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.
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. Our students are aspiring artists, architects, interior designers, engineers, industrial designers, computer game creators, landscape designers, and more.
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.
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.
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.
Program Dates: Live Sessions: July 7* - August 1, 2025
*Online Preview Opens June 30, 2025 - Includes Schedule, Syllabus, Orientation, and Foundational Content and Examples
Program Times: Monday-Friday | Online Track 9AM-12:30PM EDT | Onsite Track 1-4:30PM EDT
Format: Students can choose to participate on-campus as non-resident day students or join the program online. This is a day program, and housing is not provided.
Tuition:
Base Price, credit bearing (3 college credits): $2,000
Base Price, not for credit: $1,800
Online Registration Deadline: June 9, 2025
Onsite Registration Deadline: June 23, 2025
The Urban Design and Planning Studio is for high school students* who are curious about careers in urban planning and design. This pre-college program introduces students to urban planning and design with leading professionals and peers in the Boston area and beyond.
As an add-on to Summer Academy, students are jointly enrolled in two, on-campus programs that together are designed to support and enhance student learning— the Summer Academy program plus Urban Design and Planning Curriculum:
Program Duration: June 30th - Aug 8th 2025** | Monday-Friday from 10AM-4:30PM EDT
Format: Onsite non-resident day program (this program is not offered online or in a hybrid format)
Tuition for Both Programs:
Base Price, credit bearing (6 college credits): $4,000
Base Price, not for credit: $3,600
Registration Deadline: June 9, 2025
Scholarships are available through the generosity of sponsors such as Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, Inc. and Robert Houseman. These grants help the BAC continue its mission to diversify the design professions while fostering the next generation through hands-on engagement.
The scholarship application deadline is March 1, 2025.
All students who complete the BAC Summer Academy program are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship toward one of the BAC’s undergraduate programs.
For questions about our programs or interest in becoming a partner:
