Summer Opportunities
Summer opportunities allow students to enhance and enrich their academic pursuits outside of the school year. Below are links to a variety of domestic and international summer opportunities. Some programs have application deadlines as early as January, so keep this in mind when exploring your options.
The programs listed are not affiliated with Shady Side Academy and being listed does not constitute an endorsement by SSA. We encourage families to do their own careful research before committing to a program.
Not sure what you're looking for? Check out the following!
CINCH - Tap into the ultimate high school network and discover the summer opportunity that will strengthen your character and academic profile for college.
Summer Program Finder - The best and most user-friendly search tool for finding pre-college programs and summer opportunities for high school students.
Academic
Domestic
American University - Community of Scholars
Offers academically outstanding students the chance to broaden their understanding of international relations by enrolling in a three-credit college class designed just for them.
Almost Authors Summer Workshops
Create fiction, poetry and nonfiction in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
Barnard College - High School Pre-College Programs
Ranging from one to four weeks, students can explore Barnard and New York City.
Boston Leadership Institute
Award-winning summer STEM research programs for high achieving high school and middle school students.
Boston University - Summer Term Pre-College Programs
Choose from five exciting and challenging summer high school programs that offer the opportunity to explore new subjects and college life.
Brandeis University Precollege Programs
Offers compelling programs for bright and curious teens that offer a real taste of college life – lectures, discussions, trips and life on a college campus.
Brandeis University - Global Youth Summit on the Future of Medicine
To request a nomination, please see the college counselors.
Brown University Pre-College Programs
Your summer starts here! Talented students from around the world choose Brown University Pre-College Programs to prepare for success, and experience the challenge of college-level academics.
Carnegie Mellon University - iD Tech Camps
Hands-on STEM magic, campus exploration, face-to-face fun, and courses led by rockstars from top universities. Code a mobile app. Explore engineering with virtual rockets. Develop a video game. Design levels for VR. Or, experiment with AI.
Carnegie Mellon University - Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences
A selective, FREE program for students interested in science.
Carnegie Mellon University - School of Architecture
A creative head start!
Carnegie Mellon University - Summer Pre-College Programs
Discover CMU through one of its distinct summer programs.
CISV Pittsburgh
Educates and inspires action for a more peaceful world.
Cornell University - Summer College
Experience the excitement of college life, take college courses with renowned faculty and enjoy an unforgettable, life-changing summer.
Denison University - Jonathan R. Reynolds Young Writers Program
This program offers an inspiring place for high school students who love to write.
Duke University - Summer Session
Imagine yourself at Duke this summer where you can get ahead and earn college credit with academically-motivated students from around the world.
Experience America - The Game Experience
Insider access to America’s game industry, introducing students to video game design, development, and management. Professional classroom instruction, private company tours, and industry guest lectures help students to create, build, and play their own games!
Foresight Prep
Pre-college summer seminars for highly-motivated high school students concerned about sustainability, social equity and the environment.
Gettysburg College Academic Summer Camps
Choose from several different options:
- Camp Psych - A camp that provides a window into how psychological science works.
- Writing Camp - Students will write and receive feedback during this in-depth introduction to all four genres of creative writing: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and writing for stage and screen.
- Civil War Institute Summer Conference High School Student Scholarship Program - Scholarship recipients will join conference sessions (including small group discussions, battlefield tours, panels, and more), interact with noted historians, and are provided special programming geared toward high school students.
GW Pre-College Program - GW has a wide range of credit and noncredit summer programs for high school students in grades 9 - 11. Engage in programs at the center of the nation's political, intellectual, and cultural activity.
Hillsdale College - Summer Programs
Hillsdale College offers several opportunities for high school students to study with its acclaimed faculty, both on the Hillsdale campus and elsewhere.
Inspirit AI - AI Scholars
Offered in-person and online, AI Scholars inspires curious high school students globally by exposing them to the defining technology of our times: artificial intelligence.
Johns Hopkins University - Summer Programs
Choose between Summer University or Discover Hopkins for an enriching summer experience.
Lebanon Valley College - Health and Biomedical Sciences Summer Camp
Learn about the science of human health in labs and lectures.
Luminari
Luminari offers summer programs in diplomacy/leadership, music, writing and culinary arts.
Miami University of Ohio Summer Scholars Program
The SSP provides a rich, early college experience for academically-talented rising high school juniors and seniors from across the globe.
Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy
Learn Spanish, French, Chinese, German or Arabic in a supportive, fun environment.
Northeastern University - Summer Programs
NU offers a variety of programs ranging from 3-6 weeks in length.
Penn State University - Communications Camps
Gain an understanding of the technical and professional aspects of a career in film or journalism.
