10 Summer Programs for High School Students in Vermont
Participating in summer programs can be a solid experience for high school students. These programs offer a unique opportunity to delve deeper into academic interests, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships. Engaging in internships, immersions, and educational programs not only enhances your knowledge but also boosts your confidence and independence.
These experiences can be particularly beneficial for your college applications, as they demonstrate your commitment to learning, willingness to challenge yourself, and ability to handle challenging academics - something that admissions officers love!
Early exposure to specialized fields and hands-on learning environments shows that you are proactive and willing to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Additionally, these programs often provide mentorship opportunities, helping you build valuable networks and gain insights into potential career paths.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program stands as a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. In our flagship program, we pair talented high school students with world-class Ph.D. 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! Participating in this program can be a significant differentiator for students applying to college or internships, demonstrating their commitment to their education and their career. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based scholarships available.
Lumiere Individual Research Program – $2,990
Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program – $5,900
Lumiere Research Fellowship – $8,900
Lumiere Professor Premium Publication Program – $9,400
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts; November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: Multiple, year-round cohorts; December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs geared toward high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science and AI. In the program, students learn various concepts in data science and artificial intelligence like neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, coding using Python, and more.
Veritas AI offers up to 100% financial aid for the 10-week AI Scholars program. Through the program, students build real-world, hands-on projects in groups of 3-5 students to showcase their interests and skills. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship where you work 1-1 with mentors from top universities to build unique machine learning projects over 12-15 weeks. You can apply here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available.
AI Scholars – $2,290
AI Fellowship – $5,400
Combination (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship) – $6,900
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts; September 8, 2024 for the upcoming cohort
Program Dates: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students passionate about AI. Basic understanding of Python or completion of AI scholars is required for the AI Fellowship program.
Ladder Internships is a selective program, with an acceptance rate of 15-20%, for high school students interested in working with startups. Ladder Startups work in fields including technology, machine learning and AI, finance, environmental science and sustainability, business and marketing, healthcare and medicine, media and journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Each student works on a real-world project and presents it at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern also works with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. The Ladder Coach serves as a second mentor and a sounding board, guiding students through the internship and helping them navigate the startup environment. As a Ladder Intern, participants engage in a coaching + work-based model—a component that sets it apart from most internships. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Learn more about the program here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available.
8-week Program: $2,490
Research Internship: $5,900
Combined (program and internship): $7,400
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts; November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: December 16, 2024 onwards for the winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students
4. Horizon
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! Note that Horizon is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research! Once you select a particular subject track as well as the type of research you want to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: September 25, 2024 for the upcoming fall cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
Program Dates:
Fall cohort: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.
The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school, and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Location: Virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Program Dates: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 for the upcoming winter cohort
Application Deadline: November 24, 2024 for the winter cohort
You can access the application link here!
The National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) is an engaging and interactive program held on the Randolph campus, offering high school students a unique opportunity to explore careers in transportation. Sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, NSTI provides hands-on learning experiences through labs, field trips, and guest speakers.
During the program, participants drive a big rig in a CDL simulator, visit mass transit systems, and learn about bridge design and construction. The program also focuses on eco-friendly transportation, and exploring how math, science, and English relate to transportation careers.
NSTI includes extensive field trips throughout Vermont, guided by qualified instructors. Students engage in both group and independent activities, gaining valuable insights into the transportation industry and its connection to multiple academic disciplines.
Location: Vermont State University, Randolph, VT
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: July 19 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students
The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont (GIV) offers high school students a variety of immersive, residential summer learning programs hosted at college campuses across the state. Each institute focuses on a specific area of interest, such as engineering, entrepreneurship, technology and design, the arts, and more.
Participants spend 1-2 weeks immersed in a topic of their choice, learning from experts in their field and networking with mentors and peers. For example, students in the 2024 Health & Medicine institute practiced assessing vital signs, earned First Aid certifications, and attended workshops conducted by healthcare professionals.
Students at GIV experience life on a college campus, benefiting from its resources and making new friends from all over Vermont. Each institute occurs at different times and on various campuses. Additionally, you can earn credit, including high school and college credit.
Location: Various university campuses in Vermont, depending on the Summer Institute.
Cost: Tuition uses a sliding scale model, which means students only pay what their family can afford. Additional financial aid is also available. More details can be found here.
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: Varies depending on the Summer Institute, typically between June – July
Eligibility: 9th – 11th grade students who go to school in Vermont or a school that has an arrangement with Vermont school districts. Out-of-state students are also considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Art & Design Portfolio Course at Champlain College is a credit-bearing summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors. This experience immerses students in art, graphic design, and digital technology, offering hands-on practice with various mediums and software. You can specialize in graphic design, game art, or creative media, earning 3 transferable college credits.
The curriculum includes drawing, digital media, and composition using tools like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign. With a small class size, each student gets individualized attention from Champlain College professors. Instructors offer constructive feedback on your existing work, helping you prepare your art portfolio for college admissions. By the program's end, you will have a professional-level design portfolio and a clearer understanding of studying art at the college level.
Location: Champlain College, Burlington, VT
Cost: $4,500. Need-based scholarships are available. Vermont high school students are eligible for reduced tuition through the Vermont Dual Enrollment Flexible Pathways program.
Application Deadline: 2025 registration opens in Fall 2024
Program Dates: July 6 – 21, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 or 12, ages 16-18
The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains is a two-week program for high school students held at Vermont State University in Castleton, Vermont. This program aims to inspire and equip students to take action on climate change by engaging with experts from Columbia Climate School and exploring innovative solutions.
Participants collaborate with like-minded peers, working together to take meaningful action. Over the two weeks, you will participate in seminars, small group discussions, field excursions, team-building activities, and complete final projects. The program also helps students prepare for college.
Location: Vermont State University, Castleton, VT
Cost: $6,790 + $200 application fee + travel fees. Full and partial need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: June 30 - July 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students in grade 9-12 (and rising 9th grade students)
The UVM Summer Academy is a four-week, for-credit academic program for students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. This experience allows students to live on campus or commute while earning three transferable college credits. Courses are taught by UVM faculty, providing a taste of college life and academics.
The program includes eight days of on-campus instruction followed by two weeks of online learning, with some courses offered entirely online. Through planned activities after class and on the weekends, you will form new connections. You will also participate in a college admissions workshop.
UVM Summer Academy helps students explore new ideas and perspectives, aiding in the decision of their major and career path. Whether you’re interested in medicine, writing, or exploring unique subjects, this program will help you prepare for future academic endeavors.
Location: University of Vermont campus, Burlington, VT or online
Cost: TBA for 2025. For the 2024 program,
In-state: $3,727 + lab fees
Out-of-state: $5,290 + lab fees
High school students receive a 50 percent in-state/out-of-state academic year tuition reduction, and Vermont residents can learn tuition-free through Vermont’s Dual Enrollment Program.
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: June 29 – July 25, 2025. 4 weeks (2 weeks on campus, followed by 2 weeks online) or 4 weeks online.
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and are at least 15 years old by the start of the program.
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.
Exploring the 10 summer programs for high school students in Vermont is a fantastic way to enhance learning and experience new challenges. Whether it's outdoor adventures or academic enrichment, there's something for everyone. And if you're preparing for college and need assistance, law essay writers UK can help you excel in your legal studies while you enjoy these enriching summer experiences.