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Rising high school seniors from around the country and the world will gather on the campuses of Thomas Aquinas College this summer as the College’s beloved High School Great Books Program returns to full form.

“We are thrilled that our High School Program will be available this summer, both in ����ӰԺ and New England, and that it will once again feature the popular off-campus outings of past years,” says Admissions Director Jon Daly. “For students looking to spend time reading great books, deepening their faith, and making lifelong friendships, there’s no better way to spend two weeks.”

Thanks to rigorous safety precautions that involved testing for COVID-19 before and after arriving on campus, the College was able to successfully host the in-person program in 2020. “We had some 200 teenagers on our two campuses, many of them traveling great distances to get here, and zero infections in either location,” says Mr. Daly. “That was a wonderful affirmation that, even during difficult times, it was still possible to safely host this life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime experience for the students who seek it out.”

In most regards, last year’s program was like any other, except that it did not include the usual off-campus outings. “We knew we needed to limit our students’ exposure to the outside world, and most of the excursion sites were closed anyway,” Mr. Daly explains. “But this year, with the pandemic seemingly in retreat, nearly all of the venues are back in business, and our students will be there!”

On the ����ӰԺ campus, where the Summer Program runs from July 11-24, that means students will likely visit the Getty Center museum, Santa Barbara and the beach, plus take in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Plans are still under way for events during the following two weeks on the New England campus, but they will feature a kayaking expedition along the Connecticut River, a trip to a nearby drive-in movie theater, as well as a possible concert and mountain hike.

“It’s important that the Summer Program gives students not only a taste of the academic, spiritual, and social life of the campus, but also the natural and cultural resources of the area,” says Mr. Daly. “And by God’s grace this year’s program will do that in abundance!”

The Program is open to all students who will have completed their junior year of high school by this summer. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone, but I imagine that students who have had to forego in-person education this year will find it especially rewarding,” says Mr. Daly. “The experience of discussions around a classroom table, praying together in our beautiful chapels, and just getting to be with like-minded friends will be a very welcome change for many. Those who are interested in attending would be wise to get their applications in soon.”