25 NYC Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
Summer is a time to relax, but if college is in your future, it’s also a time to explore your passions, build your skills, and gain experience. If you live in New York City, there is no shortage of opportunities for high schoolers, with a wide range of niches to explore—from the arts to STEM.
Here are 25 summer programs for high school students in NYC to check out.
25 Summer Programs in New York City
1. All Star Code Summer Intensive
Dates:
- Session 1: July 7 – 25
- Session 2: July 28 – August 15
Location: Online
Application Deadline: May 2
Cost: Free
This virtual coding program helps high schoolers from underrepresented groups build foundational coding skills and gain insight into the tech industry. The three-week program is an immersive dive into tech and provides workshops for developing problem-solving and critical thinking. Participants also have the opportunity to network and receive mentorship from professionals in the tech industry.
2. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Dates: June 2 – August 18
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: February 21
Cost: Free
A ten-week program from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, ARISE is open to students in grades 10 and 11 with strong interest in pursuing STEM careers. Participants engage in college-level workshops, lab research, and scientific methods. Students will gain roughly 120 hours of lab experience and conclude the program by presenting their work at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium.
The ARISE program is only open to students who live in New York City.
3. Democracy Scholars
Dates: July 6 – 26
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This free three-week residential summer program is for New York City high schoolers entering their senior year. The program helps students build essential skills in critical thinking, along with college-level reading and writing. Throughout the summer, students explore political philosophy and social justice topics while developing their leadership capabilities. Participants also receive mentoring and support through the college application process.
This program is only open to New York City residents.
4. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: April 15
Cost: Free
This program allows New York City students in grades 9 through 12 to explore fields like technology, science, and entrepreneurship through the lens of smart cities. The five-week program gives participants insight into everything from economics to project development and management to pitch presentation, while also offering hands-on experience designing prototypes.
Students must commit to attending the full five-week program and be able to get to and from campus every day. The program is only open to New York City and Nassau County residents.
5. NYU Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Location: New York University (NYU)
Application Deadline: April 15
Cost: Free
Offered by NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, this four-week program equips students with the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computer science. CS4CS participants explore a variety of topics throughout the program, including “white-hat” hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, privacy, and data usage.
This free program is open to New York City residents in the 10th and 11th grades.
6. Apollo Theater Academy Technical Stage Production Internship
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Location: Apollo Theater
Application Deadline: April 7
Cost: Free
Interested in the production side of theater? The Apollo Theater Academy Summer Internship Program gives students experience in technical theater and digital production. Interns work with members of Apollo’s production crew, where they learn about lighting design, videography, audio engineering, set design, and production design. The internship is open to current juniors who are New York City residents.
7. Summer Leadership Academy
Dates:
- Session 1: July 6 – 12
- Session 2: July 13 – 19
- Session 3: July 20 – 26
Location: Mercy University
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cost: $695
Summer Leadership Academy is a week-long, residential, leadership- and business-focused program hosted by Mercy College. Rising high school seniors get a taste of business careers from professors who have worked at some of the top companies in the world. Participants have the opportunity to visit Fortune 500 Companies, explore careers, and engage in team-building exercises, such as a Shark Tank-themed activity.
Tuition and housing are provided for free, however, there is a $695 fee to cover food and activities.
8. College Now
Dates: N/A
Location: Varies
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
College Now allows New York City public qualifying high school students to take real college-credit courses online or at campuses like Baruch College, the City College of New York, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. From business to robotics to sociology, there are a multitude of course options across a range of fields.
9. American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Dates: August – June
Location: American Museum of Natural History
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Free
Slightly different from the other programs on this list, SRMP is a 10-month program for New York City high schoolers in grades 10 and 11. Participants learn how to conduct scientific research under the guidance of AMNH scientists. Students are expected to participate in a four-week summer session and commit to working with their peers and mentors on a project twice weekly during the school year. The program concludes with a symposium where participants present their research.
Students are paid $2,500 upon completion of the SRMP.
