Earn College Credit and Experience College Life as a High School Student

Engage with knowledgeable faculty to further your passion for music, theatre, or a course topic, while earning college credit (with the exception of the Summer Piano Institute, which does not award academic credit). Experience what college is like on the beautiful Ithaca College campus during the summer, one of the most enjoyable seasons in Ithaca, NY.

Summer Pre-College Preview

A group of high school students is sitting at a table laughing
Take Your First Step Toward College

Take your first steps toward college by spending time this summer living and learning at Ithaca College. Our summer pre-college residential programs are geared for individuals age 14 - 18, who are entering their 9th through 12th grade year in high school (or equivalent). The Summer College for High School Students (SCHSS), Summer Music Academy (SMA), & Summer Theatre Conservatory (STC) will run Sunday, July 12 through Friday, July 31, 2026 (drop-off on Sunday, July 12th and pickup on Friday, July 31st will be in the afternoon). Applications for the SCHSS and SMA programs are still being accepted. We are no longer accepting applications for STC. 

Apply Now

The Ithaca College Summer College for High School Students, Summer Music Academy, and Summer Theatre Conservatory provide high school students with an opportunity to earn three college credits while experiencing residential living on a college campus. These programs will occur Sunday, July 12 through Friday, July 31, 2026 (Participants must arrive on campus in the afternoon of July 12). The Ithaca College Summer Piano Institute has traditionally provided students 9/10 days of lessons, workshops, classes, practice, and performances with nationally known faculty members. This program has been put on hold for this summer and will be re-offered again in 2027. 

In these exciting Ithaca College programs, you will learn hands-on about getting to college, succeeding in the classroom, and making the most of life outside of classes under the guidance of supportive faculty, Teaching Assistants, and Resident Advisors (or "RA's"). Our RA's are peer leaders who encourage community-building, peer-to-peer connection, and who provide regularly-scheduled social activities when you are not in class.

“This was an incredible and interesting program to take. I was able to expand my knowledge to a level I didn’t expect and I learned valuable lessons that I will take back home with me. Something I really enjoyed about the program was how invested our professor was when it came to teaching us and allowing us to learn from one another. I was able to meet amazing people who share similar interests as me and I gained genuine relationships through this program. I was also exposed to a different side of health which was very helpful considering my future career goal.”

recent participant

Other Summer Opportunities for High School Students at Ithaca College

Ithaca College hosts other excellent opportunities for high school students during the summer.

  • Tech Innovation Summer Academy - Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to apply for this weeklong, residential program where you’ll explore apps, robotics, website design, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, gaming, building hardware, and more. Designed for tech enthusiasts and future innovators, tuition, housing and meals for this program are all free. For more information, visit our website.
  • Summer Sessions - Ithaca College offers undergraduate credit-bearing coursework in a five-week format, in one of two sessions that run between May and August. High school students can take Ithaca College courses as a non-degree student. Many of our summer courses are online and asynchronous so that anyone, anywhere, can experience learning at Ithaca College. For more information, visit our website.

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Please note: Any pre-college program or course may be cancelled if not enough students enroll.