needed to take the Upper Level SSAT. Students will learn the vocabulary, reading, and mathematics topics tested on the SSAT. As the SSAT is known for difficult vocabulary questions and wrong answer penalties, students will also learn how to answer test questions in a structured and educated way, practicing the application of these techniques during in-class drills and homework assignments. By the end of this enrichment course, students will be able to approach test day with a calm and focused mindset, knowing exactly what to expect and how to perform to the best of their abilities.
ACT/SAT Bootcamp
G9 – G11
This enrichment course will equip students with the fundamental skills and test-taking strategies needed to tackle the two most important standardized tests for US university admissions: the ACT and SAT. In the first half of the course, students will cover the grammar, reading, and math concepts tested on both the ACT and SAT, and learn the similarities and differences between the tests. During the second half of the course, students will be split into two streams based on their test preference (ACT or SAT) and learn topics and strategies specific to the test of their choice. Students can also opt for drop-in homework sessions with our test prep teachers for additional personalized attention and feedback. Classes will be taught with Capstone’s own ACT+SAT textbook and official ACT/SAT practice tests (materials included in the course fee). By the end of the course, students will have gained a thorough understanding of the test format, content, and requirements.
Additional Services Offered by Capstone
Admissions Consultant
With countless successful applicants, our experts have helped students achieve successful admissions to top UK and US boarding schools and universities with our personalized packages and extensive guidance throughout the application process. Consider our admissions consulting services as a leading admissions consultant.
Public Speaking and Debating
With our team of experts and a dedicated curriculum, students will develop skills such as critical thinking, persuasive delivery, and structured presentation. Learn why students are choosing to join our Public Speaking and Debate Program.
Critical Thinking Program
Our Critical Thinking Program allows students to better articulate their ideas, engage in discussions, and present themselves in a confident and clear manner. Explore how our critical thinking program can achieve this.
Academic Enrichment Writing Program
Analyzing, arguing, researching, persuading, and presenting are core skills students will develop in our curriculum. Discover how our academic writing course in Hong Kong can help.
SAT Courses
Our SAT courses are tailor-made to help students prepare for specific exams, focusing on vocabulary development, reading skills, and test-taking strategies. Learn more about our SAT courses in Hong Kong.
Who are these courses for?
Capstone’s academic enrichment programs are designed for primary and secondary students who seek to enhance their intellectual abilities and excel in their academic pursuits. These courses cater to students who wish to deepen their understanding of critical thinking, logical analysis, problem-solving, and effective communication. Whether you are looking to improve your writing, develop your public speaking and debate skills, or prepare for standardized tests, Capstone’s enrichment courses provide the necessary tools and personalized attention to help you achieve your goals. Our programs are perfect for students who are motivated to challenge themselves and gain a competitive edge in their educational journey.