Summer Programs – FAQs

For Summer 2023, the Center for Architecture will be offering Summer Programs both in-person at the Center for Architecture and online. Full details on program dates, themes, format, and registration are available on the Summer Programs page.  

Please have a look at these FAQs, which we hope will answer your most pressing questions. These FAQs are separated into three main sections: General FAQs, In-Person Summer Programs, and Online Summer Programs. If you have further inquiries after reading these over, please reach out via email to our education team at k12education@centerforarchitecture.org or via phone at 212-358-6133. 

Program Details:

What are the program hours? 

• In-Person programs run from 9am – 4pm. Online programs run from 9:30am – 3:30pm. All students will have a one-hour lunch break in the middle of the day from 12:00pm – 1:00pm. All program hours are in Eastern Time.  

How many students will be in each class? 

• Our Summer Programs typically have 12-16 students per class, depending on the class format.  

What is the student to teacher ratio in your Summer Programs?  

• In most courses, there will be one lead educator and one assistant educator. For in-person programs, when we leave the Center for lunch and field trips, there will be two to three adult staff members with the group at all times. 

Who teaches your programs?  

• Programs are taught by the Center for Architecture’s K-12 Education staff and Design Educators. These talented individuals have extensive teaching experience and backgrounds in art, design, architecture, and related fields. Read more about our team under Educator and Staff Bios on the Summer Programs page. 

 Is there flexibility in the age groups for Summer Programs?  

• All grade levels are based on the grade the student will be entering in the fall. Students are not eligible to go up a grade level. However, students at the youngest age of their group can opt to enroll in the younger class. For example, a student who has just completed 8th grade and will be entering 9th grade in the fall can choose to register for a Grades 6 – 8 class.  

Do you balance the programs based on gender?  

• Registration is completed on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not ask for a student’s gender identity during the registration process. We do not feel that a student’s gender identity has any bearing on their ability to enjoy the programs or make friends. 

Are your programs appropriate for students with special needs? 

• While we try to accommodate all types of learners, our programs are not specifically designed for students with special needs. We have one lead educator per course who divides their time assisting all students in the course equally. While there is constant guidance and support throughout the course, we do expect students to be capable of independent and self-motivated work on their projects. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us. 

What happens if my child can’t attend a day or if they will be late?  

• Please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org and/or call 212-358-6133 and notify our Youth Programs Manager if your child will be late or absent on any given day. If there is a perpetual lateness issue that we think a parent may be unaware of (primarily for older students), our staff will reach out to you. There are no make-ups or refunds for missed days. 

Registration and Payment:

How do I register for these programs? 

• Registration for all of our Summer Programs can be handled through the Summer Programs page.  

What is the program cost? 

• In-person programs are $700 per week. Online programs are $560 per week. Prices are also listed on each individual program registration page.  

Do you offer scholarships for Summer Programs? 

• Yes, a limited number of need-based scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship, please register for the program online as a scholarship applicant and then submit your Financial Need From and proof of financial need to k12education@centerforarchitecture.org. The scholarship application deadline is May 1. Please see our 2023 Summer Programs Scholarship Information and Financial Need Form for full information. 

Do you offer a payment plan? 

• We do not have a payment plan available. Full tuition is due at the time of registration, except for need-based scholarship applicants who can delay payment until they have received notice of any scholarship award the Center for Architecture is able to provide. Scholarships are need-based and are limited to two per student per summer. For more information on our scholarships, please see our 2023 Summer Programs Scholarship Information and Financial Need Form. 

Do you have a multiple child discount? 

• We do not offer a multiple child discount. 

When do Summer Programs sell out?  

• Usually, a few weeks to a month after registration opens. Occasionally, we have programs fill the day registration opens. 

What does waitlist mean? 

• Waitlist means that we are currently full for that program. You are welcome to sign up for the waitlist, but a spot will only open if someone else cancels their registration. To be added to a waitlist, please follow the waitlist link on the Summer Programs page, enter your information, and select all programs you would like to be waitlisted for. You should receive an automated email confirmation for your records. We will contact you if a spot opens in the program. 

What are the chances of getting admitted from the waitlist for a Summer Program?  

• Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing. There will be some waitlist movement in late May/early June following our scholarship application process. After that point, we do occasionally have people who cancel up until the week prior to the program. Our waitlists are formed on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be notified if a space becomes available.  

What is your cancellation and refund policy? 

