High School Courses (Grades 9-12)
Why spend the summer in class? Students value the ability to delve deeply into one content area without other demands on their schedule. Summer School is open to the public.
Courses are designed for students from any school, entering grades 9 – 12. For-credit classes help students advance in a subject area or fulfill a graduation requirement in order to free up space in their school-year schedule. And rising juniors and seniors can get a jump on the college application process with classes for the SAT and college essay-writing. Prerequisites are required for some for-credit courses.
2025 Course offerings
Lakeside Summer Institute
Lakeside Summer Institute courses immerse students in hands-on learning experiences. Students learn from experts in the field of study, gaining real-world skills to solve real-world problems.
LSI: AI
$1660
7/14 - 7/25
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Note: This summer, this course will be taught in the science lab at the Downtown School
What do self-driving cars, Alexa, iPhone's face recognition technology, and ChatGPT have in common? They are driven by modern advances in artificial intelligence. Whether you’re interested in law, healthcare, art, or economics, AI is poised to transform every discipline and industry in the future. AI is already all around us today, and by the end of the program, students will understand the underlying concepts and motivations behind technology such as computer vision, natural language processing, and neural networks.
Taught by instructors from Inspirit AI, this course will explore the foundations of machine learning and explore different applications of machine learning models. In the first half of the course, students learn AI’s core technologies including applications, foundational concepts, and programming tools through live lectures and coding labs. Students will not only learn about different types of machine learning models, but also apply those models to real data sets. In the second half of the course, students will complete an instructor-led group project applying AI to the discipline of their choice (e.g., music, healthcare, astrophysics, finance, etc.), utilizing the programming skills they developed in the first half. Students will also have the option the second week of this course of working on a team developing an in-house AI platform for use at Lakeside. No prerequisites. This is a credit/no credit course earning one quarter of credit. You can read more about the curriculum, projects, and teaching team here.
LSI: Architecture and Engineering
$2075
6/23 - 7/11
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The construction of Lakeside's new academic building offers our students a unique opportunity to learn from working professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. Taught by an expert in the field of architecture, students will learn about topics like architectural design, building systems, and construction processes. They will also learn from other industry experts, going on field trips to a local Seattle architecture firm and learning from builders, architects, and engineers on our on-campus construction site. In the final weeks of the course, students will conduct their own research projects on topics such as designing a food court for a light rail station, a stadium for the Sonics, or a community aquatics complex. Classes will take place both in a classroom, in supervised areas within the on-campus construction site, and on field trips into the city. If you want to get a taste of what it's like to work in one of these exciting fields, then this is the course for you! No prerequisites. This is an ungraded course earning one semester of credit.
LSI: Journalism
$1165
7/21 - 8/1
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., with field trips TBD
LSI: Journalism is a dynamic program designed to cultivate essential interviewing, reporting, and writing skills in a real-world setting. In this two-week course, students hone journalistic skills through in-person interviews, phone and internet reporting, peer-to-peer learning, and one-on-one teacher-to-student mentoring. Students focus primarily on mastering the fundamentals of interviewing and crafting compelling narratives. Capstone projects may involve writing, for publication, profiles of residents in a local assisted-living facility or working with a local media partner to get individual articles published. In the process, students consider sourcing and fairness in reporting, journalistic ethics, and develop an ear for good storytelling. No prerequisites. This is a credit/no credit course earning one quarter of credit.
LSI: Making History
$1600
6/23 - 7/11
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
In this internship-style course, students will work on projects in collaboration with HistoryLink.org, the free online encyclopedia of Washington State history. The nature of the work students undertake will range from traditional historical writing to developing historic walking tours, creating short videos on place-based history, creating interactive maps, or collecting peoples' histories. Part of the time, the cohort will work from HistoryLink's offices in historic Pike Place Market, and students can also expect to visit different neighborhoods, as well as organizations such as the Seattle Municipal Archives or the Seattle Room at the Central Branch of the Seattle Public Library. Seattle is beautiful in the summer. What better time to explore the city's rich history while developing real-world research and content creation skills? Prerequisite: One year of high-school history. This is a credit/no credit course earning one semester of credit.
LSI: Molecular Biology
$2075
7/14 - 8/1
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Note: For Summer 2025, this course will be taught in the science lab at The Downtown School in Seattle Center, with possible field trips to Fred Hutch. Students will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from The Downtown School campus.
