Summer Academy students listen to a lecture in Cascieri Hall.

Summer Academy – Boston (Onsite)

Boston Architectural College’s (BAC) Pre-College Programs are perfect for high school students curious about architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and more. Work alongside leading professionals and peers from around the world to explore design and start building your future in the field.

Summer Academy – Boston is an onsite, half-day program held weekday afternoons at the BAC’s Boston Campus in the Back Bay. Interested in a full-day program? Add on Urban Design and Planning Studio! Students need only bring their curiosity—supplies, materials, and tools are provided. Participants also have the opportunity to earn college credit. Plus, all Summer Academy graduates are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship toward BAC’s undergraduate programs.

SUMMER 2026 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Interested in attending online? Check out Summer Academy – Global Online!

A group of Summer Academy students stands together in a colorful urban plaza during a city field trip, surrounded by tall buildings and bright street art.

Summer 2026 Information

Program Dates:: Live Sessions: July 6 - July 31, 2026
Program Times:: Monday-Friday | 1:00-4:30PM EDT
Format:: Onsite*, half-day program
*This is a non-resident program, and housing is not provided.
Tuition:: Base Price, credit bearing (3 college credits):
$2,000 - Early bird discount: $1,800 (if students register by March 1, 2026)
Base Price, not for credit:
$1,800 - Early bird discount: $1,600 (if students register by March 1, 2026)
Onsite Program Registration Deadline:: June 22, 2026

Pre-College Summer Programs
Virtual Info Session

Join us and learn more at the upcoming virtual info session:

Tuesday, March 24: 12PM EDT
Wednesday, April 22: 2PM EDT
Tuesday, May 19: 9 AM EDT

Mar RSVP Apr RSVP May RSVP

See What Summer Academy is All About!

Summer Academy students discuss the next steps.

Who is Eligible?

Students, ages 14 and older, are welcome to join this onsite, half-day Summer Academy program. No experience needed—just a passion for design. Ideal for aspiring artists, architects, interior designers, engineers, game designers, and more.

A BAC Summer Academy student's hands work to finish their diorama.

Why Attend BAC Pre-College?

For over 50 years, the BAC has provided high school students with hands-on design education through its Summer Academy program. Students work in small studios (8-10 students) with a dedicated Studio Lead, developing essential design skills through individual and collaborative projects.

A BAC Summer Academy student collects more watercolor paint on their brush.

What Will You Learn?

In the BAC Summer Academy program, students explore key design skills through hands-on challenges, including ideation, sketching, drawing, digital design, digital fabrication, model making, and presentation techniques.

Two BAC Summer Academy students share a laugh while listening to a lecture.

Choose Your Track

Summer Academy students can choose between two tracks - Exploration or Investigation.
The Exploration Track is recommended for first-time Summer Academy students and students with no design experience. This track prioritizes fundamental skills with learning across multiple design disciplines.
The Investigation Track is recommended for students with prior design experience or for those who wish to more strategically focus on singular design disciplines and challenges.

A BAC Summer Academy student works on carving items in studio.

What to Expect

Summer Academy - Boston students participate in a studio-like setting, to tackle 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 program concludes with a presentation pin-up open house where students can share their design solutions with their peers and family through presentation posters, models, and digital portfolios.

BAC Summer Academy students listen to a lecture in Cascieri Hall.

Option to Earn College Credit!

Students can enroll either for credit with the Credit Bearing Option (CBO), or choose a Not For Credit (NFC) option. If enrolled in CBO, students who complete the Summer Academy program receive 3 college credits. Both CBO and NFC students are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship toward one of the BAC’s undergraduate programs, once they complete the Summer Academy program.

A BAC Summer Academy student's collage with the words Bright Future in the center.

Scholarships

The BAC’s mission to provide excellence in design education emerging from practice includes fostering the next generation through hands-on engagement. Through the Pre-College Design Access Fund, government grants, and the generosity of sponsors such as Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, Inc. and Robert Houseman, scholarships and fellowships are available to students for all our Pre-College programs, including Summer Academy - Boston, Summer Academy - Global, and Urban Design and Planning Studio.

The scholarship priority registration deadline is March 1, 2026.