Our high school, college-level programs lead to rewarding careers

DigiPen Academy offers college-level programs for high school students during the school year, and an intensive 3-week session during the summer. These rigorous academic programs are designed to give students a head start on their post-secondary studies, add depth to their college applications, and provide them with an opportunity to earn Advanced Placement (AP) credits, or credit at DigiPen Institute of Technology.

Most important, students have the opportunity to explore a passion or potential career in-depth through a balance of academic theory and hands-on projects, and by learning the “real life” creative and personal skills that lead to success in the industry. In addition to completing a projects-based curriculum, students gain exposure to a collegiate environment on the Institute campus, and have access to opportunities like college mentoring and shadowing.

DigiPen Academy’s five course tracks are Art & Animation, Data Analytics, Game Design, Video Game Programming, and Music & Sound Design. Our high school academic programs are delivered through school districts affiliated with WANIC Skill Center, and taught at the DigiPen campus in Redmond, Washington.

About WANIC Skill Center

The Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC) is a regional skills center cooperative of select school districts in Northeast King County. WANIC provides advanced-level Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs based on rigorous academic and industry standards, which prepare students for post-secondary education and successful entry into high-skill, high-demand careers and employment.

WANIC Skill Center programs are delivered through a system of branch campuses in seven participating districts:

  • Bellevue
  • Issaquah
  • Lake Washington
  • Mercer Island
  • Northshore
  • Riverview
  • Snoqualmie Valley

There are five tracks for WANIC Programs:

WANIC Programs Overview

Each WANIC course is 540 hours and run through the entire academic school year, Monday through Friday for 2.5 hours each day. Students can choose morning, afternoon or after-school sessions.

To register for a WANIC program, you must attend an online WANIC information session. If you do not see session dates below, please visit the WANIC website for dates and registration information.

Full Year applications are open early February.

Summer applications are open middle of April.

Prerequisites:

This program is primarily for students entering their Junior or Senior year of high school in the fall, but younger students are accepted by permission.

Students must attend an information session at DigiPen as a requisite to their application with WANIC.

  • Video Game Programming requires Algebra 2 or instructor permission
  • Data Analytics & Visualization requires Algebra 2 or instructor permission

Credits:

For the 2023-2024 school year, WANIC students can earn DigiPen Institute of Technology college credit for Art & Animation Year 1, Music & Sound Design Year 1 and 2, Game Design Year 1, and Video Game Programming Year 1 and 2.

See WANIC website for more information on credits.

Instructors:

Our instructors are outstanding, highly trained and passionate about their respective fields. Instructors impart their years of knowledge and experience to teach and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Category:

WANIC

Timeframe:

School Year

Format:

Onsite

Program Dates:

September to June

Registration:

Apply on the WANIC website.
Priority application window
February 6 - April 15, 2024.

Location:

DigiPen Institute, Redmond Campus

Schedule:

For schedule, see the WANIC website.

Tuition:

No tuition costs/fees; funded by the State

WANIC Programs require attendance to an Info Session

All Sessions are Online.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PST

Zoom links will be emailed out the week of the session.

WANIC Info Sessions:

  • Monday: January 22nd
  • Wednesday: February 21st
  • Wednesday: March 27th
  • Monday: April 22nd
  • Wednesday: May 15th
  • Monday: June 10th
  • *Wednesday: July 24th
  • *Monday: August 12th

*Subject to Cancellation

WANIC Summer Programs Overview

WANIC Skill Center also offers three-week DigiPen Academy programs during the summer.

Summer applications are open Tuesday March 26, 2024 (9:00 AM) - Thursday April 25, 2024. Register and view the details of the application process at the WANIC Summer Courses website.

Please contact us at (425) 629-5007 or academy@digipen.edu for more information on WANIC Summer Programs or see our  FAQ page.

Timeframe:

Summer

Format:

Onsite

Program Dates:

June 26 - July 17,  2024
No school Thursday July 4th
No school Friday July 5th.

Registration:

Apply on the WANIC website.
Application window TENTATIVE
March 24 - April 25, 2024.

Location:

DigiPen Institute, Redmond Campus

Schedule:

For schedule, see the WANIC website.

We offer five program tracks that prepare students for college

DigiPen academy icon animation artist palette symbol
WANIC

The program focuses on building a strong foundation of traditional arts skills, critical animation principles and techniques.

DigiPen academy icon data analytics computer screen with graph
WANIC

This program explores complex real-world data, mathematical topics and the use of artificial intelligence tools to automate analysis processes.

DigiPen academy icon game design game controller symbol
WANIC

This program is for creative-minded students who want to understand the psychology behind games and learn the skills used for designing engaging interactive experiences.

DigiPen academy icon game programming code symbol
WANIC

For students who want to pursue a career as a game developer, this signature program provides a solid foundation.

DigiPen academy icon music and sound headphones
WANIC

This program focuses on the creative and technical aspects of music and sound design, production, and implementation.

WANIC Student Showcase

Learn more about our programs with these inspiring stories from past students.