11 Virtual Leadership Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
Virtual leadership programs are a solid opportunity for high school students to develop essential leadership skills, gain industry exposure, and build connections, without committing to an in-person program. These programs often mirror the rigor of college-level academics while offering hands-on projects, mentorship, and networking opportunities with professionals. Additionally, they can be a more affordable way for you to explore different career paths compared to in-person leadership programs.
If you are passionate about leadership, an online program can provide a structured experience that enhances both academic and professional growth. However, you should know that not all virtual leadership programs offer the same level of prestige or selectivity as an in-person, fully-funded program!
In the list below, we’ve covered 11 of the best virtual leadership programs for high school students — including both structured programs and enriching online courses.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12–18 students per session
Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3, Session II: July 6 – July 18, Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â April 9
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cost:Â Approximately $4,750 per session + $75 nonrefundable application fee; financial aid available
Harvard’s Pre-College Program in Business and Leadership provides high school students with an introduction to core business concepts in a collaborative learning environment. With small class sizes of 12 to 18 students, you can participate in interactive discussions, develop problem-solving skills, and practice diplomacy.Â
Under the mentorship of Harvard-affiliated instructors, you will analyze business articles and explore leadership principles. You will present your findings at the program’s conclusion. This structured course is an excellent choice for those looking to gain insights into business leadership while receiving personalized mentorship.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective
Dates:Â Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp 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 also 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 ideations, 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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective intake for each course
Dates: Online: June 23 – July 18 and On-Campus: Session I: June 29 – July 11, Session II: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline:Â Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12. Must be ages 14–18 by June 15
Cost:Â Varies by session; financial aid available
The Brown Leadership Institute provides high school students with an opportunity to become socially responsible leaders who advocate for change both locally and globally. You will explore complex social issues, strengthen your leadership skills, and develop actionable solutions through the creation of an Action Plan to implement in your communities.Â
Courses focusing on topics like gender equity, educational access, law and social movements, and social entrepreneurship will help you gain critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report for two-week or longer courses.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â First-come, first-served, max 30 participants per edition
Dates:
January Edition: January 6 – February 1
April Edition: April 14 – May 9
June Edition: June 9 – July 4
August Edition: July 28 – August 22
Application Deadline:Â Open until full (first-come, first-served basis)
Eligibility:Â High school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
Cost:Â Varies by session (see UNITAR website); official certificate of completion provided
The Young Leaders Training Programme is offered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It provides an online experience designed to equip future global changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and perspective to lead in international affairs. This four-week training combines self-paced learning modules with live webinars led by UN experts, covering the workings of the UN, diplomacy, sustainable development, and global communication.
Through interactive components like Model United Nations (MUN) training, leadership e-workshops, and career development sessions, you will gain first-hand insight into the United Nations system and develop competencies crucial for global leadership. The program is capped at 30 participants per session to ensure personalized attention and impactful collaboration.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment for educators and students in grades 6–12
Dates:Â Flexible; educators can begin anytime during the school year
Application Deadline:Â Rolling enrollment throughout the year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; educators must register a team
Cost:Â Completely free, including curriculum materials and competition entry
Lead4Change is a free virtual leadership program for high school students (and grades 6–12) that equips young people with practical tools to create meaningful change in their communities. Built around a service learning framework, the program encourages you to work collaboratively on projects that promote social impact and compassion. Educators receive a step-by-step playbook and flexible lesson plans, making it easy to integrate into any classroom or virtual setting.
One of the most engaging features is the opportunity for schools to win up to $10,000 through the student service project competition. This virtual leadership initiative stands out for its accessibility, ease of implementation, and focus on empathy-driven change.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective admissions with limited seats
Dates: Virtual Sessions: April 1 & April 8
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Female sophomores and Juniors with a minimum GPA: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Cost:Â Free
Hosted by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a selective leadership program designed for high-achieving female high school students interested in exploring business careers. The program brings together students from across the globe to build leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on experiences. You will participate in interactive workshops led by Kelley faculty, connect with alumni and current students, and tackle real-world business case studies.
While in-person events are held on the IU Bloomington campus as a one-day experience, KWLI also offers virtual sessions spread over a few evenings, making it one of the most accessible virtual leadership programs for high school students. Through both formats, you will explore your potential, develop business insights, and foster community with other young women leaders.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Open enrollment
Dates:Â Rolling start dates
Application Deadline:Â Rolling basis until full
Eligibility:Â High school students
Cost:Â Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization offered through Coursera is developed by leadership expert Professor Sydney Finkelstein from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. This program provides actionable insights based on cutting-edge research and years of experience working with global executives. This beginner-friendly specialization is ideal for aspiring leaders, managers, and professionals looking to strengthen their decision-making skills, lead through change, and effectively drive impact within their organizations.Â
Through a flexible, self-paced learning model, you will gain practical knowledge and tools that are applicable across industries and leadership levels. By completing this specialization, you will develop the mindset and skills required to lead with confidence, navigate organizational change, and make impactful decisions. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from Coursera, providing tangible proof of your leadership growth.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Rolling start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
The Connected Leadership course on Coursera, taught by renowned instructor Peter Boyd from Yale University. The program is designed for aspiring leaders, emphasizing how leadership is no longer confined to traditional hierarchies and success now depends on the ability to navigate and influence interconnected systems.
Through five comprehensive modules, you'll explore actionable strategies to align your personal leadership vision with organizational goals. Focusing on sustainable impact and adaptive decision-making, this course equips you to drive meaningful change in your organization and beyond.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Rolling start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
Taught by expert faculty from the Gies College of Business, including Jeff Flesher, Joe Mahoney, and Deepak Somaya, the curriculum is grounded in cutting-edge research and real-world business scenarios. You will learn to lead teams, design strategic initiatives, manage change, and develop action plans with immediate organizational impact. The final capstone project allows you to present your knowledge to a real business case, helping you build a portfolio-worthy deliverable for resumes and LinkedIn.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Rolling start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
The Agile Leadership Specialization is offered by the University of Colorado System and taught by expert instructor Oxana Trotsenko. It is a comprehensive 5-course program designed to help you understand and apply Agile leadership principles in real-world settings. This beginner-level virtual leadership program integrates change management, social psychology, and organizational development to help learners become more adaptable and impactful leaders.
Through this specialization, you'll explore the core philosophy of Agile leadership, practice Scrum-based tools, and learn how to lead transformational change within teams and organizations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Rolling start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
The Leadership: An Introduction Specialization offers a comprehensive entry point into the field of leadership studies. It is designed for beginners seeking to understand how effective leadership operates across ethics, communication, creativity, and emerging technologies. Taught by Professor Christopher Dreisbach of Johns Hopkins University, this fully online, self-paced program is designed for high school students or recent graduates interested in virtual leadership programs that build foundational knowledge with real-world applications.
Across three courses, The Ethical Leader, The Persuasive Leader, and The Creative Leader, you will learn how leadership is shaped by values, agility, innovation, and the evolving impact of artificial intelligence. With practical case studies, hands-on assessments, and interactive modules, this program empowers learners to apply leadership principles to a range of organizational and social contexts.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in business and leadership, 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!
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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.