12 Summer Programs for High School Students in Boston
Summer is a good time for high school students to explore new interests, build skills, and gain real-world experience outside the classroom. Boston, a city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and academic excellence, offers a variety of programs that provide experiences in a range of disciplines, from STEM and business to the arts and creative writing.
Whether you're looking to take college-level courses, develop leadership skills, or simply explore an interest, there’s something for every high school student in Boston. In this blog, we will highlight 12 summer programs worth considering for high school students in Boston.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900 for both
Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Winter cohort deadline: December 1, 2024
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: None
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31, 2025
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are residents of Massachusetts and U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University is a free summer program offering rising high school seniors a hands-on research experience in STEM fields. YSP allows you to work in research labs within the Colleges of Engineering, Science, and Health Sciences, engaging in diverse projects led by faculty. These projects cover areas like active particle flow, model compression algorithms for technology applications, energy storage solutions, and advancements in cancer therapy.
In addition to lab work, you will explore various STEM careers through seminars on topics such as biotechnology, robotics, and environmental issues, presented by professors and graduate students. The program also includes field trips to corporate and government sites, providing an insider's look at careers in science and engineering. With career counseling and exposure to college life, YSP aims to equip you with industry-relevant skills and knowledge, setting a foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in science and engineering.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost: None; participants will receive an hourly stipend
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: July 1 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and recent high school graduates
The Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is designed to engage high school students from underrepresented communities in the field of neurology. The program focuses on providing educational and research opportunities, with a particular emphasis on students who are female or non-binary, Black, Latinx, Native American/Alaska Native, or first-generation college students. Through this initiative, you will gain exposure to leading neurologists and neuroscientists from diverse backgrounds, participate in paid mentored research activities, and receive advice on academic and career development.
The program begins with a “bootcamp” to onboard interns into the research environment, after which you will be paired for a mentored research experience with a faculty member from Mass General Hospital. You will engage in lab work, weekly didactics with neurology professionals, and networking opportunities, culminating in final presentations of your research to peers and mentors.
Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Cost: None; participants will receive a stipend
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
Program Dates: June 18, 2025 onwards (8-12 weeks)
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Massachusetts residents and U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Summer Program offers Massachusetts high school students from underrepresented populations a chance to explore cancer research through hands-on experience at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and other local institutions.
This summer program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in biosciences and cancer research, connecting classroom knowledge with real-world applications. Throughout the program, you will contribute to ongoing research efforts while learning from experts in the field. You will engage in a full-time, mentored research environment and take part in scientific seminars, journal clubs, and professional development sessions. At the culmination of the experience, you will present your research through an abstract, poster, or oral presentation.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,895, financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18
The Bioengineering Immersion program at Northeastern University offers high school students an intensive, hands-on introduction to bioengineering, combining technical skills with real-world applications over two weeks. You will dive into key topics like tissue engineering, medical implant design, and biomedical circuit design, working in advanced labs to create 3D cellular constructs.
You will benefit from insights shared by professionals in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare through site visits and professional talks, exploring applications such as custom knee replacements, minimally invasive surgery tools, and drug development. In addition to the labs and industry exposure, you will engage in Q&A panels with current bioengineering students, learning about academic pathways, co-ops, and campus life.
Location: Bentley University, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,200; Scholarships are available
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Program Dates: June 25 – July 12, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school students below 18 years of age
The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is a rigorous two-and-a-half-week program designed to help high school students enhance their programming and problem-solving skills through hands-on research and computational thinking. You will explore the Wolfram Language and STEM topics through active learning, lectures, workshops, and independent research guided by expert mentors and Stephen Wolfram himself.
Each student works on a personalized research project, resulting in a computational essay and an interactive research paper, which they publish at the end of the program. These projects offer the chance to contribute original ideas to various STEM fields and can be submitted to competitions, academic journals, or presented at conferences. The program also includes social activities, creative minors for skills development, and the option to join a pre-program workshop for those who want extra preparation in Wolfram Language.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,895, financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates: July 6 – 18, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18
In the Cybersecurity & Privacy program, you will dive into the fundamentals of defending against today’s cyber threats. This two-week course offers a combination of interactive lectures, hands-on challenges, team-based competitions, and guest talks from industry experts to help you understand cybersecurity principles and online privacy.
Through lab-based learning, you will be able to explore topics like system and network security, online privacy, and trust fundamentals in modern technology. You will participate in Capture the Flag exercises, simulating real-world hacking situations where you will solve security puzzles and strategize to defend against cyberattacks. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in different types of cyber threats, core security objectives, and effective defense techniques to safeguard our digital devices and systems.
Location: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA or virtual
Cost: Varies based on program, ranging from $3,000 to $5,600. View details here
Application Deadline: Summer 2025 deadlines will be posted this fall
Program Dates: Summer 2025 dates will be posted this fall
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 14 years of age
The Boston College Experience is a summer program designed to give motivated high school students a taste of college life and academics at Boston College. The program includes coursework, extracurricular activities, and self-reflection to prepare students for their college search and transition. You can choose to participate residentially, as a commuter, or through online courses.
The Two-Week Non-Credit Program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors and covers diverse subjects such as business, economics, government, philosophy, forensics, and creative writing. You can attend up to two sessions but are limited to one course per session. The program includes weekend excursions around Boston, creating a balanced summer experience.
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost:
Residential: $5,500
Commuter: $4,000
Application Deadline: May 1, 2025 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Summer 2025 dates will be posted soon
Eligibility: High school students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp at Tufts University is an immersive two-week program designed for high school students eager to tackle societal challenges through entrepreneurship. You will gain hands-on experience in building new ventures from the ground up, whether startups, small businesses, or nonprofits. You will learn from Tufts mentors, including alumni and current students.
You will also engage in team-building activities, develop frameworks and skills necessary for venture creation, and build a solid foundation in business strategies, innovation, and pitching. The program culminates in a "Demo Day," where teams present their ventures to a panel of judges.
Location: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,130 (tuition) + $1,560 (housing)
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 23 – July 6, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15-18
The Vocal/Choral Intensive at Boston Conservatory at Berklee is a two-week summer program designed for high school students interested in classical singing or musical theater. The program offers a comprehensive experience to help young singers enhance their foundational and performance skills. Taught by Conservatory faculty, you will engage in a variety of classes focused on vocal technique, musicianship, movement, and acting. Throughout the program, you will receive voice lessons, vocal coaching, and engage in ensemble work.
You will also improve your sight-singing, ear training, and music theory skills and will have the opportunity to perform in choral ensembles and solo vocal classes. The curriculum includes a repertoire seminar to help you find pieces that best showcase your abilities and “Stageworks,” activities aimed at developing skills needed by singing actors.
12. Engineering Innovation and Design at Northeastern University
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,895, financial aid available
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
Session 1: July 6 – 18, 2024
Session 2: July 20 – August 1, 2024
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16-18
Engineering Innovation and Design is a hands-on, project-based program aimed at high school students who want to deepen their understanding of engineering. Throughout this experience, you will explore various engineering disciplines and develop a toolkit of technical skills.
The program focuses on problem-solving and innovation for real-world challenges, specifically through the theme of ‘Automatic Devices in Service to a Sustainable Society.’ You will learn to design and build functional prototypes using advanced tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and Arduino hardware in a Makerspace. You will also develop programming skills in C++ and gain competency in graphic design while tackling issues related to clean water, renewable energy, and emerging technologies.
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.