13 Education-Focused Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in how education systems work and want to gain experience in the nonprofit sector, an internship can be a practical starting point. Education-focused nonprofit internships let you see how organizations promote learning, expand access, and support communities through structured programs. As an intern, you might help with curriculum development, support outreach, or assist teams that design educational programs. Through this, you can learn how nonprofits plan, operate, and measure their work in education.
Such experiences can also add value to your CV and college applications by showing admissions officers that you care enough about education to contribute to the field. You’ll get to work with professionals and build skills that prepare you for future roles in education or social impact. With that, here are 13 education-focused nonprofit internships for high school students!
13 Education-Focused Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (8–12 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective program that places you in a high-growth start-up, including those focused on education, nonprofits, and social impact. As an intern, you’ll work directly with managers on real-world projects, ranging from outreach and communications to program design and operations. You’ll receive guidance from a Ladder Coach and participate in one-on-one training in skills like communication, time management, and project execution. You’ll also attend group workshops with your cohort, giving you the chance to work with peers and share ideas. Many start-ups involved are founded by leaders with ties to Y Combinator or companies like Google and Microsoft, ensuring you gain insight into professional, fast-paced environments.
2. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; paid and unpaid (academic credit) positions available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by department and placement availability
Dates: Year-round cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit; U.S. residents only
The APA’s structured virtual internships introduce high school students to psychology’s role in education, policy, publishing, and nonprofit advocacy. Depending on your placement, you might analyze data, help evaluate programs, or support educational outreach projects. You will contribute to initiatives focused on mental health equity, youth development, and inclusive education practices. You are supervised by APA staff and take part in workshops, team projects, and professional development sessions that build technical and communication skills. Past sessions have included training in survey design, data visualization, and science communication.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual start-up boot camp where you will design, launch, and grow a revenue-generating venture while still in high school. Across four weeks, you’ll participate in live workshops, case studies, and ideation sessions led by Harvard entrepreneurs and mentors from top companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. You will progress from concept development to pitching your idea, receiving personalized feedback along the way. The program also features panel discussions with founders and industry leaders, providing you with insights into entrepreneurship and nonprofit innovation. With its mix of hands-on project building and mentorship, YFL provides a structured approach to exploring social impact and education-focused initiatives in a supportive and professional environment.
4. EDIT AI Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; small cohort admitted annually
Dates: April 15 – June 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with prior computer science experience
The EDIT ML Summer Internship Program offers you the opportunity to explore how machine learning can be applied to healthcare challenges. Over two months, you will work remotely on projects such as developing predictive models, analyzing medical imaging, and applying natural language processing (NLP) to clinical data. You will use tools like Python and R while collaborating with healthcare professionals who guide you in connecting technical work with real-world clinical needs. The program concludes with a final presentation, giving you both research experience and practice in communicating results. As a nonprofit initiative, EDIT ML provides a free, skill-focused opportunity for students interested in the intersection of education, technology, and healthcare innovation.
5. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA (with opportunities for U.S. and international students)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; stipends available depending on project funding
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; admission based on application and project availability
Dates: Year-round; cohorts structured by semester and summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by session
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from the Bay Area, U.S., and internationally
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a nonprofit research institute that offers high school students the chance to work on advanced research projects in fields like biology, medicine, psychology, physics, and computer science. You work with professional scientists and engineers and contribute to research through lab experiments, computational modeling, or data analysis. The program emphasizes teamwork, with students working in groups and presenting their findings at formal symposia. Many participants also co-author research papers, gaining academic experience that is usually reserved for college students. Stipends may be available depending on project funding.
6. Field Museum Women in Science Internships
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts chosen annually
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Typically opens in February or March
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students residing in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan; must demonstrate a strong interest in science
The Field Museum Women in Science Internship offers you the opportunity to engage in hands-on research and collections projects at one of the world’s leading museums. Depending on your placement, you may digitize insect specimens, use machine learning to study beetle patterns, or analyze the effects of urbanization on mammal populations. Alongside technical skills in data management, research methodology, and scientific writing, you’ll gain exposure to how a nonprofit museum integrates science with education and public engagement. The program emphasizes mentorship, with museum scientists guiding you through your project. The internship concludes with a formal presentation.
7. Seaside Sustainability Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; based on interest and fit
Dates: Rolling start dates; fall interns typically serve 5-month terms
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12); no prior experience required
The Seaside Sustainability Internship gives you the chance to support environmental advocacy and nonprofit operations through a fully remote format. You contribute 15 to 40 hours per week and join at least two project teams focused on areas like climate action, curriculum design, grant writing, or digital outreach. You attend weekly virtual meetings, collaborate with peers, and often take on leadership roles within your teams. You can also earn course credit, making it easier to balance with school. By joining this internship, you build professional, communication, and advocacy skills while working on sustainability projects that make a difference.
8. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, IL (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; varies by placement availability
Dates: June–August (six weeks)
Application Deadline: February 1–March 31
Eligibility: Open to Chicago high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; family household income must be under $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers paid internship placements for high school students across a range of professional settings, including banks, law firms, accounting offices, and engineering companies. During the six-week program, you will spend four days per week at your assigned workplace, taking on administrative tasks, shadowing professionals, and supporting ongoing projects. Fridays are dedicated to seminars on leadership, financial literacy, and workplace readiness, often featuring guest speakers from Chicago’s business and civic community. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, you will have opportunities to build your professional network through mentorship and peer collaboration.
9. After School Matters (ASM)
Location: Chicago, IL (citywide program sites)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipends provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Large-scale program; 1,600+ programs annually in partnership with 300+ community organizations
Dates: Fall session: September 23 – December 13 (also offered in Spring and Summer)
Application Deadline: September 13 (for Fall session)
Eligibility: Chicago high school students ages 14–18
After School Matters (ASM) is a nonprofit that offers paid opportunities for Chicago high school students to explore careers in arts, STEM, business, sports, and communications. You take part in structured workshops led by community-based instructors and professionals, working on hands-on projects that blend creativity with technical skills. Past tracks have included marketing campaigns, culinary arts, coding, and journalism, so you can choose programs that match your interests. ASM emphasizes mentorship and teamwork, and you get the chance to present your work and connect with peers from across the city. With its wide range of offerings and financial support, ASM is one of the most accessible and impactful nonprofit programs available to Chicago teens.
10. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations across the U.S. + one-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; wages provided for nonprofit internships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 300 students chosen annually from nearly 100 U.S. communities
Dates: Eight weeks (summer), including the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC (July 21–26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and reside in eligible communities; not open to immediate family of Bank of America employees
The Bank of America Student Leaders® Program combines hands-on nonprofit experience with national leadership development. Over the summer, you will spend eight weeks working 35 hours per week at a local nonprofit organization, contributing to projects that advance community service and civic engagement. A highlight of the program is the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you’ll meet peers from across the country and engage directly with policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates. The experience emphasizes both workplace readiness and civic leadership, giving you practical skills alongside exposure to larger social impact conversations.
11. CLARIFY Youth Journalism Internship – City Limits
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship positions offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by session; group interview required
Dates: Summer sessions; academic year opportunities may also be available
Application Deadline: Typically announced in spring; updates posted on the City Limits CLARIFY Youth Program page
Eligibility: NYC high school students (grades 9–12)
The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY) is a nonprofit journalism internship that equips you with professional reporting skills while fostering civic engagement. As an intern, you will train in interviewing, news writing, research methods, and deadline management, applying these skills to cover issues affecting New York City communities. Working closely with professional journalists, you will pitch, draft, and publish stories that contribute to public accountability. The program also builds civic literacy by connecting you with community organizations and public officials. Alumni of CLARIFY have gone on to write for major outlets such as The New York Times, Politico, and NPR, making this internship a strong entry point into both media and nonprofit public service.
12. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohorts per session
Dates: Spring: February–May | Summer: June–August | Fall: September–December
Application Deadline: July 23
Eligibility: High school students with strong writing and research skills
The FPRI High School Internship offers you the chance to explore international relations, foreign policy, and national security research in a structured, professional environment. Working under the mentorship of FPRI scholars, you will conduct tasks such as data analysis, drafting policy briefs, and supporting ongoing research projects. The program emphasizes the development of advanced writing, research methodology, and critical thinking skills. Interns also gain insight into the role of nonprofit think tanks and how academic inquiry informs real-world policy. Exceptional participants may even publish their work through FPRI’s Intern Corner.
13. Medicine Encompassed High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; competitive for executive roles
Dates: Year-round; fall participation begins in September
Application Deadline: Rolling for general positions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide with an interest in STEAM, biology, or medicine
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit that provides virtual internships for high school students interested in science, medicine, and education. As an intern, you can join one of 18 medical committees as a writer, editor, or content creator, producing resources such as study guides, articles, and infographics to support inclusive science communication. You can, with broader interests, also take on roles in marketing, partnerships, graphic design, or social media management.
Image Source - Bank of America