20 Summer Programs in Connecticut for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
Summer programs offer many benefits for high school students, including the ability to develop their interests, learn more about college life, and explore potential career paths. Participating in a summer program also shows colleges that a student is willing to go the extra mile to delve deeper into their interests, explore their passions, and ultimately give their college admissions chances a boost.
Are you looking for a great summer program in the Nutmeg State? Check out these 20 great summer programs for high schoolers in Connecticut.
20 Summer Programs in Connecticut
1. Emagination Tech Summer Camp Weekly Sessions
Dates: Session 1: July 14 – 26; Session 2: July 28 – August 9
Location: Fairfield University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,080 – $3,760
This two-week technology-based camp allows students to specialize in an industry by choosing specific classes and taking advantage of the resources available at Fairfield University. Students can select from coding, graphic design, or game design classes, and can also enjoy recreational electives like field games, Slip-N-Slide, or LARP.
2. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition II
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
The Liberal Studies Program allows students to select from a variety of general college-level courses to enrich their education and prepare them for college life. The course is designed primarily for 9th and 10th graders, but it can help students at any grade level become more effective writers and critical readers. This program teaches participants the elements of academic writing and includes discussions about short stories and novels.
3. Liberal Studies Program | Literature and Composition III
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
A more advanced version of the previous program, this class is aimed at 11th and 12th graders. Literature and Composition III emphasizes more specific elements of analyzing fiction and poetry, such as character, conflict, setting, and theme. Because students are required to write insightful essays on selected readings, participants must possess strong writing skills.
4. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Geometry
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This foundational math course covers many of the concepts related to shape and logic; students will learn about the properties of geometrical figures and the fundamentals of logic so that they can construct and interpret formal proofs.
5. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Algebra II
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This is a great summer program in Connecticut for students who’ve already taken Algebra I and want to get a head start in math. The first part of the course reviews topics from Algebra I before diving into the early topics covered in Algebra II. By the end of this course, students will feel more confident in their math skills and will have a strong foundation in algebraic techniques.
6. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Precalculus
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This is a fantastic summer program if you’ve already completed Geometry and Algebra II. This course prepares students for the skills and topics they will need in more advanced math classes. The course covers several types of functions, including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. Students will also learn about real-world applications of these functions.
7. Liberal Studies Program | Introduction to Calculus
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This summer program is intended as an introduction to single variable calculus and is aimed at students who’ve already completed a pre-calculus course. The course will cover a variety of topics, including limits and continuity, basic differentiation techniques, applications of derivatives such as min-max problems, and basic techniques of integration. Get your graphing calendar ready!
8. Liberal Studies Program | Photography
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This course combines traditional darkroom “wet” practices with the digital “dry” process. It is open for enrollment to beginner and advanced students alike, teaching both the technical and aesthetic aspects of photography. Students will learn essential photography skills, such as developing black-and-white film and print from negatives. Additionally, they will learn the fundamentals of digital image adjustment, including matching the printed output to the image.
9. Liberal Studies Program | Studio Art
Dates: June 28 – August 1
Location: The Taft School
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $5,200 for day students; $9,950 for boarding students
This course focuses on artistic exploration in the studio. Students with limited experience are welcome, but they should expect a challenge. Students in this course will assemble portfolios through projects that require creative thinking, problem solving, and attention to aesthetics. The studio art projects undertaken in this course will concentrate on elements of art and principles of design through drawing, painting, printmaking, assemblage, installation, and even flipbook animation!
10. UConn Pre-College Summer Program | Animation Studio
Dates: July 13 – 19
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
The UConn Pre-College Program is a non-credit academic enrichment program where students can have a week-long college-like experience and get a feel for college-level classes. Animation Studio teaches students about storytelling, character development, and the fundamentals of animation. By the end of the course, participants will leave with a framed piece of art and valuable material for a future college portfolio.
11. UConn Pre-College Summer Program | Messy Endings: Writing, Film & Creativity
Dates: July 6 – 12
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
Students (and educators) often view the essay as little more than a tool to assess learning, but the essay has a storied history as a creative genre. In this course, students tackle the essay as the creative, dynamic, imaginative literary form that it is. The course has the objective of changing your approach to writing essays, stating that “you’ll never go back to the five-paragraph essay again!”
12. UConn Pre-College Summer Program | Digital Animation & Motion Graphics
Dates: July 20 – 26
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
Students participating in this fun summer program will explore the increasing role of digital animation in television, film, and the web, as well as create their own animations and motion graphics for different types of publications. They’ll get to use industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects in conjunction with other Adobe creative products.
