If you’re interested in architecture, urban design, engineering, or the way spaces shape how people live and interact, architecture courses for high school students can help you understand whether this field is the right path before college. Architecture brings together creativity, design, problem-solving, and technical thinking, requiring students to balance aesthetics with functionality in practical ways.

Imagine spending your summer designing structures, experimenting with architectural models, and analysing the buildings that define cities around the world. These courses allow you to move beyond theory and into practice, giving you firsthand experience with the creative and technical decisions involved in planning spaces. Through hands-on projects, you gain a clearer understanding of how architects balance aesthetics, functionality, sustainability, and community needs.

Why explore architecture before college?

Architecture is one of the few fields where artistic creativity and technical problem-solving are equally important. An architecture course can help you understand what the discipline actually involves before committing to it as a college major. Many students are drawn to architecture because they enjoy drawing or design, but quickly discover that the field also requires analytical thinking, spatial reasoning, collaboration, and an understanding of how buildings function in the real world.

Depending on the program, you may learn architectural drawing, model-making, design thinking, urban planning concepts, digital design software, or presentation techniques. Many courses also introduce students to architectural history and contemporary design challenges while encouraging them to think critically about sustainability, accessibility, and the future of cities.

Beyond the technical skills, architecture courses help students develop a portfolio of work and gain experience in presenting ideas, receiving feedback, and refining designs. These are great experiences for students considering architecture school as well as related fields such as engineering, urban planning, interior design, and construction management.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 architecture courses for high school students worth exploring!

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online architecture course.

15 Architecture Courses for High School Students

1. Boston Society for Architecture Architecture/Design High School Internship Program

Location: Multiple architecture firms in Boston, MA, and the Greater Boston area
Cost: None; a stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 3% acceptance rate for a cohort of 15 students
Application Deadline: Opens February 20th
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 attending a Boston Public School

The Boston Society for Architecture’s Internship Program allows high school students to work directly with architecture firms across Boston. Each year, a small group of students is matched with host firms based on their interests and experience, where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects and learn how architectural teams operate in a professional setting. During the internship, you may assist with design research, model development, sustainability planning, presentations, or project analysis, depending on the firm’s focus. 

You’ll work alongside architects, designers, engineers, and other professionals while gaining exposure to different stages of the design process. The program also includes mentorship, site visits, and weekly events organized by the BSA, such as lectures and city tours that introduce you to Boston’s architectural landscape. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work and reflect on your experience with fellow interns and professionals.

Why it stands out: You gain direct experience working in architecture firms while exploring multiple areas of the profession through mentorship and field-based learning.

2. Immerse Education’s Architecture Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, and Singapore
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; international students are welcome

This is a residential academic program designed for high school students interested in architecture, providing a structured introduction to the subject at a university level. Within this program, you will explore core architectural concepts, including spatial design, structural thinking, sustainability, and urban planning through practical design projects, studio sessions, and organized field trips. The course brings together hands-on workshops and theoretical knowledge, enabling you to nurture creativity, visual thinking, and technical design skills, which are the core for further architectural study.

Moreover, the program includes cultural immersion and exposure to the environments of notable places such as Cambridge, Oxford, or London, which helps you expand your knowledge of how architecture influences cities and societies. Upon finishing the course, you are awarded a Certificate of Achievement that recognises your academic development and readiness for further study in the field. You can find more details about the application here. 

Why it stands out: It offers hands-on design projects and expert feedback, helping you understand how architectural thinking and creative problem-solving operate in professional contexts.

3. Imagine Architecture – Carleton University

Location: Carleton University, Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (On-Campus LABs 101-103); Online (LAB 101)
Cost: $730 + HST per on-campus LAB; $600 + HST per online LAB; Three LABs (with discount) = $2,040 + HST
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified (no application process; registration and payment guarantee spot; space limited)
Application Deadline: Until all spots are taken (rolling enrollment, no specified deadline)
Dates: On-Campus LAB 101: July 6-10; On-Campus LAB 102: July 13-17; On-Campus LAB 103: July 20-24; Online LAB 101: July 27-31
Eligibility: Grades 10-12 students worldwide (completed grades 10-12); no previous training required; interested in design, architecture, and urbanism

Imagine Architecture is one of the more studio-focused architecture courses for high school students, designed for grade 10–12 students interested in design, architecture, and urbanism. You will gain experience in creative design thinking and making through intensive workshops taught by instructors from Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism.

