Summer of Build & Design
Pre-College Academy
Woodbury Summer Academy is open to rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in high school. Students must be between 15 and 18 years old. This program is designed for motivated students eager to explore their academic interests in a collegiate environment.
Registration starts December 18th and ends June 15th
Summer 2026
Location
Woodbury University
7500 N Glenoaks Blvd
Burbank, CA 91504
Important Dates
- December 4, 2025
Registration begins and Scholarship application opens - April 27, 2026
Early Registration Ends/Scholarship application closes - Last day for early enrollment discount ($200)
- May 22, 2026
Tuition Due (Full payment – final installment) - June 15, 2026
Housing application deadline + Registration deadline
- July 6, 2026
Session 1 Begins - July 20, 2026
Session 2 Begins
Academic Programs
Explore the Academic Programs for the Summer of Build & Design. Students will receive 3 college credits for each session completed and a certificate.
Principles of Stop-Motion: The Art of Claymation
Instructor: Jeremy Mowery
This two-week course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of claymation production. Drawing on stop-motion animation techniques, students will animate modeling clay through frame-by-frame camera recording in set-based three-dimensional space to create a short film or scene.
Architecture Through Nature
Instructor: TBD
Students will discover how nature inspires architecture and design. Through observation, sketching, digital play, and model-making, participants will transform natural patterns and forms into creative architectural concepts, finishing with a public exhibition of their work.
Motion Capture and Gaming: 3D Characters in Motion
Instructor: Paul Smith
In gaming, actors wear suits embedded with sensors that capture their body movements, facial expressions, and even subtle gestures to help create lifelike and dynamic characters. In this two-week course, students will demonstrate a blend of motion capture and traditional keyframe techniques to push the bounds of their character’s personality, the exaggeration of body dynamics and ragdoll physics, and the quality of animation, giving students the opportunity to assume the roles of performer, technician, and director as they produce a 3D animation short.
Fashion Design: From Concept to Creation
Instructor: Alexandria Sellers
In this hands-on introductory fashion design course, students will learn to draw a basic fashion croqui and sketch a custom design for one of three items: a tote bag, T-shirt, or circle skirt. Then, students will experiment with various surface design methods such as dyeing, embroidery, block printing, or HTV application to incorporate into their final piece. By the end of the course, each student will bring their unique vision to life by creating a wearable or functional fashion item that showcases their design and technique.
Tuition and Fees
Our summer pre-college program offers a variety of options to fit your needs, whether you prefer to live on campus or commute daily. Each program runs for two weeks, with the option to enroll in two programs back-to-back, earning up to 6 college credits—three credits for each two-week course.
Below are the fees for our residential and commuter options.
Residential Option
Type of Program | Tuition | |
|---|---|---|
| 4-week program | $6,000 | Residential |
| 4-week program | $3,000 | Day Option (Commuter) |
| 2-week program | $3,500 | Residential |
| 2-week program | $1,750 | Day Option (Commuter) |
College Readiness Track (Add-On)
Type of Program | Tuition | |
|---|---|---|
| 4-week program | $1,050 | |
| 2-week program | $675 |
Scholarship Information
We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their passions and reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to offer scholarships for our summer camp programs, available to all students, whether based on financial need or academic merit.
We encourage every student to apply, as we are committed to funding diverse talents and backgrounds. If interested in applying, please fill out our inquiry form to stay up to date about deadlines and important information.
Housing
Our summer pre-college program offers flexible housing arrangements to accommodate your needs, whether you prefer to live on campus or commute daily.
On-Campus Housing
Living on campus is an exciting part of the pre-college experience. Students who choose this option will reside in comfortable residence halls, where they will:
- Participate in organized activities and field trips to explore the surrounding area.
- Access free Wi-Fi internet throughout the residence hall.
- Engage in a variety of events hosted by our Resident Assistant staff each week after classes, including game nights, crafts, and more.
- Build lasting friendships and create unforgettable memories with fellow peers.
- Enjoy meals in campus dining facilities.
Commuter Option
For students who prefer to stay at home, our commuter option allows you to attend classes daily without the need for on-campus accommodation. Commuters will have access to all program activities and meals during the day.
Security
Our main entrance is staffed 24/7 with a security officer who screens and verifies all vehicles. At night, our security officers conduct patrols throughout the campus in conjunction with monitoring an extensive CCTV system.
The College Readiness Track (Add-On)
In addition to studio coursework and college credit, Woodbury’s Summer Academy goes further by preparing students for real college success with the College Readiness Track at Woodbury University Summer Academy.
- Daily lunch groups on communication, collaboration, and self-regulation
- Push-in support from trained SAS Mentors during studio classes
- Sunday studio access with mentors available for guidance and accountability
- Afternoon workshops on executive function, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy
- Weekly reflection groups to build confidence and consolidate skills
Most pre-college programs stop at studio and academics. Woodbury’s Summer Academy uniquely combines artistic development with readiness coaching — ensuring students leave not only with credits and portfolio work, but also with the practical tools they need to thrive in their first year of college.
The Add-On Track is intentionally designed using research-based methodologies that target the learning needs of neurodiverse students. Drawing from Social Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks, executive function coaching strategies, and inclusive design practices in education, the program provides structured skill-building in ways that are both effective and practical.
What makes Woodbury’s approach distinctive is that these supports are embedded and provided through a specialized track within the larger Pre-College program. Students in the add-on program practice new skills while learning alongside their peers in studio and community settings, mirroring the inclusive environments they will encounter in college. This not only strengthens readiness but also fosters confidence and belonging.
The program is also aligned with the transition needs of students with disabilities, preparing them for further education after high school. In addition to academic and creative readiness, students gain tools for:
- Further education: skill-development specifically designed to prepare students for college success.
- Career preparation: communication skills, collaboration strategies, and project planning that are transferable to professional contexts.
- Independent living: time management, self-advocacy, and regulation strategies that help students manage daily responsibilities and personal well-being.
These supports create a bridge of foundational skills that prepare students for the transition from high school to college, empowering students to succeed not just academically but also socially, personally, and professionally.
Every participant benefits from built-in success programming, including study hall, supported studio sessions, mini-workshops on time management and creative wellness, and community-building activities. These experiences strengthen independence, resilience, and peer connections.