We like to think of our programs as a precursor to college – and at many colleges and universities, students who live within close distance to campus are not required to live on campus. Commuter students get the benefits of our engaging academics and can network with like-minded peers, but they don’t need to live on-campus if they already have a place to stay!
We offer commuter programs for both our high school and middle school programs.
Apply NowDo commuter students eat on campus?
Commuter students typically must bring their own lunch or must purchase meals at the dining hall unless otherwise stated in the program details. Our staff will work with students to obtain the necessary on-campus spending cards necessary to purchase lunches on campus. Students are encouraged to eat with their peers on campus for lunch! Lunch is included in tuition for only some campuses. Our client services and sales team can help you determine if you’ll need to plan for your own lunch – or if it’s included in your fees!
Do commuter students live on campus? What are the requirements for commuter students?
Commuter students do not live on campus. They must travel to campus each day for the program. Commuter students must live with a parent/grandparent/guardian who is above the age of 28 and are full-time occupants of their residence while they are enrolled in the program.
How long are commuter students on campus each day?
Students are part of the program during the time they are on campus, from roughly 9am-5pm daily. During these times, our staff members provide direct support and supervision to ensure a positive and engaging experience. Some days commuter students may be eligible to stay on campus longer based on that day’s evening activity plans.
What academic courses can commuter students take?
Commuter students take the same courses as our residential students. Commuter students take 2 academic periods a day consisting of either 2 courses, 1 academy (that spans 2 periods), or 1 Career Accelerator (that spans the course of a day). Occasionally, there may be some courses not suited for commuter students as a course may require departure from campus at specific times each day. These varied times make it challenging for a commuter student to take certain courses.
Do commuter students have staff support when on campus?
While in our care, our commuter students are part of the Summer Discovery family. During their time on campus, they receive the full support of our staff. If they have any concerns or issues, our staff members support their needs. There is a dedicated commuter student counselor to help with their needs and questions.
Can commuter students participate in activities?
Commuter students are welcome to participate in our on-campus activities. These activities are included in tuition. Commuter students do not participate in our evening activities or weekend trips or activities.
Can commuter students participate in workshops and presentations?
Commuter students are welcome to attend any of our on-campus college, career, and networking events
What about parking for commuter students? How is that handled?
For each of our campuses, we have different suggestions on how the commuter students should get to class. Based on your campus, your client services representative will guide you to resources for parking and transportation. Parking and transportation expenses are not included in tuition.
*Answers to these questions may differ slightly for our Junior Discovery Commuter Programs. We provide INCREASED supervision for commuter on our middle school programs and have slightly different policies.