Designed for high school students who are curious about starting a career in architecture, interior design, landscape design, and more, Boston Architectural College’s (BAC) Pre-College Program helps you launch your future in studying design with leading professionals and peers from around the globe.
For 50 years, the BAC's Summer Academy has been a cornerstone of hands-on design education for high school students.The program empowers participants to work individually and collaboratively in small studios of 8 to 10 students with a dedicated Studio Lead, fostering the development of fundamental Design Skills.
Through curated design challenges, students delve into Ideation, Iteration, Sketching, Drawing, Digital Design, Digital Fabrication, Model Making, and Presentation Skills throughout the Summer Academy program.
Summer Academy students can choose between two tracks - Exploration or Investigation, and can enroll either for credit with the Credit Bearing Option (CBO), or choose a Not For Credit (NFC) option.
On-campus students engage in a studio-like setting, tackling real-world design challenges with lectures, hands-on feedback from practicing design professionals, design and making exercises, workshops, site visits, digital fabrication, and more. The experience concludes with a final presentation and digital portfolio, with all essential materials, and tools provided on campus. This is a day program, and housing is not provided. Students can choose to participate on-campus as non-resident day students or join the program online.
Online students engage in a virtual studio-like experience via Zoom, addressing real-world design challenges with lectures, individual feedback from practicing design professionals, design exercises, workshops, virtual site visits, digital fabrication, and more. The experience concludes with a digital pin-up and digital portfolio. All essential materials, technology access, and tools are provided in a mailed kit at the beginning of Summer Academy. To fully participate, online students require a Windows or Mac computer with stable, high-speed internet access, and a webcam.
High school students, grades 9 - 12 and ages 14 and older, from anywhere in the world are welcome to participate in this day summer program. No experience is required, just a passion for design!
Dates: (Onsite) July 7 - August 1, 2025; 1-4:30pm EDT: (Online) Preview Opens June 30, 2025, and includes the schedule, syllabus, orientation, and foundational content and examples.
Hybrid Format: Students can participate onsite (no residency day program) or online!
Tuition: $2,000 (3 college credits), with an early bird special of $1,800 if students register by March 1, 2025. OR $1,800 (no credit option), with an early bird special of $1,600 if students register by March 1, 2025.
Scholarships are available. These grants help the BAC continue its mission to diversify the design professions while fostering the next generation through hands-on engagement.
Onsite Registration Deadline: June 23,2025
Online Registration Deadline: June 9, 2025
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