High School
Summer Program
High School students (including graduating 8th and 12th graders) are invited every year to register for this 4-day program taking place in June, Monday thru Thursday, from 9am to 1pm (lunch included). The program consists of lectures, discussions and socratic seminars in a formal but friendly environment. Short readings are provided before discussion and there are opportunities for interaction and getting to know other students. Dress code is business casual, and students receive a certificate upon program completion.
2026 Program: Why Friendship Matters Today
Program Leader: Dr. Jamie Boulding, Witherspoon Institute
June 29 - July 2
Salerno Center for American Enterprise at SJFU
Aristotle described a friend as "another self." In our culture of isolation and constant distraction, many people struggle to connect with others. At the same time, we tend to overlook key philosophical questions related to the meaning and purpose of friendship. What does it mean to be a good friend? How can we build true friendships as we focus on study, work, and family life? In an age of AI and technological change, what is the value of authentic friendship? To explore these questions, we will discuss ancient and modern thinkers, including Plato, Cicero, Montaigne, Oakeshott and Emerson.
Agenda for each day will be announced in April. Enrollment is open and scholarships are available.
2025
"The program was very enjoyable, especially the Socratic Seminars"
2023 Summer Program student
"The program is great! There is a reason I am back!"
2024 Summer Program student
2022
2023
2024
Past Leaders and Speakers
Jamie Boulding, PhD | Witherspoon Institute, Princeton.
Matthew Kuhner, PhD | St. Bernard's School of Theology
Machessa Samz, PhD | Nazareth University
Alexander Montes, PhD | University of Rochester
Esa Rantanen, PhD | Rochester Institute of Technology
Guillermo Montes, PhD | St. John Fisher University
Victor Saenz, PhD | Houston Institute, Rice.
Matthew Petrusek, PhD | Word on Fire
Past Program Themes
Seeking Truth & Virtue in Higher Education Today
Human Work, Meaning and the Good Life
Truth, Happiness & Meaning
Why be Excellent?
Who we read
Aristotle, Plato, Augustine, Plotinus, Lewis, Younan, Kreeft, Aquinas, Arendt, Pieper, Wojtyla, Newman, Lincoln, Havard, George and others.