Best Summer Programs in Seattle – 2026

February 19, 2026

seattle summer programs university of washington

Nestled on the Puget Sound, Seattle is Washington’s most populous city. It’s famous for the Space Needle, a 600+ foot observation tower, as well as Pike Place Market, a farmer’s market brimming with specialty and locally sourced food. In addition, as the unofficial coffee capital of the United States, java addicts will find crowds (literally) of kindred spirits here. Whether you wait in line at Starbucks’ first-ever location or scope out a local micro-roaster, rest assured you’ll be well-caffeinated. Not a coffee drinker? No worries! Seattle is also renowned for its art and music scene, so be sure to grab tickets to a concert at the Seattle Symphony or soak up the Museum of Pop Culture. Finally, Seattle’s “Emerald City” moniker is well-earned – it’s green year-round, with plenty of beaches and natural spaces to explore. Ready for the Pacific Northwest? We’ve covered the top Seattle summer programs below.

Best Summer Programs in Seattle

1) University of Washington Summer Programs

Instructional Method: In-person (commuter) and online
Program Length: Varies depending on program
Cost: Varies depending on program
Eligibility: Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors (eligibility can vary depending on course)
Application Deadline: rolling (application opens in January)

UW Seattle offers a number of on-campus and affiliated summer programs, particularly for local students. Most notably, its Youth and Teen Programs provide remote and in-person enrichment courses. There are typically four sessions offered, and each session has its own slate of course options. For example, past choices have included Coding in Java, Introduction to Data Visualization, and Sharpen Your Writing Skills. These Seattle summer programs have both academic and experiential components, which could include projects, workshops, and design exhibitions.

Additionally, Young Scholars Program-REACH is sponsored by the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) and focuses on neuroengineering. As neuroengineering is a niche area of neurology, CNT encourages students to review their research and current initiatives before applying. For five days, students explore neural engineering, brain-computer interfaces, and neuroethics through lectures, tours, and workshops. This program is competitive and essays, transcripts, and references will be evaluated. In addition, the strongest applicants will have several years of math and science under their belts. Applications typically open in January and are due by March. (Note: this program will not run in 2026.)

2) Camp BIOmed

Instructional Method: In-person (commuter)
Program Length: 1 week
Cost: $750-$845
Eligibility: Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: Rolling (application opens in January)

Held at Seattle Pacific University, these Seattle summer programs offer six different tracks: The Molecular Biology of Cancer, CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), Genetic Engineering, Microbiology, Origami of Life with Bioinformatics, and Global Health. Students meet six hours a day for five days.

Each track has its own focus. For example, at CSI Camp, students learn and practice DNA fingerprinting, blood typing, blood spatter analysis, and how to use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect poisons. They’ll also dissect a pig heart. Then, they apply their skills to a mock crime scene and attempt to solve a murder mystery. Alternatively, in the Molecular Biology of Cancer, students practice techniques like DNA restriction and gel electrophoresis, complete a brain dissection, and perform Ames tests. At the end of each week, there is a Culminating Expo where students in different tracks share their learning.

3) Summer@Cornish

Instructional Method: In-person (residential or commuter)
Program Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $3,160 + $730 per elective (commuter) / $9,500 (residential)
Eligibility: Current high school students
Application Deadline: Feb. 14 (residential) / March 1 (commuter)

Summer@Cornish, held at the Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, differs from other programs of its kind in that students can mix and match courses from multiple disciplines. Full-day and residential students first choose an intensive foundation class, which could be art & design, film, music, theater, or dance (audition required). They’ll take this class every morning. Then, they choose two afternoon electives. For example, recent elective options have included Street Dance Forms, Costume Design, Stage & Screen Combat, Darkroom Photography, and Stop Motion Puppet Fabrication, among many others.

In addition, each foundation course teaches essential skills, provides focused time for college portfolio development and/or audition preparation, and culminates in a gallery exhibition or showcase. For example, art & design students practice drawing, painting, and sculpture, enhance their creativity, and hone their visual thinking strategies.

Finally, the residential program includes extra studio time as well as evening and weekend activities. Not interested in a residential or full-day program and live local? There are also half-day options available.

4) Seattle University Pre-College Programs

Instructional Method: In-person (residential)
Program Length: 1 week
Cost: $1,500
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: April 25

Seattle University offers three summer program options: the Summer Business Institute, AI for Equity, and Urban Sustainability, with the Business Insititute and AI For Equity offering college credit.

The goal of the Summer Business Institute is to give students a taste of life at business school. As such, they’ll receive two college credits while taking undergraduate courses, working with a team to build a business, and receiving one-on-one mentorship. Topics of exploration include data visualization, economics, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Students who hail from historically marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Secondly, AI for Equity is geared toward students who hope to explore criminal law and artificial intelligence. They’ll learn about bias and equity-related issues and have the chance to interact with local law enforcement and tech companies.

Finally, the project-based Urban Sustainability program incorporates biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and environmental engineering. Additionally, there is an emphasis on social equity and environmental justice. Topics that are often on the agenda include Urban Wildlife Camera Trapping, Fish Counting and Identification, and Water Sampling. The goal is for students to be well-acquainted with how humans impact urban environments.

5) Research Training Program for High School Students

Instructional Method: In-person (commuter)
Program Length: 4 weeks
Cost: None (a $2,000 stipend is provided)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: March (application opens in January)

Run by the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, this Seattle summer program is a month-long, in-person experience intended for local students who have the ability to commute to downtown Seattle. Led by PhD-level scientists and educators, the program offers an introduction to biomedical research. As such, it features lectures and activities related to biochemistry, immunology, and infectious diseases, among others. Moreover, labs include microscopy, immunoassays, bacterial transformation, and gene editing. All students engage in facility tours as well as college and career planning workshops. They also deliver final presentations to their cohort.

Finally, priority is given to students who hail from an underrepresented background. The program application requires an essay (in which multiple prompts must be addressed) as well as a recommendation.

Final Thoughts – Seattle Summer Programs

Local and out-of-state students alike will find much to appreciate about Seattle summer programs for high school students. Interested in the arts? Check out the flexible opportunities at Summer@Cornish. Hoping to explore neuroengineering? YSP-REACH could be perfect for you. Crime scene investigation up your alley? Camp BIOmed’s CSI program will give you a hands-on deep dive. Of course, no matter what you choose, you’re sure to have an enriching and exciting summer in the Emerald City.

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Summer Programs

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).