The Summer Institute, an initiative of the John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation, welcomes rising 7th and 8th graders from archdiocesan, charter, and public schools who have a variety of talents and interests. Student applicants must maintain a target 3.0 GPA+ or the standard based equivalent.
The Summer Institute Application is now accepting early applications and scholarship considerations!
Summer Institute 2026
July 6th - 24th
School principal/leadership? Learn more about our program here
One Program. Six Sites.
*Bishop Mora Salesian High School
906 S Soto St. Los Angeles, 90023
Program Director
Mrs. Yvette Serrano
yvette.serrano@onward2highschool.org
*Sacred Heart
High School
2111 Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, 90031
Program Director
Mr. Angel Yanes
angel.yanes@onward2highschool.org
St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy
7851 Gardendale St, Downey, 90242
Program Director
Mrs. Vanessa Yanez
vanessa.yanez@onward2highschool.org
Cathedral High School
1253 Bishops Road. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Program Director
Ms. Edna Ramirez
edna.ramirez@onward2highschool.org
St. Anthony High School
620 Olive Ave. Long Beach, CA 90802
Program Director
Mrs. Katie Pierce
katie.pierce@onward2highschool.org
St. Mary’s Academy
701 Grace Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
Program Director
Ms. Katie Vahl
katie.vahl@onward2highschool.org
*Our Summer Institute sites at Bishop Mora Salesian High School and Sacred Heart High School will be undergoing campus renovations during the summer! Students will experience the new campuses beginning Summer Institute 2027.
Important Dates:
Application Opens: March 17, 2026
Early Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
Early Application Decision Day: May 15, 2026
Regular Application Deadline: June 5, 2026
Regular Application Decision Day: June 12, 2026
Summer Institute Dates: July 6 -24, 2026