Enrollment Update: Registration is open for all adult and pre-college fall courses.

About This Program

Parsons Summer Academy offers a variety of dynamic in-person non-credit art and design courses for students in grades 3 through 12. Join us for two weeks in August at our Greenwich Village campus to explore art and design through hands-on projects that develop your creative thinking skills, techniques, and collaborative abilities. Students grades 9-12 can also focus on creating a specialized fine art or design portfolio. Courses for students in grades 9-12 will count toward the Parsons Academy Certificate program.

Parsons Academy classes are conducted in three groups, divided by traditional school grade level. Students should select the appropriate course by using their grade levels they are rising into in the following fall as a guide. In addition to summer courses, we offer a variety of fall and spring courses.

To learn about requirements for campus access as impacted by The New School's policies and protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our COVID-19 Community Guide.

Webinars: Want more information? RSVP to join our next webinar on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6 p.m. ET.

What You’ll Gain

  • Understanding of a variety of art and design disciplines
  • Guidance and feedback from renowned Parsons' faculty

How You’ll Learn

  • Small class sizes with peers in a similar grade level
  • Individual and group critiques
  • Specialized instruction from expert faculty

The on-campus youth and pre-college program will run from July 31 through August 11, 2023, with three hours of creative programming for students in grades 3-5 and six hours of immersive art and design explorations for students in grades 6-12 each weekday, five days a week for two weeks.

On-Campus Session Dates: July 31 - August 11, 2023

Grades 3-5: Half Day Sessions, 9:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. ET

Grades 6-12: Full Day Sessions, 9:00 a.m. - 3:50 p.m. ET (with one-hour lunch break)

 

You may register for one course from our website. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted in the order in which they are received. Early application is strongly encouraged. Students will be charged a non-refundable university fee.

Tuition
Grades 3-5: $720 plus fees
Grades 6-12: $1,440 plus fees

Registration Deadline
July 15, 2023

Housing
This summer program does not offer the option of on-campus housing.

What You'll Need

Required for all students

  • A digital Camera (mobile device cameras are suitable)
  • Supplies on class list (estimated cost: $75-$125)

Suggested, but not required for students

  • Access to a modern computer and mouse
  • Access to headphones, microphone, and webcam
  • Access to stable high-speed Internet connection

Refund Schedule

Parsons Summer Academy (July 31 - August 11) Refund Schedule

Please note: All refund schedules are effective until 11:59pm ET on a specified date.
Course Drop or Withdrawal Date Percentage of Tuition Refunded
On or before July 1 100
July 2 through July 15 50
July 16 and later 0

Parsons Academy - Parsons Summer Academy 2023 Scholarship

Parsons Academy offers a limited number of scholarships for Parsons Summer Academy pre-college courses. These courses start July 31 and run through August 11, 2023 in New York City. We seek applications from motivated students who for financial reasons would otherwise be unable to attend. The scholarship includes the program tuition and a stipend for class supplies. The scholarship does not include transportation to New York City or accommodations. This summer, Parsons Academy is pleased to offer a number of scholarships specifically for students who identify as a member of an underrepresented community. These scholarships are made possible by funding support from Target’s Advancing Design Diversity initiative.

Applicants are required to be between the ages of 14 and 18 by the first day of a program and they must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The application deadline is Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 11:59 pm ET.

The following documents are required to complete the application:

  1. Scholarship application form
  2. Personal essay (300 words maximum) addressing the following points:
    • What interests you about art and design?
    • How do you anticipate this program will help you develop your interests and meet your future goals?
    • Be sure to describe your current awareness and exploration of art and design, your interest in the course you select, and comment on your plans for the immediate and distant future.
  3. Proof of income (if selected as a finalist)

The selection of the scholarship recipients is based on the information from the scholarship application, your written essay, financial need, and access to similar programs in your school and geographic area.

As a Parsons scholarship recipient, you will be following in the footsteps of our previous recipients who have used this opportunity to open doors to the art and design industry. Many of our past scholarship recipients are now studying in degree programs at Parsons or other competitive colleges of art and design. Many others are established as successful artists and designers in their chosen fields.

Pre-College Academy Certificate

The noncredit Parsons Academy Certificate program supports students in grades 9 through 12 as they create a college admission portfolio. Our world-class faculty help students employ basic skills and original thinking in a collaborative environment.

Parsons Scholars

The Parsons Scholars program is a college preparatory program that makes Parsons available to talented students who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. The program offers multi-year scholarships to students attending New York City public high schools.

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