When most teens learn they’ll need to go to summer school, they immediately think of being trapped indoors while their friends are all out enjoying fun summer plans.

At Lake Tahoe Prep, we’ve completely flipped the script on summer school. As a Northern California preparatory school nestled in one of the most gorgeous areas on earth, we figured out a way for students to earn school credits AND enjoy an unforgettable summer.

While the winter months put us on the map for our world-class skiing, locals know a secret: summer in Olympic Valley is pure magic. Up here, we have crystal clear lakes, endless hiking trails, and perfect 75-degree days with cool mountain evenings.

Our location gives our prep school in California a major advantage.

Where else can students:

• Take a biology class in the morning, then identify the same ecosystems on an afternoon hike?
• Study astronomy at night while actually seeing the Milky Way?
• Write journal entries with their feet dangling in an alpine lake?

When teens receive the right balance of independence and support, something remarkable happens. Our structured summer program at this California preparatory school hits that sweet spot.

Students live in dorms with typically one or two roommates. Our dorm parents— who are equal parts mentors, guides, and sometimes surrogate parents— help to create a warm and supportive home-away-from-home environment.

Students maintain their living spaces and follow daily routines in a supportive environment. Dorm life helps to foster:

• Organization
• Time management
• Personal responsibility

The residential structure of our program helps students develop life skills that parents notice when they return home.

Weekends at our Northern California preparatory school are what Instagram dreams are made of (though we actually encourage phone-free time).

Students venture out to explore:

• Hidden beaches along  Lake Tahoe's 72 miles of shoreline
• Historic gold rush towns with stories around every corner
• Majestic waterfalls tucked into mountain canyons
• Local farmers' markets and art festivals that showcase Sierra culture

While the adventures students have here is what draws teens (and parents) to us, our California prep school is focused on academics—

Classes are small (usually under eight students), intensive, and designed to either help students catch up or leap ahead.

Summers at Lake Tahoe Prep allow your teen to get caught up on necessary credits so that they can graduate with their class— all while enjoying the best of this Olympic Valley season.

Curious about what your teen will actually experience at our Northern California preparatory school summer program?

Here’s the rhythm of a typical day:



7:00 AM: Wake-up (students are lured awake by mountain sunshine and breakfast smells)
7:30 AM: Breakfast in our dining hall 
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Academic sessions in small, engaging classes
12:30 PM: Lunch and short break
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Outdoor adventures and activities
5:15 PM: Dinner
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Supervised study hall and evening activities
11:00 PM: Lights out (extended on weekends)

This schedule strikes the perfect balance— enough structure to make academic progress, enough adventure to create lasting memories, and plenty of downtime to provide opportunities for reflection and personal growth.

The skills that stick from summer at our prep school in California aren’t just academic.

Families may find their teens come home with:

• A newfound sense of responsibility
• Better communication skills
• Surprising resourcefulness
• New confidence

Many families report significant changes in their students after the summer program. The combination of academic achievement, outdoor challenges, and community living often translates to increased confidence and willingness to embrace new experiences back home.

Our summer program might be perfect if your teen:

• Needs academic credits, but is dreading sitting in summer school
• Seems glued to screens and needs a digital detox in nature
• Could use a confidence boost in a new environment
• Thrives with physical activity mixed into their day
• Might benefit from a "test run" of boarding school life

As one of the established prep schools in California, we’ve seen how the right summer experience can be transformative—socially, emotionally, and academically.

Want to learn more about eschewing traditional summer school for mountain adventures with new friends at our Northern California preparatory school? Check out our summer program for course details, dates, and enrollment information.

Summer at Lake Tahoe Prep isn't just about keeping teens busy or earning credits— though it accomplishes both. It's about showing students how learning happens everywhere, especially beyond classroom walls.

Ready to give your teen a summer school experience they'll actually thank you for? Contact our admissions team to learn how we can tailor our program to your teen’s needs.