Parsons Academy

Parsons School of Design

University

Parsons Academy offers courses in a variety of art and design disciplines for students in grades 3 through 12 and a certificate program for students in grades 9 through 12. Courses are taught by industry professionals and range in subject from fine arts to design disciplines such as fashion, graphic design, interior design, and illustration. Classes meet on Saturday mornings during the school year and for two weeks, Monday to Friday, in August. Enrollment is now open for the Parsons Fall Academy. The last day to enroll in the Parsons Summer Academy is July 28, 2021.
Fall Course Dates September 25-December 11, 2021

Registration Deadline September 23, 2021

Location On-Campus or Online

Grades 6–8, 9–12

Schedule Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-12:50 p.m. ET for on-campus courses, 11:00 a.m.-1:50 p.m. ET for online courses

Tuition and Fees $505 + fees
Parsons Academy classes are conducted in three groups, divided by traditional school grade level. Students should select the appropriate course by using their grade levels as a guide.
Summer 2021 Course Descriptions
- Grades 6-8
  
  Digital Media Art: Storytelling, Grades 6–8
  Online synchronous live sessions
  Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Create and share visual narratives through an exploration of digital media in this hands-on live-session online digital studio.
  Fashion Design, Grades 6-8
  Online synchronous live sessions
  Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Explore a variety of making skills for interpreting original ideas for fashion from 2D to 3D. You'll use traditional and non-traditional techniques and materials, such as paper draping, material handcraft manipulations, and basic hand- or machine-sewn mockups.
  Portfolio Development, Grades 6-8
  Online synchronous live sessions
  Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  This hands-on live-session online art studio is for students interested in applying to specialized art high schools as well as those who wish to explore new techniques in drawing and painting.
- Grades 9–12
  
  Animation Design, Grades 9–12
  Online synchronous live sessions
  Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Design your own characters and learn how to animate them in this hands-on live-session online digital studio.
  
  Architecture, Grades 9–12
  On campus
  Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  Develop professional skills in field research, schematic drawing, and model making by completing studio projects involving conceptual and concrete architectural problems.
  
  Fashion Design, Grades 9–12
  On campus or online
  On campus: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  Online: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Explore a variety of making skills for interpreting original ideas for fashion from 2D to 3D. You'll use traditional and non-traditional techniques and materials, such as paper draping, material handcraft manipulations, and basic hand- or machine-sewn mockups.
  
  Fine Arts I, Grades 9-12
  On campus or online
  On campus: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  Online: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Develop your ability to draw from observation, a cornerstone of visual expression.
  
  Graphic Design, Grades 9-12
  On campus or online
  On campus: Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  Online: Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Learn analog and digital creative problem-solving techniques and the basics of graphic form and expressive typography.
  
  Interior Design, Grades 9-12
  Online synchronous live sessions
  Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–1:50 p.m. ET
  Develop skills in freehand sketching, manual drafting, collage, and model building while representing and testing spatial and material ideas.
  
  Portfolio Development Strategies, Grades 9–12
  Online asynchronous sessions
  No set meeting time
  Explore how to use a sketchbook as an integral part of the portfolio and receive tips for writing a compelling personal artist statement.
  
  Portfolio Development: Design, Grades 9-12
  On campus
  Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  This section is dedicated to students who wish to focus on graphic, fashion, product, and other areas of design in their portfolios.
  
  Portfolio Development: Fine Arts, Grades 9–12
  On campus
  Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m. ET
  This section is dedicated to students who wish to focus on drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture in their portfolios.
Pre-College Academy Certificate Program
The non-credit Parsons Academy Certificate Program supports students in grades 9 through 12 as they create a college admissions portfolio. Our world-class faculty help students employ basic skills and original thinking in a collaborative environment.
Learn more
Parsons Scholars Program
Parsons Scholars is a college preparatory program that makes Parsons available to talented students who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. The program offers multi-year scholarships to students attending New York City public high schools.
Learn more

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Summer 2021 Course Descriptions

Pre-College Academy Certificate Program

Parsons Scholars Program

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Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

Undergraduate Adult Learners

Graduates