Welcome
Congratulations on your child's admission to High School Summer Kickstart! We are excited to welcome your child to campus this summer. This web page includes important information to guide you as you make plans for your child to join us at WashU. Please be sure to review all of this information very carefully. If you have questions, you may email our office at precollege@wustl.edu.
We are currently planning to host the program in-person on June 29-July 3, 2026 (Session I) and July 6-10, 2026 (Session II).
Next Steps
To finalize your child's participation in this year's program, we ask you to complete the following steps no later than April 22, 2026 at 11:59pm CT:
- Download and complete your child's Emergency and Medical Information Form (including pick-up authorization information) and upload using our secure Form Upload.
- Pay the balance due.
The balance due was included in your child's admission email. When you are ready to pay your balance, you may access our secure online payment system for credit card payments here. Once you click on the link, you will select "High School Summer Kickstart" enter your payment amount, child's first name, child's last name and an email then complete the rest of the required fields.
Code of Conduct
By deciding to attend our programs, your child commits to maintaining the highest academic and social standards. As a member of our community, your child is expected to make a positive contribution by acting responsibly and by respecting the rights of other students, faculty, and staff. Our Code of Conduct outlines the specific expectations for your child in our program.
Daily Schedule and Important Program Details
The High School Summer Kickstart schedule is a busy one! Your child will be supervised throughout the day by instructors and program staff as they explore WashU and collaborate with their peers.
- 9:00am: Student drop-off
- 9:15am-10:30am: Pathways to Success Workshop
- 10:30-10:45am: Break
- 10:45am-12:00pm: Leading with Purpose Workshop
- 12:00-12:45pm: Lunch
- 1:00-3:15pm: Afternoon Session
- 3:30pm: Student pick-up
Your child should plan to commit to the full length of the program and to schedule other commitments when the program is not in session. We cannot accommodate late drop-offs or early pick-ups due to outside commitments.
Your child should wear tennis shoes or other closed-toe walking shoes each day of the program. They will be moving around campus, as well as, participating in activities and need to have proper foot wear.
Your child should be dressed appropriately for the hot St. Louis weather. While most of our activities are indoors, students will still be traveling between buildings that require them to be outside. Please be sure to send rain gear (raincoat or umbrella) with your child as needed.
Your child should bring a water bottle with them each day. We will provide a drawstring bag, mini sprial notebook, folder, and pen. Your child will be asked to wear a lanyard nametag. Please be sure to send these items with them each day.
You must disclose all prescription or regularly taken over-the-counter medication for your child on their Emergency and Medical Information Form. Please be sure to send your child's emergency medication (ex: inhalers or epi-pens) with them each day of the program. These medications must remain secured on your child's person at all times.
Lunch
We will dine at the Danforth University Center (DUC) or on-campus Subway each day. The students will get to choose which location they prefer. They will receive a card with a lunch stipend. Students are also welcome to bring a packed lunch with them if they prefer.
For students with food allergies or dietary intolerances, please be sure you have connected with the Dining Services Nutrition team to discuss their dining experience while here in the program. Here is a link to their contact information if you've not yet connected. They also have a Summer Food Allergy Form available as well.
Program Activities
Pathways to Success Workshop: Focused on college and academic advising in preparation for high school and beyond. Students will learn valuable skills for setting and achieving academic and personal goals, understanding the high school curriculum and college admissions process, and exploring potential career pathways.
Leading with Purpose Workshop: Aimed at fostering essential leadership qualities such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. This workshop will empower students to take initiative and develop confidence in their leadership abilities.
Afternoon Session: Students will explore a variety of academic themes across different liberal arts disciplines. They will discover the natural world with hands-on activities and delve into literature, art, and history to gain a better understanding of human culture and expression.
Please note during the Wednesday afternoon session, students will be participating in a sheep brain dissection. If your child would prefer not to participate, we can provide an alternative activity.
Vision Board Project
Throughout the program, students will engage in daily activities that help them develop and refine a high school vision board, incorporating insights from their experiences and newfound knowledge. This creative endeavor encourages students to envision their academic and extracurricular goals, aspirations, and interests as they prepare for the exciting journey ahead. By reflecting on their personal growth and ambitions, they will gain a deeper understanding of their potential. We will set aside time each day for students to work on their vision boards. Supplies will be provided, but students are also welcome to bring supplies from home to use.
Evaluation and Certificate of Participation
While we do provide staff supervision as well as fun, interactive experiences, this is a selective, academic program. Individuals must apply and be admitted. Students are expected to be engaged, respectful participants.
