Parents have many options when it comes to academic summer programs for their high school students. Parents have to decide between courses offered by top universities, their local high school, or private educational institutions. In this blog, we present a simple framework to help with your decisions.
Many universities, traditional high schools, and private educational institutions offer academic programs during summer. Comparing these programs can be challenging because they have different strengths and weaknesses. We have compiled a list of factors to consider when selecting an academic summer program for your high school student. We also compared the three types of programs to help you make an informed decision.
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Accreditation: Accreditation by a recognized accrediting body ensures that the program meets certain standards of quality and rigor. Credits earned from an accredited program are more likely to be accepted by colleges and universities. Look for programs accredited by Cognia, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), or another nationally or internationally recognized accrediting body.
- Curriculum: Engaging curricula requires students to work actively rather than listen to lectures. Curriculum structure and how it is delivered impact the extent to which students will receive meaningful feedback on their work. Without active work and timely feedback, the benefits of learning are significantly reduced. For certain courses, the curriculum must also be aligned with the College Board (Advanced Placement) standards or International Baccalaureate for the course to be recognized by colleges and universities.
- Faculty: Look for programs with experienced and qualified instructors who are experts in their field. Some programs are taught by experienced high school teachers, college professors, or even professionals, whereas others are taught primarily by graduate students.
- Class Size: Small class sizes allow students to receive individualized attention from the instructor. Programs with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 or lower allow students to engage actively with instructors and peers, whereas those with over 30 students in a class tend to be significantly less effective for most students.
- Live Instruction: Some programs offer live instruction, either at a physical location or online, while others offer pre-recorded videos and self-paced materials, office hours, and email communication with teachers. Consider what type of instruction would be best for your child.
- Credits: Some courses offer credit that can be transferred to the student's high school or college transcript. Transferrable credits are a valuable asset for students who want to get ahead in school or prepare for college. Credits earned from an accredited program are more likely to be accepted by colleges and universities. College credits can also save students time and money by allowing them to skip introductory courses in college.
- Duration: Summer program duration typically ranges between one and six weeks. Shorter programs are best for students who want to explore a new subject. Students who want to finish a full-credit course should look for a program that lasts at least four weeks. Some programs offer flexible start dates and allow students to finish the course at a regular pace during the fall semester to accommodate summer travel plans.
- Location: Residential programs held on college campuses offer students a unique experience that goes beyond the academic nature of the course. Programs offered at a local school or private institution can have a high overhead of transportation and logistics for parents. Online programs can be extremely time efficient, allow flexibility with summer travel, and are often the best choice for self-motivated students. Be clear on the value you are looking for, and think about the environment that would be best for your child.
- Cost: When comparing program costs, consider factors such as the amount of live interaction with instructors, class size, course duration, transferable credits, and whether the price includes learning materials. For residential programs, include the cost of room and board and travel. Some programs offer scholarships or financial aid to help offset the cost.
Broadly speaking, there are three common options for high school students to consider when selecting a summer program:
University Summer Programs
Many universities offer academic courses for high school students during the summer. These programs are typically held on campus and offer a wide range of courses in various subjects. Residential summer programs offered at a University campus are a great way for students to get a taste of college life. Some programs offer credit that can be transferred to the student's high school or college transcript. Many universities recruit high school teachers or adjunct lecturers to teach summer courses to high school students. Parents and students should not assume that university summer programs are taught by tenured college faculty members. Class sizes for university summer programs are typically large. University summer programs can be expensive, and some may offer scholarships or financial aid to help offset the cost. Most programs have a fixed schedule, limited availability, and often a competitive application process.
It is a common myth among parents that taking a summer program at a prestigious university will increase their child's chances of getting into that university.
Universities do not give preference to students who have taken their summer programs. The summer programs are a source of revenue for the university, managed by a different department, and are not connected to the admissions process.
Traditional High School Summer Programs
Many high schools offer summer programs for their students. These programs are typically held on campus and offer limited courses. High school summer programs are great for students to get ahead in school or makeup credits. Some programs offer credit that can be transferred to the student's high school transcript, and some are designed to satisfy some prerequisites for courses they want to take in the fall. High school summer programs are typically taught by high school teachers. Class sizes are similar to the school's regular class size. High school summer programs are usually less expensive than university summer programs. Still, like the university program, they have a fixed schedule, limited availability, and are often limited to students enrolled at the school.
Since the programs are taught by the school teachers, they are often limited to the courses offered during the regular academic year.
Private Educational Institutions
Many private educational institutions specialize in summer programs for high school students. They vary widely in accreditation, curriculum, faculty, class size, location, and cost. You need to identify the most critical parameters for you and your child and then compare the programs based on those parameters. You should check their accreditation and whether they offer high school or college credits if credits are essential. Some private institutions have university affiliations and state or national approvals for their programs that increase the likelihood of credit transfer. Some private institutions offer online programs that allow students to learn from anywhere in the world and offer more flexibility in terms of scheduling and summer travel.
Private educational institutions may offer unique courses that aren't generally available through universities or local high schools.
How does 2Sigma School's summer program compare?
Summer of Code, 2Sigma School's summer program for high school students, offers a unique blend of features that maximize value while offering the highest level of flexibility compared to any other option available to parents and students.
- Accreditation: 2Sigma School is accredited by Cognia. Our AP courses are authorized by the College Board and approved across multiple states.
- Curriculum: 2Sigma School's curricula are designed for high engagement and hands-on learning and are among the best worldwide.
- Faculty: 2Sigma School's faculty are experienced, high school teachers and industry professionals. All our instructors have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science and many have industry experience.
- Class Size: 2Sigma School's class sizes are small, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 or lower.
- Live Instruction: 2Sigma School summer classes are taught live in small cohorts. Students can finish the course at a regular pace during the fall semester to accommodate summer travel plans.
- Credits: 2Sigma School offers high school transcripts for students who finish the course. Most universities accept our transcripts for high school graduation requirements. Some courses are also eligible for college credit if students take a college-level exam (such as the AP).
- Duration: 2Sigma School's summer programs are designed to cover a full-year course over six weeks. Students can finish the course at a regular pace during the fall semester to accommodate summer travel plans.
- Location: 2Sigma School's summer programs are held online. This allows students to learn from anywhere worldwide and offers more flexibility in scheduling and summer travel.
- Cost: 2Sigma School's summer programs are competitively priced below most comparable programs offered by universities and private institutions. Our small class sizes and live instruction make our programs a great value for parents looking for high-quality summer programs for their high school students.