10 Business Management Programs for High School Students
Are you a high school student with an interest in business and a drive to learn? Gaining hands-on experience through business management internships and programs can be valuable for your academic and career future. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best business management programs for high school students.
These internships offer you a deep dive into essential business practices like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and leadership. Through real-world projects, mentorship, and exposure to business environments, you’ll gain invaluable insights that go beyond classroom learning. Moreover, these experiences will help you build a strong foundation for your college applications, showcasing your initiative, commitment to growth, and serious interest in a business career.
The Young Founder's Lab is a start-up boot camp led by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you'll build a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem with guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google and Microsoft.
Alongside developing your start-up, you'll engage in interactive classes on business fundamentals, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This program is a great chance to explore the business world in high school, offering a space to learn both theoretical and practical approaches to creating a successful business. Check out the program’s brochure for more details.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The Winter cohort starts in December
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort. You can access the application form here!
Ladder Internship is a selective program offering students virtual internships at startups and nonprofits worldwide. These startups span various industries, allowing you to choose a field you want to explore in depth. It's an excellent opportunity to discover potential career paths and gain a better understanding of professional opportunities in those areas. Most startups are based in the United States, Asia, Europe, and the UK, with fields including technology, AI, finance, environmental science, business, healthcare, media, and more. Students interested in business management can choose the business and growth track. You can see all the tracks on the application form.
During the internship, you'll work on a real-world project that meets a genuine need of the startup and present your work at the end. You'll be guided by a manager from the startup and a Ladder Coach, who will serve as a mentor and help you navigate the startup environment. You'll also receive one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other essential skills, with opportunities to attend group training sessions with fellow interns. The program typically lasts 8 weeks.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. December 16, 2024 onwards for the upcoming Winter cohort
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program selects hundreds of community-minded high school students each year. These students intern with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, gaining community service experience through a paid eight-week internship. The program aims to build your business and leadership skills while you engage meaningfully with your local community.
As part of this selective leadership program, you will attend the fully funded National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will learn how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to address local needs. This experience equips you to drive change and positively impact lives. You can learn more about this program in our blog here.
Location: Internship at a local nonprofit, leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
Program Dates: Vary according to internship; 8 weeks, including a one-week leadership summit typically held in July
Cost: Fully funded, stipend provided
Eligibility: A current high school junior or senior legally authorized to work in the U.S. and residing in an eligible area
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025. Applications typically close in January
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) at Penn State's University Park campus is a two-week residential program for high school students looking to get a head start in business education and college life. You'll take college prep and business courses taught by Penn State faculty, giving you a taste of the academic challenges ahead.
The program covers essential business topics, including Management and Organization, Supply Chain, Ethics and Social Responsibility, and Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship. You'll also develop key skills in business writing, presentations, and communication, providing a solid foundation for future success in the business world.
Location: Penn State’s University Park campus, University Park, PA
Program Dates: June 15 – 27, 2025
Cost: TBA for 2025
Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade residing in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open on October 7, 2024
The KeyBank Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is a fully-funded, week-long program for high school students who identify as underrepresented, diverse, students of color, or first-generation and are interested in exploring business. The program offers hands-on learning through a case study.
You'll compete in a case challenge that addresses real-world business problems. You'll work in teams to create and implement a marketing campaign for the program’s corporate partners. The team with the best solution wins a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. Learn more about the program in our blog here.
Location: Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Program Dates: June 23 – 29, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Free!
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who identify as underrepresented, diverse, students of color and/or first generation, or who are interested in learning about business and diversity. Priority consideration for Colorado Residents and students enrolled in a Colorado High School
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in December and close in April
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Business Internship Program offers students practical business experience during the school year. You'll split time between classes and work up to 4 hours daily at PNNL, collaborating with a mentor. The program includes hands-on work, lab demonstrations, field trips, and career workshops. Integrated with your school’s work-based learning program, this internship runs from August to May, earning you elective credits.
Note: To apply, visit the PNNL careers page in February, search for "High School" internships, and submit a cover letter and resume in a single PDF.
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), locations vary
Program Dates: Academic year internship; up to 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, during the school year (August to May)
Cost: Free!
Eligibility: High school students participating in their school’s work-based learning (WBL) program
Application Deadline: Open in early February
The Meta Summer Academy, formerly Facebook Summer Academy, is a 6-week internship to introduce high school sophomores to the day-to-day operations of one of the world’s biggest companies. You'll explore careers, develop coding skills, and enhance soft skills. The program aims to help students develop the skills they would need for future career success. To apply, you have to submit your transcript including your first semester grades from sophomore year, and a recommendation letter. Read more about this internship in our blog here.
Location: Meta headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Program Dates: June 17 – July 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: Free, students receive a stipend upon completion
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 will open in December 2024
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research opportunity designed for high school students. You'll work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent research project over 12 weeks, culminating in your own research paper. If you’re interested in business, you can choose the tracks in business and economics. For more details about the application, click here!
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year. The Winter cohort runs from December to February
Cost: $2,990 for the Individual Research Program. 100% financial aid available
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming Winter cohort
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program for high school students from diverse backgrounds interested in exploring a career in business. You'll get an in-depth look at how companies operate, the problem-solving approaches of business leaders, and what it's like to be a business student at Michigan Ross.
The program offers insights into business operations, career paths, and the college experience as you collaborate with peers. You'll also engage with Ross faculty, corporate partners, and industry professionals, enhancing your knowledge and expanding your network. The program emphasizes leadership with purpose, encouraging reflection on the importance of ethical business leadership. Check out our comprehensive guide to the Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy here.
Location: Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Program Dates: June 14 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $5,000 (Full and partial need-based scholarships available) plus a $50 application fee
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2025 Summer Business Academy will open in November 2024
10. University of Kansas's Summer Venture in Business
The Summer Venture in Business is a week-long pre-college program at the University of Kansas (KU) School of Business for high school students. It aims to introduce you to the college experience both inside and outside the classroom, helping you connect with the academic support and opportunities available at KU.
In addition to learning about business, the program provides the tools and knowledge needed to apply to college as well as succeed in your future future career. All accepted students receive a scholarship covering program costs, including housing, dining, and materials.
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Program Dates: Tentative dates for 2025:
First session: June 16 – 20, 2025
Second session: July 13 – 18, 2025
Cost: Free! Students are responsible for their own travel costs
Eligibility: Rising grade 10-12 students. Preference will be given to rising sophomores and juniors, underrepresented students, and students from the state of Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025, but typically in March/April
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.