Summer Institute

2026 Summer Courses - Foundations in Leadership and Field Studies in Leadership

For aspiring leaders in rising grades 8-12.
June 8-12, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Summer 2026 registration opens February 1

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to lead effectively is more important than ever. Whether you’re navigating high school, getting involved in your community or eyeing future career opportunities, leadership skills are essential and will position you for success. This dynamic course is your first step in developing those skills and learning how to make a real impact. 

Led by a team of faculty, renowned executives and top career leaders, you’ll explore what effective leadership looks like in action through interactive discussions, real-world case studies and engaging workshops. You will receive mentorship as you develop a hands-on project that challenges you to apply leadership principles to a problem in your real-world context. 

If you have questions please email Ms. Miriam Pallant, Director of the Summer Institute, at [email protected].

2026 Course Offerings  

Foundations in Leadership 

Open to all rising 8th-11th graders 

Through a combination of interactive on and off-campus activities, the Summer Institute’s Foundations in Leadership course provides participants with the opportunity to develop their current leadership skills and build new ones in a supportive and encouraging environment. Students will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from well-respected community leaders in an engaging and hands-on environment. Over the course of the week, students will build robust abilities and confidence in public speaking, decision-making, and teamwork. By the end of the course, they will have experience drafting and delivering a speech, planning and running a team meaning, and crafting and presenting a sales pitch. Most importantly, students will have the confidence to stand out as leaders in their communities. We welcome students for whom these skills are new, as well as those who already have experience. 

(NEW for 2026) Field Studies in Leadership: 

Open to all rising 12th graders, students who have completed Foundations in Leadership, and students who hold a community leadership position (student government, scouts, youth group, etc. Please email [email protected] if you’re uncertain). 

Field Studies in Leadership is a course designed for high school students who have some prior experience in a leadership role and wish to develop a clear personal leadership philosophy as they begin to consider post-secondary opportunities. Students will reflect upon their own leadership experiences and priorities through the lens of the narratives that we explore in the community. Participants in this course will begin by developing interview, documentation, and production skills. They will then meet with community leaders and learn about these individuals’ stories and trajectories. In doing so, students will take on investigative roles as reporters, historians, and archivists gathering stories, artifacts, footage, and images as the week progresses. Throughout the week, students will work on creating a final documentary or podcast that tells a unique story about leadership, weaving together their knowledge from the field, their own lived experiences, and their hopes for the future. The week will culminate in a symposium where participants will have the opportunity to present their work to community members.

Pricing 

  • “Early bird pricing” Feb. 1 - March 15 
    • Foundations in Leadership: $620
    • Field Studies in Leadership: $650 
  • “Regular” pricing: March 16 - April 30  
    • Foundations in Leadership: $720
    • Field Studies in Leadership: $750
  • Refunds: 
    • Full refund (minus $25 processing fee) from Feb. 1 - Feb. 15 
    • 50% refund from Feb. 15 - April 15 
    • No refunds after April 15

[The Summer Institute] was a really fun and engaging experience that helps you grow outside of academics…Being able to talk with the various types of leaders and hear their experience showed me the importance of being able to know what to do in a leadership position and how impactful your decision making can be.

Morgan D. ‘27

Being able to have the perspective of a CEO, head of school and an Olympic athlete showed me that there are many types of leaders that all serve a different purpose but are all equally valuable…I want to enter the business realm when I am older. The Summer Institute allowed me to hear from leaders and learn about their experience.

Liam D. ‘27

2025 Keynote Speakers:

Speakers for 2026 will be announced soon! 

Mission Statement

The Tower Hill Summer Institute aims to provide students with enriching academic opportunities that foster curiosity, creativity, as well as personal and intellectual growth. The Institute offers a diverse range of courses and experiences designed to inspire exploration across various disciplines and interests. By engaging students in meaningful learning outside the traditional academic school year, we strive to cultivate self reflection, critical thinking, strengthen problem-solving skills and encourage a lifelong passion for learning. The Summer Institute opportunities will challenge students to build confidence and prepare them for future academic and professional endeavors. 

 

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