The program introduces you to the creative culture of the design studio, which is at the core of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) curriculum. Sessions on choosing content for portfolios are included, illustrated with examples from successful applications. You’ll learn what admission committees look for, how to approach the written requirements of a good portfolio, and effective organization of graphics. 

Why it stands out: The program provides direct insight into university-level architecture education and includes dedicated portfolio development sessions specifically designed to help students prepare applications for design programs in Canada.

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Met High School Internship Program – Architecture Placement

Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Free (pays $1,100 stipend)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective; 3-4% acceptance rate
Dates: Spring: February 10th – May 21st (Introductory Bootcamp on January 31st)
Application Deadline: Spring: October 27th; exact date varies yearly
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students; spring interns must be NYC residents and attending school in NYC; summer interns may reside and attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut

The Met’s High School Internship Program allows you to work within a museum department while learning how exhibitions, collections, and educational programs are developed and managed. Based on your interests, you’ll be placed in a department where you can contribute to ongoing projects and gain experience in a professional museum environment.

If you’re interested in architecture or design, departments such as the Design Department, the Met Cloisters, the American Wing, and Egyptian Art offer opportunities to explore architectural history and preservation through hands-on work.  Your responsibilities may include assisting with archival research, supporting exhibition preparation, contributing to educational initiatives, or studying historical interiors and architectural collections.

Why it stands out: You explore architecture through the lens of art history, preservation, and museum curation rather than traditional studio design work.

5. Chicago Architecture Center Teen Fellows Program

Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 16-20 students admitted
Application Deadline: March 31st
Dates: June 22nd – May 8th
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 attending school in Chicago or the Greater Chicago area

The Chicago Architecture Center’s Teen Fellows Program is a long-term architecture program for high school students in the Chicago area that combines coursework, design training, and professional experience over 15 months. Through classes held at Harold Washington College and the Chicago Architecture Center, you’ll study architectural concepts while building practical technical skills used in the field.

During the program, you’ll learn how to use design software such as AutoCAD and Revit, create physical models, and complete studio-style assignments focused on architectural drafting and planning. You’ll also attend lectures from architects and designers, visit firms and construction-related organizations, and explore notable buildings and urban spaces across Chicago to better understand the city’s architectural history and development.

Why it stands out: The program combines college coursework, city-based architectural study, and a potential internship pathway within a single extended experience.

6. The Cooper Union Introduction to Architecture Online

Location: Online
Cost: $2,884 + $40 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: June 1st
Dates: July 6th  – August 7th
Eligibility: Open to current high school students worldwide, including international students

As one of the online architecture courses for high school students, The Cooper Union’s five-week architecture studio introduces you to the structure and pace of a university-level design course through hands-on creative projects. Using a studio-based approach, you’ll study architectural concepts such as spatial design, visual representation, conceptual thinking, and model construction while developing your own design process over time. Throughout the program, you’ll complete iterative assignments that require drafting, revising, and presenting your work in response to faculty feedback.

The curriculum also introduces architectural theory and digital design methods, helping you build both technical and creative skills in a structured learning environment. Because the projects continue and expand across several weeks, the course offers a more sustained experience than a typical short-term workshop. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced a body of design work that can be included in an architecture portfolio.

Why it stands out: The program mirrors the workflow of an undergraduate architecture studio through continuous critique, revision, and long-term project development.

7. New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Multiple host sites in New York, NY
Cost: None; stipend of $17 – $23/hour wage
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; evaluated by program and partner companies; limited interns per site
Application Deadline: March 6th
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Eligibility: Current high school students attending an NYC public school

The NYC School Construction Authority’s High School Summer Internship Program gives high school students paid experience in fields such as architecture, engineering, and construction management through placements with industry organizations across New York City. During the program, you’ll spend most of the week working with a host company, where you’ll learn about professional workflows and contribute to ongoing projects under staff supervision.

