10 Architecture Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 13
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in architecture, summer programs offer an accessible way to explore your interests without committing to a full-time, paid college program. In this piece, we’ve included some great summer architecture programs, which provide hands-on experience with college-level studio work, exposure to architectural thinking, and access to university faculty and working professionals within a focused and engaging environment. Even better, they’re often more accessible than semester-long courses and can be a smart, cost-effective way to test the waters before applying to an architecture school.
Why should I do a summer architecture program as a high school student?
For students serious about design, space, and urban environments, a summer architecture program is a great way to gain clarity on your career goals while building practical skills and connections that matter. These programs don’t just help you explore architecture—they also give you a head start on building a portfolio, which can be a key component of college applications to architecture or design schools.
In this list, we’ve curated some of the top architecture summer programs for high schoolers based on criteria like academic rigor, networking and mentorship opportunities, selectivity, affordability or funding availability, and the prestige of the hosting institution.
Whether you’re looking for an Ivy League studio experience or a community-focused design challenge, these programs represent valuable pre-college architecture options that can strengthen both your skills and your admissions profile.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. The exact acceptance rate and cohort size were not published.
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round. Summer cohorts start June 2, June 23, and July 14.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. 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!
Offered by Cornell’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), this intensive six-week summer architecture program gives high school students a robust introduction to architectural design and studio practice. You will enroll in two courses: a design studio and a lecture-based theory course, both taught by Cornell faculty. You'll explore key concepts like space, form, and environment while learning representational techniques, architectural drafting, and portfolio development. Classes take place in the award-winning Milstein Hall, and students participate in regular critiques, final reviews, and a culminating exhibition. The program is ideal for those considering a Bachelor of Architecture degree or building a competitive portfolio for college admissions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is welcoming. Each studio section enrolls up to 21 students.
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: Residential: May 1; Commuter: May 19
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising juniors or seniors) with a strong interest in architecture. No prior experience is required.
Cost: Starts at $11,199
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
UCLA’s TeenArch Studio Summer Institute is a three-week, full-time architecture program for high school students interested in architecture and design thinking. Modeled after a college-level studio, the program challenges you to build spatial awareness and design skills through origami-inspired modeling, architectural drawing, and concept development. You will use professional tools like diagrammatic drawing techniques and 3D modeling to develop a pavilion design for the courtyard outside UCLA’s Perloff Hall.
You will receive regular feedback during one-on-one and group critiques and be mentored by current UCLA Architecture and Urban Design students, alumni, and faculty. Mentorship includes both project-specific feedback and insight into architectural careers and college pathways. The program culminates in a final exhibition and review attended by faculty from top architecture schools. The studio theme, Fold to Form, takes you from the abstract art of origami to real-world pavilion design. You will also attend a lecture series with leading architects and designers, giving them insight into contemporary architectural practice.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The exact cohort size is not published.
Dates: Residential: June 29 – July 19; Commuter/Virtual: June 30 – July 18
Application Deadline: Residential: June 6; Commuter/Virtual: June 13
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12 as of Spring. Students must be at least 15 years old by June 23. Residential participants must be 17 or older by that date.
Cost: Residential: $5,026; Commuter: $3,300; Virtual: $2,339
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Hosted by the USC School of Architecture, this four-week pre-college program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of architecture through immersive studio sessions, hands-on projects, and expert mentorship. The curriculum blends technical skill-building with creative exploration, where you’ll sketch, model, and digitally render your own designs while learning key architectural concepts such as spatial awareness, ordering principles, and design composition. You’ll also visit notable architectural sites in Los Angeles, such as the Getty Center and other major landmarks. You’ll also participate in portfolio-building workshops led by USC faculty and practicing architects.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is fairly welcoming and fills on a rolling basis; the exact cohort size is not published for this program
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic students: May 2; international students: March 14
Eligibility: High school students who will have completed 9th grade by June 15; no prerequisites. International students must meet English proficiency requirements.
Cost: Residential: $11,347; $7,812 (commuter); $11,949 (international, residential) Includes tuition, materials, room & board, program fees, and health access.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Camp ARCH is a one-week immersive summer program that introduces high school students to architecture, construction science, landscape architecture, and urban planning. You’ll select a focus area and participate in studio sessions that mirror first-year college coursework - designing spaces, using industry tools, and working collaboratively on real-world projects. Group activities include team-based design projects, collaborative critiques, and workshops where students present and discuss work together. The architecture track offers studio immersion, drawing practice, and exposure to the tools and techniques used by architecture undergraduates. You will also receive faculty mentorship, explore the Texas A&M campus, and present your work during the final showcase.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Program decisions are based on a holistic review of essays, transcripts, and recommendations.
Dates: July 7 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 10–12. Students graduating in Spring are not eligible.
