8 Free Leadership Programs for High School Students
Joining a leadership program for high school students is a great investment in personal and professional growth, especially while applying to college. Such programs offer a unique opportunity to develop essential leadership skills, enhance communication abilities, and foster teamwork. Engaging in leadership activities for high school students during your formative high school years will not only build confidence, but also instill a sense of responsibility and initiative. Additionally, participation in a high school leadership program provides a platform to connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and opportunities that can shape a promising future. It is a chance to gain practical experience, develop a strong work ethic, and lay the foundation for your successful and impactful leadership journey ahead.
However, most leadership programs for high school students often charge hefty amounts, or offer limited financial aid, which can be a deterrent for quite a lot of high schoolers. In this blog, we’ve highlighted 8 free leadership programs that you can make the best of!
The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership is an organization dedicated to empowering young leaders through leadership programs for high school students. HOBY aims to inspire high school students to become effective and ethical community leaders. The organization hosts leadership seminars and programs across the United States. Through workshops, discussions, and activities, HOBY encourages students to explore their potential and positively impact society. The program focuses on fostering communication, critical thinking, and social responsibility. HOBY’s State Leadership Seminar welcomes school and community-nominated students to 3-4-day seminars each spring and summer.
Location: See here to find your closest State Leaderships Seminar location.
Dates: Dates vary; see here to find out when the State Leadership Seminar is in your area.
Registration: Students are nominated by other peers. See here.
Eligibility: High school sophomores.
NSLC is a leadership program designed to help students seeking to explore their interests and develop leadership skills. Through specialized conferences in business, medicine, law, and more, NSLC provides you with simulations and interactions with professionals. This program fosters academic enrichment and emphasizes the importance of leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking. With programs at top universities across the United States, NSLC can help you explore potential future career paths. Some NSLC programs do require tuition, but others don’t so make sure to apply for the right leadership program! We have covered all there is to know about the NSLC in this blog.
Location: The conference is hosted across 13 different prestigious universities; see here.
Dates: NSLC’s programs are split into many different fields of interest, with the dates varying. See here for the full list and schedule.
Registration: NSLC does have suggested seasonal deadlines, but will continue to accept applications if space is available in a program or on a program’s waitlist. Apply here.
Eligibility: 6th-12th grade students.
The Summer Institute by The Sadie Nash Leadership Project is for women and gender-expansive students who want to explore diversity and inclusion within leadership. Spanning six weeks, the program encompasses field trips, workshops, and insights from guest speakers and leaders across the NYC area. Through mentorship, workshops, and community engagement, the Sadie Nash Leadership Project aims to amplify diverse voices, instill confidence, and cultivate a sense of agency in its participants. By emphasizing the intersectionality of leadership and social justice, Sadie Nash aims to create socially conscious leaders who will make a positive impact in their communities.
Location: Program available in New York, NY and Newark, NJ.
Dates: Summer Institute runs for 5 weeks at locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark.
Registration: The application cycle opens in the Spring.
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark.
The Bank of America Student Leader program is a prestigious leadership program for high school students. This competitive program allows high school students to engage in an eight-week summer internship in nonprofit work and community service. Through paid positions at local nonprofits, leadership training, and a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C., you will develop essential skills and expand your understanding of social issues. The program will equip you with the tools and networks necessary to make a meaningful impact in your community. We have covered this program in detail here!
Location: Internship locations vary.
Dates: 8 weeks (Summer).
Registration: January 17th.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors.
MIT conducts this annual Leadership Training Institute, spanning twelve Sundays in the spring. Participants are organized into small cohorts guided by Leadership Development Mentors. The program involves discussions on leadership principles followed by implementing a substantial community service initiative addressing local issues. Additionally, a project development segment focuses on community service, translating training into social impact. The MIT Leadership Training Institute employs a dual approach of theory and practice.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
Dates: February 11 to May 11.
Registration: Rolling admissions until December annually.
Eligibility: High school students.
Subiendo is a competitive leadership program hosted at UT Austin for rising juniors and seniors. The program includes leadership seminars, case studies, campus tours, and interactions with current students. Participation is entirely cost-free, with an emphasis on encouraging students from underrepresented groups. During the week-long program, you will reside on campus. This program is designed to prepare young leaders to address the needs of the next generation. It addresses issues in healthcare, energy/environment, and education.
Location: Austin, Texas.
Dates: 5 days (June 11 – June 15).
Registration: January 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors.
Throughout this program, you will engage in workshops conducted by faculty members from the Kelley School of Business and gain valuable knowledge. IU’s YWI also offers networking opportunities as you will interact with Kelley alumni and current peers. A highlight of this program is a real-world business case project, allowing you to apply your skills in a practical context. Additionally, the program hones leadership and communication abilities through activities. We’ve covered this program in detail here!
Location: Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Dates: Dates vary, see here.
Registration: TBD
Eligibility: Women who are juniors and seniors in high school.
The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) by the FBI National Academy Associates aims to empower future leaders. Tailored to nurture the intellectual curiosity of young individuals, this Youth Leadership Program provides opportunities to develop your leadership skills in a nationally-known setting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The goal of YLP is to cultivate a community of leaders who are socially conscious and committed to serving others. By fostering connections, the FBI’s Youth Leadership Program endeavors to create a network of individuals dedicated to positively impacting the world.
Location: The FBI Academy in Virginia.
Dates: June 20th-28th.
Registration: Applicants should contact their local FBINAA Chapter and coordinate with the Chapter YLP Coordinator for specific information on that Chapter’s application process.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors.
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!
Mandy Brenner is a current junior at Harvard University. She is concentrating in History and Literature and loves to read and write in her free time.
Image Source: Bank of America Student Leaders logo