Final admission deadline
17 May 2026
General Summer Springboard admission deadline.
In-person Program
World History High School Course
An immersive history seminar using 19th-century archival records to investigate the transatlantic slave trade and produce an original research project.
Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
In-person Program
World History High School Course
An immersive history seminar using 19th-century archival records to investigate the transatlantic slave trade and produce an original research project.
Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
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World History Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Applications open
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
14-18 / Grades 9-12
Location / Region
San Luis Obispo, California
Cost
$2,998 commuter; $5,298 residential
Duration
Two weeks
Format
In-person
Application deadline
Rolling · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Save programHistoryHumanities
Accommodation: Residential and commuter options
Meals: All meals or weekday lunch
Certificate / Outcome: 3 Continuing Education Units
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Main output: Original research portfolio
Teaching: Cal Poly history professor
World History Course summary
This immersive seminar approaches history through authentic 19th-century records connected to the transatlantic slave trade, abolitionist movements and African resistance.
Students interpret handwritten documents, investigate historical questions and build an original primary-source research project rather than simply listening to survey lectures.
It suits students who enjoy close reading, evidence-led argument and focused historical inquiry, particularly those considering history, archival research or related humanities study.
What is World History High School Course?
The World History High School Course is an immersive Summer Springboard seminar delivered on the Cal Poly SLO campus. It focuses on the transatlantic slave trade, abolitionist resistance and African resistance through rare 19th-century archival records.
Students learn by interpreting handwritten logs and Vice Admiralty court documents, developing historical questions and carrying out original research. The practical experience combines college-style academic study with Cal Poly's Learn by Doing approach.
Why Succeed highlights World History Course
Students work directly with authentic manuscripts and archival court records rather than relying only on secondary summaries.
The original research project gives students a substantial academic output that demonstrates historical inquiry and evidence-based analysis.
The curriculum connects detailed historical investigation with broader themes of abolitionist movements, African resistance and socio-legal processes.
Dr. Matt Hopper brings specialist academic experience in slavery, empire and global history.
Residential and commuter routes allow families to choose between a fuller campus experience and daytime participation.
Who is World History Course for?
Best for
Motivated history students who enjoy analyzing original documents, developing evidence-based arguments and completing an independent research project.
Not ideal if
You want a broad chronological survey of world history or prefer a course without sustained reading and discussion of the transatlantic slave trade.
Is World History Course worth it?
This course can be worthwhile for a student seeking genuine historical research experience. Working with primary documents and producing an original project offers more academic depth than a general campus taster.
Its value depends on fit: the subject focus is narrow and the tuition is substantial, particularly for residential participation. Students mainly attracted by the campus name or a broad overview of history may find a less specialized option more useful.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,998 commuter; $5,298 residential; includes Residential tuition includes lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential students receive weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming..
Accommodation
Residential and commuter options
Meals
All meals or weekday lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
Two weeks; San Luis Obispo, California.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does World History Course need?
Effort level
Moderate to high academic commitment.
Best started
Begin six to eight weeks before applying so there is time for the short-answer questions, family planning and required documents.
Main challenge
Turning complex archival evidence into a clear, well-supported historical argument.
Typical preparation
Read introductory material on the transatlantic slave trade, abolitionist movements and historical source criticism.
Practice distinguishing a primary source's content, context, limitations and perspective.
Prepare examples of your academic interests before completing the short-answer application questions.
Families considering residential attendance should discuss travel, health forms and support needs early.
Useful if
You have experience with source analysis, essay writing or independent research.
What do students do on World History Course?
Students investigate the transatlantic slave trade through original 19th-century documents, then use that evidence to construct an independent historical research project.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Read and interpret handwritten documents seized from slave ships.
- 2
Examine logs and Vice Admiralty court records as primary sources.
- 3
Investigate how the trade operated and how abolitionists and captives resisted it.
- 4
Develop a focused historical question from the archival evidence.
- 5
Design and produce an original, well-supported research project.
- 6
Explore strategies for academic grants and fellowships such as Fulbright.
World History Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Session 1
21 June-3 July 2026
Two-week World History course session.
Session 2
5-17 July 2026
Two-week World History course session.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Final admission deadline | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 1 | 21 June-3 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 2 | 5-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students in Grades 9-12
Rising ninth graders may enroll
Recent high-school graduates may enroll
Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent
International students must demonstrate English proficiency
Essential Eligibility Criteria must be met
How much does World History Course cost?
