Summer Academic Challenge Application 2026

Access Program - HIDDEN

SAC Year 2026 - HIDDEN

Program Dates: June 25 to July 22, 2026

Summer Academic Challenge is a tuition-free four-week enrichment program for students going into grades 7 to 12. With an innovative Project-Based STEAM curriculum, students explore themes in math, science, technology, art, and communication, and see how the subjects they study in school play out in the world around them. Classes are project-based and require teamwork and collaboration. In addition to time on campus, whether in the classroom, lab, outdoors, or in the library, students attend workshops on writing and oral presentation skills, and participate in field trips and special events. Students participating in the program gain confidence, expand their interests, and become better prepared to meet their long-term academic goals. 2026 Summer Academic Challenge themes will be: 7th/8th: Ripple Effect: Exploring the Connection between Salmon, Water, and the Community of Puget Sound; 9th/10th: Statistically Speaking; and 11th/12th: Spaces for Everyone: An Adventure in Home Design.

Eligibility:

Students must be currently attending a public school.
Students must be from underrepresented minoritized groups, first generation college students*, and/or from underrepresented socio-economic status as determined by the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program.

To learn more about the program and eligibility, visit the Summer Academic Challenge website.

Application (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
To fill out this application, you will need the following:

Parent/Guardian contact information (email and phone)
Reference contact information (email and phone for two or three people who would be willing to write a recommendation letter on your behalf; MUST be a core teacher, coach, advisor, and/or counselor)
A digital copy of your transcript (high school students) or your most recent report card (middle school students) for uploading
Your essay for uploading (see the essay questions at the bottom of the application) (TO BE COMPLETED BY STUDENT AND NOT PARENT/GUARDIAN)

Once you submit this application, your parent and your references will be asked to submit information as well. Make sure your references know they will be receiving email from us. The deadline for student applications is June 1, 2026. Parent Section of the Application and Reference Letters are due June 8, 2026. Both the student and parent sections must be submitted for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For more information contact the Access Programs Summer Academic Challenge office at 253.879.2827 or email us at access@pugetsound.edu.

*First generation means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other siblings' or family members' level of education.

Student Information

Student First Name*

Student Last Name*

Student Preferred First Name
This name will be on your nametag and your certificate of completion.

Student Mailing Address*
Make sure to include your house number, street, and apartment number (if applicable) in the Street box.

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Student Email Address*
Please do not use your school email address.

Student Phone*

Student Birthdate*

Gender Identification*

Female

Male

Nonbinary

Other

Pronouns*

she/her/hers

he/him/his

they/them/theirs

Other

Please let us know your pronouns.*

Race/Ethnicity*

Asian

Black/African American

Indigenous/Alaska Native

Latinx

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

White

Other

Please share your race/ethnicity.*

Will you be the first in your family to attend a four-year university?*

Yes

Are you enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program?*

Yes

Check the years (if any) that you have completed SAC*

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

New to Summer Academic Challenge

Parent/Guardian Information

When you submit your application, an automated email will be sent to your parent/guardian. The email will provide a link for submitting their part of the application and will include the information you provided in your application. If you are an emancipated minor, please contact our office at 253.879.2827.

Applications will not be considered submitted and complete until a parent/guardian has reviewed the information provided in this form and submitted their own portion of the application.

Important: please double-check that you have entered the email and phone number correctly. Incorrect information could prevent your application from being complete.

Parent/Guardian First Name*

Parent/Guardian Last Name*

Parent/Guardian Daytime Phone*

Parent/Guardian Email*

Academic Records

School you are currently attending*

What school do you attend?*

School you will be attending this FALL 2026*

What school will you attend this fall?*

Grade you will be in FALL 2026*

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

Please upload a copy of your transcript (high school students) or most recent grade report (middle school students).*
Instructions for ordering a transcript from Tacoma Public High Schools. Load your transcript as a PDF or image file (Yes, you can snap a picture of your transcript with your phone!)

Student Involvement Information

Please list any sports, extracurricular, or community service activities that you have participated in.

References

When you submit your application, an automated email will be sent to your references. The email will provide a link for submitting a recommendation letter on your behalf.

Recommenders are required to be teachers, school counselors, coaches, tutors, and/or advisors who can speak to your academic abilities.

Important: please double-check that you have entered emails and phone numbers correctly. Incorrect information could prevent your application from being complete.

Reference 1

Name*

Title*

Email*

Phone*

Reference 2

Name*

Title*

Email*

Phone*

Yes, I would like to submit a third reference. (optional)

Reference 3 (optional)

Name*

Title*

Email*

Phone*

Personal Information

I understand that my attendance is required at each day of the 20-day Summer Academic Challenge program.

Why are you a good candidate for the Summer Academic Challenge and why do you want to be a part of this program?*

Please type or copy-and-paste your response into the box (1-2 paragraphs). This is to be completed by the student and NOT the parent/guardian.

Type - First Year

Term - 12th, Fall 2027

Term - 11th, Fall 2028

Term - 10th, Fall 2029

Term - 9th, Fall 2030

Term - 8th, Fall 2031

Term - 7th, Fall 2032

Baker MS - 489047

Bryant MS - 489053

First Creek MS - 489050

Giaudrone MS - 489022

Gray MS - 489048

Hilltop Heritage MS - 489020

Hunt MS - 489127

Mason MS - 489049

Meeker MS - 489051

Stewart MS - 489016

Tacoma Online MS - 990910

Truman MS - 489052

Wainwright MS - 489119

Foss HS - 481383

iDEA - 484200

Lincoln HS - 481385

Mt. Tahoma HS - 481388

Oakland HS - 481392

SAMI - 481391

Silas HS - 481403

SOTA - 481399

Stadium HS - 481395

Tacoma Online HS - 480153

Willie Stewart Academy - 480019