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High School Summer Kickstart

Build a Foundation for Success

Program Overview

High School Summer Kickstart is an exciting, interactive summer experience designed to help participants build a strong foundation for success in high school and beyond. Through workshops, hands-on activities, and small group experiences, students develop important academic, personal, and leadership skills that support growth both inside and outside the classroom. Each day encourages participants to set meaningful goals, strengthen communication, practice collaboration, and explore ideas that connect to their interests, future plans, and the world around them.

Each day of High School Summer Kickstart includes:

  • Leading with Purpose Workshop: In this interactive workshop, participants build essential leadership skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to take initiative, work effectively with others, and develop confidence in the way they lead and contribute to a group.
  • Pathways to Success Workshop: This workshop focuses on academic planning and college advising to help participants prepare for high school and beyond. Students explore goal-setting, time management, the high school curriculum, college admissions, and possible career pathways as they begin thinking about their future.
  • Afternoon Sessions: In these sessions, participants explore how we understand the world through literature, art, history, the natural environment, and human communities. Through interactive activities, discussion, and reflection, students connect what they learn to their own experiences, perspectives, and future interests.

High School Summer Kickstart participants commute to campus. We provide a daily schedule that includes classes, lunch, and social activities, and participants are supervised at all times by our dedicated program staff. This program is noncredit.

Dates

High School Summer Kickstart is offered June 21-25, 2027.

Eligibility

To be eligible for High School Summer Kickstart individuals should:

  • Be a current 8th grade student (entering high school during the 2027-2028 school year) from the St. Louis area.

We are looking for mature, academically motivated individuals; collaborative, intellectually curious, and creative thinkers thrive in our program.

Application

We will begin accepting applications on December 1, 2026. Individuals interested in applying should submit an application, copy of their current grade report, contact information for a teacher recommender, and a signed parent liability waiver and release. A short essay response to the prompt, "What are you curious about, and how do you hope this program will help you explore your interests, strengths, or future goals?" is required. Teacher recommendations are waived for applicants who previously attended Middle School Summer Challenge.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the program fills or the application deadline of April 1, 2027. Space is limited, so we encourage families not to wait until the deadline to apply. 

Fees and Scholarships

The 2027 program fee for High School Summer Kickstart is TBD. The program fee includes all activities, lunch, and course materials. Need-based scholarship assistance is available. Children of WashU employees and returning students are eligible for a 10% discount. Visit Fees & Scholarships  for additional details on fees, need-based scholarships, and discounts. 

Grading and Certificate

High School Summer Kickstart is a noncredit program. Grades are not issued. Participants are evaluated based on interaction with peers, engagement during activities, and work produced. Participants who have met all expectations will receive a certificate of participation. 

Acceptance and participation in High School Summer Kickstart does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at WashU. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Program Schedule

The High School Summer Kickstart schedule is a busy one! Participants are supervised throughout the day by instructors and program staff as they explore WashU and collaborate with their peers. Select an activity to learn more.

Leading with Purpose Workshop

Participants should be dropped off by 9:00am. We'll start with an overview of the day followed by the Leading with Purpose Workshop which runs from 9:45-11:00am. This workshop aims to foster essential leadership qualities such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving and empower students to take initiative and develop confidence in their leadership abilities.

Pathways to Success Workshop

After a short break and snacks, participants will attend the Pathways to Success Workshop from 11:15am-12:30pm. This workshop focuses on academic and college advising in preparation for high school and beyond. Participants will learn valuable skills for setting and achieving academic and personal goals, understanding the high school curriculum and college admissions process, and exploring potential career pathways.

Lunch

Participants have a break for lunch each day from 12:30-1:15pm. They will dine at the Danforth University Center (DUC) or on-campus Subway. Participants may also choose to bring their own lunch to campus.

Afternoon Session

After lunch, participants will attend afternoon sessions from 1:00-2:45pm that will explore how we understand the world around us across a range of liberal arts disciplines. Through interactive activities, they will investigate the natural environment, examine human communities and social issues, and engage with literature, art, and history. Students will use observation, discussion, and reflection to connect what they learn to their own experiences, perspectives, and future interests. Will end the day in a quick reflection and students can be picked up at 3:00pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should my child expect?

While we do provide staff supervision as well as fun, interactive experiences, this is a selective, academic program. Individuals must apply and be admitted. Participants are expected to be engaged participants, complete activities, and will receive an evaluation at the end of the program.

Can a student miss part of the program due to other commitments?

We strongly encourage participants to commit to the full length of the program and to schedule other commitments when the program is not in session. Missing any part of the program can impact the experience. 

When will I get my admission decision?

Admission decisions are released within 7-10 business days of receipt of the application and completed teacher recommendation.

2026 applications are now closed. 

Applications for 2027 will open December 1.