Cost: $1,500 (includes meals, housing, class materials, activities, and souvenirs). Limited need-based scholarships are available. To apply, students must submit a separate scholarship essay as part of the application.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Hosted by the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, this five-week summer program introduces high school students to the core principles of architecture through design studios, lectures, and field trips. Students spend mornings learning architectural theory and appreciation, followed by hands-on studio work in the afternoons. Friday field trips take students to notable architectural sites across Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Austin, offering valuable real-world exposure. The program is designed to help you explore architecture as a potential career path while preparing a portfolio for future college applications. Friday field trips offer exposure to important architectural sites across major Texas cities, including Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. With guidance from UH faculty and no prior experience required, this is a strong foundational experience for aspiring architects.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective. The exact cohort size is not published.
Dates: June 16 – July 19
Application Deadline: Regular deadline: May 23; Late deadline: June 11 (subject to availability)
Eligibility: Open to high school students. No prior experience in architecture is required.
Cost: $1,500. A non-refundable $200 deposit or full tuition is due within two weeks of acceptance. Need-based scholarships are available.
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Hosted by UC Berkeley’s top-ranked College of Environmental Design, the embARC Summer Design Academy is a four-week immersive program for high school students interested in architecture, urban design, and sustainable city planning. You will explore the built environment through hands-on studio sessions, digital design workshops, field trips across the Bay Area, and a design/build community service project. Past projects have included designing a bike attachment for a mobile food market serving the campus food bank, and building small-scale public structures for local nonprofits—projects that connect design with community impact. The program combines college-level coursework, professional mentorship, and collaborative design challenges. By the end of the program, you’ll build a strong portfolio, gain technical and conceptual skills, and earn college credit recorded on an official UC Berkeley transcript.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective. The program fills early and does not accept late applications once full. Exact cohort size is not published.
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline:
Priority deadline (housing + aid): February 18
Final commuter deadline (if space remains): April 15
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors (12th grade) and exceptional rising juniors (11th grade). Students must be at least 16 years old by July 6 and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. No prior design experience is required.
Cost: Starts at $5,136
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Held on the Syracuse University campus, this three-week architecture summer program gives rising high school juniors and seniors a rigorous, hands-on introduction to architectural design. Through a blend of conceptual exercises, studio time, lectures, and digital workshops, you’ll explore key architectural concepts such as spatial hierarchy, composition, and representation. The course uses both traditional and digital tools, including model-making, orthographic drawing, Rhino 3D modeling, and Adobe InDesign, to develop foundational skills. The program concludes with a final design project and exhibition, helping you build a portfolio for college applications. You’ll also gain exposure to college-level instruction and campus life at one of the nation’s top architecture schools.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective. Cohort size not published.
Dates: July 6 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 20
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors, seniors, or high school graduates. No prior design experience is required.
Cost: Residential: $6,295; Commuter: $4,831. Additional supply costs are not included. Some scholarships and discounts are available.
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
This free, one-week summer program empowers high school girls and gender-expansive youth to explore architecture, construction, and community-focused design. You will work collaboratively on real-world building projects for nonprofit clients, learning carpentry, welding, architectural drafting, and applied math. The curriculum blends technical instruction with critical discussions on identity, design, and civic impact. You will also receive mentorship through close-knit, small-group guidance and 1:1 interactions with professional builders, artists, and architects, gaining insights into design careers and college pathways. No prior experience is needed.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. 32 students admitted across 2 cohorts.
Dates: Cohort 1: June 16–20; Cohort 2: June 23–27
Application Deadline: March 1 (Applications open February 1)
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th–12th grade girls and gender-expansive youth. Priority is given to Bay Area students, BIPOC applicants, and those with limited access to similar opportunities.
Cost: Free. Includes materials, snacks, gear, and T-shirt. Travel/lodging not covered.
Location: Girls Garage, Berkeley, CA
The AFSF Summer Design Institute is a rigorous three-week online program for high school students interested in architecture, design, and the built environment. Delivered in a virtual studio format, the program teaches core design thinking, sketching, and modeling skills through both traditional and digital tools. You will work on individual and group projects, receive feedback in critiques, and present your final design proposal for a real-world challenge such as reimagining urban public spaces or conceptualizing sustainable community structures. Twice-weekly, one-on-one mentorship with a professional architect or designer enhances the learning experience. The program is designed to help students build a college-ready portfolio and explore careers in design from anywhere in the world.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective. Cohort size not publicly disclosed.
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until the program starts. Early bird pricing is available up to 1 week before each session.
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9–12 with an interest in design or architecture.
Cost: $3,500 (early bird: $3,000). Includes materials. Need-based financial aid available.
Location: Online (hosted by Architectural Foundation of San Francisco)
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.
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