Overview
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.
For more information contact the Summer Academy staff at 800-331-5232 or SantaFe.Academy@sjc.edu.
Cost and Session Information
Deposit of $200 is due by June 1, 2020; tuition balance is due by June 30, 2020. Special weekend activities are scheduled at no extra cost for students staying multiple weeks. Limited financial aid is available.
Session 1: July 12 - 18, 2020 Courage and the Soul: Exploring Human Virtue Classes & Readings: Seminar : Herodotus, Aristotle, and Plato; Laboratory: Darwin, Wilson, Montaigne, and Lorenz; Language (poetry): Dickinson, Whitman, and Eliot
Session 2: July 19 - 25, 2020 Art and Nature: Intersections Classes & Readings Seminar: Plato, Emerson, Aeschylus; Language: Wordworth, Yeats, Keats, Stevens; Visual Arts: OKeefe, Breughel, Auden, Nadar, Lange, Sontag
Session 3: July 26 - August 1, 2020 An American Experiment: Defining Democracy Classes & Readings Seminar: Plutarch, Aristotle, Locke; Language: founding American Documents, speeches by Lincoln and King; Political Theory: de Tocqueville
Related Listings
St. John's College Summer Academy, Annapolis
Testimonials
The Summer Academy provided the perfect combination of intellectual conversation, bonding, and fun.”
“I learned that others can be just as passionate about learning and nerdy and interesting as I dream of but doubted existed.”
Summer Academy is easily one of my favorite experiences I’ve participated in. The people are so genuine and diverse. Seminar is by far the best method of discussion and learning I’ve had. I go away with a mindset to be more mindful, along with great friends.”
“I learned more about the liberal arts college experience, as well as what it means to study with a group of similarly passionate and highly motivated peers. If possible, I intend to return next year!”
“The Summer Academy helped me get an understanding of ‘college life’. It has helped me realize what I want regarding my future. These realizations are in regard to the people I want to surround myself with, where I’d like to go for college, and who I am as a scholar and an individual.”
“It was a very rigorous and challenging program, but in the best way possible. It brought me out of my comfort zone and showed me the value of having a discussion with people that really digs beneath the surface.”
“I learned to think and discuss my ideas and perspectives on the reading in a whole new way. Also, the tight knit community and high quality people made for an outstanding week both in and out of class.”