15 Summer Programs in New Mexico for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
There are a lot of ways to spend your time this summer. Without the constraints of a constant high school class schedule, numerous extracurriculars, and other commitments, you’re free to pursue volunteering at a program you’re passionate about, work a summer job, or even take some summer classes.
If you’re looking to get a taste of life on a college campus, a summer program—also called a pre-college program—is another great option. Below are 15 pre-college programs in New Mexico to start your search for how you want to spend your summer.
15 Summer Programs in New Mexico
1. Summer Science Program: Astrophysics
Dates: N/A
Location: New Mexico State University
Application Deadline: February 21
Cost: Scaled by family income (maximum cost of $8,400)
The Summer Science Program (SSP) was founded in 1959 and is one of the longest-running pre-college programs in the country. It provides an immersive experience with hands-on research for its 39-day residential program. It aims to challenge and inspire talented and motivated high school students through three different program offerings in astrophysics, one of which is available at New Mexico State University.
2. New Mexico Tech Summer STEM Experience
Dates:
- June 8 – 13
- July 6 – 11
Location: New Mexico Tech
Application Deadline: May 25 (June deadline) & June 29 (July deadline)
Cost: $650
This week-long STEM program offered by New Mexico Tech allows high schoolers to experience college life. The program is open to high schoolers entering their sophomore, junior, and senior years and provides a chance to explore science and engineering disciplines while earning college credit and meeting like-minded peers.
3. Architecture + Design Summer Academy
Dates:
- New Mexico School for the Arts non-credit program: June 9 – 20
- New Mexico School for the Arts dual-credit program: June 9 – 27
- University of New Mexico non-credit program: July 7 – 18
- University of New Mexico dual-credit program: July 7 – 25
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts & University of New Mexico
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $300 + materials
These two-week and three-week courses introduce high school juniors and seniors to the disciplines in which the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Architecture + Planning offers degrees and certificates. Sessions are held both at UNM’s Albuquerque campus as well as at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe. The curriculum consists of numerous design activities, lectures, and field trips.
Dual-credit participants receive 3 college credits and typically 1 high school credit at participating high schools. Dual-credit participants will have some homework, however, non-credit students will not.
4. Hispanic Youth Research & Leadership Program
Dates: N/A
Location: University of New Mexico
Application Deadline: June 7
Cost: Free
This program introduces Hispanic youth to the opportunities presented by degrees and careers in the STEM fields. Over the program’s five days, participants will work on a research project and present their findings. They will also participate in programs aimed at career and college readiness preparation.
The program is open to high schoolers from low-income families, those from populations underrepresented in the STEM fields, and those who will be first-generation college students. Not only is the program free, but participants are eligible for a stipend upon its completion.
5. College Readiness Summer Residential Camp
Dates: N/A
Location: University of New Mexico
Application Deadline: First week in June
Cost: Free
This four-day, three-night program introduces high schoolers from underserved and underrepresented populations, along with those who will be first-generation college students, to life at the University of New Mexico. The program is focused on preparing students to navigate the college application process and college life. Camp activities include leadership activities, tours, and presentations.
6. St. John’s College Summer Academy
Dates: Varies
Location: St. John’s College and online
Application Deadline: June 1
Cost: $1,400 (deposit of $200 is required for in-person sessions)
Inspired by St. John’s discussion-based Great Books seminars, these week-long programs allow high schoolers to delve into the literary world. Participants can choose from three courses: Technology and Transcendence; American Experiment; and Shakespearean and Greek Drama and Poetry.
7. Young Women in Computing (YWiC)
Dates: N/A
Location: New Mexico State University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This two-week summer program intends to increase female students’ interest in computing, build a community of young women in computing, and increase young women’s confidence in computer science. Participants will explore computational thinking through a variety of interactive software while discovering that computer science is a fun, engaging, and rewarding field. They will also learn Python, build webpages, and explore technologies like artificial intelligence.
8. Youth Entrepreneurship Summer (YES) Camp
Dates: N/A
Location: New Mexico State University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: TBA
Business-minded high schoolers will want to check out this summer program that’ll help them gain a better understanding of the role free enterprise and entrepreneurship play in achieving economic growth, community prosperity, and individual success. Participants will sit for 40 hours of classroom instruction and take part in a 35-hour field-based practicum. Students can earn three college credits for completing the program.
