10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Atlanta
Applying for summer programs, internships, and immersive experiences during high school can be a great step for students eager to explore their interests and build real-world skills. These programs provide valuable hands-on experience in various fields, helping you deepen your understanding of subjects you’re passionate about while gaining exposure to new ones. Beyond the classroom, these experiences can enhance personal growth, teach practical skills, and offer a glimpse into potential career paths.
Involvement in these opportunities doesn’t just enrich your learning experience—it also plays a pivotal role in strengthening college applications. Admissions officers appreciate applicants who have taken the initiative to pursue meaningful experiences outside of school. The knowledge and skills gained during these programs can be showcased in college essays and interviews, helping you stand out by demonstrating your commitment and drive.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 free summer programs in Atlanta that are a great starting point for high school students looking to make the most of their summer!
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a highly competitive, week-long day camp held at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, for rising high school juniors and seniors. With only 27 slots available per session, this interdisciplinary program offers an in-depth look at the diverse field of public health, guided by the CDC’s mission to educate the public on their work.
You’ll explore topics like infectious and chronic diseases, global health, injury prevention, epidemiology, public health law, and emergency preparedness. Throughout the camp, you’ll participate in hands-on activities such as outbreak simulations, mock press conferences, and laboratory sessions. The program is fast-paced and academically challenging, encouraging you to think critically and collaborate with peers as you navigate real-world public health scenarios.
The camp concludes with a final team project, where you’ll present your findings and solutions to a public health issue. Admission is competitive, with selections based on essay responses and a teacher recommendation.
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free (Participants must cover their own housing and transportation)
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
June 24 – 28, 2024
July 22 – 26, 2024
Application deadline: March 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ entering junior or senior year
The Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program is a prestigious six-week internship designed for students who want to pursue a career in cancer research. Limited to just 10-12 participants, this selective program pairs you one-on-one with a Winship physician or researcher to conduct hands-on research in a lab or clinical setting. You will also attend lectures by oncology experts and participate in field trips to institutions like the CDC and Georgia Tech. The program offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful cancer research, culminating in a final project presented at a symposium attended by Winship faculty, researchers, and invited guests.
Location: Emory University Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free. Stipend of $2,400 provided
Program dates: June 10 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are 17 years old by the program start date
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program offers you an immersive, four-week paid internship where you'll dive into the design phase of the product development cycle. During the program, you’ll join a small team and collaborate on real-world projects that focus on understanding customer needs and designing potential tech solutions. You’ll gain hands-on experience in software engineering, product management, and UX design while honing essential skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
Throughout the internship, you'll receive mentorship from Microsoft employees, providing both guidance and valuable networking opportunities. You’ll also have the chance to learn how your passions can evolve into a meaningful tech career at Microsoft and beyond. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Microsoft office at either Redmond, WA or Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free. Interns are paid a base rate of $20/hour
Program dates: July 7 – August 1, 2025
Application deadline: Applications will open in February 2025
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who live in or around Atlanta and attend a TEALS program school within the Atlanta Public Schools, Dekalb, and Fulton County School Districts. The list of eligible schools will be released in February 2025
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research program tailored for gifted students from low-income backgrounds. Stemming from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, known for its extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students, the foundation provides the same access to independent research experiences at zero cost.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual. You can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost: Free
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Science, Technology, and Engineering Pipeline (STEP) Summer Internship Program at Georgia Tech offers high school students a hands-on introduction to engineering. Sponsored by the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering and supported by industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, this program gives you a unique opportunity to engage in real-world research.
During the two-week program, you will work in teams to solve open-ended engineering problems inspired by current research at Georgia Tech. With guidance from faculty mentors, you will design, develop, and prototype innovative solutions. The program concludes with a poster presentation, where you’ll showcase your work to faculty, industry professionals, and your family. Funded entirely by industry sponsors, STEP is free for all participants and provides a valuable experience for those interested in pursuing careers in STEM.
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free. Students are responsible for their own transportation
Program dates: July 8 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: March 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students living in Georgia and aged 16 or older
The Georgia State University Academy for Future Teachers (AFT) is a summer program aimed at high school students interested in exploring a career in education, specifically in teaching math or science. Held on Georgia State’s downtown Atlanta campus, the program runs daily. You will use STEM to solve real-world challenges and learn how to effectively teach solutions to those problems.
A key feature of the AFT program is the hands-on teaching experience. You will have the opportunity to teach elementary, middle, and pre-K students and receive feedback to refine your teaching skills. This practical exposure, combined with mentorship from experienced educators, helps you develop the tools and confidence needed to pursue a future in teaching.
Location: Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free. Stipend and transit card/parking pass provided
Program dates: June 3 – 20, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
VOX Media Café (VMC) provides an immersive two-week experience for teens interested in multimedia production, journalism, and public speaking. You will dive into hands-on projects that involve writing, interviewing, video editing, podcasting, photography, and graphic design. All completed projects are published on VOXATL.org and shared through the organization’s YouTube and Spotify channels.
The program is guided by VOX ATL’s experienced staff, along with guest media professionals from across Atlanta. You will also embark on field trips around the city, gaining insight from creative professionals and local businesses. With only 12 spots per session, you will receive personalized mentorship and end the program by presenting your work to family and community members. Admission to VMC is selective and requires completing an application reviewed by the VOX staff.
Location: VOX ATL Downtown Atlanta office, GA
Cost: Free with the exception of a refundable deposit of $100 to reserve each participant’s spot. Return will be provided upon successful completion. Deposit waivers available
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
June 3 – 14, 2024
June 17 – 28, 2024
Application deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 19
Emory University’s Oxford College offers the Summer Experience Program for high school students from Newton and Putnam County to experience college life and academic opportunities. Through academic sessions led by Oxford faculty in subjects like Political Science and Chemistry, you will enhance your college readiness.
Workshops on College Preparation cover topics such as why college matters and high school course selection, while the College Fundamentals workshops focus on essential skills like study techniques, essay writing, and building faculty connections. You will also participate in enrichment activities on health and wellness, team-building, and community service.
Location: Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 3 – 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising 10th & 11th-grade students from the Newton County School System and Putnam County Charter School System
The 21st Century Leaders Film & Entertainment Institute offers high school students an exciting week-long opportunity to dive into the world of film and media. With 50 spots available, the program offers hands-on workshops led by industry professionals from various areas of the film and entertainment world.
During this program, you’ll build leadership skills, explore different career paths in entertainment, and start developing your professional network. You'll engage in a series of interactive sessions, gaining insights into the film industry and learning from production teams and media experts.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 14 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school who live in Georgia
The SMASH Residential program is a free computer science (CS) program designed to empower underrepresented high school students. It offers tuition-free summer studies at partner universities, where you will build technical skills, gain confidence, and form connections with facilitators and CS professionals who share your background. In addition to developing your CS expertise, you will prepare to study and potentially pursue a career in technology.
Location: Morehouse College (for boys) or Spelman College (for girls), Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: TBA for 2025
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students who:
Are in 10th or 11th grade
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent
Attend a public school or a private school on a scholarship
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.
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