13. UConn Pre-College Summer Program | Pre-Law
Dates: June 20 – 26
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
By the end of this course, students will be well equipped to begin a pre-law program at the college level, having gained a deeper understanding of legal theory, constitutional rights, and both formal and informal dispute resolution systems in the U.S. Interactive simulations throughout the week help strengthen public-speaking abilities, while lively discussions on contemporary legal topics spark intellectual curiosity in every participant.
14. UConn Pre-College Summer Program | Sports Medicine
Dates: July 13 – 19
Location: University of Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,150
Participants in this summer program will get an overview of the medical aspects surrounding sport and physical activity and will gain an understanding of the illnesses and injuries associated with such activities, including their causes, prevention, and treatment. The program covers ailments such as concussions, traumatic injuries, cardiac events, and exertional heat illnesses.
15. Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative High School Student Research Apprentice Program
Dates: June 16 – July 18
Location: UConn Health or Central Connecticut State University
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: Free (participants are provided a stipend)
This five-week summer program is focused on 11th graders from groups traditionally underrepresented in the health professions. The program provides students with an interest in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research with the opportunity to conduct research projects, giving them a taste of real science and preparing them for future careers.
This program is free, and students earn a stipend for their participation.
16. Quinnipiac University Pre-College Summer Program | Data Sciences Lab
Dates: July 7 – 18
Location: Quinnipiac University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,400 for commuter students; $3,360 for students receiving room and board
The Data Sciences Lab summer program is ideal for high school students passionate about problem-solving, pattern recognition, and creative thinking. Through hands-on learning, participants will explore how to apply mathematics, statistics, and computer programming to analyze data, uncover insights, and make informed decisions about real-world issues.
17. Quinnipiac University Pre-College Summer Program | Young Adult Novel Workshop
Dates: July 28 – August 1
Location: Quinnipiac University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,400 for commuter students; $1,680 for students receiving room and board
Have a great idea for a story or novel with a young adult protagonist but not sure how to tie it all together? Whether you’ve sketched out a basic plot or written pages of a specific storyline that still doesn’t feel quite right, this Young Adult (YA) fiction course will guide you in shaping and refining your narrative. You’ll strengthen existing ideas, discover new ones, and gain a deeper grasp of the key elements that drive compelling YA fiction.
18. Quinnipiac University Pre-College Summer Program | Modern Storytelling: Movie-Making
Dates: July 14 – 18
Location: Quinnipiac University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,400 for commuter students; $1,680 for students receiving room and board
This dynamic program is designed for high school students who are eager to share their stories through a variety of media platforms. Guided by award-winning media professionals, participants will bring their creative visions to life using professional-grade cameras and editing tools to produce compelling short films and video projects.
19. University of Saint Joseph, Connecticut: The Challenge Program for High School Juniors and Seniors
Dates: Varies
Location: University of Saint Joseph, Connecticut
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Though tuition is free, the student assumes the cost of books, laboratory fees, and transportation.
The University of Saint Joseph, Connecticut, provides high school juniors and seniors, between the ages of 16 and 18, an opportunity to explore college while still attending high school. Participants in the Challenge Program can take a course at the University during the fall, spring, or summer semester tuition-free while earning credit that they can apply to a college degree.
Although the chosen course is offered tuition-free, students must cover the cost of any books, lab fees, or transportation required.
20. YWCA Young Women’s Leadership Corps (YWLC) Summer Institute
Dates: July – August
Location: YWCA Hartford
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This program is focused on empowering teen girls. The program is centered on personal development, civic engagement, and advocacy, and participants will build life skills, explore college, and learn about career opportunities. They will also bolster their research and technical skills while raising awareness of issues important to their communities.
Interested in learning about even more summer programs in Connecticut for high schoolers? Check out our article, “10 Summer Programs at Yale for High Schoolers.”
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Summer programs play a part in college admissions; however, the weight they’re given depends on a variety of factors, including the prestige of the program, its selectivity, and how much importance a school places on extracurricular activities. For example, a highly selective program that is free will be viewed as a more prestigious accomplishment than a program that anyone who pays to attend can participate in.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good guide for understanding how colleges value your pursuits outside of the classroom. Think of the four tiers of extracurriculars as a pyramid with Tier 1 activities at the top and Tier 4 activities at the bottom. Tier 1 activities—like attending a super selective summer program—are the most unique, impressive, and influential, while Tier 4 activities are more common and therefore less likely to grab the attention of admissions officers.
Your college profile will ideally include a few extracurriculars from the top tiers to demonstrate your achievements and impress admissions committees. You’ll also want to possess a few activities from the lower tiers to highlight your other interests and show juxtapositional depth.
CollegeVine can add clarity to how colleges view your extracurriculars, like summer programs. Our free chancing calculator uses numerous factors—including grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities—to estimate your odds of admission at hundreds of colleges across the country. It also provides insight into your profile and spotlights areas of improvement.
