Four regional school districts and the city of Stockton are investing nearly $5 million to send 1,400 high school students to the 2023 Pacific Summer High School Institute. 

Lodi, Stockton, Ceres and Lincoln Unified School Districts are fully covering tuition for students to attend the pre-college program, which includes all programming, food, housing and activities. 

During the two-week institute, students live on the Stockton Campus while attending enriching academic and athletic programs taught by Pacific faculty and coaches. Students can register now through their schools. 

The city of Stockton is funding scholarships for underprivileged students who reside in the city, regardless of which school they attend. Additional school districts also have expressed interest in sponsoring students.

The partnerships with area school districts and the city of Stockton are in addition to paid registrations open to high schoolers in California, across the country and abroad. Discounts are available for alumni, full-time employees, families of current and incoming students and families with multiple participants.

This is the second year for Pacific’s high school summer institute after a successful launch in 2022 and registration is open for two sessions in summer 2023: June 5 to 17 and June 20 to July 1.

“This program was the highlight of the year for many of our students as they were able to learn from university professors on a variety of subjects based on their interests,” said Lodi Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer. “The experience was like none other in terms of expanded learning opportunities, connections with other teenagers, and real-world experiences with college life.”

Students will choose one of 50+ programs to participate in for the duration of the institute, from dentistry and law to social media content creation and computer coding.

After academic programming wraps each day, students can explore the campus’s many amenities and take part in a host of activities, such as movies under the stars, karaoke, volleyball, rock climbing and eSports.

“Trying new things, being away from home and learning from college professors are invaluable experiences that have a profound impact,” said Vice President for Student Life Maria Blandizzi. “Students also benefit tremendously from meeting new people with different backgrounds.”  

Many students who attended the inaugural summer institute said they hoped to return next year.

“It's a great experience. You learn a lot and get to experience college life for the first time,” said Caleb Thuotte, a senior at Lodi High School who attended the eSports camp. “I want to be a game developer, so learning about the games and the different types of careers in this business is a great opportunity.”

Athletics is offering nine programs to help students build their skills. Pacific’s coaches will lead soccer, golf, volleyball, swimming, tennis and water polo programs, among others.

The popular music industry program (featured on Good Day Sacramento) will return, giving students hands-on experience in sound design, recording, publishing and licensing. Other Conservatory of Music offerings include band, jazz, musical theatre, orchestra and choir.

A course for “Future Dentists” will give students insight into clinical simulations and oral health as well as tours of area dental clinics and a visit to Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco to explore its state-of-the-art facilities.

“The end of middle school and the beginning of high school is when students begin to decide what career they want, especially for dentistry,” said Stan Constantino, assistant dean of admissions for Dugoni. “I'm glad Pacific is fostering these opportunities, which will hopefully translate into students wanting to attend the Dugoni School.”

New programs from McGeorge School of Law and the School of Health Sciences also will join many of the popular programs offered in 2022. 

“Our faculty have developed robust courses that will spark an interest in these students through hands-on learning,” said Summer Institute Director and Professor of Chemistry Balint Sztaray. “We cannot wait for high schoolers to return to campus next summer to experience everything a Pacific education has to offer.”

Virtual question and answer sessions take place every Wednesday at 6 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the summer institute.