9. Summer Physics Camp for Young Women
Dates: June 2 – 13
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: Free
This two-week camp provides high school females with the opportunity to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) while learning about the physics of the sun, Earth, and everything in between. Students can expect to take part in a variety of activities, talks, virtual tours, and hands-on projects throughout the program. Students will leave the problem not just with a better understanding of STEM, but also with real-world skills like how to write a resume and successfully interview for a job.
10. Albuquerque Academy Think Summer
Dates:
- 6-Week Program: June 9 – July 18
-
3-Week Program
- Session 1: June 9 – June 27
- Session 2: June 30 – July 18
Location: Albuquerque Academy
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Varies
Albuquerque Academy provides a variety of summer programs—both part-day and full-day— to high schoolers in fields ranging from visual and performing arts to languages to mathematics. The programming is intended to build on what participants learned during the school year and keep their minds active and engaged over the summer break.
11. The Hiland Theater Summer Programs
Dates: Varies
Location: The Hiland Theater
Application Deadline: May 6
Cost: N/A
Albuquerque’s Hiland Theatre offers both half-day and full-day programs to students interested in dance. Programs include ballet, creative movement, jazz, modern, and tap.
12. Santa Fe Playhouse Youth Theatre
Dates: July 7 – 25
Location: Santa Fe Playhouse
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,800
Students ages 12-17 with an interest in Shakespeare and the theater are going to want to check out this three-week intensive summer program. During the program’s first two weeks, students receive audition training, learn about acting techniques, and explore career paths. In the final week, participants mount a production of As You Like It.
Students will leave the program with a digital headshot, personalized resume, and a condensed theater experience—from concept to performance.
13. Sandia Prep Summer Prep
Dates:
- June 2 – June 13
- June 16 – June 27
- June 30 – July 11
- Specialty Camps: July 14 – 25
Location: Sandia Prep
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Varies depending on the selected program
Sandia Prep offers a handful of popular theater classes for high schoolers in 9th and 10th grade, including black box theater, theater tech, and main stage. Blackbox Theater will stage productions of Alice in Wonderland and Rapunzel Uncut, and the main stage will mount productions of Disney’s Frozen Jr. and The Wizard of Oz.
14. Summer Physics Camp
Dates: June 2 – 13
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
A two-week free camp for students that focuses on STEM and Energy Security. The 9th annual Summer Physics Camp offers a unique opportunity for young students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with STEM professionals.
Students will learn the principles of physics, engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, computer programming, and cybersecurity, and apply their knowledge in various projects. They will also learn about different energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power, to better understand the challenges faced by our modern society.
15. Engineering and Computing Summer Academy
Dates:
- Non-residential/commuter: June 2 – June 27
- Residential Summer Transportation Institute: July 7 – 25
Location: University of New Mexico
Application Deadline: April 15
Cost: Free
Discover Engineering and Computer Science! The Engineering and Computing Summer Academy offers participants hands-on activities & learning experiences in all areas of engineering and computer science. Students meet with engineering & computer science students as well as STEM faculty and industry professionals.
Room & board, tuition, and instructional materials are fully covered for residential participants. Expenses are also fully covered for non-residential/commuter students. Plus, upon successful completion of the program, students will earn a small stipend for their participation.
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The value of attending a summer program varies and everything from the selectivity of the program to the weight that a particular college places on extracurriculars will determine how much value a school gives it. However, in general, admissions committees look more favorably on programs that are competitive and free as opposed to programs that you pay to attend.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities provide a good guideline for understanding how activities outside of the classroom affect your odds of admission. Tier-one and tier-two activities are the rarest, most prestigious, and most influential to colleges; consequently, they have the greatest impact on your chances of admission.
Colleges place less value on tier-three and tier-four activities, which are less selective and more common than their higher-tiered counterparts. That said, attending a lower-tiered activity still has value—it shows you’re passionate about a subject and motivated to pursue the things that interest you.
Curious about the effect extracurricular activities have on your chances of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors, including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars, to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
