Transform Your Summer at UC San Diego Leadership for Impact: Strengthfinding Academy
Discover everything UC San Diego has to offer you this summer.
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UC San Diego Offers World-Class Pre-College Academic Programs for Students.
Summer Discovery at UC San Diego offers an immersive academic experience through the Leadership for Impact: Strengthfinding Academy, designed for students eager to explore their strengths and apply them to real-world challenges. The program emphasizes collaborative discovery, critical thinking, and purposeful action through interactive lectures, workshops, simulations, and design challenges.
Students engage with case studies of prominent leaders and changemakers who have driven meaningful social change, gaining insight into how values, empathy, and trust play a role in effective leadership. With a strong focus on self-reflection and problem-solving, participants learn how to identify real issues in their own communities and mobilize others toward positive impact.
Outside the classroom, students can enjoy a wide range of on-campus and off-campus activities that take full advantage of San Diego’s unique location. From campus events like karaoke nights, trivia, paint nights, and scavenger hunts to weekend excursions to La Jolla Shores Beach, the San Diego Zoo, Padres baseball games, and the Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore and unwind.
With its year-round climate, coastal lifestyle, and diverse neighborhoods, San Diego provides an inspiring backdrop for both learning and connection. After a day of intellectually engaging coursework and collaboration with peers, students can relax along the Pacific coastline or explore the city—creating an unforgettable summer experience with Summer Discovery.
UC San Diego offers students an exceptional summer setting that blends academic rigor with natural beauty.
Leadership for Impact Academy builds strengths in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving through immersive workshops.
True campus life with karaoke nights, trivia, scavenger hunts, and socials designed to spark friendships and confidence.
Pre-college academics for grades 9–12 that prepare students for university expectations and independent learning.
A vibrant San Diego setting with year-round sunshine, coastal energy, and space to grow academically and socially.
A smart balance of academic challenge and fun, with beach days, Padres games, the San Diego Zoo, and local cultural trips.
Immerse yourself in an unparalleled educational experience at UC San Diego
Located in La Jolla, one of California’s most prestigious coastal communities. Just minutes from downtown San Diego, the campus is surrounded by world-renowned beaches, a thriving biotech and innovation ecosystem, and a vibrant cultural scene.
The Perfect Summer Program
Our students are committed to lifelong learning. From accelerated and advanced learning starting in elementary school, through pre-college summer experiences at top universities, our students are able to build their college resumes and start off on the right foot. The Summer Discovery experience helps students prepare for the future by exposing them to different academic pursuits, advanced hands-on educational experiences that immerse them in specific fields of interest, and fostering soft skills that will allow them to thrive in school, university life, and beyond.
Whether you attend a Summer Discovery Middle School, High School, or Institute for the Gifted, you're part of a family that has connected each of us over the last five decades.