Summer Leadership Programs for Girls
Summer in Farmington
The Summer in Farmington programs offer girls an opportunity to live on campus for one week or more, learning and collaborating with their peers in an environment that supports their development as future leaders.
In our inclusive and supportive environment, middle and high school girls are given individualized attention by world class faculty. Joining us in Farmington, Connecticut, on Miss Porter’s School’s beautiful campus, girls will be inspired to let their curiosity and confidence soar as they connect with each other while learning to lead, collaborate, and become informed, bold, resourceful, ethical global citizens.
Summer Programs for Middle Schoolers
Our summer programs for middle schoolers are designed to provide girls entering grades 6 through 9 the opportunity to experience Porter’s residential community while learning lifelong leadership skills from the leader in girls’ education.
Girls thrive in our supportive, collaborative environment where curiosity and confidence blossom. They complete their programs with a greater understanding of all they can accomplish as informed, bold, resourceful, ethical global citizens.
The summer program for middle schoolers offers two sessions a week for three weeks running July 9 - 29, 2023.
Note: you will be taken to our registration website that request you to create a login to access the Summer in Farmington registration forms.

Programs fill on a first-come, first-served basis. A deposit payment must be made to reserve a space at the time of registration in a program by check or credit card. All payments made after June 15 are non-refundable.
The TOEFL and English language proficiency are required for international students.
For more information, please contact Lauren Bahre ’09, director of middle school summer programs, at lbahre@missporters.org or 860-409-3679.
July 9 - 15, 2023
What
Porter’s graduates leaders who have the vision, determination, character, and capacity to shape a changing world. Sarah Porter Leadership Institute (Level 1), Porter’s longest running summer program, offers middle school girls opportunities to learn, practice, and hone the necessary skills to be strong female leaders. Each day, girls encounter exciting challenges to facilitate discovery of their personal leadership styles. Leadership activities focus on problem-solving, skill development, teamwork, and trust. Guest speakers, community service, and a visit to a ropes course provide forums for personal reflection and goal setting.
When
Sunday, July 9 – Saturday, July 15, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
What
Girls who attend The Institute for Global Education: Issues to Action are introduced to an interdisciplinary approach to learning. They explore complex contemporary issues and come to understand the diverse communities that shape our world. Following a trip to the United Nations in NYC, girls learn about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and take on a project focused on one of those goals. They complete the program with a deeper understanding of the relevance of global issues and how to become a change-maker.
When
Sunday, July 9 – Saturday, July 15, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
July 16 - 22, 2023
What
Girls who have attended the Sarah Porter Leadership Institute (Level 1) gain more extensive leadership experience in SPLI Level 2, which focuses on resilience and risk-taking. They learn to participate both as team members and as leaders as they resolve conflicts, solve problems, and expand their comfort zones. The program includes an off-campus two-night camping and whitewater rafting trip, community service in the Hartford area, and a culminating experience on a high ropes course.
When
Sunday, July 16 – Saturday, July 22, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
What
Porter’s TIE: Idea Lab allows girls to study and work in the interconnected fields of science and technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The program prepares girls to lead successfully and address social issues in a technologically-driven society. They use Porter’s iLab to explore computer coding, laser cutting, and 3D printing. They also learn about virtual and augmented reality, become social entrepreneurs, visit women-owned businesses, and use technology to provide solutions to complex problems that make a positive contribution to the world.
When
Sunday, July 16 – Saturday, July 22, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
July 23 - 29, 2023
What
The Leading Well program introduces middle school girls to a multidimensional understanding of wellness, with a focus on building self-awareness, confidence, and resiliency. The program offers an introduction to fun and creative ways to enhance one’s own well-being through activities like journaling, creative arts, mindful movement, yoga, improv comedy, cooking, gardening, and hiking! Throughout these activities, girls will reflect on their own wellness journey as they explore seven important dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and intellectual.
When
Sunday, July 23 – Saturday, July 29, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
What
Through Science in Our Backyard, girls are empowered to lead in the interdisciplinary field of STEAM (STEM+Art). They participate in exciting interactive activities in technology, design, and art while exploring the natural history of the greater Farmington area, taking almost daily walking trips to the Farmington River banks and local garden plots. Field trips include the Connecticut Science Center, the Institute for American Indian Studies, and Sub Edge Farm, a biodynamic organic farm. Girls ultimately undertake a project applicable to the local community and complete the program with a better understanding of sustainability and impact.
When
Sunday, July 23 – Saturday, July 29, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
Note: you will be taken to our registration website that request you to create a login to access the Summer in Farmington registration forms.
Available Add-on Services
What
International students seeking cultural immersion and enrichment during Porter’s Middle School Summer Programs are encouraged to participate in the International+ Program. Each student will select three week-long programs from our offerings, and the programs of choice are supplemented with:
- Daily cultural check-ins and language support (as needed).
- Weekend excursions in Connecticut, Boston, and New York.
- Transportation to/from JFK (NYC) airport on Sunday, July 9th and Sunday, July 30th.
When
Sunday, July 9 – Sunday, July 30, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
What
Students may elect to remain on campus over the weekend if they are attending multiple weeks of summer programs. Students who choose to stay will be offered laundry services, regular meals, and activities on and off campus.
When
Saturday, July 15 – Sunday, July 16, 2023
Saturday, July 22 – Sunday, July 23, 2023
Cost in USD:
$100 per weekend

