15 Summer Programs in Hawaii for High Schoolers in 2023
What’s Covered:
If you’re a student living in Hawaii and looking for a fulfilling summer activity to boost your applications, or even if you’re a student who would like to have a productive summer in a tropical paradise, a summer program in Hawaii might be right for you.
Hawaii offers many options in terms of high school summer programs, from theatre and art experiences to public health opportunities. Keep reading to learn about some programs available to you in Hawaii this summer!
Summer Programs in Hawaii for High Schoolers
1. Diamond Head Musical Theatre Experience 1
Grades: 9th-12th
Program Cost: $825
Application Deadline: N/A
The Diamond Head Theatre’s MTE program allows students of all levels to hone their acting, singing, and dancing skills in a professional setting with real guest artists. The six-week program culminates in a final performance, allowing participants to show off what they’ve learned. No prior experience in acting, singing, or dancing is required.
2. Diamond Head Musical Theatre Experience 2
Ages: 7-16
Program Cost: $675
Application Deadline: N/A
If you have previous performance experience and really want to develop your professional musical theater skills, this is the MTE program for you. This is an intensive two-week, full-day program that allows students aged 7 to 16 to refine techniques they’ve developed and gain further knowledge in musical theatre. Previous performance experience is required to participate in this program.
3. Hawai’i Preparatory Academy Summer Session
Grades: 6th-12th
Program Cost:
- Residential: $5,700
- Commuter: $1,800
Application Deadline: May 15, 2023
The Hawai’i Preparatory Academy (HPA) puts on a four-week day and boarding program for students from all over the world. Students in this program are able to pursue a variety of areas of interest. This year’s academies are:
- Young Authors Academy
- Arts Academy
- Sustainability Academy
- Marine Explorations Academy
- English Language Learners Academy
An additional benefit of the program is that it introduces prospective HPA students to the school, its programs, and its instructors.
4. ‘Iolani School Summer Programs
Grades: 7th-12th
Program Cost: Varies
Application Deadline: May 11, 2023
Dedicated to the tradition of leadership and academic excellence, the ‘Iolani School offers students from both the community and abroad an opportunity to “enrich their knowledge and curiosity through engaging curriculum and interactive learning environments in order to foster lifelong learners.”
As part of its mission, the school offers a diverse array of summer classes—in fields ranging from ceramics to algebra to marine science—to students looking to enrich their learning experience. The school is only hosting day programs in 2023, but summer residential programs are slated to return in 2024.
5. Hawaii Pre-Health Career Corps (PHCC)
Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
Program Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling
The PHCC is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to go into a health-related career. This program allows high school students to learn about various health careers through volunteering, interning, shadowing, and/or conducting research with the PHCC. In addition, students will gain access to a support network for college and beyond. The program is open to students who live in, or who have ties to, Hawaii.
6. CRDG Summer Programs at UH Mānoa
Grades: 10th, 11th, and 12th
Program Cost: $770-$800
Application Deadline: N/A
CRDG Summer Programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has offered a variety of summer programs to students of all ages for more than five decades. This summer, it’s offering four programs to high schoolers:
- Drama: Just Act—Acting Gym
- Little Journalists
- Science Lab: Undersea Explorers
- Robotics with Vex
Programs run for five weeks and are held either in the morning (8:00 am–11:45 am) or afternoon (12:30 pm–3:15 pm).
7. Hawaii Baptist Academy Summer School Program
Grades: 7th-12th
Program Cost: $225-$580
Application Deadline: March 31, 2023
The Hawaii Baptist Academy offers numerous courses—both credit- and non-credit-bearing—to high schoolers over the summer. Classes for credit include Algebra and Intro to Photoshop while non-credit classes range from SAT/ACT Prep to Python Coding and Robotics.
8. Le Jardin Academy Summer School
Grades: 9th-12th
Program Cost: Varies
Application Deadline: May 15, 2023
Le Jardin Academy offers a multitude of four-week programs for high schoolers. Classes run for two hours a day and encompass a spectrum of interests, including cooking, music, and language.