10. Hk Maker Lab Summer Engineering Design Program
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Location: Columbia University
Application Deadline: January 8
Cost: Free
This free program is aimed at current 11th and 12th graders interested in engineering careers. The program is run through Columbia University, where students will take classes, learn design and innovation techniques, and participate in hands-on projects under the guidance of university faculty.
Students who complete the program are eligible to enroll in NY Bioforce the following year, which includes a paid internship in a research lab or healthcare institution.
11. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s Secondary School Field Research Program
Dates: N/A
Location: Columbia University
Application Deadline: March 1
Cost: Free
High schoolers work under the supervision of undergraduate students, science teachers, and researchers in this six-week summer program. Participants conduct scientific research and perform experiments on topics such as nutrient cycling, natural carbon sequestration, and non-chemical management of invasive plants. At the program’s conclusion, students present their work at a symposium.
12. Freedom and Citizenship
Dates: One year (summer intensive June 29 – July 25)
Location: Columbia University
Application Deadline: March 31
Cost: Free
Rising high school seniors in New York City will want to check out this year-long program provided by Columbia University and the Center for American Studies. During the summer, students participate in an intensive seminar focusing on political philosophy. Following the summer session, students engage in a civic leadership project—researching political issues and developing advocacy initiatives.
Participants also receive mentoring from Columbia undergraduates, college application guidance, and recommendation letters from their professors.
13. Museum of Arts and Design Artslife
Dates: July 8 – August 15
Location: Museum of Arts and Design
Application Deadline: April 21
Cost: Free
Just 10 rising sophomores and juniors from New York City public and charter high schools are chosen to participate in Artslife, a paid five-week internship that combines art and design with leadership training, community engagement, and museum studies. Interns learn about a variety of museum-related careers while working with peers and receiving guidance and mentorship. Students will also create artwork, launch a podcast, develop tours, and build career readiness.
Participants are paid $16.50 an hour.
14. New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute High School Internship
Dates: N/A
Location: N/A
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This paid ten-week internship allows participants to gain firsthand experience with the fast-paced world of stem cell research, learn about career paths in science, and build their network of professionals and peers. Opportunities are available in four tracks: data science, automation/software engineering, program administration, and laboratory research.
High school interns are expected to work 35 hours a week and are paid $18 an hour.
15. Summer Youth Podcast Academy
Dates: August
Location: Lower Manhattan
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Calling all storytellers! The Bell offers a three-week summer podcasting academy to help students develop the skills and experience needed to create their own podcasts, all while working and networking with professional storytellers, editors, and producers. Students will learn how to interview people, write scripts, record, and edit.
Summer Youth Podcast Academy is open to NYC high school students. Participants receive a $500 stipend upon completion of the program.
16. Bossgirls Summer Program
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Location: The City College of New York (CCNY)
Application Deadline: March 31
Cost: Free
This five-week program, offered by the Zahn Innovation Center at The City College of New York, is designed to introduce high school girls and nonbinary students (grades 9 through 12) to the ins and outs of running a business and provide insight into entrepreneurship. Participants work in groups to conceptualize, create, brand, and build a product. The program culminates with groups pitching their products to an audience—like Shark Tank, without the sharks.
The program is open to residents of the tri-state region who can commute to CCNY’s campus for the duration of the program.
17. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Location: The Rockefeller University
Application Deadline: January 3
Cost: Free
SSRP provides high schoolers with the opportunity to design and conduct their own research project modeled after a Rockefeller University research topic and/or technique. Program participants will deepen their understanding of biomedical research and how it intersects with society.
The program is open to high school juniors and seniors, 16 years of age and older. Students are expected to work 35 hours a week and are provided with a MetroCard/OMNI card to cover their travel to and from campus by public transit for the duration of the program.
The program is extremely competitive—just 32 students are accepted in SSRP annually.
18. The Wooster Group Summer Institute
Dates: July 7 – 26
Location: The Performing Garage in Lower Manhattan
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: Free
The Wooster Group Summer Institute is a free three-week program for New York City middle and high school students that allows them to explore different aspects of performance. Participants receive intensive mentoring and build confidence, independence, and creativity. The program culminates in three public performances for friends, family, and supporters.
