11 Free Writing Programs for High School Students
Creative writing is more than just crafting stories—it hones a skill that is useful across industries, from journalism to business communication. For high school students who want to develop their storytelling, writing programs are worth considering. These programs often offer mentorship from established writers, which can help you refine your techniques and develop the confidence to share your work.
Almost all the programs listed below are free. For those that aren’t entirely free, financial aid options are available. Here’s our list of 11 free writing programs for high school students!
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research opportunities for high school students across diverse subject areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. It stands out by allowing participants to choose between quantitative or qualitative research tracks.
Once enrolled, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who mentors you through the process of developing a 20-page research paper. This paper can be submitted to prestigious journals for potential publication. Horizon also guides presenting research findings professionally, equipping you with critical skills in scientific writing and communication.
Additionally, students receive a letter of recommendation and detailed project feedback, which can serve as a foundation for future academic and professional projects. Horizon's unique emphasis on research writing ensures that you not only explore your field of interest but also build skills essential for presenting scientific information effectively.
Location: GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; participants are paid a stipend of $625 on the completion of the program
Application Deadline: March 18
Program Dates: July 8 – 26
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall and residents of Boston or the Greater Boston area
The Teen Summer Writing Fellowship is a three-week program for high school students offering mentorship, peer collaboration, and insights into the literary world. You will explore diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and speculative fiction, and are encouraged to experiment. With workshops, craft classes, and public speaking opportunities, you will develop your writing and gain confidence in sharing your work. Benefits include a $625 stipend, publication in an anthology, and potential paid roles in the design process. This fellowship offers a chance to grow as a writer under the guidance of established authors and to build a writing community.
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBD, check here
Program Dates: May 31 – June 9
Eligibility: Students entering 9th grade through their freshman year of college from all backgrounds and locations
The Multicultural Journalism Program Summer Workshop, hosted by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, is a week-long experience for 10–15 high school students. The program offers training in multimedia reporting, writing, editing, photography, and production. You will work alongside professional mentors and experienced journalists, producing news stories, videos, and feature packages showcased in the MJW Journal. This program will help you build communication skills and deepen your understanding of media ethics and law.
Location: USC University Park and Health Science Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19
Eligibility: Students must reside and attend high school in Los Angeles County
The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week intensive program that introduces high school students to media, journalism, and civic leadership. You will engage in first-year college-level coursework and hands-on activities. You will hone your skills in writing, public speaking, debate, multimedia production, and ethnography. Beyond academics, the program will connect you with USC Annenberg scholars and professionals exploring race, gender, and communication, offering insights into media-related careers. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Not mentioned. Write to this email ID (Tisch.futureartists@nyu.edu.) for more information
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: Stay updated here
Program Dates: This program meets weekly on Saturdays, February 1 through May 10
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors.
The Future Dramatic Writers Workshop offers high school students a 14-week experience in writing for theater, film, and television. You will learn the essentials of dramatic structure and script development through lectures, discussions, and hands-on workshops led by faculty. The program culminates in a live showcase where you can present your work. The program encourages youth from underrepresented groups to apply.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: December 3
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26
Eligibility: Applications are open to rising juniors and rising seniors who will be at least 15 years old and no older than 18 at the start of the program
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) offers a fully-funded, six-week educational experience that blends academic rigor with community building. You can choose between two areas of study: Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS), diving into history, politics, literature, and systems of power. Through daily college-level seminars, you will sharpen your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. You will complete essays, participate in group discussions, and receive instructor feedback. TASS is a very selective program. You can learn more about it in our complete guide here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $450/student, financial assistance is available
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: Mid-late June to early August
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9-12 can apply to the program (including graduating seniors and gap year students)
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program offers high school students and recent graduates an opportunity to refine their creative writing skills through one-on-one mentorship with established writers. Focused on poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction/memoir, the program emphasizes the art of drafting, redrafting, and editing. You will share your work weekly or biweekly with mentors and peers, gaining feedback and insight into the creative process.
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA with an online option
Cost: TBD, but the program offers full scholarships to deserving students! On average, 30% of the program’s participants attend with funding each year.
Application Deadline: Check this website
Program Dates: July 29 – August 9
Eligibility: All applicants must be rising sophomores through graduating seniors to apply.
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers offers a chance to refine your creative writing skills through workshops, craft sessions, and writing labs guided by MFA students. You will work in small groups to share your work, experiment with new ideas, and receive constructive feedback. Those attending in-person on the UMass campus experience college life and field trips. The program supports students who cannot cover the full cost of the program through fully or partially funded scholarships.
Location: Sewanee, The University Of The South, Sewanee, TN
Cost: $2,600 + $175 deposit, and they offer financial aid. The deadline for applying for financial aid is April 18
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: June 29 – July 12
Eligibility: Any student who is, at the time of application, in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade is eligible to apply
The Sewanee Young Writers' Conference offers high school students a two-week experience in creative writing. You can choose from courses in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Playwriting, and Songwriting taught by accomplished writers. The conference offers small, rigorous workshops (with no more than 12 students per group). You will benefit from enrichment activities such as Q&As with guest authors, craft classes, and one-on-one conferences.
Location: Bard College at Simon's Rock, Great Barrington, MA
Cost: $3,500, full scholarships available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions begin in January
Program Dates: July 7 – 27
Eligibility: This program is for students currently completing grades 9, 10, and 11
The Young Writers Workshop at Simon’s Rock offers a unique approach to creative writing, emphasizing playful and expressive exercises to help you develop your voice and critical thinking skills. 84 students will participate in small workshops, where you can craft personal narratives, poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction. Guided by experienced teachers and writers, you will engage in daily writing sessions, peer reviews, and discussions of contemporary texts. You will receive individual feedback and get the chance to build a portfolio of “works in progress.” Living on campus provides a glimpse into college life, with opportunities for social and cultural activities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost, free
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: N/A, 15 hours total, self-paced
Eligibility: N/A
Brandon Sanderson’s Fantasy and Short Stories Writing Lessons for Beginners is a creative writing course designed for writers eager to learn the craft from one of the best in the field. Available on YouTube, this series, originally presented at Brigham Young University, offers tools for plot construction, character development, and world-building. You’ll gain insights into the publishing industry and strategies for creating impactful short stories. The flexible format allows you to explore topics at your own pace.
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.