Pennsylvania Governor's School for Engineering & Technology
PGSE&T is a four-week summer residential program for talented high school students of science and mathematics. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University
Talented high school students in science and math, who are residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,and currently enrolled in their Junior year, are invited to apply for the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences.
Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School
The academy welcomes more than 780 students for five weeks of academic study, athletics, and exploration that carry participants far beyond the classrooms and the playing fields.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - PREFACE Summer Program
For students with a strong, early interest in pursuing a career in the engineering and technological professions.
Samford University - Bulldog Pharmacy Camp
Learn learn about the pharmacy profession and get hands-on experience!
Sewanee: Summer in Sewanee
Sewanee's Pre-College Field Studies Experience is a summer residential program for talented students who are passionate about the outdoors and interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in the study of the environment.
Smith College Pre-College Programs
Exciting pre-college programs for high school girls who want to pursue their academic interests in and out of the classroom, strengthen their college applications and meet other motivated and ambitious college-bound young women.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
With Summer College, you will be a Stanford student, earning college credit and attending classes on Stanford’s campus with undergraduate students.
Summer Discovery - Study USA
Pre-college enrichment programs for high school students at seven universities.
The Coding School
Our Summer 2018 Program is a one-of-a-kind program that offers one-on-one computer science lessons and mentorship from top computer scientists. [brochure]
United States Naval Academy - Summer Programs
Summer Seminar kick-starts your Naval Academy application by giving you a taste of life at the USNA. Summer STEM is a vibrant week of problem solving, exploratory learning, critical thinking, and team building for rising 9th-11th graders.
University of Arizona - Biosphere 2
A unique educational experience unlike any other that breathes new life into STEM education.
University of Findlay - College of Education Summer Camp
Experience a day in the life of an elementary, middle and high school teacher.
University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars
The Summer Scholars program is a two-week program for talented rising high school juniors and seniors who are interested in experiencing a taste of college life.
University of Pennsylvania - Summer Academy in Applied Science and Technology
Intensive three-week programs in engineering and technology.
University of Pennsylvania - Penn Summer High School Programs
Get your first taste of college life at an Ivy League Institution.
University of Pittsburgh - Health Career Scholars Academy
A program for students interested in learning more about health care and health care careers.
University of Rochester
Summer on- and off-campus academic programs for high school students.
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Academy
(Previously UPCI Academy)
Provides cutting-edge research and career preparatory experiences to highly motivated high school students pursuing higher education and careers in STEM fields, especially research and medicine.
W&J Global Summer
International in nature, collaborative by design, our academic programming features hands-on project-based learning in small classes led by talented instructors.
Washington University St. Louis - High School Summer Scholars Program
Experience all facets of college life at Wash. U. in St. Louis.
Westcoast Connections Pre-College Enrichment
Taking great courses is only the beginning of these incredible programs. Learn to find your way around an exciting city. Discover what you want to do, what’s right for you and how to stand on your own.
Western Pennsylvania Summer STEMM Academy
Three-week program for students interested in STEMM topics.
WorldStrides Summer
The world beckons.
WPI Summer Programs: Frontiers & Launch
College life - just like you imagined. Get ready to be challenged to explore the outer limits of knowledge in science, mathematics, and engineering with the Frontiers research and learning experience.
Yale University - Young Global Scholars Program
Opportunities for studies in science, innovation, law and more.
International
Abbey Road Programs
Offering students the sophisticated experience of a savvy traveler.
aspire BY API - Summer Study Abroad
Rethink your summer.
aspire BY API - Summer Community Service
Change the world.
CIEE High School Summer Abroad
The world leader in international exchange since 1947. Check out this!
Global Paths
Global Paths helps students identify their goals and develop the skills to achieve them.
Hillsdale College - Study Abroad Summer Programs
Study with Hillsdale faculty in one of three European study abroad courses in England, France and Italy.
immerse education
Unique academic enrichment summer schools in inspirational locations, including colleges of Cambridge University. Check out the essay competition!
ISA - International Studies Abroad
Since 1987, International Studies Abroad (ISA) has provided college students in the United States and Canada the opportunity to explore the world.
Oxbridge Academic Summer Programs
Oxbridge has been welcoming intellectually adventurous high school students to Europe for more than 25 years. Schools are in England, France, Spain and New York.
Oxford Royale Academy
Our inspiring summer courses for June, July and August are residential in University of Oxford colleges and at our historic study centre, Yarnton Manor.
Reach Cambridge
Join teenagers from around the world in a university setting at this academic summer camp in Cambridge.
School Year Abroad Summer Programs
Spend an unforgettable five weeks of summer studying abroad with SYA.
Schools are in China, France, Italy and Spain.
SPI High School Study Abroad Programs
SPI’s interactive language immersion programs combine inspiring global leadership experiences, volunteer service projects and exciting travel excursions where language and culture come to life.
