The St. John's College Summer Academy in Santa Fe is different: every class is driven by discussion. That means your questions and ideas play a central role. What’s more, our faculty depend on your participation to fuel the conversation. It’s a powerful, and empowering way to learn, grow, and prepare for college.
Held in picturesque Santa Fe, New Mexico, the St. John's College Summer Academy provides an authentic, hands-on introduction to college, the liberal arts, and to St. John's unique education.
High school students ages 15 to 18 experience the distinctive learning community of St. John's College through an immersive, weeklong course of study. Students study compelling texts, art, and music and engage in stimulating discussions led by St. John's renowned faculty.
With exciting classroom activities and numerous field trips, the Summer Academy provides many opportunities to build friendships with like-minded peers both in and out of the classroom. Off-campus excursions are fun and provide a great introduction to the rich culture, history, and beauty of Northern New Mexico.
During the week, students attend small classes in three subject areas (seminar and lab, language, logic & rhetoric, math, or music) that are modeled on the college's Socratic teaching method. Participants are encouraged to think for themselves, to express their opinions, and to develop confidence in their intellectual abilities.
Daily activities include workshops, study groups, and down-time for studying and hanging out with new friends. Students live in college dormitories alongside Resident Assistants--current or recently graduated St. Johns students--and eat in the campus dining hall.
It's a busy week that is rewarding and fun!
Our sister campus in Annapolis, Maryland offers two weeks of exceptional Summer Academy programming--see St. John's College Summer Academy, Annapolis Pre-College to learn more.
Summer Academy tuition is $1,400 per week. Tuition covers room, meals, books, activity fees, and cool St. John’s swag. An additional fee of $200.00 will be charged for weekend stays.
A $200 deposit is required by May 1 to secure your place in the session(s) you wish to attend. The remaining tuition is due June 1. If you are attending multiple sessions a $200 deposit is needed per session you are signed up for. Online classes will require a deposit of $50/Session.
Summer Academy 2026 dates and themes
ANNAPOLIS
Week 1: Week with Shakespeare | Sunday, June 21, 2026–Friday, June 26, 2026
Week 2: Sight and Insight | Sunday, June 28, 2026–Friday, July 3, 2026
Week 3: Equality and Inequality | Sunday, July 5, 2026–Friday, July 10, 2026
SANTA FE
Week 1: Wisdom and Wilderness | Sunday, July 5, 2026–Friday, July 10, 2026
Week 2: Courage and the Soul | Sunday, July 12, 2026–Friday, July 17, 2026
Week 3: Thinking About Paintings and Poetry | Sunday, July 19, 2026–Friday, July 24, 2026
Summer Academy ONLINE ($240.00/class) Students may take a maximum of two online seminars.
Dates: Monday, June 15–Thursday, June 18, 2026 (4 days, 2-hour meeting times/day)
Shakespeare’s Macbeth: Morning seminar (11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. ET)
Selections by James Baldwin: Afternoon seminar (3 p.m.–5 p.m. ET)
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice: Evening seminar (7 p.m.–7 p.m. ET)
*If you are interested in attending a session in Annapolis, MD please see the St. John's College, Summer Academy, Annapolis page.
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