# High School Great Books Program

One- and two-week residential Great Books seminars at Thomas Aquinas College's California and New England campuses, reading Plato, Euclid, Sophocles, Shakespeare, and Aquinas with college faculty for $600-$975 all-inclusive.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Thomas Aquinas College |
| Category | arts |
| Cost | $975 |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 11–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Santa Paula, CA |
| Apply | https://www.thomasaquinas.edu/admissions/summerprogram/apply |

## About this program

# High School Great Books Program

Thomas Aquinas College teaches entirely through discussion of primary texts, and each summer it opens that method to high school students. Participants join members of the teaching faculty for seminars on works drawn from the masters of the Western intellectual tradition - Plato, Euclid, Sophocles, Shakespeare, St. Thomas Aquinas, Pascal, and Boethius - with no lectures and no textbooks. The program runs at the College's California campus about 70 miles north of Los Angeles and at its New England campus in Massachusetts, in both one-week and two-week formats.

## What You'll Do

- Read primary texts closely and defend your reading in small Socratic seminars led by college tutors
- Work through mathematics and natural science the way the original authors presented it, including Euclid's propositions
- Live in campus residence halls with prefects, joining the daily rhythm of college life
- Take part in evenings of lectures, music, hiking, and discussion outside the classroom

## Who Should Apply

Rising high school seniors are the core audience, and rising juniors are also invited to sample the College's program. A complete application includes the application form, one letter of recommendation, and a high school transcript through sophomore year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis in the order in which they are completed.

## Outcomes

Students leave with real practice in close reading and disciplined argument, a sense of whether a discussion-based liberal arts college suits them, and - because tuition, room, board, and books total only $600 for one week or $975 for two - one of the least expensive residential humanities programs in the country.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does High School Great Books Program cost?

High School Great Books Program costs $975. Many paid programs offer need-based financial aid or fee waivers — check the official site before ruling it out.

### Who is eligible for High School Great Books Program?

High School Great Books Program is open to high school students in grades 11–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is High School Great Books Program online or in person?

High School Great Books Program is an in-person program based in Santa Paula, CA.

### How do I apply to High School Great Books Program?

Apply directly through Thomas Aquinas College's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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