Who can join Summer@Stanford?

Summer@Stanford is open to both returning and newly enrolled Stanford Online High School (OHS) students who are ready to swap Zoom calls for real-life adventures. If you are already part of the Stanford OHS family or about to jump in, you are invited to join the fun. It does not matter if you have been crushing online classes for years or if you are still figuring out how to unmute yourself on a call. Summer@Stanford is all about building connections, diving into challenging classes, and getting a taste of college life. It is a place where future scholars, science nerds, and curious minds come together to learn, laugh, and maybe even master the laundry machines.

What kinds of activities and field trips are part of Summer@Stanford?

At Summer@Stanford, the activities and field trips are anything but boring. Sure, there are awesome classes and hands-on projects, but students also get to live a little outside the classroom. Picture museum visits like the Exploratorium or San Jose Tech Museum, strolls along the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and even meeting some very photogenic otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. On campus, students can explore Stanford’s world-famous libraries, admire the art at the Cantor Arts Center, and hear from real Stanford professors. Evenings are packed with fun too, from group games to movie nights. It is the perfect mix of brain-boosting adventures and just plain old having a good time with new friends.

Is participation in Summer@Stanford mandatory for new students?

Nope, participation in Summer@Stanford is completely optional, even for new students. But let’s be honest, it is kind of one of those “you really do not want to miss this” experiences. For incoming Stanford OHS students, it is the perfect way to meet classmates, get comfortable with the school’s online setup, and feel way less like the new kid once the school year kicks off. It is like getting the secret menu before you even order your first meal. While not required, a lot of new students jump at the chance to join because it makes starting the year feel a whole lot less intimidating and a whole lot more exciting.

What is the daily schedule like at Summer@Stanford?

The daily schedule at Summer@Stanford strikes a pretty sweet balance between brainpower and playtime. Mornings are usually packed with classes that get students thinking, experimenting, and sometimes even arguing (the good, intellectual kind). Afternoons might involve more hands-on labs, leadership activities, or group projects that actually make teamwork fun. Evenings shift gears into a mix of social time and organized activities, from trivia nights to epic capture-the-flag battles. And weekends? Those are reserved for field trips and big adventures around the Bay Area. It is a schedule that keeps students learning, laughing, and maybe even losing track of what day it is because they are having such a good time.

Summer@Stanford Online High School: An Experience to Remember

There are summer programs, and then there is Summer@Stanford. This is not your average two weeks of “enrichment” where kids sit in a lecture hall half-asleep, counting the hours until snack break. No, Summer@Stanford is something else entirely. It is a place where students from Stanford Online High School (OHS) finally get to swap Zoom squares for real handshakes, laughter, late-night talks, and even a little bit of that classic California sunshine. In just two weeks, students manage to squeeze in a full crash course in university life, friendship building, and academic adventure. Honestly, it sounds like a dream.

What It’s Like to Live on Campus at Summer@Stanford

The magic of Summer@Stanford starts the moment students move into campus housing. Forget the awkward first-day vibes you might expect. These students are greeted by counselors who know the ropes, most of them Stanford undergraduates or alumni, and immediately find themselves part of a buzzing, welcoming community. Dorm life is a highlight for many, offering a taste of independence that somehow feels both exciting and reassuring. You live alongside your classmates, eat with them, study with them, and laugh at inside jokes only two days after meeting. It is the kind of fast-tracked friendship-making you would usually need a whole year of school to build.

Classes at Summer@Stanford are no joke either. Students dive deep into science labs, interdisciplinary projects, leadership exercises, and hands-on learning that would make even the most seasoned student wish they had a little more time. It is serious academic work, but it is also seriously fun. Working side-by-side in real classrooms, instead of over a screen, adds a spark you cannot replicate online. Students leave the program not just smarter, but more confident, more curious, and way more ready to tackle whatever comes next.

Exploring the Bay Area During Summer@Stanford

While the academics are top-notch, the adventures beyond the classroom are just as unforgettable. Summer@Stanford turns the Bay Area into its own kind of playground. One day you are marveling at the Exploratorium, the next you are strolling the Santa Cruz Boardwalk or checking out the otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Stanford’s own treasures, like the Cantor Arts Center and those impossibly beautiful libraries, are right there to explore, too.

There is something about bonding with classmates over a rollercoaster ride or a trip to a tech museum that builds connections that textbooks simply cannot. These experiences are not just fun; they help create the strong sense of community that Stanford OHS is known for. It is learning, living, and laughing all rolled into one nonstop, unforgettable summer experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join Summer@Stanford?
Summer@Stanford is open to both returning and newly enrolled Stanford Online High School (OHS) students who are ready to swap Zoom calls for real-life adventures. If you are already part of the Stanford OHS family or about to jump in, you are invited to join the fun. It does not matter if you have been crushing online classes for years or if you are still figuring out how to unmute yourself on a call. Summer@Stanford is all about building connections, diving into challenging classes, and getting a taste of college life. It is a place where future scholars, science nerds, and curious minds come together to learn, laugh, and maybe even master the laundry machines.
What kinds of activities and field trips are part of Summer@Stanford?
At Summer@Stanford, the activities and field trips are anything but boring. Sure, there are awesome classes and hands-on projects, but students also get to live a little outside the classroom. Picture museum visits like the Exploratorium or San Jose Tech Museum, strolls along the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and even meeting some very photogenic otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. On campus, students can explore Stanford’s world-famous libraries, admire the art at the Cantor Arts Center, and hear from real Stanford professors. Evenings are packed with fun too, from group games to movie nights. It is the perfect mix of brain-boosting adventures and just plain old having a good time with new friends.
Is participation in Summer@Stanford mandatory for new students?
Nope, participation in Summer@Stanford is completely optional, even for new students. But let’s be honest, it is kind of one of those “you really do not want to miss this” experiences. For incoming Stanford OHS students, it is the perfect way to meet classmates, get comfortable with the school’s online setup, and feel way less like the new kid once the school year kicks off. It is like getting the secret menu before you even order your first meal. While not required, a lot of new students jump at the chance to join because it makes starting the year feel a whole lot less intimidating and a whole lot more exciting.
What is the daily schedule like at Summer@Stanford?
The daily schedule at Summer@Stanford strikes a pretty sweet balance between brainpower and playtime. Mornings are usually packed with classes that get students thinking, experimenting, and sometimes even arguing (the good, intellectual kind). Afternoons might involve more hands-on labs, leadership activities, or group projects that actually make teamwork fun. Evenings shift gears into a mix of social time and organized activities, from trivia nights to epic capture-the-flag battles. And weekends? Those are reserved for field trips and big adventures around the Bay Area. It is a schedule that keeps students learning, laughing, and maybe even losing track of what day it is because they are having such a good time.