25 Online Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2025

What’s Covered:

• 25 Remote Summer Programs for High Schoolers
• How Impressive Are Summer Programs to Colleges?
• Other Ways to Spend Your Summer

 

Remote summer programs allow you to explore career paths and passions from the comfort of your home. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best online summer programs for high school students in 2025. These opportunities range from programs in math and economics to programs in film and writing.

 

1. Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program Online

 

Dates: June 21 – August 9

Application Deadline: February 12 or April 9 (space permitting)

Cost: $4,050 – $7,900

 

Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program Online is a seven-week program where students can take classes in a variety of subjects taught by Harvard faculty. Though the program is virtual, those taking classes remotely can get a taste of college academics while building connections with other students from around the country. 

 

The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors and while there is no minimum GPA requirement, the program requires your transcript and a counselor report. Financial aid is available.

 

2. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

 

Dates: June 15 – July 22  

Application Deadline: April 18

Cost: $475 

 

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, hosted by the University of Iowa, is a summer program for high school students interested in creative writing. The program provides students with the opportunity to study with graduates of one of the most renowned writing programs in the nation—the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. 

 

Participants in this program choose a focus—poetry, creative writing, fiction, and non-fiction—and share their work, practice their craft, and improve their writing while working alongside other high school writers from across the U.S. To apply, students need to submit a statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, transcript, and parental permission form. All applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

 

3. Economics for Leaders

 

Dates:

• Session 1: June 9 – 13
• Session 2: June 23 – 27
• Session 3: July 7 – 11
• Session 4: July 21 – 25
• Session 5: August 4 –  8

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $900 

 

The Foundation for Teaching Economics offers leadership seminars that teach economics at college campuses across the country to interested current high school sophomores and juniors. If none of the host schools are near where you live, they also offer the program virtually. Over the course of a week, students will learn about fundamental economics concepts and develop economic reasoning skills, as well as their leadership, during “live” online lectures and activities.   

 

4. LaunchX Online Entrepreneurship
 

Dates: June 30 – August 1 

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $6,995 

 

LaunchX is a program for high school students who want to learn how to design and develop a successful startup company. The program invites expert guest speakers to discuss the process and the logistics of beginning and maintaining a startup.  

 

Acceptance into the LaunchX program is competitive—its acceptance rate is roughly 30%. Financial aid is available.

 

5. New York Film Academy Online Summer Camps

 

Dates: Varies 

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: Varies

 

Through New York Film Academy’s online summer camps, students can learn about creation and performance in a medium of their choice—filmmaking, acting for film, or 3D animation. Students receive live interactive instruction, participate in group meetings, and complete practical, creative projects, all while learning about the exciting world of storytelling through film.

 

6. NYU Tisch Online High School Filmmakers Workshop

 

Dates: July 6 – August 2 

Application Deadline: April 18 

Cost: $7,664 

 

Hosted by the famed NYU Tisch School of the Arts, the High School Filmmakers Workshop allows students to work together online with other emerging artists on skill-building film projects. In one-on-one virtual meetings with experienced instructors, participants will learn to develop their writing, directing, shooting, and editing skills in order to produce a variety of short films. 

 

Applicants must be current high school students with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit a personal statement, creative resume, and transcript. Standardized test scores will not be reviewed.

 

7. NYU Tisch Online High School Screenwriters Workshop

 

Dates: July 6 – August 2  

Application Deadline: April 18 

Cost: $7,664

 

In this program, which is hosted by NYU Tisch School of the Arts, students will participate in intensive screenwriting exercises to learn the basic principles of writing for film and television. Students will have the opportunity to develop story ideas and characters while learning film language and script structure. There will also be workshops where students will analyze important works, as well as have a dialogue about each other’s works.  

 

Application requirements include a personal statement, creative resume, and transcript. The program is open to current high school students with at least a 3.0 GPA.

 

8. Boston Architectural College Summer Academy for High School Students

 

Dates: July 7 – August 1

Application Deadline: June 9

Cost: $1,800 – $2,000  

 

In this program offered by Boston Architectural College, students will gain a deeper understanding of fields like architecture, interior design, and landscape design. Virtual participants will explore case study buildings, attend virtual site and professional firm visits, and receive kits in the mail to participate in hands-on design and building.  

 

No design experience is required to participate in the program. At its conclusion, all students will have developed a digital and physical portfolio suitable for design school applications. 

 

9. The AFSF Build San Francisco Summer Design Institute 

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: June 9 – 27
• Session 2: July 7 – 25

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $3,000 – $3,500 

 

This summer program offered by the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco provides high school students with many tools and skills that will help them succeed in the world of architectural design. Students will receive one-on-one professional feedback and guidance from architects and engineers, as well as instruction in computer-aided design tools.  

 

10. Lumiere Research Scholar Program 

 

Dates: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Cost: $2,990 – $8,900

 

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. 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 written an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, computer science, psychology, physics, economics, data science, business, engineering, biology, and international relations.

 

This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—you can participate in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, and the program is also conducted fully remotely. While you must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (most students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3), no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required. The cost of the program ranges from $2,990 to $8,900, but financial aid is available.