9. Global Exchange Academy (GlobalX) Summer Programs
Grades: 9th-12th
Program Cost: Varies
Application Deadline: N/A
GlobalX provides high schoolers with numerous summer program options—it offers both courses for credit and non-credit courses, as well as in-person and virtual classes. Courses for credit include Mandarin and Modern Hawaiian History, while non-credit courses include Ballet and Contemporary Dance and Introduction to Pre-Calculus.
10. Pacific Music Institute Wind Ensemble
Grades: 8th-12th
Program Cost: $400
Application Deadline: May 31, 2023
Pacific Music Institute Wind Ensemble provides students with the chance to have fun and develop their skills while making friends and music. The program is open to students who play the:
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Percussion
The weeklong program culminates in a concert for friends and family. Ideally, participants will have at least two years of experience with their respective instrument.
11. Pacific Music Institute Jazz Intensive
Grades: 8th-12th
Program Cost: $240
Application Deadline: May 31, 2023
Students in this weeklong summer program will receive instruction in everything from jazz theory to improvisation to playing in an ensemble—they’ll also enjoy daily jam sessions. The program is open to students who play the:
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Piano
- Guitar
- Bass guitar
- Drums
No jazz experience is necessary. However, participants ideally will have two years of experience with their respective instrument.
12. Abbey Road Hawaiian Adventure
Grades: 9th-12th
Program Cost: $4,195-$5,595
Application Deadline: N/A
This awesome program allows students to explore Hawaii and college life simultaneously. Participants live in student apartments with students from all over the world while learning through the program’s interactive, hands-on curriculum. Students have the option to earn college credit in courses like:
- Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Aquatic Ecosystems
- Energy, Economics, and Climate Change
- Introduction to Marine Biology
- Digital Photography
Outside of the classroom, students can participate in Hawaiian sports and adventures such as surfing, paddle boarding, and hiking. Participants will also take field trips to sites like the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the North Shore, Turtle Bay, Manoa Falls, and Hanauma Bay Natural Preserve.
13. Pacific Discovery Hawaii Gap Summer Program
Ages: 17-19
Program Cost: $7,950
Application Deadline: N/A
This monthlong program immerses students in the culture and community of Hawaii. Participants will connect land and sea, learn valuable life skills, and have the best summer of their lives. Students will surf world-class waves, hike past volcanoes, and relax on dreamy white sand beaches.
They’ll also have the opportunity to give back by taking part in a marine conservation project. Participants will leave the program with a lifetime’s worth of memories along with a Certificate of Environmental Conservation, and a resume-boosting 40 hours of community service.
14. Science Camps of America Land and Sea Camp
Grades: 8th-12th
Program Cost: $2,695
Application Deadline: May 25, 2023
The Land and Sea Camp introduces students to some of the most interesting features and creatures Hawaii has to offer. During the nine-day residential camp, students explore volcanoes, swim with sea turtles, hike black sand beaches, and conduct science activities to gain greater insight into the world around them while taking advantage of nature’s best laboratory for earth science—the big island of Hawai’i.
15. Science Camps of America Air and Space Camp
Grades: 8th-12th
Program Cost: $2,695
Application Deadline: May 25, 2023
The nine-day residential Air and Space Camp provides students with a chance to explore the Earth’s atmosphere and climate, while introducing them to astronomy and space exploration. Students will take part in activities like building circuits, creating solar-powered USB chargers, and launching their own rockets while gazing upon the stars from Mauna Kea—the home of some of the largest observatories in the world.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Some summer programs are more competitive, requiring letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, while others are open to all students within a particular grade level. Consequently, some programs are given more weight in college admissions than others.
The 4 tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how colleges value activities outside of the classroom, such as summer programs. The most impressive, prestigious, rare, and influential activities are placed in the top two tiers.
Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway with admissions officers, but they are often still valuable. Less selective and esteemed programs still show off your interests to potential colleges while highlighting your desire to pursue your passions. Many field-specific activities also help build the skills needed to ace everything you’ll encounter in the college application process, from essays to interviews.
Curious how the summer program you participated in affects your odds 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 you can improve your profile.