Depending on your placement, your responsibilities may include assisting with design-related tasks, reviewing project materials, supporting planning efforts, or observing different stages of construction and development. Host organizations have included architecture and engineering firms as well as public-sector departments involved in city infrastructure and school construction projects. You’ll also participate in mentorship opportunities, receive guidance on education and career pathways, and complete OSHA certification training focused on workplace safety standards. 

Why it stands out: The program combines paid professional experience with exposure to large-scale public infrastructure and school construction projects.

8. Global Solutions Lab

Location: Online / Hybrid
Cost: $250; partial tuition scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 15-24
Eligibility: Open to high school students and older participants globally, including international students

Global Solutions Lab introduces you to architecture and design through the study of sustainability, urban systems, and global development challenges. Rather than focusing on traditional architectural studio projects, the program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and strategic thinking across environmental and social issues. Throughout the experience, you’ll work in teams to examine real-world topics connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Using research tools, simulation platforms, and data analysis methods, you’ll develop proposals and planning strategies that address complex global problems. The program also incorporates AI-supported research and interactive exercises that encourage you to think about how design, policy, and infrastructure intersect.

Why it stands out: The program approaches architecture through sustainability and global systems analysis instead of conventional studio-based design training.

9. University of Maryland Architecture High School Summer Program (ARCH150: Discovering Architecture)

Location: Online or University of Maryland
Cost: Varies; tuition-based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 13-31
Eligibility: Must be a rising high school sophomore or above; international students are welcome to apply

ARCH150 is a three-week option among the many architecture courses for high school students, introducing you to the fundamentals of architecture through studio projects, discussions, and city-based learning. During the program, you’ll develop an original design project while studying how architects approach spatial planning, urban environments, and the relationship between people and the built world. The course is structured around a studio format, meaning you’ll regularly present your ideas, participate in critiques, and revise your work based on feedback from instructors and peers.

Alongside project work, you’ll examine architectural concepts and urban design topics through lectures, conversations, and observational exercises focused on cities and public spaces. You’ll also learn about different academic and professional pathways within architecture and related design fields.

Why it stands out: The program combines college-level coursework with hands-on studio practice and urban design exploration in a condensed summer format.

10. University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture Michigan Architecture Prep (ArcPrep)

Location: University of Michigan Detroit Center, Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 25 students
Dates: 10 sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Nomination-based
Eligibility: High school juniors in the Detroit Public School Community District; must be nominated by school principal; minimum GPA of 2.5

The Michigan Architecture Prep program provides Detroit high school students with a funded introduction to architecture through college-level coursework, workshops, and mentorship. You’ll take an architecture course taught by faculty from Taubman College, where you will study topics related to design processes, spatial thinking, visual communication, and foundational architectural concepts while earning transferable college credit.

In addition to coursework, you’ll participate in workshops that explore areas such as design research, drawing and representation methods, and approaches to analyzing space and the built environment. The program also includes opportunities to visit architecture firms in Detroit and connect with practicing architects to learn more about professional pathways in the field.

Why it stands out: The program combines college-credit coursework with long-term mentorship and individualized preparation for architecture school applications.

11. Rice University Architecture Summer Immersion Program

Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 15 students
Application Deadline: April 5th
Dates: June 7-18
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, age 16+; must attend school in the Greater Houston area

Rice University’s Architecture Summer Immersion Program is one of the more selective architecture courses for high school students, introducing students from the Greater Houston area to architecture through studio projects, workshops, and college preparation activities. Hosted by the School of Architecture, the program focuses on helping you build foundational design skills while learning how architectural ideas are developed and communicated.

During the program, you’ll work on creative exercises involving drawing, spatial design, and physical model-making while exploring both 2D and 3D design methods. You’ll learn from architecture faculty and graduate students who guide studio work, design processes, and academic pathways within the field. The experience also includes opportunities to speak with architects and designers about careers in architecture and related disciplines. 

Why it stands out: The program combines introductory studio training with individualized support for architecture college applications and portfolio development.