• Registration for all programs is non-transferable. Tuition for all programs is non-refundable within four weeks of the program start date. If cancellation is made at least four weeks prior to the program start date, and we are able to fill your space from our waitlist, we will refund all but a $100 registration fee for each cancelled week. If we are unable to fill your space, we will not be able to provide any refund. There are no exceptions to this policy. The Center for Architecture will not provide make-ups or refunds for days missed as a result of vacation plans, scheduling conflicts, illness (including COVID-19), emergencies, or other events beyond our control. 
• For more information, please see our 2023 In-Person Summer Programs Terms & Conditions and our 2023 Online Summer Programs Terms & Conditions. 

What is a typical in-person Summer Program schedule?  

• All in-person Summer Programs meet from 9:00am – 4:00pm. We have an hour-long break for lunch and recess, typically from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, which we take at a local park (weather permitting). Over the course of each week, students learn about their program topic through class discussions, design challenges, and investigation of architectural examples both in class and on field trips.  

• Monday is a get to know you day and students are introduced to the program theme and work on design challenges. Tuesday and Wednesday will have full or half-day thematic field trips with the remaining time being used to plan and develop their projects. Thursday and Friday are primarily devoted to working on final models of their own design projects. The last hour of the final day we invite families to join us for final presentations from the students. 

What field trips will each Summer Program take? 

• All field trips are specific to the theme of the program. Closer to the start date of each program, all registrants will be sent an email outlining all the field trips that your child’s program will be taking along with any additional information you might need. 

How do you travel when you take a field trip?  

• We walk or travel via subway and the cost of this is included in the program tuition.  

What should my child wear for these programs? 

• Wear clothing that is comfortable and can get a little messy. All of our materials should be washable (markers, glue, etc.) but as with most creative things, it can get messy. Also, please dress appropriately for the weather. While the programs are largely indoors, we will take some field trips and be outside for lunch each day (weather permitting). Students should bring a sweater for indoor working time and wear a hat/sunscreen as needed for outdoor time.  

What does my child need to bring for the program? 

• Please send your child each day with a bagged lunch, snacks, and a re-fillable water bottle. Sunscreen and sun hats for lunch and field trips may also be helpful. Please note, staff will not apply sunscreen for students. 
• All art and design materials are provided for in-person programs.  
• For in-person digital design programs, students will need to bring their own laptop and charging cord with Windows 11 or 10 or Mac OS 13+ (Ventura), 12+ (Monterey) and 11+ (Big Sur) for this class. Students can bring their own mouse or CFA will provide a wired mouse for student use. Students will be sent a link to download the free SketchUp trial software prior to the first day of class. Students with Chromebooks can use the free web-based SketchUp software. 

Is lunch included for Summer Programs? 

• No, all students, who do not have permission to leave the Center for an independent lunch break, will need to bring their own lunch and re-fillable water bottle each day. All lunches should be nut free. Please pack food with ice packs if needed. No refrigeration or heating will be available. Lunch will be enjoyed at a local park (weather permitting).  

Can my child leave the Center to purchase lunch? 

• Students entering grades 6-12 can leave the Center for an independent lunch break with parental permission. This permission is designated during the registration process. Even students with this permission may need to pack lunch for certain field trip days. You will be emailed in advance of the program if there are any trip days where a packed lunch is required.  

Are snacks included for Summer Programs? 

• Yes, we will provide all students with a nut-free snack at the end of each day. If allergies are a concern, please feel free to pack a snack for your child.  

Can my child bring their phone, tablet, etc. if they are not in a digital design class? 

• During class hours, students will not be allowed to use personal electronic devices. These items may be used during lunch. The Center for Architecture is not responsible for lost, damaged, or broken items.  

Do you offer before or after care for Summer Programs? 

• No. Due to other events in our space, we cannot accommodate early arrivals or late pick-ups. Students who are picked up more than 15 minutes past the 4:00pm pick-up time will be charged $30. We appreciate your attention to this matter. 

Where should I go on the first day of the program?  

• All in-person programs, other than Architectural Design Studio (Grades 10-12), meet at the Center for Architecture at 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY. Architectural Design Studio will meet at NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate at 11 W 42nd St, New York, NY. 
• The Center opens at 9:00am when the programs begin. On the first day of the program, there will be staff positioned in the lobby gallery and you will be able to confirm all your contact information, pick up plan, lunch permissions, etc. with them prior to 9:00am. Each day, you will need to remain with your child until they are checked into the classroom, unless you have given your child permission to come and go on their own (designated during registration). Additional check-in procedure information will be sent to all families via email prior to their program. 

Who can sign out my child?  

