Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
About
Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly is a two-week summer experience where students stay in dormitories on campus and take courses from active Cal Poly professors within the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences. The program includes excursions, guest speakers, campus visits, and enrichment electives as part of its activities.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: A two-week summer experience
Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly states that its purpose is to expose students to Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and to allow high school students to experience living on the campus of Cal Poly. Courses are taught by active Cal Poly professors within the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, and academic immersion courses are taught by industry professionals. Students can earn 3 continuing education units from the #1 ranked public undergraduate college in the western United States and receive a letter of participation and a certificate of completion. The program notes that needs-based scholarships are available.
Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly is a collaboration between Cal Poly Extended, Professional & Continuing Education and Summer Springboard. Summer Springboard operates pre-college programs for teens at Yale University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Georgetown University, and other colleges. The program framework includes hands-on learning, career exploration, and college prep, and Summer Springboard describes its approach as combining an academically challenging summer experience with tools and frameworks for personal leadership development and self-discovery. Summer Springboard reports that it uses rigorous staff training and a 5-Point Safety System.
Former student Amanda B. described the mentors, staff, and other students as supportive and kind and said she enjoyed exploring the Cal Poly campus. Former student Collin B. said that every activity and excursion was fun, that the classes were engaging, and that he felt comfortable living on campus during the program. Parent Jennifer D. said that Summer Springboard stays in touch with parents and students, that staff were available to clarify questions, and that the program was well organized with excellent teachers and a mix of learning and fun.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: A two-week summer experience
Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly states that its purpose is to expose students to Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and to allow high school students to experience living on the campus of Cal Poly. Courses are taught by active Cal Poly professors within the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences, and academic immersion courses are taught by industry professionals. Students can earn 3 continuing education units from the #1 ranked public undergraduate college in the western United States and receive a letter of participation and a certificate of completion. The program notes that needs-based scholarships are available.
Summer Springboard @ Cal Poly is a collaboration between Cal Poly Extended, Professional & Continuing Education and Summer Springboard. Summer Springboard operates pre-college programs for teens at Yale University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Georgetown University, and other colleges. The program framework includes hands-on learning, career exploration, and college prep, and Summer Springboard describes its approach as combining an academically challenging summer experience with tools and frameworks for personal leadership development and self-discovery. Summer Springboard reports that it uses rigorous staff training and a 5-Point Safety System.
Former student Amanda B. described the mentors, staff, and other students as supportive and kind and said she enjoyed exploring the Cal Poly campus. Former student Collin B. said that every activity and excursion was fun, that the classes were engaging, and that he felt comfortable living on campus during the program. Parent Jennifer D. said that Summer Springboard stays in touch with parents and students, that staff were available to clarify questions, and that the program was well organized with excellent teachers and a mix of learning and fun.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
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