If you love buildings, space, and making ideas real, a pre-college architecture program is one of the best ways to test-drive the field. You will learn core skills like drafting, digital and physical modeling, freehand drawing, and architectural visualization while practicing how architects think, design, and present ideas. These programs give you hands-on projects, mentor feedback, and the chance to start a portfolio that actually shows your potential.
Why a Texas program might be the right fit for you
Texas mixes big-city architecture, historic neighborhoods, and wide-open landscapes, so you get a rich range of design problems to explore. Expect studio time, design critiques, site visits, and sometimes design competitions that push you to solve real challenges. Many programs also show you professional workflows and the tools architects use every day, which helps you make stronger work and clearer college applications.
You can check out our blog on summer research programs for high school students in Texas here.
15 Architecture Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Camp ARCH
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 (includes meals, dorm accommodations, social activities, souvenir items, and class supplies)
Program Dates: July 6–11, Monday–Saturday
Deadline: Applications now open; decisions emailed by end of March
Eligibility: Incoming 10th–12th-grade students (Spring graduates ineligible)
Camp ARCH introduces high school students to Architecture, Construction Science, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. You’ll attend classes led by Texas A&M faculty, work on hands-on design projects, and get an inside look at professional practices and campus life. Students select one focus area and engage in collaborative studio work, site analysis, and presentations, building creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. Throughout the program, you’ll receive mentorship, connect with industry professionals, and get a glimpse into college-level architecture education. Need-based scholarships are available.
2. Virtual Architecture Summer Camp
Location: Virtual, plus one optional in-person day in Milwaukee, WI
Cost/Stipend: Unavailable
Program Dates: July 19–22, 9 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (with July 19, 7–8 p.m. session); dates and times subject to change
Deadline: Registration coming soon
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, including new graduates; ages 14–18
The UW-Milwaukee Architecture Summer Camp offers high school students an introduction to Architecture, Design, and 3D Design Technologies. Guided by SARUP faculty and graduate students, you’ll take on design challenges and learn to communicate your ideas through models, drawings, text, and presentations. Workshops cover digital modeling, reading architectural drawings, and creating 2D documentation. Families can also opt for an in-person tour of Milwaukee’s architectural landmarks and the School of Architecture & Urban Planning, giving you first-hand exposure to professional and academic architectural environments.
3. Project Pipeline regional camps at the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
Location: Various cities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Unavailable
Program Dates: Vary by city; generally 2–5 days during summer months (June–August)
Deadline: Varies by location; some sign-ups coming soon
Eligibility: 6th–12th grade students of color, with a focus on underrepresented groups in design
Project Pipeline empowers high school students to create change in their communities through architecture and design. Students work with architects and planners while learning design fundamentals through hands-on activities such as drawing, model building, site visits, and research. The program encourages creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and mentorship, helping you explore pathways in Architecture, Urban Planning, and related fields. By the program’s end, you’ll present a complete design project addressing real issues in your city. Project Pipeline has served over 10,000 students nationally and hosts multiple summer camps across cities, each coordinated locally with its own registration details.
4. 400 Forward
Location: Local options can be available
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Varies as per the program chosen
Deadline: Varies as per the program chosen
Eligibility: Open to high school girls who identify as African-American
400 FORWARD provides art and architectural experiences that help high school students understand and improve urban environments. You’ll develop skills in Design Thinking, community-based Project Planning, and Installation Creation, while collaborating with artists, makers, and urban planners. Projects emphasize hands-on practice in building, civic engagement, and integrating social justice principles into architectural solutions. With mentorship from practicing architects and city-builders, you’ll practice problem-solving, technical design, and presentation skills. The program also connects you to professional networks, workshops, and real-world urban projects, supporting both creative expression and applied architectural thinking in city environments.
