10 Free Architecture Programs for High School Students
Exploring architecture as a high school student can be a great experience, offering a glimpse into the world of design, creativity, and structural problem-solving. Free architecture programs give you a unique opportunity to develop foundational skills without the financial burden, making them accessible to anyone with a passion for the field.Â
Beyond the knowledge gained, early exposure to architecture can significantly enhance your college application, showcasing your commitment, curiosity, and initiative. Participating in a prestigious, fully-funded program not only strengthens your portfolio but also demonstrates to college admissions officers that you’re serious about pursuing a career in architecture, giving you a competitive edge. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 10 architecture programs for high school students. These programs are either free of cost or offer financial aid to participants.
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation stands as a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, renowned for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!Â
This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.Â
Cost: The program is fully funded!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college in the fall.
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
2. Girls Garage
Location: Â Girls Garage, Berkeley, CAÂ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March
Dates: Program dates vary depending on the session
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive youth between 9-18 years of age
Girls Garage is a nonprofit design and construction school offering free and low-cost programs in carpentry, welding, architecture, engineering, and activist art for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 9-18. Since its founding in 2013, the school has provided a hands-on learning experience in a workshop in Berkeley, where you can learn technical skills from all-female and nonbinary instructors. Through real-world building projects that serve the local community, such as furniture for domestic abuse shelters or greenhouses for community gardens, you’ll gain both personal power and practical abilities.
3. 400 Forward
Location: Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: There is no information availableÂ
Dates: Dates vary depending on the program selected
Eligibility: Eligibility varies depending on the program chosen
400 FORWARD, launched in 2017, is a program that aims to introduce young girls to architecture and support African American women pursuing careers in the field. Through scholarships, wrap-around services, and funding for study materials and licensing exams, the program provides crucial resources to help you succeed in architecture. The program offers several camps and competitions designed to encourage innovative and creative thinking, such as the K–12 Pathway Initiatives and Project Pipeline Summer Camps, among other opportunities. These resources equip you with the fundamentals of architecture while also giving you hands-on experience in the field.Â
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,500; This program offers financial aid, which can be availed by submitting an optional scholarship essay
Application Deadline: Applications will begin in January. Sign up for Aggiebound to get updates on Camp Arch applications
Dates: July 7 – 12
Eligibility: Incoming 10th, 11th and 12th-grade students
Immerse yourself in the world of architecture, construction science, landscape architecture, and urban planning at Camp ARCH, Texas A&M’s summer program for high school students. As a camper, you'll dive into stimulating, hands-on classes led by Texas A&M faculty, bringing your creative visions to life through design projects and collaborative workshops. Beyond the classroom, you’ll explore the Aggieland campus, connecting with industry experts and building friendships with peers. Designed for students passionate about shaping the future of cities and landscapes, Camp ARCH offers a unique glimpse into the academic resources and career opportunities in architecture.
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: This program is free and offers a stipend
Application Deadline: TBA, typically due in March
Dates: The program starts in Summer and runs for 15 months
Eligibility: Incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend high school in Chicago
As a Teen Fellow at the Chicago Architecture Center, you’ll gain experience in architecture, design, and urban planning. This program gives you the opportunity to explore architecture through courses at Harold Washington College, hands-on design projects, and even paid internships. You’ll dive into digital design tools, like AutoCAD and InDesign, build physical models, and explore Chicago’s skyline while developing a design portfolio. With guidance from industry professionals, this program combines practical experience with academic credit and pays a stipend, making it a great opportunity to develop your passion for architecture.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,000; This program offers need-based financial aid Â
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates:Â Two 3-week sessions in June and July
Eligibility: High school studentsÂ
The Build San Francisco Summer Design Institute offers high school students a chance to learn digital design. In this remote summer program, you’ll explore design tools like SketchUp and Autodesk software, developing 3D modeling, animation, and video skills. Your original projects will come to life with guidance from peers and mentors, and you’ll receive personalized 1-on-1 mentorship from an architect or engineer to gain career insights. By the end of the summer, you’ll have a digital portfolio for college and career opportunities. A computer with internet access is required, and all software is provided for free.Â
Location: Fallingwater Institute’s High Meadow, Mill Run, PA
Cost: No information available; A limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Dates vary depending on the residency chosen; multiple week-long sessions in June, July, and August
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 and gap year studentsÂ
Experience architecture and design at the Fallingwater Institute with the High School Residencies program. This residency allows students in grades 9–12 to explore architecture, biophilic design, portfolio development, and model-making through hands-on projects, drawing exercises, and discussions on Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture. You’ll live on-site, working in the fully equipped Cheteyan Studio at High Meadow while connecting with teaching architects and artists. Choose from sessions focused on Drawing + Model Making, Portfolio Prep, Biophilic Design, and Design + Build, each designed to help you create portfolio-worthy work for college applications.
Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Cost: $4,220 and a $35 application fee. This program offers financial aid based on financial need and academic merit
Application Deadline: March 30
Dates: July 13 – July 26
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
The Architecture Discovery Program is a two-week intensive designed for high school students at the Sam Fox School that introduces you to the fundamentals of design through a rigorous curriculum led by expert faculty. In Design Studio, you’ll work through exercises focused on sustainability and the built environment, leading to a final project that will be reviewed by faculty and guest critics to add to your portfolio. Drawing Studio sharpens your observation skills with on-site sketching exercises that explore light, proportion, material, and spatial relationships.Â
Location: Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,350 and a $25 non-refundable application fee. Need-based full scholarships are availableÂ
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates:  June 17 – July 12
Eligibility: High school students
The Design Immersion Days, a four-week summer program, allows you to explore architecture and design in Los Angeles. Through hands-on projects, you’ll learn essential skills like architectural drafting, freehand sketching, and 3D modeling with tools like Rhino, Photoshop, and Illustrator. Led by SCI-Arc faculty, the program simulates a college-level studio, offering desk critiques, peer reviews, and weekly field trips to Los Angeles sites like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hammer Musuem. You’ll build a creative portfolio through weekly layout and formatting workshops, showcase your work in a public exhibition, and interact with architects and designers.Â
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,750 per credit. This program offers financial aidÂ
Application Deadline: June 2
Dates: June 24 – August 2
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors who will be at least 15 years old by the start of the program
The Introduction to Architecture Summer Program is an online experience for high school and undergraduate students. Through two online courses, you’ll attend design studios, lectures, and workshops, learning the essentials of space, form, and technology in architecture. You’ll develop foundational skills in architectural drawing, representation, and portfolio design, gaining three credits per course. With regular critiques and insights from teaching associates and faculty, you’ll refine your designs and even take part in a student showcase.Â
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.