The BSA and BSA Foundation aim to create opportunities for local students to build awareness about architecture while exploring potential career paths. By partnering with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), the BSA is able to connect interested Boston Public School (BPS) students with paid career exploration and internship opportunities for the duration of their high school careers.

The Architecture/Design High School Internship provides public high school students with the opportunity to explore architecture through a six-week immersion at local architecture firms. Students represent a variety of BPS high schools and range from rising 10th-grade students to new graduates. With participating firms ranging in size, approach, and focus, returning interns experience a unique perspective on architecture each summer.

This program is the annual culmination of BSA's partnership with the PIC (2017-present), matching architecture firms in the BSA's network with students interested in architecture/design. Each architecture placement is also part of the City of Boston's Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program (FutureBOS), an initiative that aims to place 10,000 Boston youth in paid opportunities each summer.

To supplement the weekly internship (Monday-Thursday), participating interns benefit from a Summer Fridays series developed by the BSA. Through 6 weeks, students engage with architecture in the city through neighborhood tours before completing the summer with a firm crawl and share out of their work.

Evolving each year, the Architecture/Design High School Internship connects students with real-world paths to the profession, firms with the next generation, and like-minded design education providers with one another.

2026

Dates
Intern Application Opens: February 20, 2026
Internship Fair: April 30, 2026
Internship: July 6-August 14, 2026

Location
Local architecture firms

Application
Boston Public School high school students apply through Boston PIC.

Program

Type
Internship

Grade Levels
9-12, Boston Public Schools

Timeframe
2017-present

Timeline
November-February: Firm interest and intake
February: Student applications launch
March-June: Firm internship planning
April-May: Student interviews and hiring
July-August: Internship and Summer Fridays
September: Firm Debriefs
Ongoing: Cross-firm support

Collaborators

Partner
Boston Private Industry Council

Current Host Firms
Bergmeyer
Goody Clancy
HMFH Architects
Leers Weinzapfel
Payette
RODE Architects

Student Involvement

Applications are accepted annually through the PIC. Students must be enrolled at a Boston Public School high school to apply. Application information is available each February through the PIC.

Firm Involvement

Interested in hosting a high school internship at your firm next summer or learning more about the program? The BSA and PIC are here to help, as well as a network of firms currently hosting internships. Contact Taylor Johnson (BSA) and Cara Brooks (PIC) for more information.

Not able to hire, but interested in getting involved? Consider supporting the program as a non-host firm by sponsoring supplementary intern activities or participating in our Summer Fridays activities.

Support

Thank you to all the firms who have participated and supported the development of this program, including the AIA College of Fellows for their support in 2025. To support this and other K-12 programs, consider donating to the BSA Foundation.

Learn more about K-12 Design Education