High School Summer Kickstart is a noncredit program. Grades are not issued. Students are evaluated based on interaction with peers, engagement during activities, and work produced. Students who have met all expectations will receive a certificate of participation. A performance evaluation will be emailed to parents within two weeks of the program's conclusion.
Acceptance and participation in High School Summer Kickstart does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at WashU. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.
Drop-off and Pickup information
Your child needs to be dropped off each day at 9:00am outside Simon Hall (#168 on campus map) located on Olympian Way. Signs will be posted and program staff will be present to check your child and escort them to class. Please do not plan to drop-off your child prior to 9:00am. Your child is not allowed to be dropped off on campus without a staff member present. Your child must be dropped off by an adult. They cannot walk to campus or ride a bike to campus alone. On the first day of the program, please allow a bit of extra time for drop-off for staff to connect with you and confirm important contact information.
Your child needs to be picked up each day at 3:30pm in the same location as drop-off. We'll provide you with a name plaquard for your car, so we can easily identify the child you are picking up. Please be sure to display the plaquard at time of pick-up.
Cell Phones
Your child is allowed to bring a cell phone with them to the program for use during lunch and breaks, however, please note that cell phone use is not allowed during scheduled class times. If you need to reach your child during class time, you may contact our on-call supervisor (phone number will be provided at a later date). If a child uses a cell phone during class times, staff will ask the child to put the phone away. If the child continues to use their phone, the phone will be collected and returned at the end of class.
Health and Safety Procedures
Below we have included guidance regarding health and safety procedures that directly impact your child's participation in the program. Additional information regarding medications and medical care is available here.
Masking is not required for Danforth Campus spaces. We ask that you and your child keep the following in mind regarding masking:
- Don’t question someone or make assumptions about them because of their choice to wear or not wear a mask. Some may choose to wear a mask, say no to a social engagement, or otherwise exercise more caution than others.
- If a classmate, staff member, or instructor asks you or your child to wear a mask, please consider doing so to be supportive, even if the rules don’t require it. Keep in mind they may be at a higher risk, caring for others at a higher risk, or feeling less comfortable in a mask-optional environment.
For those who are concerned about learning in a mask-optional environment, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your child may continue to wear a mask if they choose. One-way masking does still offer substantial protection to the wearer.
- The university will continue to monitor conditions and reinstate mitigation measures as necessary.
Take a moment each morning and assess your child's symptoms. Please have your child stay home if they don't feel well. If your child has experienced any of the following in the last 24 hours, please do not send them to the program:
- Fever or feeling like they have had a fever
- Chills
- Unexplained muscle pains/body aches
- New or worsening cough
- Trouble breathing
- New loss of sense of taste or sense of smell
- Sore throat, different from your seasonal allergies
- New or worsening diarrhea (not consistent with chronic medical conditions)
- Vomitting
In addition to the symptoms listed above, please pay attention to milder symptoms such as a new headache or a stuffy nose.
If during the day, your child develops any symptoms listed above they will be removed from programming, asked to wear a mask, and you will be contacted immediately to pick-up your child. Your child cannot return to programming without a doctor's note clearing them to participate.
We ask that all food allergies or intolerances, as well as emergency medications and reactions, be included on a your child's Emergency and Medical Information Form. Your child is expected to be knowledgable of their food allergy and best practices for avoidance of unsafe food. They should be able to recognize symptoms of allergic reactions, how to tell someone they may be having an allergy-related problem, and have knowledge of proper use of medications to treat an allergic reaction. Your child must carry their emergency medications with them at all times. Information provided on an Emergency and Medical Information Form will be reviewed with staff as well as emergency medical procedures including recognition of allergic reaction symptoms.
WashU dining services provides several tools to assist those participants with food allergies or intolerances, including allergy and nutrition information on each dining location’s menu and for each individual menu item. Participants with food allergies or intolerances are encouraged to contact the WashU nutrition team to discuss dining safely on campus. Please note that dining locations are not nut-free and that epi-pens are not available in dining or classroom locations.
Cancellation Policy
Should unforeseen circumstances require you to cancel your child's registration for the program, you must provide your intent to cancel in writing to precollege@wustl.edu by May 29, 2026 at 11:59pm CT to receive a 100% refund excluding a $100 nonrefundable administrative fee. If you cancel after May 29, you will receive a 50% refund excluding a $100 nonrefundable administrative fee up to the first day of the program. After the program has started, no refunds will be issued except as noted below. No refunds will be issued if your child leaves the program early.
If your child becomes ill and is unable to attend the program, we will issue a full refund of the program fee as long as we receive a doctor's note indicating the child is unable to participate.
If your child becomes ill during the program and cannot continue attending, a prorated refund of the program fee will be issued as long as we receive a doctor's note indicating the child is unable to continue participating in the program.