Summer@Stanford 2025: From Pixels to People

From Pixels to People

From Aug. 4–14, OHS students traded Adobe screens for sunshine at Summer@Stanford, a program hosted at Stanford University. For seven to 10 days, students experienced everything from mini-classes and field trips to hallway laughter and late-night games that lasted well past lights out.

Each morning started with mini-classes, short, hands-on sessions taught by OHS instructors that gave students a chance to explore new subjects in a creative, low pressure setting. Topics included Ancient Greek, which explored classical language and culture. Art & Poetry invited students to express themselves creatively through writing and visual art. Beyond Service focused on community engagement and leadership. Students also explored Stanford’s natural beauty in Birds of Stanford, crafted handmade embroidery pieces, and even crocheted the school mascot in a mini-class called Crochet Your Own Pixel! The classes may have been “mini,” but the creativity was not. 

Afternoons were filled with student life events that turned the campus into a hub of activity. There were trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, visits to the local farmer’s market, pool days and a dance party that had everyone singing and dancing along. Students also celebrated House Pride Day, where the five houses– PiPhi, KAT, Terra, ZAP and Tridelt, showed off their spirit through games, chants and face paint. 

Then came fountain hopping, a tradition that no Summer@Stanford is complete without. Groups of students ran between fountains across campus, laughing and shoving each other into the water. Some OHSers explored nearby spots like Tressider, the Stanford Bookstore, and, of course, the unofficial headquarters of most OHS students: Starbucks and Jamba Juice. 
But Summer@Stanford wasn’t just about the scheduled events, it was about the smaller but unforgettable moments in between. Students gathered in dorm lounges to play Mafia and every kind of card game. They ran across campus for headcounts and talked late into the night. 

When asked if they would recommend the program, seventh grader Valentia Calderon ‘30 said, “It was definitely making so many amazing friends and connections and going to the boardwalk to try all the rides.” 

As the sun set on the final day, students found themselves reminiscing about their favorite memories and friendships. Though classes and exams have since resumed, Summer@Stanford continues to live on through the stories, laughter and connections formed along the way. For most, it wasn’t just a summer program. It was the start of something unforgettable.