In this course, students will work with a scientist from the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (MCB). Mentored closely by this scientist, students will experience the daily work of a molecular biologist, engaging in research projects such as exploring the metagenomics of soil organisms or using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and molecular cloning to study a host pathogen interaction. Through these projects, students will learn key concepts of cell biology and genetics, while also gaining a foundation in soft skills needed for scientific research such as building protocols and writing academic papers. Prerequisite: One year of high-school science. This is a credit/no credit course earning one semester of credit.
Bridges
Bridges
$440
8/4 - 8/8
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This course is open only to incoming Lakeside 9th graders.
Bridges provides structured support for rising Lakeside 9th graders transitioning to high school. The one-week program is designed to help students prepare for coursework and student life at Lakeside Upper School. The activities, panels, and workshops scheduled during this week emphasize effective studying, organizational strategies, digital literacy, and self-advocacy skills. The program features morning workshops followed by several afternoon community-building activities.
Bridges is geared toward students who would benefit from increased familiarity with the Lakeside campus and school culture leading into their 9th-grade year, as well as students who would like to improve their organizational and study skills. No prerequisites. This is a skill-building course that is ungraded and earns no credit.
College Counseling
College Essay Writing
$650
6/23 - 6/27
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Ever wonder what admissions officers really look for in a personal statement? Intended for rising seniors who want to devote a full week to the college essay writing process, this course offers students support and guidance through what can be an intimidating enterprise. This course provides a structured environment for students to brainstorm, draft, and revise their college essay. With personalized support from a Lakeside college counselor--and using models taken from successful essays--students will work through all stages of the writing process. By the end of the week, students who participate fully should have at least one strong draft of their personal essay completed. Open to rising seniors only. This is an ungraded course earning no credit.
SAT Prep (in-person and online sessions)
$950
7/7 - 7/18 - in-person session; mock exams 7/8 and 7/15
7/21 - 8/1 - online session; mock exams 7/22 and 7/29
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This two-week course will be taught by professionals from Applerouth Tutoring Services. The course will focus on all the new digital adaptive SAT and will be dynamically tailored to meet the needs of individuals and the group. The curriculum includes content and strategies for reading, writing, and math, alongside strategies specific to the digital adaptive test. Students will learn how to manage their attention, working memory, and other mental resources to approach the test methodically and consistently. The course will provide a variety of opportunities to practice these strategies through classwork, homework, and two full-length practice tests. Every student will receive Applerouth's Guide to the Digital SAT and Applerouth Online Prep program; all practice tests will be digital. Open to rising juniors and seniors only. This is an ungraded course earning no credit.
Computer Science
K581 Intro to Computer Science
$1165
6/23 - 7/11
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
This course is open to all students with little or no programming experience who want to go beyond just using computer applications. Computer Science I is an introduction to how computers work and how to write software. Technical expertise or prior programming experience is not required, only an open mind and a willingness to experiment, explore, and have some serious fun. Students will learn some basics of programming in the Python language by writing a series of programs defined by their instructor. They will then have the opportunity to follow their own interests and pursue more complex projects that may require them to learn new, more advanced programming techniques. Quizzes will be used to check understanding of basic programming concepts, but the majority of the grade will be determined by successful completion of teacher- and student-defined projects. This course is designed as an introductory experience for students who are curious about computers and programming, but who have limited or no formal training. No prerequisites. This is a graded course earning one semester of credit.
K585 Intermediate Computer Science 1
$1165
6/23 - 7/11
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
This fast-paced course introduces students to computer programming through the Java language. The course begins by studying elementary algorithms, data types, flow of control, user input, file input/output, recursion and some graphical applications using procedural programming techniques. Problem analysis, planning, coding, and debugging will be emphasized for each project. This course will also teach principles and techniques of software engineering (software life cycle, programming practices, etc.). Students with a programming background in Java or another language can refine their skills by choosing to complete more complex projects. This course when combined with Computer Science III prepares students for success on the AP Computer Science Exam in May. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intro to Computer Science or by department placement. This is a graded course earning one semester of credit.