Program tuition
$2,998 commuter; $5,298 residential — Choose daytime or residential participation.
Funding or discounts
- Need-based scholarships: Up to 30% or 60% — Up to 30% residential or 60% commuter tuition.
- Program deposit: $600 — Paid with the application to hold a space.
- Application fee: From $99 — Nonrefundable and may increase during later waves.
- Qualifying discounts: 5% — Selected family, referral and multi-program discounts.
What's included
Residential tuition includes lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential students receive weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming.
How to apply to World History Course
- 1
Ask a parent or guardian to create an account in the application portal.
- 2
Confirm the registration email and complete the account details.
- 3
Select Cal Poly SLO, the preferred session, World History and tuition type.
- 4
Enter the student's contact information and complete the short-answer questions.
- 5
Review and sign the required agreement forms with the student present.
- 6
Pay the $600 deposit and application fee, then submit the completed application.
- 7
Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.
What does World History Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Archival source analysis
Interpret handwritten logs, manuscripts and court records from the 19th century.
Slave trade investigation
Examine how the transatlantic slave trade was organized and contested.
Abolition and resistance
Investigate abolitionist efforts and forms of African resistance through primary evidence.
Original historical research
Design a research project that develops a supported historical analysis.
Academic funding pathways
Explore strategies for grants and fellowships, including Fulbright opportunities.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on World History Course?
A typical day during the program.
9:00am academic course
Students take part in college-style, hands-on study in their chosen field.
1:30pm activity
Students join a recreational activity or course-related academic excursion.
3:00pm workshop
College readiness or True You sessions develop application and personal-growth skills.
7:00pm clubs
Residential students join clubs or other scheduled evening activities.
Who teaches on World History Course?
The named instructor is Dr. Matt Hopper, Professor of History at California Polytechnic State University. His academic work and fellowships span slavery, empire, African history and Commonwealth studies.
The Cal Poly program is run in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education, with Cal Poly faculty teaching and access to university facilities.
Where do students stay on World History Course?
Residential plan
- Campus dormitories: Students share a furnished room with roommates in a Cal Poly residence complex.
- Meals and dining: All meals are included, with campus dining supporting varied dietary needs.
- Residential support: Mentors live on each hall floor and campus staff provide 24-hour emergency support.
- Campus security: Dormitories use electronic keys and university security patrols around the clock.
- Excursions and activities: The experience includes academic excursions, weekend trips and evening activities.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter option: Students attend weekday programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm with lunch included.
Residential students share dorm rooms and common bathrooms on gender-segregated floors.
What happens after World History Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the polished research portfolio as evidence of subject engagement.
Build confidence interpreting primary historical documents.
Develop analytical and writing skills for advanced humanities study.
Explore history, archival scholarship and academic research pathways.
Learn introductory strategies for grants and fellowships such as Fulbright.
Cal Poly campus programs advertise 3 Continuing Education Units through Cal Poly Extended Education.
Where does World History Course take place?
The program is based at Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, between California's rolling hills and Central Coast. Students use campus facilities and can experience university life, nearby beaches, local attractions and course-related excursions.
Commuter students join daytime campus programming, while residential students stay in university dormitories.
World History Course FAQs
The course examines the transatlantic slave trade, abolitionist movements and African resistance through 19th-century archival documents. Students also consider the socio-legal processes represented in British Admiralty trials.
No. It is a focused seminar built around archival investigation of the transatlantic slave trade and related resistance, rather than a broad chronological overview.
Students design and produce an original research project using primary sources. The course describes the resulting work as part of a polished research portfolio.
The named instructor is Dr. Matt Hopper, Professor of History at California Polytechnic State University. His research and fellowship background includes slavery, empire, African history and Commonwealth studies.
Yes. Commuter students attend weekday programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm and receive lunch, the academic course and excursions.
Residential participation includes lodging, all meals, the academic course, excursions and weekend excursions. Residential students also join evening activities and receive on-campus staff support.
A parent or guardian creates the portal account, then selects the campus, session, course and tuition type. The full application takes about 30 minutes, requires the student's presence and includes short-answer questions and agreements.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Terra Education
- Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- Application and Enrollment FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
- (1) New Messages!
- Cal Poly | Campus | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- World History | Cal Poly | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- (1) New Messages!
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What we verified (on 25 Aug 2026)
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