15 Summer Programs for High School Students in New York, NY
As a high school student in New York, exploring summer programs is a great way to deepen your understanding of subjects you're interested in while building a solid foundation for future academic and career goals. Whether you’re curious about science, technology, the arts, or journalism, these programs offer hands-on experiences, mentorship, and the chance to collaborate with professionals.
Participating in a summer program not only boosts your skillset but also strengthens your resume or college application. Admissions officers value students who show initiative, and these programs demonstrate your willingness to go beyond the traditional classroom curriculum. Whether you’re preparing for future research, internships, or writing a compelling college essay, these experiences can give you a significant advantage.
Here’s a curated list of 15 summer programs for high school students in New York.
Lumiere Education, established by Harvard and Oxford researchers, is a virtual platform for high school students to conduct advanced academic research. Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you will engage in rigorous, university-level research under the guidance of mentors from top institutions.
The program offers three distinct tracks that cater to varying research goals. The Individual Research Program is a 12-week course where students work one-on-one with a mentor to produce a 15-page research paper on a topic of their choice. For those seeking publication, the Premium Research & Publication Program spans 16-20 weeks, including additional sessions with a publication specialist and a customized publication plan, though publication is not guaranteed.
The most intensive option, the Research Fellowship, extends over 6-12 months and involves original data collection and analysis, aiming for publication in international journals or presentation at prestigious competitions like MIT’s THINK or ISEF Regeneron. Each track is designed to provide a rigorous academic experience, preparing students for university-level research and beyond. Apply here.
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost: $2,990. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers a suite of programs designed to introduce high school students to the foundational concepts and advanced applications of artificial intelligence and data science. Throughout the program, you will engage with key AI and data science topics such as neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, and Python coding, as well as a research project under the guidance of scholars.
The program is divided into three tracks, each catering to different levels of experience and focus areas. The AI Scholars Program provides a 25-hour introduction to AI and machine learning, covering topics like linear regression and convolutional neural networks, and culminating in a group project. For a more intensive experience, the AI Fellowship offers a 12-15 week one-on-one mentorship, guiding students through the creation of an independent AI project, from ideation to execution, with opportunities for publication and presentation. Finally, the Deep Dive Programs—AI + Medicine and AI + Finance—allow students to explore AI's impact on specific industries, focusing on specialized topics such as medical data preparation and financial risk management, with hands-on projects to apply their learning.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (The 10-week bootcamp) | $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (the 12–15-week 1-1 mentorship) | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students from around the world with a keen interest in AI can apply. For the AI Fellowship program, applicants will either need to complete the AI Scholars program or have past experience with AI concepts or Python
Ladder Internships provides high school students with the chance to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of startups through hands-on, real-world projects. In this program, you will be matched with companies that align with your specific interests, enabling you to work on projects that are impactful as well as within your interests. Over an 8-12 week period, you will be expected to dedicate 5-10 hours per week to your role, collaborating closely with managers who will guide you through the process and help set weekly goals. The program culminates in a final presentation, where you get to present your work to your company and peers, showcasing the skills and knowledge you’ve gained!
The program offers opportunities in various fields, such as health tech, environmental science, machine learning, and media. As an intern, you might contribute to launching a solar startup in Southeast Asia, support the development of a wealth management app, or help create a pitch deck for a trading app targeting the Swiss market—among other exciting projects! Each project is carefully chosen to ensure it provides substantial learning opportunities and adds value to your professional profile, making Ladder Internships a solid stepping stone for students interested in the startup ecosystem.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,490, need-based financial aid available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Horizon Academic provides high school students with advanced research opportunities through its two main programs: Horizon Labs and Horizon Seminar. Horizon Seminar offers a structured experience where students engage in a college-level research project under the guidance of experienced professors or lecturers. The program combines individualized research topics with small group classes, ensuring that each student receives focused attention. With an average class size of just 4 to 6 students, participants benefit from personalized instruction over 14 classes led by senior instructors, as well as additional review sessions with teaching assistants.