K586 Intermediate Computer Science 2
$1165
7/14 - 8/1
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
This course is a continuation of Computer Science II covering object-oriented programming and inheritance in Java, more advanced data structures (lists, stacks, queues, trees), and the efficiency and complexity algorithms (particularly searching, sorting). Problem analysis, planning, coding, and debugging will be emphasized for each project. This course prepares students for success on the AP Computer Science Exam in May. Students also design and complete an independent project, culminating in a presentation to the class at the end of the course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intermediate Computer Science 1 or by department placement. This is a graded course earning one semester of credit.
English
9th/10th Grade Writing
$950
7/14 - 8/1
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
This course will provide training in different modes of writing, particularly analytical writing, to help students at the 9th- and 10th-grade levels. Special attention will be paid to critical thinking, organization, clarity, proper use of grammar and punctuation, and citation protocol. Students will study various short works of literature (stories, poems, plays, and essays) to orient writing tasks and will engage in conferencing as well as peer-editing workshops to work through various drafts. No prerequisites. This is a skill-building course that is ungraded and earns no credit.
History
Math
K510 Algebra 2
$2,325
6/23 – 8/1
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
The course focuses on the analysis of functions and their applications while introducing students to a variety of topics in discrete mathematics. After exploring the algebraic, graphical, and numerical properties of general functions, specific types of functions will be examined from these perspectives. The course will examine each of the following families of functions: linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, rational and trigonometric. Additional topics in discrete mathematics such as statistics, matrices, combinatorics, and probability will give students the tools to analyze interesting, highly relevant problems. Both computers and graphing calculators will be used throughout the course. Students will also learn dynamic spreadsheets to further their understanding of the mathematical concepts. Prerequisite: Algebra 1 or by department placement. This is a graded course earning one year of credit.
K530 Precalculus
$2,325
6/23 - 8/1
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
The focus of Precalculus is on the concept of function and the use of functions as mathematical models. Topics necessary for success in either a calculus or a statistics course (including conic sections, regression techniques, trigonometry and limits) will be studied. Students should anticipate some review of material from previous courses as a bridge toward more advanced understanding. Topics in computer programming including variables, expressions, scripts, and conditional loops and functions will be reviewed and used regularly to explore mathematical content. Prerequisite: Any Geometry or by department placement. This is a graded course earning one year of credit.
Personal Finance
$435
7/7 - 7/11
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
In this one-week course, students will learn the basics of money management, budgeting, borrowing, credit, taxes, and investment fundamentals. Students will engage in activities that develop healthy money management skills and that deepen their understanding of finance and investing. This is an ungraded course earning no credit.
Science
K610 Biology
$3875
6/23 – 8/1
IslandWood Trip: 7/7 - 7/11
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
As Lakeside’s introductory science course, Biology provides students an initial opportunity to become familiar with science as a way of thinking. Students will learn to collect, analyze, and interpret information, as well as how to effectively communicate scientific concepts. Student-focused discussions, exploratory activities, and laboratory exercises are designed to enhance scientific literacy. The class will introduce students to a broad range of biological concepts, including ecology, gene expression and cell structure/function, with a particular emphasis on the core concepts of evolution and genetics. Students will also spend one week at IslandWood Environmental Learning Center on Bainbridge Island immersed in their studies and doing field research. No prerequisites. This is a graded course earning one year of credit.
K620 Physics
$2,325
6/23 – 8/1
9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This is a for-credit, grade-earning class. The High School For-Credit course application is required for non-Lakeside students.
This lab course is an introduction to the physical world through hands-on and theoretical investigations. Students will be challenged to derive physical meaning from patterns in the data they collect and analyze. Students will investigate ideas surrounding motion, force, momentum, energy, circuits, magnetism, and various topics in modern physics. Students will also learn authentic professional skills such as technical communication (reading, writing, speaking, listening), proportional reasoning, computational thinking, time management, and how to collaborate successfully in a group. Prerequisites: Biology and Algebra 2 or any Geometry. This is a graded course earning one year of credit.
Service Learning
Service Learning Experience: Environmental Solutions for Seattle
$440
7/14 - 7/18
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This week-long course explores how organizations are implementing solutions to improve the ecosystems in and around Seattle. We will learn from environmental professionals in the field and in our classroom about how land use, consumption and waste, food production, and transportation impact our natural environment, including our air and water quality. Potential service-learning projects include improving salmon habitat, weeding invasive species, stenciling storm drains, beach clean-up, and a cleanup of the Duwamish River via kayak. Our work will largely be outside, rain or shine, so be ready for all kinds of weather and to get your hands dirty! This is an ungraded course earning no credit, but 20 service hours may be applied to graduation requirements (check with your school).