Westcoast Connection Pre-College Enrichment
Taking great courses is only the beginning of these incredible programs. Learn to find your way around an exciting city. Discover what you want to do, what’s right for you and how to stand on your own.
Business/Leadership
Domestic
Babson College - Summer Entrepreneurial Development Experience
Learn about business and entrepreneurship first hand!
Foresight Prep
Pre-College summer seminars for highly-motivated high school students concerned about sustainability, social equity and the environment.
Lehigh University - Pennsylvania School for Global Entrepreneurship
Experiential learning in entrepreneurship and business.
Luminari - I Want to Be an Ambassador
Learn the vital art of diplomacy.
PFEW - Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week
Free business summer program for PA residents.
St. Albans School of Public Service
4 weeks of politics, government, and leadership...40 of the best rising high school seniors...1 amazing experience in Washington, DC
Yale Young Global Scholars
An academic summer experience at Yale University for exceptional high school students interested in politics and international affairs.
International
African Leadership Academy - Global Scholars Program
GSP prepares future leaders to explore their potential to create widespread change in Africa – and throughout the world
Brown University - Global Programs
Rigorous academic experiences in the context of cultural immersions that prepare students for the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st century.
Classrooms Without Borders Study Seminars
Experience history deeply, personally and intellectually through study seminars abroad.
Experiment in International Living
Provides three-, four- and five-week summer programs for high school students who want to connect deeply and engage meaningfully with the richness and complexities of another country.
summer discovery - Study Abroad
Learn about international business in England or China.
Performing and Visual Arts
This is an exciting opportunity for high school students to study art, architecture, design, or creative writing in an art-school setting.
Hands-on intensive summer camps for film and acting.
Summer of Art - Otis College of Art and DesignImmerse yourself in a dynamic, creative environment with other students who are passionate about art and design. This summer, build and develop your creative and artistic skills while exploring a specific medium or aspect of art and design.
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Summer Immersions
Create a mosaic out of glass, find out what a movie director does, learn how to sew, and more.
Point Park University - Physical Approaches to Performance
This program is ideal for actors, dancers, directors, choreographers and anyone interested in movement and performance.
Students interested in design, fashion, film, writing, or architecture programs can earn 4 college credits participating in one of these pre-college programs.
SCAD Summer Seminars
Students have the opportunity to gain a valuable educational experience while developing their creative vision through exciting art and design assignments and projects.
University of Michigan Stamps School - Each summer, the Stamps School offers several pre-college programs for high-school students interested in art and design.
Service Learning
ISA - International Studies Abroad
Since 1987, International Studies Abroad (ISA) has provided college students in the United States and Canada the opportunity to explore the world.
Global Routes
Celebrating the natural world. The journey over the destination. The humor of stumbling your way through a second language.
Loop Abroad
Not a language program and not a tour, Loop Abroad's trips are an opportunity for students to pursue subjects of interest as they relate to pressing global issues, while exploring and learning about a new culture.
Rustic Pathways
Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students in some of the world’s most welcoming countries.
Visions Service Adventures
Be a teen without borders. Authentic and impactful volunteer projects that truly make a difference and allow you to make a significant imprint on your host country. Potential for 100 service hours.
Where There Be Dragons - Summer Programs
Dragons are rugged, authentic student travel programs that combine language immersion, cultural immersion and service learning in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
Westcoast Connection - Volunteer
Make your summer count...service combined with exciting destinations and adventure activities.
Outdoors/Leadership
Domestic
Sustainability Leadership Academy at Chatham College
Explore various sustainability careers at Chatham's Eden Hall Campus–the world's first academic community built to be sustainable from below the ground up.
Creek Camp - Allegheny College
Do you have a love for our natural environment? Do like exploring the outdoors and getting wet? Want to learn outside the classroom in an interactive setting?
NOLS - National Outdoor Leadership School
NOLS takes students of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions and teaches them technical outdoor skills, leadership and environmental ethics.
Outward Bound
OB is a premier provider of experience-based outdoor leadership programs for youth.
SSA Summer Programs
Serve as a counselor or teaching assistant in Shady Side Academy's own Discovery Day Camp for elementary school kids.
International
Global education & skill-building summer adventures.
Spanish and sports in Spain, mixed with 60 percent Spanish students.
Island School Summer TermSummer term students grapple with how communities – whether on an island in the Bahamas or in a town in the states – can live most sustainably.
Summer courses in Costa Rica and Panama provide learning experiences that allow participants to build life skills, intercultural competence, Spanish language and self-awareness.
VISIONS Service AdventuresOffers co-ed summer program for teenagers combining construction-based community service, outdoor exploration and adventure, and intercultural living.