• People signing out students must be listed as a contact or authorized pick-up person on our sign-in sheet. You can designate these individuals when completing registration and can add individuals to this list at check-in each morning. Students in grades 6 – 12 can sign themselves out with adult permission. This permission will be designated during the registration process and can be changed, if needed, by a parent or guardian contacting  k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.  

What happens if I need to pick up my child early?  

• If you would like to pick up your child prior to 4:00pm, please notify k12education@centerforarchitecture.org at least 24 hours in advance. We take field trips in every program, so early pick up is not always possible. For emergencies, please call the front desk at 212-358-6121. 

What happens if I’m late picking up my child?  

• Students who are picked up more than 15 minutes past the pick-up time will be charged $30. We appreciate your attention to this matter. 

Will there be final presentations? 

• Yes! Students will be sharing their work with each other throughout the week and on the final day of the program, friends and family are invited join, usually around 3:15pm, to see the work of their student along with the rest of the class. An invitation reminder will be sent to all families the week of the program. 

What if my child gets injured during the program? 

• Our Educators and staff are CPR and First-Aid trained. In case of injury, we will respond to the situation and reach out to the child’s emergency contact as soon as possible.  

What is the Center for Architecture doing in response to COVID-19? 

• Please be assured that the Center is following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York State, and New York City for appropriate health and safety procedures. If guidelines change, we will update our procedures to meet current standards. Please see the Center for Architecture’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocol for current guidelines. 

During the Program:

What will the online daily activities look like? 

• Each day will involve live lessons from our educators, class discussions, virtual field trips, and project time. We will take advantage of breakout rooms to create a dynamic classroom atmosphere and provide individualized one-on-one instruction and feedback.  

What type of workspace will my child need? 

• Students should choose a well-lit, distraction-free learning space appropriate for interacting with educators and fellow students on camera. Ideally, their workspace is large enough to hold their device and paper for sketching and notes.   

How much parental supervision will be required for online programs?  

• It is our goal to make these programs engaging for students and easy for parents. This is best accomplished when students have their cameras on and are actively participating in the class.  Just as for our in-person programs, it is important that students are self-motivated and have an interest in the program topic and their projects. We will contact you if a student becomes disconnected from the class or is non-responsive to educator questions and class discussions. 

Is lunch supervised? 

• No, lunch is not supervised. There is no online location for students to hang out during the lunch break. We feel that lunchtime is an important opportunity to give the students a break from their projects and screens. 

Will there be final presentations? 

• Yes! Students will be sharing their work with each other throughout the week and on the final day of the program, friends and family are invited join in to see the work of their student along with the rest of the class. 

Are there any materials we will need to provide?  

• All students should have paper and pencil for sketching and note-taking. We suggest particular materials for the Drawing Architecture class (Grades 9-12). Please see that class listing for a specific materials list.  

Online Programs Access and Security:

What platform will you use for the class? 

• We will use the Center for Architecture’s Zoom Video Conferencing for our online Summer Programs. 

• We will also use Microsoft SharePoint to share digital program materials with students. This will be a great way to share program resources without clogging up your inboxes. 
• For our Digital Design classes, we will be using the digital software program SketchUp. We will send instructions for downloading the free trial version of this program to all registered families. 

What technology does my child need in order to participate? 

• Students will need a computer, laptop, or tablet that has a camera and a microphone. Steady internet access is also required. 
• For our Digital Design classes, students must have a computer or laptop (not a tablet) and an external 3-click mouse. Tablets cannot run the digital design software used in these classes. Students must also download a free trial version of SketchUp prior to the class or locate the web-based SketchUp portal. Instructions will be sent in program confirmation emails.  

• For Drawing Architecture, students will be asked to photograph their drawings and to upload those to our online portal, so a cell phone camera is useful. 

Can my child attend class on their phone? 

• Although mobile phones do work with the Zoom platform, students cannot use a phone as the main means of connection to the class. A phone can be useful as a secondary device to provide another view of their work to share with our educators. 

Where are the links for my child to attend classes?  

• We will send out links via email to all participants in the week prior to the program. We suggest that you bookmark these links or save the email somewhere for easy access throughout the program.  

What kinds of online protections are there for these classes? 

• Every class is password protected. The link to participate in the class, along with the password, will be sent to all participating families prior to the program start date. Email addresses and contact information collected in the registration process will not be shared with others.  

What if I don’t have, or I lost, the link or password? 

• First, do a search for emails from k12education@centerforarchitecture.org to see if it’s hiding somewhere in your email. If you still cannot find it, send us an email and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.