12. Boston Architectural College Summer Academy – Global (Online)

Location: Online
Cost: $1,800 - $2,000 depending on credit option (early discounts available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small studios of 8-10 students; first-come, first-served
Application Deadline: June 22nd
Dates: July 6 -31
Eligibility: Open to students aged 14+ worldwide, including international students

BAC’s Summer Academy is an online, studio-based program that introduces you to architecture through structured design projects and small-group instruction. Over four weeks, you work on architectural challenges that develop your skills in sketching, digital modeling, presentation, and basic portfolio building.

The course is designed to replicate the rhythm of a studio environment, where you gradually develop ideas through iteration and feedback. To support hands-on learning, you receive a physical materials kit that allows you to build models and test design concepts at home. Studio sections are kept small, typically around 8–10 students, which makes critiques and discussions more direct and frequent. 

Why it stands out: The program combines online studio instruction with physical model-making materials and small-group design critique.

13. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Art & Design College Accelerator Program (ADCAP)

Location: MICA, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 15 students admitted
Application Deadline: November 20th
Dates: 3-year program; begins late January of sophomore year
Eligibility: 10th graders from Baltimore, MD; requires a portfolio of 4 pieces

The MICA Art & Design College Accelerator Program is a multi-year, structured program that introduces you to architecture and related design fields through ongoing studio training. Over three years, you attend Saturday workshops during the school year where you build foundational skills in drawing, digital illustration, and graphic design while completing a series of design projects that gradually contribute to a developing portfolio.

Alongside studio work, you take part in a workshop-based course focused on critique, writing, and professional development. This includes discussions with artists and designers, site visits to architecture and design locations, and structured feedback sessions on your work. Before your senior year, you also participate in a summer pre-college residency, where you continue studio training in an intensive format and may earn transferable college credit.

Why it stands out: The program builds architecture and design skills over multiple years through consistent studio practice, critique, and a culminating pre-college residency.

14. Thomas Jefferson University Architecture & Design Summer Academy (Online)

Location: Online
Cost: $350 per week (+ $50 deposit; financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (small, studio-style classes)
Application Deadline: June 24th
Dates: July 13-17; July 20-24
Eligibility: Open to high school students (rising sophomores to seniors); international students can participate in the online format

Jefferson’s online academy introduces you to architecture through a structured program that begins with a Career Discovery Week covering fields such as architecture, interior design, and construction management. This early stage helps you understand how different roles within the built environment connect before you move into more focused design work. As the program continues, you complete project-based assignments that involve sketching, basic model-making, and design thinking exercises.

Instruction is delivered through live sessions with instructors and industry professionals, where feedback and critique play a central role in developing your work. Because the program includes multiple disciplines related to the built environment, you also gain exposure to how architecture interacts with construction processes, interior spaces, and urban planning.

Why it stands out: The program introduces several built-environment career paths within a single structured online learning experience.

15. Harvard Graduate School of Design: Design Discovery Youth

Location: Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Very selective; 15 students
Application Deadline: Typically late April
Dates: 3 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students who are permanent residents of the Boston/Cambridge area

Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Design Discovery Youth is one of the most prestigious architecture courses for high school students in the Boston and Cambridge area, introducing students to architecture and design through studio-based learning. Working with graduate student instructors, you’ll develop foundational skills in drawing, modeling, and visual representation while studying how these tools are used in architectural and urban design contexts.

Throughout the program, you’ll take part in design projects, group critiques, and individual mentorship sessions that guide your work from concept to completion. You’ll also attend lectures and discussions featuring faculty, architects, and designers, where you can learn about different professional paths in architecture and related fields. The program concludes with a review of your work and the development of a draft portfolio that can be used for future academic or internship applications.

Why it stands out: The program offers structured studio training guided by graduate instructors within a university design school environment.

From Model-Making to College-Level Confidence

Architecture starts with ideas you can test, revise, and explain, from sketches and models to spatial plans, materials, sustainability, and city design.

The 15 architecture courses for high school students featured here can help you build those skills through studio projects, critiques, portfolio work, digital tools, and design feedback.

As you compare each experience, notice what strengthens your confidence most: drawing, model-making, presenting concepts, solving design problems, or thinking about how spaces shape communities.

Ready to prepare for architecture school with more direction? Read our University Preparation blogs for application advice, portfolio tips, study planning, and academic support.