 

Note that this is a selective program. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program. You can find more details about the application here. 

 

11. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) 

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: June 16 – July 4
• Session 2: July 7 – 25

Application Deadline: February 10

Cost: $3,580 

 

In a three-week virtual experience, SUMaC participants immerse themselves in advanced mathematics through activities such as lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving. Students engage in daily problem sets, work with teaching assistants, Stanford students, and attend virtual guest lectures from mathematicians and others who use mathematics in their respective fields.

 

12. The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program

 

Dates: June 26 – July 28

Application Deadline: March 1

Cost: $575

 

The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program, hosted by The Adroit Journal, gives high school students, graduating seniors, and gap year students the opportunity to work with experienced writers and to explore the creative writing process of drafting, redrafting, and editing. Instead of traditional class instruction, the program offers flexible, individualized correspondence to students interested in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. 

 

To apply, you will need to submit two application essays and a sample of your written work, as well as your high school transcript, if you would like. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. Admission to the program is competitive—it maintains about an 8% acceptance rate. 

 

13. Sarah Lawrence College Virtual Writers’ Week 

 

Dates: July 7 – 11

Application Deadline: N/A 

Cost: $1,095 

 

During Sarah Lawrence College Writers’ Week, participants will explore the creative process in workshops led by experienced Sarah Lawrence faculty and alumni. This program celebrates the risk and adventure that is part of the creative process by giving students the opportunity to meet in small groups with workshop leaders. Writers’ Week also includes faculty and student readings, as well as a celebration of student work on the final day of the program. 

 

14. Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: July 7 – 11 
• Session 2: July 14 – 18 
• Session 3: July 21 – 28 

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $999 

 

Hosted by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University, this program unites high school students interested in developing their journalistic skills. During the program, students develop interviewing and reporting skills. Students can choose to study mediums focused on a number of skill sets—writing, editing, design, photojournalism, and leadership.

 

15. Columbia Online Summer

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: July 7 – 18
• Session 2: July 21 – August 1
• Session 3: August 11 – 15 

Application Deadline: May 24

Cost: $2,815 – $3,965  

 

Participants in Columbia’s pre-college programs will not only get to dive into the university’s world-class academic offerings in their areas of interest, but also bond with their peers and learn more about how to succeed in college. Students who participate in the program for two weeks will also have the opportunity to take part in a workshop on college essay writing.

 

16. Girls Who Code

 

Dates:

• Summer Immersion Session 1: July 7 – 18
• Summer Immersion Session 2: July 28 – August 8 
• Pathways Program: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: April 16

Cost: Free 

 

Girls Who Code offers two free summer programs for young female and non-binary high schoolers ages 14 through 18: a two-week-long immersion program and a six-week, self-paced program. Both programs introduce participants to careers in tech, deliver hands-on computer science experience, and help cultivate a community of like-minded peers.

 

Eligible students can receive a $300 need-based grant for their participation.

 

17. UC San Diego FUTURES Programs

 

Dates: Varies 

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $350 – $395

 

UC San Diego’s FUTURES programs introduce high schoolers to potential college and career paths. Courses range in length and are self-paced, so that even the most time-crunched high schoolers can squeeze them into their busy schedules. Programs are designed specifically for high school students and offered in a number of in-demand fields, including business management, front-end web development, and machine learning. 

 

18. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Virtual Architecture Summer Camp Academy

 

Dates: July 20 – 25

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $575 

 

This summer program for high schoolers in grades 9 through 12 is a great choice for students interested in architecture and design. Students participate in hands-on activities and workshops to learn how to communicate their ideas through models, drawing, text, and presentations while also gaining an understanding of how to use digital models, read architectural drawings, and document their work. 

 

Although this program is online, students are given the opportunity to visit Milwaukee in person to take architectural tours and have lunch at UW-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture.

 

19. University of Pennsylvania: Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Leadership

 

Dates:

• Session 1: June 16 – 27
• Session 2: July 7 – 18

Application Deadline: May 1

Cost: $4,099

 

This program introduces students in grades 9 through 12 to undergraduate business education and helps them build skills that will serve them in college and beyond like emotional intelligence, problem solving, communication, teamwork, and collaboration. Students will take part in business simulations, discuss business topics with peers and instructors, and participate in experiential learning opportunities.

 

20. University of Massachusetts Juniper Young Writers Online

 

Dates: July 7 – 11

Application Deadline: April 7

Cost: $1,300

 

Young wordsmiths in grades 9 through 12 can share their creativity, writing, and ideas with a community of their peers in this summer program. Over the course of the week-long program, students will develop their craft, draw inspiration from their peers, and receive advice as they participate in writing labs, readings, craft sessions, and life talks.

 

21. Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP)

 

Dates:

• Session 1: June 9 – July 18
• Session 2: July 7 – August 15

Application Deadline: April 14

Cost: $4,750

 

Ambitious, high-achieving high schoolers gain hands-on entrepreneurial and technology experience in this online summer program. Participants work with leading startups, renowned CEOs, and Harvard faculty, building real-world experience, learning about fields like innovation management, and developing valuable soft skills like problem-solving.

