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.

2021 Summer Academy 

Our 2021 Summer Academy offers two ways to participate - in-person on our Bristol campus or online. 

Both options offer 3 college credits for successful completion of the program.

Dates

Sunday, July 11 through Friday, Aug. 6

The residential, in-person program begins Sunday afternoon with an introductory meeting. All students must be fully vaccinated by July 11 to attend. 

For remote students, the program runs Monday through Friday.

Apply for This Program by June 30 

Cost

On-campus, in-person comprehensive fee: $5,150
Includes tuition, fees, field trips, supplies, double-occupancy room and meal plan.

Online comprehensive fee: $2,750
Includes tuition, fees and supplies.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required by June 30, 2021, via check or money order only.

Mail to:

Roger Williams University
School of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation
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? 

Summer Academy students have the choice of participating in-person on campus, or, remotely via the RWU online platform.  Remote students receive a prepared “kit of parts” toolkit, shipped to their homes, to make drawings and physical models of their design projects.

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 School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation 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.

Summer Academy Student Work

Synopsis of the First Week Schedule for Summer Academy Students

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. Applicants to the Summer Academy are highly encouraged to submit their application forms by June 30, 2021 so we can send enrolled students a materials kit and coordinate digital access and tools. All in-person participants must be fully vaccinated by July 11 to attend. 

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Poland by phone (401) 254-3681 or by email at saahp@rwu.edu.