High School Summer Academy in Architecture
Rising high school Juniors and Seniors get a taste of the college experience, earning three college credits through a variety of studio, seminar, field work and extracurricular activities. Students understand architecture as a possible area of college study, and as a career.
2025 Summer Academy
Our 2025 Summer Academy offers 3 college credits for successful completion of the program.
Dates
Sunday, July 6 through Saturday, August 2, 2025
Move in day for on-campus students is Sunday, July 6 and move-out is Saturday, August 2. The residential, in-person program begins Sunday afternoon with an introductory meeting.
Cost
On-campus, in-person comprehensive fee: $6,000
Includes tuition, room, board, materials
A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required by June 1, 2025 via check or money order only.
Mail to:
Roger Williams University
Cummings School of Architecture
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809-2921
Attn.: Sue Contente
Program Highlights
- Broaden your understanding of architecture as an area of study as a profession.
- Learn how to communicate and conceptualize design ideas in two and three dimensions.
- Earn 3 college credits for the successful completion of ARCH 100 - Exploring Architecture.
- Develop high-quality work for inclusion in your college application portfolio.
- Meet and collaborate with prospective students, faculty members and current graduate and undergraduate students.
What is Summer Academy?
Rising high school Juniors and Seniors get a taste of the college experience, earning three college credits through a variety of studio, seminar, field work and extracurricular activities. Students understand architecture as a possible area of college study, and as a career.
Assignments expose students to basic architectural principles, digital drawing and modeling techniques, and contemporary practice. Mentoring by current undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants allow Summer Academy students to learn about campus academic life directly from students.
Team design challenges give Summer Academy and RWU Cummings School of Architecture students an opportunity chance to collaborate on a larger scale project. A series of keynote lectures, extracurricular events, and virtual field trips to exceptional built environments and buildings round out the curriculum.
Students are advised on the college admissions process and portfolio development in preparation for college applications. Participants gain a broader view of the field while developing skills and portfolio materials to add to their applications to professional school. Workshops, lectures, and demonstrations complement daily design studios.
Application
Application deadline: June 1, 2025
Required Application materials: High School Transcript and one Letter of Reference.
Summer Academy Student Work
Synopsis of the First Week Schedule for Summer Academy Students
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3-4:30PM Welcome from Dean Steve White. Faculty, TAs and student introductions, digital tools and access. Presentation and discussion of the First Design Assignment. | 10:30AM – noon 12:30 -1:15PM 2-4:30PM 8-9PM | 10:30AM – noon 12:30 -1:15PM 8-9PM | 10:30AM – noon
2-4:30PM 8-9PM | 10:30AM – noon
2-4:30PM 8-9PM | 10:30AM onward One Day
4:30-6PM | Students work independently on current assignments
2-3PM
|
Who can participate?
The Academy is offered exclusively to high school students who have successfully completed their sophomore or junior year of study. The Architecture Summer Academy welcomes both qualified U.S. residents and international students to participate in our program.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Sue Contente by phone (401) 254-3683 or by email at scontente@rwu.edu.
