The Junior Irish Academy offers thriving rising third and fourth graders the chance to engage in a world where curiosity and interest meet creativity and exploration. Daily outdoor games, art projects, collaborative play and regular field trips make for a fun-filled experience. Registration is week by week, so student may sign up for one, two, or all five weeks of the Academy.
REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 13 AT NOON
Summer 2026 camp offerings are below:
June 8-12: Art
Calling all budding artists! Join us for a week of fun, creativity, and artistic growth. Junior Irish Academy campers will get the chance to experiment with a variety of artistic processes while exploring different artists and styles. At the end of the week, campers will collect their art to create their own student exhibition!
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Annika Daley '15
Annika Daley ‘15 is excited to be back at SHC as a teacher of ASL and Health! A proud graduate of the Class of 2015, Annika went on to earn a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology, fueled by her lifelong passion for science and discovery. She has experience working with youth programming, having led various art and enrichment programs at the JCC. From hands-on creative projects to fostering teamwork, she has enjoyed helping students express themselves while building confidence in their abilities. She is eager to inspire curiosity, creativity, and joy in her campers this summer.
June 15-18: Engineering (No Class on June 19)
Engineering connects to everything in our lives from planning a city to space travel. San Francisco is home to several feats of engineering. This week, Junior Irish Academy campers get a hands-on immersive experience as they explore engineering concepts in the city around them. Campers will participate in collaborative projects and challenges while discovering the underlying engineering principles and processes that play a significant role in shaping society and its future.
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Francesca Cadelago '12
Francesca Cadelago is a San Francisco native, having attended and graduated from SHCP; she currently teaches 5-8th grade at All Souls Catholic Elementary School in S. San Francisco. She graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in European History with an emphasis in Italian Studies. Following attending the Università di Bologna in Bologna Italy, she returned to San Francisco to pursue her Master’s degree. At the University of San Francisco’s School of Education she earned her MA in Teaching Reading. She is dedicated to closing the reading gap and ensuring that all her students are given the proper support to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Ms. Cadelago enjoys watching movies, reading, kickboxing, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and spending time with her family.
June 22-26: Animal Science
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco, campers will learn about the natural world. Through crafts and interactive activities anchored in ecology, campers will develop a deeper appreciation for nature, and connect with the diverse plant and animal life in the city. Whether it’s understanding the ecosystems local to San Francisco, or creating nature-inspired art, every day will bring a new opportunity for ecological exploration and discovery!
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Francesca Cadelago '12
Francesca Cadelago is a San Francisco native, having attended and graduated from SHCP; she currently teaches 5-8th grade at All Souls Catholic Elementary School in S. San Francisco. She graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in European History with an emphasis in Italian Studies. Following attending the Università di Bologna in Bologna Italy, she returned to San Francisco to pursue her Master’s degree. At the University of San Francisco’s School of Education she earned her MA in Teaching Reading. She is dedicated to closing the reading gap and ensuring that all her students are given the proper support to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Ms. Cadelago enjoys watching movies, reading, kickboxing, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and spending time with her family.
June 29-July 2: Science Explorers
Join us for a fun-filled week of discovery and excitement at our Science Exploration Program! Designed for curious 3rd and 4th graders, this hands-on adventure will spark your child's imagination as they dive into experiments, build creative projects, and explore the world of science!
Each day is packed with interactive activities, teamwork, and fun.
Don’t miss this chance to inspire your young scientist!
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Francesca Cadelago '12
Francesca Cadelago is a San Francisco native, having attended and graduated from SHCP; she currently teaches 5-8th grade at All Souls Catholic Elementary School in S. San Francisco. She graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in European History with an emphasis in Italian Studies. Following attending the Università di Bologna in Bologna Italy, she returned to San Francisco to pursue her Master’s degree. At the University of San Francisco’s School of Education she earned her MA in Teaching Reading. She is dedicated to closing the reading gap and ensuring that all her students are given the proper support to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally. Ms. Cadelago enjoys watching movies, reading, kickboxing, training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and spending time with her family.
July 6-10: Art
Let your imagination soar at our Art Camp, a creative adventure for 3rd and 4th graders! From painting and drawing to a variety of crafts, campers will explore a variety of artistic techniques while expressing their unique vision. Each day will feature fun projects, collaborative activities, and plenty of fun.
Join us for a colorful week of creativity, friendship, and fun!
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Samantha Mar '13
Samantha Mar was born and raised in the Bay Area and is currently an elementary school teacher in the Jefferson Elementary School District. She has taught 2nd - 4th grade and enjoys getting to help teach and shape the diverse youth in the community she grew up in. Samantha is a graduate of UC Davis, where she studied Human Development and Psychology. She loved being an Aggie so much that she stayed in Davis to earn her teaching credential and Master’s in Education. She is a big Disney fan, and in her free time enjoys baking and finding new shows to watch on Netflix.
July 13-17: Writing
Cost: $475 Early Bird. $525 after April 10, 2026
Lunch is included!
Instructor: Declan Gallagher
Declan Gallagher has been a 3rd grade teacher at Frank McCoppin E.S in San Francisco for the last four years. He received his credential from San Francisco State University and recently a diploma in Social Emotional Learning from Berkeley extension. He’s originally from Ireland and has made San Francisco his home for the past 25 years. During this time he has worked as a web designer at different internet companies. He has also coached youth soccer, refereed soccer games and still tries to play too.
Calling all students and athletes ages 8—14! One-week summer enrichment courses and sports academies are just a click away. Courses run from June 8 to July 17. Visit the Summer Institute page today.
