High school students between the ages of 15 and 18 are eligible to apply for the on-campus programs. Students between the ages of 14 and 18 are eligible to apply for our online sessions. The majority of our participants are rising high school juniors and seniors.

The application process is easy—fill out the electronic application form, tell us why you would like to attend the Summer Academy, and submit an unofficial transcript. Because it’s an unofficial transcript, you do not have to send it through your school’s counseling office—a scan or screenshot of your most recent grade summary will work. Students can also submit an optional letter of recommendation from a teacher.

Summer Academy on campus (Santa Fe and Annapolis) has a tuition cost of $1,200 per session with a $50 book fee per participant. A $200 deposit is due by May 1, and the remaining tuition must be paid by June 1 secure your place. Tuition includes classes, room, meals, books, swag, and activity fees. For students who are staying on campus over the weekend, there is an additional $100 charge to cover meals and activities.

Summer Academy online has a tuition cost of $175 per session. For the June sessions, a $50 deposit is due by May 1, and the remaining tuition must be paid by June 1 to secure your place. For the August sessions, a $50 deposit is due by June 1, and the remaining tuition must be paid by July 1 to secure your place.

The deposit and tuition cost will be paid online through your CampDoc portal.

Limited financial aid is available for students with financial need. To apply for financial aid, please complete the Summer Academy application and answer the questions about aid within the application. Please reach out to summer.academy(at)sjc.edu if you have additional questions. Discounts are not offered for attending multiple sessions.

Yes! There are various scholarships and financial aid options available. In the application, there are questions about need-based financial aid, and any schools or organizations you may be a part of. Once you apply, you will be considered for partial or full financial aid for one week (transportation to and from campus is not covered by financial aid). Students will be notified of financial aid later this spring, before deposits or payments are due.

A typical day includes class, meals, and extra-curricular sessions. There are approximately four hours of class time each day, and students have free time mid-day and after class ends for the day.

Outside of class, there is ample time to relax with other students and complete assignments. There are plenty of planned activities, from croquet and swing lessons to hiking and yoga classes. Resident Assistants plan additional activities, so offerings vary each year and often reflect the interests of the current staff.

Past off-campus trips have included the National Gallery in DC, the Maryland State House, Meow Wolf immersive art experiences, and the Santa Fe Opera.

Take a look at the sample schedules to get a good idea of what your day could look like!

Students should plan to read the provided manuals before they arrive on campus—this allows for the opportunity to revisit and review material prior to classes. It also gives you something immediately in common with other students to help strike up a conversation!

Digital versions of the manuals will be emailed directly to deposited students a few weeks before the session begins. It is recommended that students not print out the manuals, as they will receive a hard copy upon arrival to campus.

If you have any difficulty accessing the files, please reach out and let us know.

Classes are led by St. John’s College faculty, who we call “tutors.” Tutors teach across the undergraduate curriculum, leading classes in ancient Greek, mathematical physics, ancient history or modern philosophy. They hold advanced degrees in a variety of academic disciplines.

Summer Academy Resident Assistants are undergraduates at St. John’s College who are chosen through a competitive interview process. Each is background checked; is CPR and First Aid certified; and participates in mandatory training prior to the start of Summer Academy. Many have served as Resident Assistants during the school year.

Students get to meals, classes and activities on their own. Resident Assistants are present at all times: at meals, extracurricular activities, off campus trips, and in the dorms. Adult staff participates in activities and off-campus trips. Students must be in their dorm room at 11 p.m.

Summer Academy students stay in the dorms and share a room with another student. The library, gymnasium, and most campus facilities are open for Summer Academy students to use and explore.

A registered nurse will be on campus to dispense over-the-counter medications and evaluate if students should seek additional medical advice. Both campuses are located within 15 minutes of area medical centers and urgent care offices.

Alcohol and illegal drugs (which includes drugs that the student does not have a prescription for) are prohibited at all times at the Summer Academy. Students suspected of being intoxicated or under the influence of any illicit substance will be dismissed from the program immediately. Students who smell of alcohol or are found in the presence of alcohol or illegal drugs will be dismissed immediately. There are no exceptions.

Seminars will meet over Zoom, which is a free platform but must be downloaded to a device in advance.

Seminars will meet for 75 minutes at the same time each day (Monday–Friday). On the application, you will select preferred times (morning, afternoon, or evening MST), but we cannot guarantee a specific time.

If the session calls for 1 or 2 books, we recommend purchasing your text in advance from your favorite local bookstore, or consider ordering through the St. John’s College campus bookstore.  See our list of our recommended editions.

Some seminars may feature a variety of readings, articles, speeches, poems, etc. In this case, a reading manual will be created by our faculty and shared with the attendees of the Seminar one month before the class begins.

St. John’s is a closely-knit community that values great books, small classes, and vigorous discussion. All classes are led by full-time faculty and assisted by current St John’s College students. Unlike online education that relies on pre-recorded classes and lectures, our online Summer Seminars are live, experiential, and engage students in deep, meaningful, conversation.

Tuition for each session of the Summer Academy Online Seminar is $175.00. All seminars are led by full faculty at St. John’s, assisted by a current student.