Service Learning Experience: Food Insecurity in Seattle
$440
6/23 - 6/27
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What does it mean for a family to be food insecure here in Seattle? What do individuals and families do when they don't have the money or resources to pay for food? Where do they go for food assistance in Seattle? What are the some of the underlying conditions that are driving food insecurity? What's being done, and what can we do as individuals, to help bring food security to more families? In this week-long course we will explore these questions and more by meeting with a range of non-profit organizations and the communities they serve. Each day, we will work with a different organization and to learn about the problems their community members face. We will visit and learn from partner organizations that may include Family Works, Food Lifeline, PCC Community Market, local shelters, and community gardens.
According to a recent University of Washington study, as many as 27% of families are experiencing food insecurity in the state of Washington, with almost a third of those families seeking food assistance. If you want to gain deeper insight into the issues surrounding food insecurity, while also making friends, completing service hours, and getting to know different communities in and around the Seattle area, then this is the course for you! This is an ungraded course earning no credit, but 20 service hours may be applied to graduation requirements (check with your school).
Service Learning Experience: Issues within the Latino/a/x Community in Seattle
$440
7/28 - 8/1
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This week-long course delves into the prevalent issues and needs within Seattle's Latino/a/x community. Through their own research and exploration, students will gain insights into the demographics, historical challenges, and contemporary issues faced by the Latino/a/x community in Seattle. Potential service-learning projects will involve daily visits to organizations such as Lake City Collective, Casa Latina, and Centro de la Raza, where students contribute assistance based on identified needs. The course concludes with students reflecting on their experiences, sharing insights, brainstorming potential solutions to specific challenges, and inspiring each other to continue to learn about and engage with the work of these organizations. This is an ungraded course earning no credit, but 20 service hours may be applied to graduation requirements (check with your school).
Questions?
SummerSchool@lakesideschool.org
206-440-2700
Summer at Lakeside office closures:
- December 23 - 31, 2024
- January 1, 2025
- January 20, 2025
- February 17 - 21, 2025
- April 14 - 18, 2025
- May 26, 2025
- June 19, 2025
- July 4, 2025
- Important Dates
- For-Credit Course Information
- Financial Aid
- Refunds and Withdrawals
- Health and Safety
- Bus Service
- International Students
- How to Register
Important Dates
Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.: Registration opens for current Lakeside students, Downtown School students, and children of alumni.
Monday, Feb. 17 - Feb. 21: Lakeside campus is closed for mid-Winter break.
Monday, Feb. 24 at 8 a.m.: Registration opens to the public. (All Downtown School students and non-Lakeside students taking a for-credit, grade-earning class must complete an application as a part of their registration. Application requirements are found here.)
Friday, May 16: Registration closes for non-Lakeside students applying for for-credit, grade-earning Upper School classes, and for international students registering for any Summer at Lakeside program.
Sunday, June 1 at 5 p.m.: Registration closes.
Monday, June 23 - Friday, August 1: Six-week for-credit academic courses run. See course listings for dates of three-week for-credit academic courses and not-for-credit courses.
Friday, July 4: Lakeside campus is closed for the national holiday. Classes the week of June 30 - July 3 will run as planned with normal Summer School hours.
For-Credit Course Information
Financial Aid
Refunds and Withdrawals
Health and Safety
Summer at Lakeside follows all of the same Health and Safety protocols that Lakeside follows during the school year. A summer nurse will be available during summer programs. For questions about health and safety, please email SummerSchool@lakesideschool.org.
Medication at Lakeside School
Allergy Action Plan
Asthma Action Plan
Diabetes Action Plan
Seizure Action Plan
Bus Service
There will be limited bus service offered during the summer session (June 23-August 1, 2025). The cost is $110/week. Financial aid is available. Families can register for bus service when they register for any Investigative Learning Camp, Investigative Learning Camp Jr, or High School course that is offered within the summer session dates. Bus service is not available for Athletics Camps participants or Service Learning Experience students.
International Students
How to Register
Watch a video tutorial of the registration process here.
See this infographic from our summer management software, Campbrain, for best practices during registration.