10 Online Competitive Summer Programs for High School Students
Competitive online summer programs for high school students offer a chance to explore academic interests, gain college-level exposure, and develop practical skills—all at a lower cost than in-person options. With acceptance rates of 10% or lower, these online competitive summer programs for high school students attract motivated peers and provide expert mentorship. The online format reduces costs, eliminating travel and housing expenses.
For students passionate about STEM, humanities, business, or the arts, these programs allow for solid practical exposure and academic growth. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 competitive online summer programs, known for challenging coursework, valuable mentorship, and prestigious hosting organizations.
The Young Founders Lab is an online summer program for high school students focused on entrepreneurship. Over four weeks, students work on creating start-ups to address real-world challenges, with guidance from mentors at companies like Google and Microsoft. The program includes classes on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, and case studies, providing practical experience in building and growing a business. Students also collaborate with peers in a group setting.
Location: Virtual, with live, interactive workshops.
Dates: Starts June 5; spans 4 weeks.
Application Deadlines:
Early Decision: March 17
Regular Admission 1: April 14
Regular Admission 2: May 12
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Cost: $2,900; need-based financial aid is available.
Harvard's 7-Week Secondary School Program Online offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses worth 4–8 credit hours, providing exposure to subjects that could influence future academic paths. The program includes virtual activities for social engagement and college preparation, allowing you to connect with peers globally.
You'll also have access to Harvard's online resources, including tutoring and library services, to support your coursework. With flexible learning options, you can drop courses if needed, making it a manageable experience for students worldwide. Local students also have the option to participate in the on-campus SSP Commuting program.
Dates: June 21 – August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application encouraged.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. No prior coursework is required, but a strong academic record is recommended.
Cost: $4,050 for 4 credits; $7,900 for 8 credits. A $75 non-refundable application fee applies. Financial aid is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Boston Architectural College’s Pre-College Program introduces high school students to architecture, interior design, landscape design, and other design disciplines through a flexible online summer program. With two tracks—Exploration for beginners and Investigation for experienced students—the program focuses on skill-building in areas like ideation, sketching, digital design, and model-making.
Students will engage in virtual studio experiences and collaborate on real-world design problems, receiving direct feedback from practicing design professionals. The program culminates in a digital portfolio review, and hands-on materials, including essential tools and a mailed kit, are provided to support learning. This program is accessible globally, with the required technology and internet connection.
Dates: Online Preview Opens June 30; program duration varies by track.
Application Deadline: Registration Deadline: June 9. Early bird registration by March 1 for discounted fees.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) aged 14 and older. No prior design experience is required.
Cost:
Credit-bearing (3 college credits): $2,000 ($1,800 early bird).
Non-credit option: $1,800 ($1,600 early bird).
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a competitive online summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors, designed to deepen students' understanding of advanced mathematics. The program combines lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving to explore complex mathematical concepts, their historical context, and real-world applications in science.
Students will also engage with current mathematical research, gaining both theoretical and practical insights. SUMaC offers flexibility with online and residential options, providing accessibility to a diverse group of students worldwide, while being led by Stanford faculty and experienced mathematicians.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; exact cohort size varies.
Dates: Session One (Online): June 16 - July 4.
Application Deadline: February 3.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with strong mathematical aptitude and interest.
Stanford Online High School (Stanford OHS) offers an online summer program for high school and advanced middle school students focused on critical thinking and intellectual development. The program features real-time, discussion-based seminars with a flipped classroom model, where students engage with course material in depth.
Students can choose full-time, part-time, or individual courses, with options in core subjects, advanced post-AP courses, and university-level topics. Courses are taught by faculty with expertise, including many who hold Ph.D.s.
Dates: August - June.
Application Deadline: January 9.
Eligibility: High school students; and advanced middle school students may also apply.
Cost: $5,970 for a single course; up to $29,850 for four or more courses. Need-based financial aid is available.
Stanford AI4ALL is an online summer program aimed at high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, interested in exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and its real-world applications. The program combines live lectures, collaborative research projects, and small-group mentorship to introduce students to AI’s role in fields like healthcare and disaster management. It emphasizes the societal impact of AI, with a focus on ethical considerations. Students also have the opportunity to learn directly from AI professionals, gaining valuable insight for future academic and career paths in the field.
Dates: Three weeks in July.
Application Deadline: March.
Eligibility: Open to current 9th-grade students.
Cost: $4,000; need-based financial aid is available.
Credits Awarded: Certificate of completion.
Economics for Leaders Virtual is an online summer program for high school students focused on economic reasoning and leadership skills. Led by expert professors, the program includes lectures, group activities, and real-world applications to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
You’ll explore the “economic way of thinking” and apply economic principles to public policy dilemmas, improving decision-making. Through collaborative tasks and team projects, you’ll develop leadership skills while engaging with peers and instructors in a dynamic learning environment.
Dates: Program duration varies; check specific session dates.
Application Deadline: Early Deadline: February 5. Final Deadline: Rolling admissions until full.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in economics and leadership. No prior coursework is required.
Cost: Details on tuition are available upon inquiry. Financial aid options may be available.
Key Features:
Explore the “economic way of thinking” through interactive lectures and activities.
Develop leadership skills via collaborative tasks, team projects, and real-world problem-solving.
Apply economic concepts to public policy dilemmas, enhancing decision-making abilities.
Engage in a vibrant community, forming connections with peers and instructors.
Babson Summer Study is a 3+-week online program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in developing an entrepreneurial mindset. The program focuses on addressing global challenges, using Babson's Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology. Students work with peers worldwide in real-time discussions and collaborative projects. Participants earn 4 college credits from Babson College, with a flexible online format that combines interactive learning and practical skill-building.
Location: Online
Dates: 3+ weeks (exact dates TBD)
Application Deadlines:
Early Bird: February 14
Application open: December 5
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors.
Cost: (Cost details needed)
Credits Awarded: 4 college credits
The NYU Online High School Filmmakers Workshop is an online summer program for high school students interested in digital filmmaking. Participants will create a documentary, a music video, technical assignments, and a final narrative film. The program includes video lectures, one-on-one feedback from Tisch instructors, and collaborative projects. Students will develop skills in writing, directing, editing, and shooting, while receiving mentorship and real-time feedback to refine their filmmaking abilities.
Location: Online
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Cost: $7,664
Credits Awarded: College credit (from NYU Tisch)
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program is an online summer program for high school students and gap year participants, offering personalized mentorship in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction/memoir. Through regular feedback, you will refine your skills in drafting, revising, and editing creative work. The program provides a supportive environment with guidance from experienced writers, helping you develop your craft.
Location: Online
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students (including Class of ’23 or ’24 gap year students)
Cost: $450 (financial aid available)
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.