On-Campus Experience

Crimson Scholars are getting a taste of college life under the close supervision of the Academy’s trained staff. Through small group instruction by master teachers, close mentoring relationships with Harvard College students, and sustained academic support, the Academy strengthens the Scholars’ abilities to achieve their ambitious goals.

After several days of orientation, Crimson Scholars live on Harvard’s Cambridge campus from Sunday evenings through Friday afternoons for the first summer session, returning to their homes on weekends. Upon successful completion of Session I, they are invited to participate in the following summer’s six-week session. In the third summer, Crimson Scholars earn college credit at the eight-week Harvard Summer School while maintaining their affiliation with the Academy and participating in its cultural and community activities. Scholars experience a profound sense of ownership of the Academy, participating actively in its Advisory Committee and offering thoughtful feedback during in-depth interviews that are part of an ongoing, professional evaluation of the Academy.

Community Meeting

Each summer morning starts with a community meeting led by the Academy’s faculty, mentors, or Scholars. Community meetings are an opportunity to share ideas and experiences that resonate with the Academy’s theme of "The Student as Citizen" and the widening levels of citizenship: the Individual and the Community; the Individual and the City; the Individual and the State; the Individual and the Nation; the Individual and the World. An intrinsic part of the Academy, community meetings are a time for everyone to consider and reflect upon who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.

Faculty and Guest Speakers

Classes are taught by experienced teachers with advanced degrees. Most have direct ties to Harvard. In addition, Harvard faculty members regularly address the Academy on issues that dovetail with its curriculum. These special presentations give the Scholars a chance to learn about current research and explore questions in academic fields not encountered in their high schools. During the first three summers, guest speakers included professors Deborah Anker, Ali Asani, Mahzarin Banaji, George Daley, Dan Gilbert, James Hoyte, Deborah Kao, Jerold Kayden, Ed Kravitz, Bridget Terry Long, Mohammad Mahmoud Mohamedou, Laura Roberts, Lawrence H. Summers, Mary Waters, and others.

Mentors

Twenty-five Harvard College students work closely with the Crimson Scholars throughout the three-year program, serving as role models, teaching assistants, and tutors. The mentors form close ties with the Scholars in the summers and continue these relationships during the academic year, meeting individually with Scholars on a regular basis, visiting their schools, and engaging as fellow learners in a variety of educational and cultural experiences involving the entire Academy community.