You don’t have to wait until you’re old enough to enroll in Catholic University to begin to experience the exciting life and learning opportunities to be found here. High school students are invited to sign up for one of our summer pre-college programs.

Light the World! 

Student pointing at painting at National Gallery of Art

Light the World! encourages high school students to learn to see theology in everyday life by exploring theological traditions, asking questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues, and examining how their faith calls them to lives of service.

Learn more about Light the World! 


Experiences in Architecture 

Student presenting an architecture project

The Experiences in Architecture program at The Catholic University of America is an intense three-week workshop for students interested in architecture or other design related fields. Students are exposed to both the academic and the professional sides of the architecture arena as the city of Washington, D.C., becomes their classroom.

The Experiences in Architecture program will better prepare you for the rigors of architecture school, giving you a head start, as well as acquaint you with campus life at the university level. Students who have participated in the EIA summer workshop or a similar pre-college program are better prepared for success at the university level.

Learn more about Experiences in Architecture  


High School Drama Institute

Students on stage performing

The Catholic University High School Drama Institute is a joint offering by the University's School of Music and Department of Drama. Students major in Musical Theatre or Drama/Acting in this 3-week residential program designed to offer intensive summer training in the performing arts. Study voice, acting, dance, movement, and more with experts in the field and like-minded theatre students.

Learn More about the High School Drama Institute


Engineering New Frontiers 

Students working on an engineering project

Engineering New Frontiers (ENF) is a two-week, hands-on, convenient summer course for high schoolers entering junior and senior years, highlighting research projects in tissue engineering and rehabilitation engineering, two fields in biomedical engineering with links to the other engineering disciplines including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. This hands-on introduction to biomedical engineering will involve individual design projects and biomedical experiments, as well as short lectures about biomedical engineering, careers in engineering, interviewing skills, and charting an academic path into a successful engineering career.

Learn More about the Engineering New Frontiers Program