5. UT Austin Summer Design Camps
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $700–$800 (varies by camp)
Program Dates: June 2 – 20
Deadline: Unavailable
Eligibility: 8th-grade through high school students
The UT Austin Summer Design Camps offer hands-on experiences across a range of design fields, including 2D and 3D Game Design, Immersive Technology, Product Modeling, and Graphic Design for the music industry. You’ll develop skills in Game Mechanics, Character Design, UI Design, Animation, 3D CAD Modeling using Rhino, printmaking, typography, and experiential design. Workshops led by UT Austin faculty guide you through concept development, iterative design, and technical execution using industry-standard tools. By the end of the program, you’ll have portfolio-ready projects and a clearer sense of how creative problem-solving connects to real-world design careers.
6. Hip Hop Architecture Camp
Location: Can be in any city. You choose the location while filling the form
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Varies as per program
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6-12
This week-long program introduces you to architecture, urban planning, and creative placemaking through the lens of hip hop culture. You’ll develop skills in Spatial Design, Conceptual Modeling, and Collaborative Problem-solving while engaging in activities that encourage creativity, communication, and critical thinking. Sessions are led by architects, urban planners, designers, and community artists, giving you a glimpse of professional practice and interdisciplinary design approaches. You’ll learn to integrate cultural narratives into design solutions, explore the impact of built environments on communities, and practice iterative design methods. The program fosters both technical skills and civic-minded design thinking, valuable for future paths in architecture and urban planning.
7. Rice Architecture Summer Immersion
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes room and board)
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates unavailable)
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: Current 10th-and 11th-grade students, sixteen years or older, Houston area high schools
This two-week residential program introduces high school students to core principles of architecture and design through hands-on exercises in both 2D and 3D media. You’ll develop skills in Spatial Reasoning, Conceptual Modeling, and Creating Portfolio-Ready Work. The curriculum encourages you to explore architectural space at different scales, test design ideas, and integrate creative outputs into a coherent design portfolio. You’ll work with Rice faculty, current students, and professional architects, gaining insight into studio environments, design critiques, and real-world architectural professional workflows. Living on campus adds to the experience, helping you develop collaboration, time management, and problem-solving skills, while getting a feel for college life.
8. Summer Career Academy in Architecture & Interior Design
Location: UTSA Downtown Campus, 301 S. Frio St., Monterey Building, San Antonio, TX
Cost/Stipend: $650 (Day Camp), $350 (Day Camp with Tuition Assistance)
Program Dates: June 2 – 13
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 must be 15 years or older by June 3; good academic standing required
This in-person, hands-on program introduces high school students to careers in architecture and interior design while developing foundational skills in design, sketching, and model construction. You’ll attend daily tutorials and lectures, go on field trips to architect offices and construction sites, and do studio work. The program focuses on developing a strong portfolio and personal statement for future applications, while teaching professional workflows and studio practices. Through structured projects, you’ll sharpen your Problem-Solving, Creative Thinking, and Technical Design Abilities, and acquire a college-level introduction to architecture and interior design.
9. Rhode Island School of Design’s Pre-College Program
Location: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $12,495; Commuter: $9,595; Application Fee: $60
Program Dates: June 29 – July 31
Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This five-week program places students in a college-level studio environment, complete with day-long classes, critiques, and hands-on projects. You’ll develop skills in Design Thinking, Material Exploration, and Project Presentation while working alongside a diverse cohort of motivated peers. Throughout the program, you’ll work across multiple disciplines, develop portfolio-ready work, and strengthen both your conceptual and technical capabilities. Along the way, you’ll receive mentorship from RISD instructors, access specialized studio resources. You’ll end the experience by presenting your work in a final exhibition. showcasing your creative problem-solving, design communication, and craftsmanship in a pre-college studio setting.
10. Cornell University’s Introduction to Architecture Summer Program for High School Students
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: Unavailable
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Deadline: May 1 for residential students; May 19 for commuter students
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates; no prior specialized knowledge required
This pre-college program introduces high school students to architectural ideas, principles, and problem-solving within a studio environment. You’ll participate in design studios and attend lectures, exploring concepts of Space, Form, Function, Environment, and Technology. Hands-on workshops help you build skills in representational techniques, drafting, and portfolio development. Regular critiques from Cornell faculty and guest reviewers strengthen your design reasoning and visual communication. Working in small groups within Milstein Hall, you gain experience translating architectural concepts into drawings and models, creating portfolio-ready work, and developing a foundational understanding of architectural study.
