Limited Enrollment . . . Apply Online Today!
SAT Prep, Creative Arts, Culinary Arts and More . . .
Celebrating 19 Years of Pre-College Enrichment for High School Students
Safety and Supervision – Our #1 Priority
Limited Enrollment . . . Apply Online Today!
Luxury Accommodations Featuring Private Bathrooms, Swimming Pool and Air Conditioning
ACA provides you with unbeatable adventures all summer long, transporting you in comfort and style to a host of vibrant destinations. This distinctive part of ACA provides uniquely enriching, exciting opportunities for growth, learning and entertainment. ACA weekend adventures create a truly rewarding summer experience.
Our summer programs include visits to the superstar cities of Chicago and San Diego at the peak of their summertime excitement. As if that weren’t enough, we turn the volume up a notch with trips to Six Flags Great America, Summerfest Music Festival, Magic Mountain and Huntington Beach. Plus, there’ll be plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas that make Madison and Malibu spectacular. As always, the cost for these adventures is already included in your tuition!
Northwestern University– Enjoy a full tour of this beautiful Big 10 campus, situated on the shores of Lake Michigan.
University of Chicago– Visit this gorgeous Hyde Park campus, home to more Nobel Prize-winning professors than any other school in the world.
Art Institute or Shedd Aquarium– Based on your interest, you’ll either take in the world-renowned collection at the famed Art Institute or enjoy the depth of aquatic life showcased at the Shedd Aquarium.
Blue Man Group– You’ve seen them in the computer-chip commercials, wait until you see these guys live! Blue Man Group shows have swept the country, from New York to Chicago to Las Vegas, with an intense barrage of sight and sound, art and action. ACA gets you front-row seats, so you can bet that you’re gonna get wet!
Michigan Avenue/Oak Street– Niketown, Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany, Pottery Barn, Ralph Lauren – all the finest shops are right here on Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile.
Navy Pier– Eat, shop and play at this modern mall and entertainment complex – built right on a genuine Chicago landmark (which happens to be out in the water). Make sure you check out the awesome Omnimax Theater for a 360-degree cinematic experience!
Foodlife– Grab a tray at this gourmet food court and work your way through a world of new tastes and favorite flavors, from exotic ethnic dishes to classic comfort food.
Chicago-Style Pizza Dinner– This deep-dish style is famous the world over. Get ready to chow down with your new friends! If pizza is not your bag, don’t be concerned – we also offer an all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar.
Summerfest Celebration– This weeklong celebration is the biggest Fourth of July event in the country! Hundreds of thousands of people come to the shores of Lake Michigan to hear performers like Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Taylor Swift and Nickelback. There’s plenty of great food, and even an entire amusement park right in the heart of the festivities!
Outdoor Evening Concert– Catch one of the country’s top music acts while overlooking a moonlit Lake Michigan.
Six Flags Great America– If you’re a thrill seeker, Six Flags is the place for you. It’s the home of some of the most intense roller-coasters in the country. Of course, there are plenty of games and stage shows for those of you who would rather stay on the ground!
Magic Mountain– If you’re a thrill-seeker, Magic Mountain has to be tops on your list. Ride some of the most intense roller-coasters in the country. If you’d rather keep both feet on the ground, there are plenty of carnival games and stage shows.
Huntington Beach– This is the West Coast’s longest stretch of clean, uninterrupted beachfront. Enjoy a day at the beach in the city that defines Southern California. Best known as Surf City, USA, here’s the ideal example of West Coast fashion, food and lifestyle.
San Diego Zoo– This animal sanctuary is actually the world’s leading zoo. Admire more than 800 species and 4,000 animals, including the mighty giant panda.
Sea World– Part amusement park, part aquarium, part outdoor marine zoo, this theme park has everything from shark encounters to orca shows. Ride the aerial tram over the bay and soar in the gently rotating sky tower. Of course, you have to say hello to Shamu.
La Jolla– Surrounded by the sea and the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla has a real Mediterranean feel set amongst West Coast splendor. The bustling business district offers chic boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, with a mix of turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture and eccentric modern designs.
Mission and Pacific Beaches– Miles of coastline offer the best sand and surf on the Pacific. Take a break from the waves and sip a smoothie while checking out the surf shops. Looking for a thrill? See if you can handle the Giant Dipper roller-coaster!
Seaport Village– This huge outdoor waterfront property has over 70 trendy stores. Right on the coast and overflowing with summertime excitement, Seaport Village makes the perfect shopping destination.
Balboa Park– The largest urban cultural park in America, home to major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo.
For a guaranteed incredible weekend, there’s no beating San Francisco! From the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge to the natural beauty of Muir Woods, the City by the Bay is no doubt one of the prettiest on the Pacific, if not all of America! And for things to do, San Francisco is second to none. Take a sightseeing tour of Alcatraz Island, ride the cable cars to Union Square or check out the unforgettable dining and shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf. Baseball fans may be able to catch the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants in action, and art lovers have an unlimited supply of world-renowned galleries and museums to choose from.
Fisherman’s Wharf– Set overlooking beautiful San Francisco Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf features great shopping, some of the freshest seafood in the country, and amazing street performers of incredible variety. Fisherman’s Wharf has been THE place to be in San Francisco since 1946!
Pier 39– Located on Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 packs a serious punch! You can see the sea lions, take a whale-watching tour, find your way through the incredible Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, thrill to the ride of your life on RocketBoat, or ride the movies (you heard us!) at the Turbo Ride 4-D Experience. This place is FUN!
Alcatraz– Formerly the home of America’s most notorious prison, Alcatraz Island also has astonishing marine life, rare flowers and plants, and buildings dating back to the Civil War. There’s no end to what you can learn and see.
Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park– Take a trip that feels like you’ve gone across the ocean and back in time. The five-acre Japanese Tea Garden is an enchanting and fascinating experience – not to be missed!
Golden Gate Bridge– Completed way back in 1937, this fantastic bridge remains a technical marvel and the most recognizable symbol of San Francisco. Put on some comfortable shoes and walk the 1.7 miles across for a view you won’t believe!
Union Square– San Francisco’s shopping paradise! Be it in fashion, food or anything else, you’ll find all the very best names. A great place for serious shoppers or to just walk around and take in the sights.
Chinatown– Breathtaking in its scope of history, beauty, art, architecture (and food!), spending part of your day in San Francisco’s Chinatown is an exotic vacation in and of itself.
Muir Woods to Stinson Beach Hike– Take an unforgettable hike through the majestic Redwood forest to the stunning views of the California Coast. Along the way you’ll see eye-popping ravines, lush and diverse plants, and wildlife of every sort. An absolute must for the hiker or nature lover!
Ghirardelli Square– Shops, restaurants and – of course – chocolate! One of San Fran's historic sites, it’s an ideal place for people-watching, putting a dent in your credit cards, and noshing on decadent desserts.
Cable Car– Originally an alternative to horses on the slippery San Fran slopes, the cable car system is a must for anyone wanting a timeless tour of this beautiful city. It’s Frisco's favorite way to get around!
(Supplemental fee: $895*)
*Transportation costs are not included in your tuition.