Horizon Labs, on the other hand, is a one-on-one mentorship program tailored for students looking to delve deeply into specialized research areas. Participants work closely with leading researchers and lecturers from top universities, gaining access to cutting-edge studies and data. Over 20 hours of individualized mentorship, students can develop unique research projects, craft customized reading lists, and receive expert feedback on their paper drafts. Horizon Labs also provides guidance on publication opportunities, making it an ideal option for students aiming to produce research that could contribute to academic journals or conferences.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: December 2, 2024 onwards for the winter seminar | Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application deadline: November 10, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
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 Founder’s Lab is an immersive start-up boot camp designed for high school students by Harvard entrepreneurs. The program guides participants through the process of creating a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem. Under the mentorship of successful entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, students gain hands-on experience in the start-up ecosystem. The curriculum includes interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, skill-building sessions, and case studies.
The program is divided into three phases, beginning with foundational business education and ideation. In the second phase, you will engage in market and user research to develop a prototype of your product or service. The final phase focuses on launching the start-up, gaining traction, and achieving revenue generation. The program concludes with a demo day, where you’ll present your start-ups to potential investors, offering a real-world experience of pitching and scaling a business.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: $2,900. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (3 weeks)
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program at New York University is a great opportunity for high school students interested in STEM. This 10-week summer program blends remote learning with hands-on lab experience, starting with 4 weeks of after-school workshops. These workshops introduce you to various STEM disciplines, setting the stage for the 6 weeks of lab work at NYU. During the program, you’ll dive into various interdisciplinary STEM fields, including Bio- and Molecular Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, AI, and Machine Learning.
Location: New York University, New York City, NY
Cost: Full scholarship, $750 stipend provided
Program Dates: June 3 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 6, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students living in New York City completing 10th or 11th grade
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. Over the course of seven weeks, you'll work up to 35 hours per week on campus, fully immersed in research activities. Each participant is part of a team led by Rockefeller trainees and supported by scientist-mentors, giving you hands-on experience in a real research lab setting.
You’ll not only get to explore cutting-edge research topics but also attend elective courses, guest lectures, and social events. By the end of the program, you'll have the chance to analyze data and present your findings at a symposium, enhancing your scientific and presentation skills.
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: No cost to participate
Program dates: June 23 – August 7, 2025
Application deadline: Applications for 2025 will open on October 14, 2024, and close on January 3, 2025
Eligibility: Current high school junior or senior at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) is an exciting five-week summer program that blends science, technology, and entrepreneurship. Open to NYC students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, ieSoSC equips you with hands-on skills in coding, microcontrollers, and sensor integration, while also focusing on entrepreneurship—covering topics like economics, project management, and intellectual property.
The course includes teamwork on smart city projects, culminating in a final presentation at a Shark Tank-style event. You will also engage in improv sessions through Irondale, aimed at improving your communication skills.
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Cost: Full Scholarship
Program dates: July 1 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: April 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: NYC residents currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade with basic knowledge of physics and coding
Barnard’s 3-Week Summer Food Institute: Sustainable Food and the City introduces students to the U.S. food system, focusing on food production, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Through four key lenses—agriculture, health and policy, food systems and climate change, and soil health—you will explore sustainable food practices and their broader impact on communities and the environment.
Each week, you’ll visit farms across New York City and New York State, learning directly from farmers. Hands-on experiences will show how sustainable farming is applied in real-world settings. You’ll also analyze food policies related to health, food recovery, and food insecurity in NYC, and evaluate how climate change is affecting food systems. Additionally, you’ll dive into the importance of soil health, exploring soil coverage, biodiversity, composting, and the role of soil in sustainable agriculture. The program concludes with a final project where you’ll choose a specific area of interest and apply what you've learned to envision a more sustainable food system.
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY
Cost: $7,772 (commuter program); $9,687 (residential program)
Program dates: July 22 – August 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school
The Musical Theatre Intensive at Marymount Manhattan College is a two-week, in-person program that provides individualized coaching in acting, singing, and dancing. You’ll learn to analyze scripts and songs, make informed acting choices, and prepare a digital pre-screen, all in line with industry standards for college auditions and the professional theatre world.
Faculty will guide you in selecting audition material, offer vocal and acting coaching, and teach self-tape techniques. You’ll also participate in daily dance warm-ups, study musical theatre history and music fundamentals, and engage with Broadway professionals through panels and guest seminars. Optional private voice lessons and group outings to Broadway shows can enhance your experience. The program concludes with a final performance for family and friends.