 

During the program, participants will intern at a startup, complete a project (similar to a case study taught at Harvard Business School), and learn from experts—industry leaders such as famed entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban; Lila Snyder, the CEO of Bose Corporation; and Joshua Silverman, the CEO of Etsy.

 

22. Babson Summer Study for High School Students

 

Dates: July 7 – 28

Application Deadline: March 14

Cost: $6,295

 

Rising high school juniors and seniors can develop their entrepreneurial mindset and learn what it takes to become an innovator and changemaker in this summer program from one of the nation’s top business schools. Participants will build transferable skills like teamwork and problem-solving while gaining an understanding of key concepts in the fields of entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication.

 

Students earn four college credits upon completion of the program.

 

23. Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Online Workshop

 

Dates: June 15 – 20

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $995

 

This online workshop for young writers provides the space for them to push their boundaries, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of other aspiring wordsmiths. Students explore a variety of genres—including short stories, poetry, and essays—while finding their voice. The program intersperses solo writing time with workshops and one-on-one mentorship, providing ample opportunity to produce and review fresh work.

 

24. Explore Engineering Innovation: Online

 

Dates: June 30 – August 1

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $4,115

 

High school juniors and seniors can earn three college credits from Johns Hopkins University while exploring civil, chemical, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. Over the course of the program, participants will learn to think like an engineer as they complete activities, listen to lectures, work in small virtual teams, and solve problems.

 

This is an intensive class offered over the course of 16 weeks to first-year engineering students at Johns Hopkins University. Students should plan on committing roughly 28 hours a week to it to fit the condensed summer schedule.

 

25. Introduction to Architecture Online: Foundation Studies and Portfolio Development for H.S. Students

 

Dates: July 7 – August 8

Application Deadline: June 1

Cost: $2,980

 

Participants in this program from the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture of The Cooper Union build fundamental knowledge of architectural thinking and design while developing projects they can use in their portfolio. The program blends hands-on exercises with lectures and tutorials and introduces students to the rigor of college-level coursework.

 

How Impressive Are Summer Programs to Colleges?

 

Extracurricular activities such as summer programs are a great way to develop your interest in a particular field and meet like-minded students. College admissions value extracurriculars because they can demonstrate a student’s passion for a particular subject or field. 

 

Generally, there are four tiers of extracurricular activities that colleges think about when reviewing applicants’ activities. Tier 1 extracurriculars are the most impressive and rare, whereas Tier 4 activities are more common and less prestigious. Below is a small summary of the different tiers of extracurriculars. 

 

Tier 1: National achievements, such as attending a very prestigious summer program or winning a renowned national science fair. 

 

Tier 2: State-level or major achievements, such as ranking #2 in wrestling in your state, making an all-state orchestra, or being student body president.  

 

Tier 3: More minor leadership positions, such as being secretary of the debate club, a class representative, or captain of the varsity soccer team.  

 

Tier 4: Participatory activities, such as volunteer work or involvement in common school clubs without a leadership position.  

 

Typically, summer programs fall into Tier 3 or 4. Nevertheless, selective and impactful programs may be considered Tier 1 or 2 activities. The most impressive programs will often be free and selective; programs that are expensive and open to everyone won’t boost your chances as much, even if they’re hosted by a top school.

 

Other Ways to Spend Your Summer

 

Attending a summer program isn’t the only way to learn and grow over the summer. We’ve compiled a list of other projects you can participate in that may be even more impressive than attending a summer program.

 

1. Self-Driven Projects

 

You don’t necessarily have to participate in a formal program to learn something new. There are a variety of engaging activities that you can do on your own. These activities include:  

 

• Creating your own small business
• Teaching or tutoring a class or subject
• Learning a new language
• Building a computer
• Publishing a book or starting a blog
• Starting a YouTube channel
• Creating artwork for public spaces
• Running a half marathon
• Starting a band
• Raising money for a local political candidate   

 

Admissions officers love self-driven activities, as they demonstrate your initiative and passion.

 

2. Internships

 

High school internships can be a great way to differentiate yourself on your college application, pursue your passions, and/or develop a new interest. When you start your search, reflect on your interests and leverage your personal network to get your foot in the door. If you can’t think of any relevant connections you may have, check out websites such as Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Indeed for opportunities. We also have a list of remote high school internships you can explore.

 

3. Jobs

 

As a high school student, it can be hard to find jobs—especially online—that pay well. However, many different options exist depending on your interests and skill set. For example, you could:  

 

• Become a freelance blogger on Fiverr
• Design your own products on Redbubble
• Teach an exercise class
• Become a tutor online or privately
• Provide customer service
• Do voice-overs
• Do a computer programming project
• Sell your used items online 

 

Whatever you decide to do with your summer, be sure to check out how your summer plans will impact your chances of admission using our free chancing calculator! Based on your extracurricular and academic profile, the calculator will estimate your personal chances of acceptance at each of the schools on your list, and categorize them as safeties, targets, or reaches. You’ll also receive tips for how to improve your profile, which might just include participating in a summer program or internship!

 

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.