11. UC Berkeley’s embARC Summer Design Academy
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Domestic Student Tuition – $5,136; International Student Tuition – $8,096; Campus Housing – $5,300
Program Dates: July 6–31
Deadline: Priority Application for Financial Aid & Housing – February 17; Commuter Students – April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (12th grade) and exceptional rising juniors (11th grade); must be 16+ by July 5; minimum GPA 3.0; no prior design experience required
This four-week residential program introduces high school students to architecture, urban design, and sustainable city planning on the UC Berkeley campus. Through studio classes, design/build projects for local nonprofits, workshops, and field trips, you’ll develop skills in 2D and 3D Design, Sketching, Digital Representation, and Model-Building. Lectures, discussions, and presentations by faculty and local professionals provide both theoretical and practical insights into environmental design. You’ll explore sustainable city planning, experiment with materials, and create a portfolio-ready body of work, while earning UC Berkeley Summer Session credit. Residential students live on campus with supervised housing, meals, and full access to campus resources, while commuter students join the day program.
12. Architectural Foundation of San Francisco’s Build SF Summer Design Institute
Location: Online (San Francisco, CA)
Cost/Stipend: $3,500 (includes all materials and supplies)
Program Dates: Session 2: July 7–25
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: High school students; remote participation requires an internet-connected computer and a quiet workspace
This three-week online program introduces high school students to architecture and design through a combination of hands-on studio work, digital design platforms, and sketching exercises. You’ll collaborate on team projects, receive one-on-one mentoring from architects or design professionals, and develop original work for your portfolios or college applications. The program strengthens your design thinking, tool proficiency, and creativity through a fast-paced, structured environment. Twice-weekly mentoring sessions provide individualized feedback, while group activities help you build teamwork and presentation skills.
13. Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture + Design
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Financial aid available; check for eligibility
Program Dates: Varies as per program
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: High school students interested in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, or Environmental Design; portfolio submission required
The Hines College Design Experience Summer Programs provide high school students with an introduction to architecture and related design fields. You’ll take part in studio projects, hands-on design activities, and collaborative exercises that encourage critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Participants explore Urban Design, Sustainable Practices, and Integrated Design Approaches, all within the context of Houston’s diverse and rapidly evolving cityscape. Faculty and design professionals offer guidance on skill-building, preparing college portfolios, and understanding real-world design practices. By the end of the program, you’ll have a strong grasp of design thinking, technical skills, and interdisciplinary approaches that form the foundation of contemporary architectural education.
14. Architecture Enrichment Concepts (ARTEC)
Location: Prairie View, TX
Cost/Stipend: $650
Program Dates: One-week summer program
Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school freshmen through juniors (ages 15–17)
The ARTEC program is a one-week summer experience hosted by Prairie View A&M University’s School of Architecture. You’ll explore Architecture, Construction Science, and Digital Media Arts through hands-on design projects, interactive graphic design work, and studio activities. Participants gain exposure to architectural principles, spatial planning, construction management, and creative digital techniques while developing collaborative, technical, and design skills. The program is limited to 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis, making it a focused experience for those students interested in pursuing architecture and related fields in the future.
15. Fallingwater Institute’s High School Residency: Design + Build
Location: Mill Run, PA
Cost/Stipend: Unavailable
Program Dates: July 28 – August 1
Deadline: Varies as per program
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (grades 11–12) preparing for architecture, design, or art school.
This five-day program immerses high school students in skill-building and studio practice, guided by a licensed teaching architect. You’ll take part in studio explorations similar to a first-year undergraduate architecture/design foundation course and produce original, portfolio-worthy work. The experience includes time on-site at Fallingwater, where you’ll practice Observational Sketching and Reflective Writing, combining hands-on learning with architectural inspiration. A virtual alternative is available through the “Virtual Summer Camp: Drawing by Hand” for those unable to travel.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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