7 Top Summer Schools Around the World

Best Summer School for the Humanities: Summer at Doon Leadership Academy

The Doon School is one of the most famous boys’ boarding schools in India, with a sparkling academic reputation. During the summer, they open their doors to boys and girls aged 14-18 years for their comprehensive leadership programme. They ask for a personal statement as part of their application process, and are looking for bright individuals who will be able to keep up with their intensive programme. Looking at everything from History and Economics to Philosophy, Rhetoric and the Performing Arts, the academy is rigorous but incredibly rewarding. The two week course includes hiking and camping portions, and the school heavily restricts use of phones, laptops and tablets in order to allow students to optimise focus.

Spotlight on: The Sutton Trust

The Sutton Trust runs summer schools at thirteen of the UK’s leading universities, including Cambridge and Durham. They also offer a week-long trip to America, visiting various top US colleges along the way. The Trust’s summer programmes are aimed at widening participation, and are offered to UK state school students on a means-testing basis. They cover all expenses involved, including travel to and from the chosen location, meals and accommodation. Similar programmes are offered at other leading universities and colleges around the world.

Best Summer School to Experience University Life: The Oxford Scholastica Academy

Whether you’re looking to apply to university in the UK or abroad, our Oxford summer courses are a great way to engage with the city and try out some advanced study in your chosen subject.

Although we are not affiliated with Oxford University, our style of teaching is modelled on undergraduate study there, and many of our tutors and staff members are past or present Oxford students. The Oxford Scholastica Academy also offers the chance to stay in University of Oxford accommodation, learn in their facilities and even brunch in Corpus Christi College’s formal hall.

Check out our prestigious Oxford Summer School for teens!

Best Summer Camp for Outdoor Activities: PGL

With sixteen different sites across the UK and France, PGL holidays are action-packed adventures you won’t forget in a hurry! Offering everything from abseiling and kayaking to a Cook’s Academy and surf school, the camps all centre around taking on new challenges with your new friends! PGL offers 3, 4 and 7 night trips, as well as non-residential camps. They offer programs with different focuses for people aged 7 to 17 years old, as well as facilitating school trips and birthday parties.

Best Summer School for Arabic and STEM: King’s Academy Summer Programmes

The King’s Academy is a top-tier boarding and day school in Jordan, catering for male and female students between 12 and 18 years old. During the summer, they run a renowned Arabic programme for students aged 12 to 16, as well as English and Maths courses.

If you’re looking to develop your STEM skills this summer, consider taking one of their advanced courses for 11 to 15 year olds, which cover things like 3D printing and building lunar colonies! For younger students aged 6-13, they also offer an action-packed sports and activity camp.

Best Summer School for the Arts: Interlochen High School Summer Programme

Interlochen is an American high school in Michigan, USA, specialising in the arts and preparing students for conservatoire- or college-level teaching. They also run a range of summer schools, covering everything from the Harp to the Motion Picture Arts. They require video or audio audition tapes, and by ensuring everyone is of a suitable level, their tutors are really able to stretch students to achieve their maximum potential.

This is a great opportunity for high-schoolers looking to transfer to the Interlochen Centre for the Arts full-time, and more especially for those students looking to pursue higher-level musical or artistic study.

Best Single-Gender Summer Camp: Camp Chinqueka

Camp Chinqueka offers two- to eight-week-long adventure camps exclusively for girls between 6 and 15 years old. Based in Connecticut, the facilities are spread along the banks of Mt. Tom Pond, which makes it perfect for boating and swimming, both of which are popular morning activities at the camp. Their guided activities include everything from water skiing to yoga to ceramics, with skilled staff guiding each one.

Camp Chinqueka has a brother camp, Camp Awosting, which offers a similar experience for boys nearby. They organise some joint activities, which are always well-supervised.