SUMMER UNIVERSITY
YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMMING
SUMMER UNIVERSITY
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Summer University is a free six-week program from July through August for rising 9th – 12th graders in the Metropolitan Seattle area. The program is designed to keep high school students engaged and learning during the summer months to prevent summer learning loss. Programming is led by ULMS Education Department staff and certificated teachers.
PARTICIPATION
Program Enrollment Information
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Enrollment for Summer 2026 has begun! Click the tabs below to find answers to the most frequently asked program questions, information about student participant guidelines, and how to apply!
Summer University: Garfield High School
- Program Begins: July 6, 2026
- Program Ends: August 14, 2026
Class times for all Summer University cohorts will be held Monday through Friday from 9AM – 3PM.
Doors open and breakfast will be available each day beginning at 8:30AM.
Summer Tracks Offered:
- Branding + App Design
- Career Exploration
- Connections
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial Literacy
- Health & Wellness
- Peer Mentor
- Youth Media
- Y-Scholars
Additional Program Benefits:
Lunch for student program participants will be provided daily. Participants can also expect to receive a financial stipend at the completion of the program.
Branding + App Design: Participants will get the opportunity to build a real brand, design a logo, and prototype a working mobile app in Figma, and present in a pitch competition!
Career Exploration: Discover different career paths while building essential work-readiness skills such as communication, teamwork, and professionalism, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship while developing the tools needed to prepare for future jobs and career opportunities, with three participants selected for a Fall 2026 internship.
Connections: Through interactive field trips, activities and fun workshops, students make friends while developing teamwork, leadership, and life skills. Students then progress to peer-to-peer mentors planning and leading social experiences that build a sense of belonging for other students.
Entrepreneurship: This program will equip young individuals with essential business skills, including idea generation, market research, budgeting, and marketing strategies. Participants work on real-world projects, receive mentorship, and develop a business plan, fostering creativity, leadership, and confidence to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in their communities.
Financial Literacy: Develop a strong foundation in money management by learning the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing while exploring how the stock market works and gaining practical skills to begin thinking like future investors.
Health & Wellness: This program will focus on promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy lifestyle choices through interactive activities and expert guidance.
Peer Mentor: Gain the skills to support others while leading meaningful mental health awareness campaigns in your community. Participants will earn a certification and develop leadership experience by promoting positive conversations and resources around mental health.
Youth Media: Explore Revolutionary ideals—such as liberty, self-governance, and democracy—by creating original media projects in partnership with PBS. Students will complete a project for submission, and entries will be featured on the PBS website for a nationwide audience.
Y-Scholars: The program will provide participants academic enrichment, mentorship, and college readiness skills to help students excel in their studies and prepare for higher education.
If you have any questions about Summer University or potential program sponsorship, please contact Ashley Byrd via abyrd@urbanleague.org.
Start a Summer University application below!
Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 11:59PM
Summer University
WATCH NOW
Students and educators talk about what Summer University participants learn and experience during the program, why Summer University is important, and why YOU should be involved in the program!
overview
Student Guidelines & Expectations
Conduct, BEHAVIOR, & Policies
It is important that each student participant in Summer University has a successful program experience. To ensure the best learning outcomes, experiences, and goals are achieved, students who participate in the program must meet the following participant requirements and adhere to the established Student Code of Conduct policy.
Students who are interested in participating in Summer University must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be an incoming 9th grader (meaning they are starting 9th grade in the fall semester following the program end) or a current high school sophomore, junior, or senior.
- Have reliable transportation to and from the program class location on a daily basis (Garfield High School).
- Have a Seattle Public School Student ID.
There are no gender, sexual orientation, or residency restrictions to participate in Summer University.
Students participating in the Summer University program must adhere to the following Student Code of Conduct:
- No inappropriate and/or abusive language or conduct
- Respect personal property
- While in class do not use cell phones or other personal electronics
- Respect the instructor, the classroom & other students
- Follow directions (of instructors, volunteers, guests and other adults)
- Respect the resources (laptops, notebooks, etc.)
- Information that is illegal or that advocates illegal acts or facilitates unlawful activity is prohibited
- No threatening or intimidating any person or suggested violence, hatred or discrimination toward other people
- No inappropriate religious or political messages
- No racially, culturally or religiously offensive
- Do not encourage the use of controlled substances, participation in an illegal act or uses the system to incite criminal actions
- No defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, pornographic or sexually content
Students must be on time (on-task & prepared to learn).
Program begins at 9:00AM, anything beyond 9:10AM without prior notice is considered an absence.
Students may only miss 3 days of class to be eligible for stipend and completion of program.
EDUCATION
Education Services
Learn more about ULMS Education programming, services, & resources.