Summer Programs for High Schoolers
Our summer programs for high school students is an opportunity for girls to explore their roles as activists, innovators and leaders.
Do you feel passionate about making a change in your community or the world? Then join us on the beautiful campus at Miss Porter’s School as a boarding or day student. Explore pressing global issues in the region through exciting field trips, meeting and learning from experts, and participating in fun, inspiring, hands-on learning and projects.
The summer program for high schoolers offers a week-long session running from July 9 - 15, 2023.
Note: you will be taken to our registration website that request you to create a login to access the Summer in Farmington registration forms.
Throughout the week, you will work collaboratively with your peers on an action-oriented project using design thinking while developing skills in critical thinking, communication, creativity, civic responsibility, self-confidence and leadership. Our fully immersive program is uniquely designed to take you out of the classroom and into the world, while learning, making new friends, and developing key 21st century skills.
Programs fill on a first-come, first-serve basis. A deposit payment must be made to reserve a space at the time of registration in a program by credit card. All payments made after June 15 are non-refundable. For more information please contact Lesley Skenderian, director of high school summer programs, at lskenderian@missporters.org or 860-839-9444.
What
Climate change is affecting human activities and threatening our environment and the way we live. Become better informed about the climate crisis by learning about environmental justice, how it impacts girls and women, and how to take action locally and globally, while understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives and learning how to respectfully communicate and collaborate across differences. Engage with guest speakers, panelists, participate in workshops, and go on field trips to:
- Blue Hill Compost & Bioreactor
- EPA Superfund Sites
- CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection
- United Nations in NYC
Through these site visits and other activities, you will learn about and address the need for people of all cultures, races and socioeconomic backgrounds to receive fair and equitable protection from environmental and health hazards.
When
Sunday, July 9 – Saturday, July 15, 2023
Cost in USD:
$950 for Day student
$1500 for Boarding student
Note: you will be taken to our registration website that request you to create a login to access the Summer in Farmington registration forms.
July 9 - 15, 2023
July 16 - 22, 2023
What
Having the opportunity to play a sport has the potential to change the lives of women and girls. Participation in sports is a significant factor in driving gender equality by fostering teamwork, building confidence, and developing resilience in women and girls, while dismantling stereotypes and promoting women’s leadership and more equal economic opportunities.
Investigate the impact that policies and laws have had on women’s sports locally and internationally by meeting lawmakers, coaches, professors and women athletes, including visiting ESPN. You will address some of the disparities that continue to exist in terms of pay and media coverage as well as the sexualization of female athletes and the experiences of LGBTQ+ athletes.
When
Sunday, July 16 – Saturday, July 22, 2023
Cost in USD:
$950 for Day student
$1500 for Boarding student
July 23 - 29, 2023
What
We are facing unprecedented times. It is necessary to innovate around our use of water, air and renewable energy to find development solutions that serve both the present and future generations. Urban development aims to help the welfare of all people in their communities and is especially necessary to promote, maintain, and strive for healthy and sustainable spaces.
The UN Development Programme states “the ways cities are designed, built, run and maintained affect women’s learning, work, leisure, political and cultural participation; they can foster community networks and shape how safe they feel in their daily lives.”
You will examine the use of urban planning to promote sustainable development by engaging with experts in the field, visiting an architecture firm and an urban farm in Hartford, along with regional urban exploration.
When
Sunday, July 23 – Saturday, July 29, 2023
Cost in USD:
$950 for Day student
$1500 for Boarding student
Available Add-on Services
What
International students seeking cultural enrichment and an introduction to the college process during Porter’s High School Summer Programs are encouraged to participate in the International+ Program. In order to enroll in this program, students must register for all three weeks of High School Summer Programs, which will be supplemented by:
- Introduction to the U.S. college process, including the college essay
- Weekend excursions in Connecticut, Boston and New York City
- Transportation to and from JFK (NYC) airport on Sunday, July 9 and Sunday, July 30
When
Sunday, July 9 – Sunday, July 30, 2023
Cost: $1500 USD
What
Students may elect to remain on campus over the weekend if they are attending multiple weeks of summer programs. Students who choose to stay will be offered laundry services, regular meals, and activities on and off campus.
When
Saturday, July 15 – Sunday, July 16, 2023
Saturday, July 22 – Sunday, July 23, 2023
Cost in USD:
$100 per weekend
Sample Schedule

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