Architecture & Design programs for high schoolers.
32 programs indexed in architecture & design. 14 are free or pay a stipend. 2 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new architecture & design program.
All architecture & design programs
- SelectiveACE MentorACE Mentor Program
Free after-school mentorship in architecture, construction, and engineering for HS students.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveAdobeAdobe Design Achievement Awards (Semi-Pro)
International student creative awards across graphic design, film, animation, and social impact.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 11–12 - Highly SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityArchitecture
Pre-College Architecture program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateHarvard GSDCareer Discovery in Architecture
Six-week summer program for HS juniors and seniors exploring careers in design at Harvard.
📍 Cambridge, MA⏱ 6 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveCooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design MuseumCooper Hewitt Summer Design Institute
Free design programs and workshops for NYC HS students.
📍 New York, NY⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveCarnegie Mellon UniversityDesign
Pre-College Design program at Carnegie Mellon University.
📍 Pittsburgh, PA🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUT AustinDiscover Architecture at UT Austin
Two-week architecture program for rising HS juniors and seniors.
📍 Austin, TX⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveGoogleDoodle for Google Contest
Annual K-12 art contest where winners' doodles appear on the Google homepage.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grades 1–12 - ModerateF1 in SchoolsF1 in Schools World Finals
International STEM competition where student teams design, build, and race miniature CO2-powered cars.
📍 International (rotating)📅 National rounds vary🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveIEFTAInternational Emerging Film Talent Association
International youth film mentorship and festival access programs.
📍 International📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateMaryland Institute College of ArtMICA Pre-College Studio Residency
Four-week residential studio program for rising 11th-12th graders.
📍 Baltimore, MD⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveMuseum of Modern ArtMoMA Teen Apprentice
Paid teen apprenticeship in arts curation, design, and education at MoMA.
📍 NY⏱ Summer + school year📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateOdyssey of the MindOdyssey of the Mind (International Finals)
International creative problem-solving competition with teams from 25+ countries.
📍 USA (worlds); regional in origin country📅 Regional Winter, Worlds May🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateOtis CollegeOtis College Summer of Art
Four-week pre-college art and design program.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateOtis College of Art and DesignOtis Summer of Art
Four-week pre-college program in fine art, design, fashion, and animation in LA.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateParsons / The New SchoolParsons Pre-College Academy
Online and in-person pre-college art and design courses.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectivePratt InstitutePratt Fall and Spring PreCollege Classes
Spend Saturdays developing your skills in classes designed to fit a high school schedule. With both online and in-person options, students collaborate with peers from near and far while receiving expert guidance on their projects.
📍 Brooklyn, New York (and remote)🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectivePratt InstitutePratt Online Summer Program
Join a global community of students in live online classes, held Monday through Thursday. Through demos, critiques, and guided projects, instructors help students sharpen their skills and create polished, portfolio-quality work.
🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModeratePratt InstitutePratt Pre-College
Four-week summer college experience in art, design, and architecture.
📍 Brooklyn, NY⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectivePratt InstitutePratt PreCollege Explore Program
Live and learn on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus! Spend two weeks learning about Fine Art, Design, or Architecture with a small group of peers. Program includes site-visits to artist studios and gaining a broad understanding of the different fields.
📍 Brooklyn, New York🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectivePratt InstitutePratt PreCollege Intensive Program
Live and learn on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus! Spend four weeks taking two courses, building a portfolio, and experiencing life as a college student in New York City. This immersive program pushes students creatively while preparing them with college-ready work.
📍 Brooklyn, New York🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateRhode Island School of DesignRISD Pre-College
Six-week intensive at the top art and design school.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 6 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateRhode Island School of DesignRISD Pre-College Program
Six-week intensive pre-college program for rising 11th and 12th graders in art and design.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 6 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateSchool of the Art Institute of ChicagoSAIC Early College Program
Intensive summer studio program for high schoolers earning college credit.
📍 Chicago, IL⏱ 4 weeks📅 Spring🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateNYU TischTisch Summer High School Four-Week Residential Program
This residential program is a commitment of four weeks on campus that encompasses a highly structured class schedule, which include projects, professional training, and collaboration. Tracks include: Animation, Dance, Drama, Production & Design, Dramatic Writing, Filmmaking, Game Design, Photography and Imaging, and Recorded Music. The program is tuition-based and culminates in four to six college credits (units).
📍 New York, NY🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveTechnology Student Association (TSA)TSA National Competitions
The premier middle and high school competition for engineering and technology projects involving a formal design process.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateTulane UniversityTulane Summer Pre-College
Pre-college courses at Tulane. Need-based scholarships available.
📍 LA⏱ 2-4 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateUCLA School of the Arts and ArchitectureUCLA Summer Art Institute
An intensive experience where students focus on one area of study, including film, theater, or design.
📍 Los Angeles, CA⏱ 4 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateUniversity of MarylandUMD Young Scholars
Pre-college research at UMD. Need-based aid available.
📍 MD⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveVansVans Custom Culture Art Competition
National high school art competition to design custom Vans shoes for cash and supply grants.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModeratePratt InstituteWorkshops
Spend an afternoon exploring Pratt’s Brooklyn campus through a 3-hour hands-on workshop led by Pratt faculty.
📍 Brooklyn, NY🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateNational YoungArtsYoungArts at Oberlin: A One-Day Summer Intensive for High School Artists
A one-day summer intensive program at Oberlin Conservatory of Music for high school artists.
📍 Oberlin Conservatory of Music📅 Aug 12, 2026🎓 Grades 9–12