25 Online Summer Programs for High Schoolers in 2026

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. These opportunities range from programs in math and economics to programs in film and writing.

 

25 Remote Summer Programs for High Schoolers 

 

1. Harvard Summer School’s Secondary School Program Online

 

Dates: June 20 – August 8

Application Deadline: March 10 

Cost: $4,180 – $8,160

 

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 14 – July 26

Application Deadline: April 14

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 nation’s most renowned writing programs—the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. 

 

Participants share their work, practice their craft, and improve their writing while working alongside other high school writers from across the U.S. Students can choose a focus, including:

 

• Creative Writing
• Fiction
• Non-Fiction
• Playwriting
• Poetry
• TV Writing

 

To apply, students must submit a statement of purpose, a letter of recommendation, a transcript, and a parental permission form. All applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

 

3. Economics for Leaders

 

Dates:

• Session 1: June 8 – 12
• Session 2: June 29 – July 3
• Session 3: July 6 – 10
• Session 4: July 20 – 24
• Session 5: August 3 –  7

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $900 

 

The Foundation for Teaching Economics offers leadership seminars on college campuses across the country for interested current high school sophomores and juniors. If none of the host schools are near you, they also offer the program virtually. 

 

Over the course of a week, students will learn fundamental economic concepts and develop economic reasoning skills, as well as leadership skills, through “live” online lectures and activities.   

 

4. LaunchX Online Entrepreneurship

 

Dates: N/A

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: N/A

 

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.  

 

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 – 31

Application Deadline: June 10 

Cost: $8,008 

 

Hosted by the renowned NYU Tisch School of the Arts, the High School Filmmakers Workshop enables students to collaborate 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 to produce a variety of short films. 

 

Applicants must be current high school students with a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must submit a personal statement, a creative resume, and a transcript for review. 

 

7. NYU Tisch Online High School Screenwriters Workshop

 

Dates: July 6 – 31  

Application Deadline: June 10

Cost: $8,008

 

In this program, hosted by NYU Tisch School of the Arts, students participate in intensive screenwriting exercises to learn the basic principles of writing for film and television. Students have the opportunity to develop story ideas and characters while learning the language of film and the structure of scripts. They will also participate in workshops where they’ll analyze important works and discuss one another’s.  

 

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

 

8. Boston Architectural College Summer Academy for High School Students

 

Dates: July 6 – 31

Application Deadline: June 9

Cost: $1,600 – $2,000  

 

In this program offered by the Boston Architectural College, students will gain a deeper understanding of fields such as 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 8 – 26
• Session 2: July 6 – 24

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 the tools and skills to 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 and 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 one-on-one 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 fully remote. 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 15 – July 3
• Session 2: July 6 – 24

Application Deadline: February 2

Cost: $3,750 

 

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 fields.

 

12. Stanford AI4ALL

 

Dates: June 15 – 26

Application Deadline: February 6

Cost: $4,120

 

Participants in this two-week online summer program explore AI and its applications in medicine, disaster response, and poverty reduction. Students engage in hands-on research projects, attend lectures, and receive mentorship from Stanford graduate students.

 

13. The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program

 

Dates: June 15 – July 27

Application Deadline: March 1

Cost: $575

 

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

 

To apply, you will need to submit three 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 has a roughly 8% acceptance rate.  

 

14. Sarah Lawrence College Virtual Writers’ Week 

 

Dates: July 6 – 10

Application Deadline: N/A 

Cost: $1,195 

 

During Sarah Lawrence College Writers’ Week, participants explore the creative process in workshops led by experienced Sarah Lawrence faculty and alumni. This program celebrates the risk and adventure that’s part of the creative process by allowing students 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. 

 

15. Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: July 6 – 10
• Session 2: July 13 – 17
• Session 3: July 20 – 24

Application Deadline: June 20 

Cost: $1,100 

 

Hosted by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, this program brings together high school students interested in developing their journalistic skills. Students can choose to focus on writing, editing, design, photojournalism, or leadership.

 

16. Columbia Online Summer

 

Dates: 

• Session 1: June 22 – 26
• Session 2: July 6 – 17
• Session 3: July 20 – 31

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $2,867 – $4,017

 

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.

 

17. Girls Who Code Pathways

 

Dates: June 29 – August 14

Application Deadline: April 10

Cost: Free 

 

The Girls Who Code Pathways summer program is aimed at female and non-binary high schoolers in grades 9–12. The six- to seven-week, self-paced program introduces participants to careers in tech, delivers hands-on computer science experience, and cultivates a community of like-minded peers.

 

18. UC San Diego FUTURES Programs

 

Dates: Varies 

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $390 – $500

 

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.  

 

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

 

Dates: July 26 – August 1

Application Deadline: June 15

Cost: $625

 

This summer program for high schoolers in grades 9-12 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.

 

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

 

Dates:

• Session 1: June 15 – 26
• Session 2: July 6 – 17

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Cost: $4,099

 

This program introduces students in grades 9-12 to undergraduate business education, helping 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.

 

21. University of Massachusetts Juniper Young Writers Online

 

Dates: August 3 – 7

Application Deadline: April 6

Cost: $1,325

 

Young wordsmiths in grades 9-12 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.

 

22. Babson Summer Study for High School Students

 

Dates: July 8 – 28

Application Deadline: March 13

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 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 14 – 19

Application Deadline: April 13

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 29 – July 31

Application Deadline: N/A

Cost: $4,225

 

High school juniors and seniors—and the occasional talented sophomore— 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, completing activities, listening to lectures, working in small virtual teams, and solving problems.

 

This is an intensive class—offered over 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 6 – August 7

Application Deadline: June 1

Cost: $3,605

 

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 online 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 consider 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, online 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 extremely competitive; 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. You can even seek out remote high school internships. 

 

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 
• Design your own products on Etsy 
• Teach an exercise class
• Become a tutor online or privately
• Provide customer service
• Do a computer programming project
• Sell your used items online 

 

 

Whatever you decide to do with your summer, make 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 hundreds of schools across the country. 

 

You can use our calculator to build your college list — categorizing schools as safeties, targets, or reaches. It also provides tips for improving your profile, which might just include participating in a summer program or internship!

 

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.