Summer Academies for High School Students

Concussions present a complex public health issue that requires an interdisciplinary approach for effective prevention, treatment, and long-term support. This session explores how public health, social work, psychology, and education professionals can collaborate to address the multifaceted impacts of concussions. By bridging gaps between disciplines, the session will highlight integrated strategies for prevention, mental health care, and educational accommodations. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how each field contributes to a comprehensive response to concussions, improving outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Modern medicine is built upon the biological sciences. Immerse yourself in the scientific basis of medicine through explorations in physiology, anatomy, and neuroscience. Participants in the academy will dig deep into understanding how diseases are discovered and diagnosed, how different human anatomical systems work, and how the nervous system's capabilities are determined by its physical and electrical properties.

Have you ever wondered what a forensic chemist does? How your chemistry teacher learned so much about elements? Can you turn your knowledge of chemistry into a career? Through our summer academy, we will show you the exciting avenues that are open to someone with a chemistry major! Not only will you have the opportunity to conduct experiments and hands-on activities relevant to cutting-edge jobs, but you will also hear from SFU graduates who have turned their chemistry education into a career. Together, we will explore various tracks through which you can become a pharmacist, chemistry teacher, medical doctor, environmental, nano, forensic, or fermentation researcher.

Let your imagination takes center stage and your stories come to life! Through fun activities and guided lessons, you’ll develop your skills in storytelling, poetry, and more—while connecting with other young writers who love to create. Best of all, participants will have the chance to see their work published in a special student anthology, giving you the opportunity to become a real published author!

Learn about the fields of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Nursing and Exercise Physiology and their influence on the health, wellness, and disability of populations. Students attending will learn about human anatomy, effects of exercise, disability awareness, environmental adaptations, and basic health care skills, and many other engaging and hands-on activities in our state-of-the-art Experiential Learning Commons, simulation center and Research Innovation Lab.

Biology extends far beyond premed, encompassing everything from the study of entire ecosystems to the investigation of the molecules that drive life itself. In this academy, students will gain hands-on experience in areas such as ecology, physiology, and cell and molecular biology. Along the way, participants will discover the many exciting opportunities available to biology majors, from environmental science and biotechnology to research and conservation.

Clean water is essential for life. However, it is estimated that by the year 2030, 1.6 billion people in the world will lack clean drinking water. In this academy, students will learn about these challenges and what a career in water reclamation looks like. Along the way, students will get to act like environmental scientists and engineers, learning how use math, science, and technology to protect and restore water resources.

As the Spanish-speaking population grows in our society, there is an increase in demand for bilingual professionals in our workforce: from business to education, to health sciences and everything in between. Immerse yourself in the field of Latin American Studies in order to understand not just the language but the worldview of this growing population. We will explore language, culture, history, politics, and religion through the lens of language learning.

To exist is to communicate, to communicate is to connect, and art is one of the best ways to communicate. In this academy, we will explore the arts as a method for telling your story. We will learn basic printmaking techniques, upcycling, and acting/improv as a way to make your mark and find your voice!

Registration usually opens in late fall. Registration closes five business days before the scheduled academy, or when all available spaces are filled, whichever comes first.

• STEP 1: From this page click the academy you would like to register for (or find it at https://events.francis.edu/). Click the “Buy Tickets” button. Select the number of seats you would like to reserve. Enter a ‘promo’ code, if applicable. If paying by check, enter ‘paybycheck’ in the promo code field. Complete the required fields and click to submit payment. Once submitted, you should receive an email confirming your spot.
• STEP 2: Complete the Medical and Emergency Contact Forms. All required fields must be completed and payment received before registration is considered official. Incomplete forms will result in the participant being placed on a waiting list. If you do not complete the form in a timely manner, your spot may be forfeited.
• If applicable: Mail completed health forms and/or check to
  • Leona Horner, Saint Francis University Summer Academies for High School Students P.O. Box 600 Loretto, PA 15940

Please note:

• There is no cart function. If you would like to register for more than one academy, you must do so for each academy separately. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
• The Medical and Emergency Contact Form only needs to be completed once per participant, even if participating in multiple academies.
• You may create a user account with the registration system, but this is not required.
• Email updates will come from SummerAcademy@francis.edu. We will send details approximately 2 weeks before camp and a reminder approximately 1 week before camp. You may receive additional automated notifications from the online event registration system.

Credit Card: Please note, there is a processing fee for this credit card service.

Check: If you wish to pay by check you must enter the PROMO CODE: paybycheck at checkout.

Please make checks payable to Saint Francis University. If you have a PROMO CODE, please deduct its value from the payment. Please mail a printout of your registration confirmation and check to:

Leona Horner, Saint Francis University

Summer Academies for High School Students

P.O. Box 600

Loretto, PA 15940

Yes. Students are accepted into the Summer Academies based upon the submission of their academy materials and the maximum number of participants has been reached. As seats in programs become available, we will work through the waitlist to fill the cohort. If a seat in the students’ first choice program is not available, a seat will be offered in an alternate program.

All completed forms and payment of balance due, MUST be received by Friday, June 12, 2026.

No. Students will be provided with required course materials and a laptop, if necessary, to use during their participation in the program.

Jeans, shorts, and t-shirts can be worn for most of the program instruction and activities. Academies with lab components may require long pants, shirts with sleeves, and closed toed shoes. Additional details on attire will be provided in the academy description.

Summer Academy students may want to bring some spending money with them. The campus bookstore will be open and there are snack and soda machines around campus that students may want to purchase from. Additionally, the group may take a recreational field trip to a local park or sporting event.

Yes, students do need to bring their own linens.

No, the halls are not air-conditioned. It is recommended that Summer Academy students bring a fan.

Summer Academy students may want to bring snacks, though breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.

The dorm rooms do not have refrigerators. The residence hall does have a refrigerator accessible to everyone.

Summer Academy students are to arrive on campus the Sunday of the start of the program between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Check out/Farewell will take place on the last day of the academy at 2:00 pm where families are invited to celebrate student's accomplishments in the academy.

No. Summer Academy students are required to live on campus in the designated residence hall or commute from their permanent home addresses.

No. The fitness facility and pool will not be accessible to the students.

Please contact the Summer Academy Coordinator, Leona Horner, at 814-472-3245 or email SummerAcademy@francis.edu.