Location: Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY
Cost: $4,550 or $4,775 with optional private voice lessons
Program dates:
Session 1: June 22 – July 5, 2025
Session 2: July 6 – 19, 2025
Application deadline: Applications will be available on November 1, 2024
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are 16 years old by the program start. Students are often required to submit an application form, along with the audition video, a personal statement, and possibly letters of recommendation
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM fields, NYU’s GSTEM program offers a great opportunity for you. In this six-week program, you’ll be paired with a STEM professor or researcher to work on individual projects in your chosen field, gaining hands-on experience in STEM labs. Throughout the program, you'll enhance your laboratory techniques, programming skills, scientific writing, and presentation abilities. GSTEM offers a supportive and inclusive environment for those historically underrepresented in STEM.
The program begins with an orientation week featuring social activities, guest lectures, and workshops. You’ll also participate in weekly field trips to local STEM institutions and present your research on Symposium Day. Summer housing is available on campus, with evening and weekend activities including Broadway shows, walking tours, and dining experiences.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Tuition: $5,300, housing with meal plan: $3,702
Program dates: July 1 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: April 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students currently in 11th grade
New York Summer Intensive Studies at Parsons is a three-week, three-credit program that immerses you in art and design while experiencing the creative inspiration of New York City. You’ll study under Parsons' faculty, engaging in project-based learning, art and design field trips, and guest lectures. The program also includes portfolio reviews and opportunities to participate in supervised extracurricular activities focused on fashion, art, design, and city exploration.
You’ll develop a deeper understanding of fine arts and design, acquire technical and creative skills, and prepare your portfolio for college admissions. The experience is designed for high school students preparing for future art and design programs, with guidance from faculty and small class sizes to ensure personalized feedback and hands-on learning.
Location: Parsons' NYC Greenwich Village campus, New York, NY
Cost: $5,145 plus $245 university fee
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
Session 1: June 10 – 28, 2024
Session 2: July 8 – 26, 2024
Application deadline: TBA for 2025. The 2024 deadlines were:
Session 1: May 15, 2024
Session 2: June 8, 2024
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18. A written personal statement about a student’s creative or academic abilities is required
Conducted by Sarah Lawrence College, Writers Week for Teen is a week-long program that immerses students in creative writing and the performing arts. Each day, you’ll attend workshops led by prose writers, poets, and performance artists, focusing on storytelling, character, and narrative through both writing and theatre. With small classes and two teaching artists per workshop, you’ll get personalized feedback and plenty of interaction.
You’ll participate in improvisation, group projects, and creative games to enhance your process. You can select from theatre specialties like screenwriting, comedy sketch writing, or playwriting, with no prior theatre experience required. The program concludes with a celebration of student work and readings by both students and faculty.
Location: Virtual or Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY
Cost: $1,025 (virtual session); $1,550 (in-person session). Limited scholarships available for Yonkers Public School students
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
Online: July 15 – July 19, 2024
In-person: August 5 – August 9, 2024
Application deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Students entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades the following fall who are 14 or older at the start of the program
The week-long Summer Leadership Academy at Mercy University offers rising high school seniors a chance to experience university life and delve into leadership and business careers. Throughout the program, you'll participate in lessons led by faculty and leaders from top global companies.
The curriculum covers essential topics like career mindset, four leadership archetypes, personal branding, and careers in finance, accounting, and marketing. You’ll also get to visit Fortune 500 companies, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the corporate world. You will engage in team-building activities such as the Shark Tank challenge, where you’ll work with peers to pitch ideas and tackle real-world business problems.
Location: Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost: Tuition and board are provided for free; a fee of $695 is required to cover food and activities
Program dates: Choose from three one-week sessions:
June 23 – 29, 2025
July 6 – 12, 2025
July 20 – 26, 2025
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged due to limited spots
Eligibility: High school juniors with a cumulative, weighted GPA above 90
The Research Experience for High School Students is a seven-week intensive program designed for students to combine formal instruction with independent research. You’ll have the opportunity to design your own research project under the guidance of Garcia Center faculty, students, and staff. After the summer, you can continue in the Mentor Program, working with a faculty mentor to plan a research schedule throughout the academic year.
The program coordinates with local schools to arrange transportation and class schedules, allowing students from a wide area to participate. Since its inception, nearly 300 high school students have taken part, with many earning recognition through national competitions, publishing in refereed journals, winning patents, and being inducted into the National Young Inventor’s Hall of Fame.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 – $7,099.50
Program dates: June 26 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age who have:
An unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0)
At least 3 of these subjects: English, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology
Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT and/or Regents) 60% or above
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.
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