Students accepted into the institute are invited back every year until they graduate from high school, at which time they may return as paid interns.
19. Youth Art Connection (YAC)
Dates: July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31
Location: American Folk Art Museum
Application Deadline: May 24
Cost: Free
This six-session program from the American Folk Art Museum takes place throughout July and is aimed at high schoolers interested in careers in art and museums. Participants discuss pieces in the museum’s collection and create their own art inspired by the museum’s collection. Students also meet with museum staff, get a closer look at its operation, and visit other art institutions.
All New York City high schoolers are eligible to apply, however, preference is given to those who live or attend school in Queens and are graduating seniors.
20. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Location: Manhattan
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Manhattan high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors get an inside look at the criminal justice system in this rigorous five-week-long internship program. Students work in one of the nation’s top prosecutors’ offices, along with participating in workshops, discussions, and a mock trial.
Interns are paid minimum wage for their participation in the program.
21. The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI)
Dates:
- Session 1: June 30 – July 11
- Session 2: July 14 – 25
- Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Location: Hunter College
Application Deadline: May 5
Cost: Free
BALI aims to develop the leadership skills of all youth, including female-identifying and gender-expansive individuals. The program is open to students ages 13-21 in the New York City metropolitan area. Participants build the skills, knowledge, and confidence to actively participate in all circles of life through workshops, seminars, speakers, networking, and debate labs.
Each session hosts 60 attendees. Applicants from underserved neighborhoods and schools are given admission priority.
22. Summer Shakespeare
Dates:
- Orientation: July 7
- Master classes: July 8 – 11
- Play rehearsals: July 14 – August 7
- Final performance: August 8
Location: Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Application Deadline: June 1
Cost: Free
This free five-week summer program trains high schoolers in voice, movement, ensemble work, and scene study—culminating with the production of an abbreviated Shakespeare play. The program is open to New York City high school students with financial need and a need for exposure to the arts, such as students who don’t have access to art programming.
23. Riverside Park Conservancy Teen Corps
Dates: July 8 – August 28
Location: Riverside Park Conservancy
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Learn about horticulture and environmental restoration in this summer program for teens from the West Harlem neighborhoods of Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights. Participants assist with a variety of activities, including caring for plantings, landscaping, and preparing for volunteer groups. Ultimately, students help keep the park safe, clean, and healthy while earning a $1,000 stipend for their participation.
24. Springboard to Design
Dates: July 6 – 12
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Application Deadline: March 15
Cost: Free
Springboard By Design allows students from underrepresented groups to explore American Theatre design. The program’s curriculum includes workshops, seminars, and work on and off Broadway in fields ranging from costume, set, lighting, projection, and sound design.
The program is held in New York City, but those living outside the area are encouraged to apply. The program provides free housing for students and one guardian—the guardian must be present with the student during the hours outside the program.
25. Summer Engineering Awareness Program
Dates: July 7 – 11 & July 7 – 18
Location: Manhattan University
Application Deadline: April 25
Cost: Free
This free 10-day program is open to minority and female rising juniors and seniors in the New York City area. Participants are exposed to a variety of engineering and scientific fields through hands-on labs, workshops, and lectures. Students also explore potential career paths and receive guidance about the college admissions process.
How Impressive Are Summer Programs?
Extracurricular activities are an important part of the admissions process. Admissions officers want to see students exploring their passions outside of the classroom, and summer programs are one way to do that. That said, not all summer programs are equivalent in the eyes of colleges. Some are highly prestigious and selective, while others are less so. The more selective and impressive an internship, the more weight it will carry with admissions offices.
According to the four tiers of extracurricular activities, Tier 1 indicates the rarest and most exceptional extracurriculars, while Tier 4 represents those that are the most common. The standard summer program is usually considered a Tier 3-4 activity, although there are some particularly impressive programs that are more prestigious and considered Tier 1-2 activities.
CollegeVine’s free chancing engine can help you determine how your extracurricular activities—along with additional factors like grades and test scores—affect your chances of admission to colleges across the country. Plus, you’ll receive tips on how to improve your profile!
