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Summer Academies for High School Students
About Summer Pre-College Academies
Spend three unforgettable days on the beautiful campus of Saint Francis University, diving into hands-on learning, exploring potential careers, and experiencing the thrill of college life before you even graduate high school. The SFU Summer Pre-College Academies are immersive programs that combine real-world exploration with the tools and confidence you’ll need to succeed in college and beyond. You’ll connect with expert faculty, work alongside passionate peers, and gain insider tips from SFU Student Mentors who will guide and inspire you every step of the way.
Academies will be held during two separate weeks, one in June and one in July, so you can choose the session(s) that works best for you. Check back soon for updates and registration information and get ready to take the first step toward your future!
Registration Opening Soon!
Discover the right academy for you!
View full descriptions below.
From medicine to the arts, technology to the environment, our Summer Academies offer something for every curious mind. You could investigate the hidden impact of concussions, step into the fast-paced world of pre-med, unleash your creativity through writing, explore the wonders of animal ecology, or even dive into the cutting edge of computer science and cybersecurity. Choose the program that excites you most and get ready to make it your own! Descriptions can be found below.
If your first choice doesn’t run, we’ll work with you to find another amazing academy that fits your interests.
CPR Certification is available but optional for participants in all academies and sessions. It will be offered outside of standard class time for an additional cost.
June Academies
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July Academies
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Cost
- Full experience: $649 ( includes all instruction materials, plus all housing and meals on our beautiful campus)
- Commuter Rate: $399
- CPR Certification (optional): $40
Discounts
- Employee Dependents Discounts: $549 residential experience/$349 commuter experience
Promo Code: Employee
- Legacy Discounts: 20% off for multiple children from the same family attending an academy or for the siblings of a current traditional undergraduate SFU student
Promo Code: Legacy
- Multiple Academies Discount: 20% off the second academy
Promo Code: MultipleAcademies
- PEACE Students: $100 Discount
Promo Code: PEACEPartner
Scholarships
College Scholarship: $1,000/year SFU scholarship (up to four years) available for eligible participants who enroll as a full time SFU student within 28 months of high school graduation.
How to Register:
We accept applications from rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who are in good academic standing. Registrations are accepted until five business days prior to the start date of the chosen academy, or when all available spaces are filled.
Application Requirements:
- High school transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted - you may upload yourself, or submit your school's email to upload)
- Academies will only run if a minimum number of students enroll. If a student's first choice does not run, participants will be offered a place in a different academy.
Application Process:
- High school transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted - you may upload yourself, or submit your school's email to upload)
- Academies will only run if a minimum number of students enroll. If a student's first choice does not run, participants will be offered a place in a different academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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- 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.
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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
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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.
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All completed forms and payment of balance due, MUST be received by Friday, June 12, 2026.
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No. Students will be provided with required course materials and a laptop, if necessary, to use during their participation in the program.
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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.
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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.
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Yes, students do need to bring their own linens.
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No, the halls are not air-conditioned. It is recommended that Summer Academy students bring a fan.
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Summer Academy students may want to bring snacks, though breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.
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The dorm rooms do not have refrigerators. The residence hall does have a refrigerator accessible to everyone.
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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.
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No. Summer Academy students are required to live on campus in the designated residence hall or commute from their permanent home addresses.
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No. The fitness facility and pool will not be accessible to the students.
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Please contact the Summer Academy Coordinator, Leona Horner, at 814-472-3245 or email SummerAcademy@francis.edu.
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.
Policies
Policies
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Saint Francis University is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for all participants. Students are expected to:
- Show respect for peers, mentors, faculty, staff, and campus property at all times.
- Participate fully in all scheduled sessions and activities.
- Follow all safety guidelines and instructions from staff and mentors.
- Use technology responsibly and only when permitted.
- Abide by residence hall rules, including quiet hours and room check-in/check-out times.
- Refrain from any behavior that disrupts learning or threatens the safety or well-being of others.
Violations of this policy may result in dismissal from the academy without refund, and parents/guardians will be notified. By registering, students and families agree to these expectations.
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Registration may be cancelled up to two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the start day of the selected academy for a full refund. Cancellations closer than 14 calendar days to the start of the academy may be granted in some circumstances for medical or emergency reasons only, unless the spot can be filled from the wait list. Please contact staff to discuss your situation.
There is no credit or refund for missed days or partial days.
If you know that your student will be unable to attend an academy, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can offer the opportunity to another student who may be on the waitlist.
We reserve the right to cancel an academy due to insufficient registrations. If an academy is canceled, you will receive notification no less than 10 business days before the start of the academy. A new academy will be selected, or a full refund will be issued.
In the event of extenuating circumstances, the academy schedule may be adjusted or canceled. Any changes to the academy schedule will be communicated with parents/guardians in as timely a manner as possible.
Saint Francis University is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and engaging environment for all participants. Students are expected to:
- Show respect for peers, mentors, faculty, staff, and campus property at all times.
- Participate fully in all scheduled sessions and activities.
- Follow all safety guidelines and instructions from staff and mentors.
- Use technology responsibly and only when permitted.
- Abide by residence hall rules, including quiet hours and room check-in/check-out times.
- Refrain from any behavior that disrupts learning or threatens the safety or well-being of others.
Violations of this policy may result in dismissal from the academy without refund, and parents/guardians will be notified. By registering, students and families agree to these expectations.
Registration may be cancelled up to two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the start day of the selected academy for a full refund. Cancellations closer than 14 calendar days to the start of the academy may be granted in some circumstances for medical or emergency reasons only, unless the spot can be filled from the wait list. Please contact staff to discuss your situation.
There is no credit or refund for missed days or partial days.
If you know that your student will be unable to attend an academy, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can offer the opportunity to another student who may be on the waitlist.
We reserve the right to cancel an academy due to insufficient registrations. If an academy is canceled, you will receive notification no less than 10 business days before the start of the academy. A new academy will be selected, or a full refund will be issued.
In the event of extenuating circumstances, the academy schedule may be adjusted or canceled. Any changes to the academy schedule will be communicated with parents/guardians in as timely a manner as possible.