Expand Your Intellectual Horizons

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is a summer enrichment program that provides intellectually curious students currently in grades 8–11 with intensive study in a single online course.

Discover. Explore. Grow.

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes provides participants with an immersive Stanford classroom experience and challenges students with advanced content not typically found in the high-school curriculum.

Single-Subject Study

Choose from over 75 online summer courses that provide in-depth and interactive exploration of academic material. Courses are ungraded and are not awarded credit. Explore courses in subjects such as artificial intelligence, creative writing, engineering, mathematics, philosophy, and more.

Global Focus and Real Connections

Study and discuss academic topics alongside peers from around the world who share your interests, curiosity, and drive to learn.

Live Online Classes

With small class sizes, our live online class meetings allow students to engage in every aspect of a course through real-time discussions in which instructors and students see, hear, and interact with one another.

Learn from Scholarly Instructors

Attend courses designed, created, and taught by instructors who are experts in their fields and passionate about teaching.

Now Accepting Applications

Our application for the 2026 Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is now open.

Begin your application today

2026 Program Dates

Courses will be offered in two sessions this summer. Each session runs for two weeks, Monday–Friday and requires synchronous daily attendance. Note that students may only attend one course per summer.

Session One

Monday, June 15 – Friday, June 26, 2026

Session Two

Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 17, 2026

Attendance Policy

Participants must be present for all program classes and activities. Participants are required to attend their course at the specified daily class time with their microphone and camera on. Missing more than one class can result in not receiving a certificate of completion.

All activities are designed to provide participants with a well-rounded experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Participants should not have any non-program commitments that directly conflict with required program activities. All courses require asynchronous assignments to prepare for the next day’s class.

Highlights

8-11

Current Grade Level

75

Courses Offered Each Summer

16

Average Class Size

50

States Typically Represented

50+

Countries Typically Represented

Hear from Our Students

"My SPCS experience was both unique and exciting. The coursework was rigorous yet manageable, and the instructors were always kind and supportive. This program shaped my college plans and helped clarify what I want to pursue as a major. Most importantly, I gained friendships and connections that continue beyond the program."

- Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes Participant, 2025

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies inspires academically motivated pre-college students to become leaders that will transform the future. Without the pressure of grades, students explore advanced study and build bonds with peers from around the world.

Sara Mumolo

Director, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) inspires students from around the world to explore academically rigorous learning opportunities through online and residential enrichment programs. Committed to Stanford University’s ideals of academic excellence, SPCS fosters inclusive and accessible communities that enhance learning for the next generation of global citizens.