15 Free Leadership Programs for High School Students
Thinking about business or entrepreneurship, but unsure how leadership actually works in the real world? Free leadership programs give high school students an opportunity to explore how leaders think, collaborate, and make decisions before they even step onto a college campus or into a startup environment.
What do free leadership programs involve?
These programs are built around learning by doing rather than lectures alone. You may work on team projects, lead discussions, solve real problems, or take part in simulations that mirror leadership challenges in business, nonprofits, or community organizations. Along the way, you build skills such as communication, decision-making, ethical leadership, and strategic thinking.
How can free leadership programs help you?
Leadership programs give you experiences you can apply directly to your own ventures, clubs, or initiatives. They also offer mentorship from experienced leaders and connect you with peers who are also interested in leadership and its impact. Just as importantly, they give you meaningful stories to share in college applications and interviews, showing that you have tested your interests in real settings.
If you’re looking for more options to consider, you can also look into virtual leadership programs for high school students. For a social impact focus, you can consider nonprofit leadership programs for high school students.
With this in mind, we’ve curated a list of 15 free leadership programs for high school students that offer strong learning experiences, mentorship opportunities, and real-world exposure without any financial barriers.
15 Free Leadership Programs for High School Students
1. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Eligible cities across the United States
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who meet location and work authorization requirements
The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a free leadership program for high school students to gain real-world experience while serving in the community. You spend eight weeks working in a paid internship with a local nonprofit organization, where you contribute to meaningful projects and learn how mission-driven organizations operate day to day. This hands-on work helps you build leadership, professionalism, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. A defining part of the program is the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC. The summit is integrated into your internship experience and exposes you to policy discussions, leadership development sessions, and national-level networking. Throughout the program, you strengthen skills that are directly useful for college and future careers, including communication, teamwork, time management, and community leadership.
2. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Location: Online
Cost: Varies by cohort; financial aid available
Program Dates: Vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Young Founders Lab is a startup boot camp designed to help high school students build a revenue-generating business from the ground up. The program guides you through identifying a real-world problem, validating ideas, and developing a startup solution, giving you firsthand insights into the workings of early-stage companies. You learn directly from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals affiliated with companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. The curriculum includes interactive workshops on business fundamentals, ideation, product development, and go-to-market strategy. You also participate in case studies, panel discussions, and skill-building sessions focused on leadership, decision-making, and execution. By the end of the program, you'll gain a concrete startup framework and practical leadership experience that can be applied to future entrepreneurial pursuits.
3. MIT Leadership Training Institute (LTI)
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free
Program Duration: February–May
Application Deadline: January 18
Eligibility: Boston-area high school students
The MIT Leadership Training Institute is a free, spring-semester leadership program for Boston-area high school students who want to develop real leadership skills and apply them to meaningful community work. Held on the MIT campus, the program combines leadership development with hands-on service, helping you see leadership in action. Throughout the program, you meet in small groups led by trained mentors, where you reflect on what leadership means to you, build confidence in public speaking, and strengthen skills such as collaboration, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. The program places a strong emphasis on understanding diversity, community, and social responsibility, helping you think beyond your own experiences and consider how leaders serve different groups of people.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by cohort; financial aid available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for high school students who want firsthand experience working with early-stage, fast-growing startups. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised over a million dollars, on average. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, those who have raised over 30 million dollars, or have previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. The program emphasises leadership development through hands-on responsibility, professional communication, time management, and problem-solving. As an intern, you work closely with a startup manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company at the end of the internship.
5. Business Leadership Program (BLP)
Location: University of Colorado Boulder – Leeds School of Business, Boulder, Colorado
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Colorado residents or students attending a Colorado high school; current high school juniors and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students
The Business Leadership Program is a free leadership experience for high school students hosted by the Opening Doors to Achievement (ODA) office at the Leeds School of Business. Designed as a high-impact business case competition, the program brings together motivated students to tackle real business challenges similar to those faced by professional business groups. The experience mirrors how business teams operate in the real world, from problem framing and research to strategy development and presentation. You also gain exposure to the industry through interaction with corporate partners. Beyond technical business skills, the program emphasises leadership, communication, and confidence-building, all within a supportive residential setting on CU Boulder’s campus.
6. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) – State Leadership Seminars
Location: College and university campuses across the United States
Cost: TBA
Program Dates: 3–4 days, held in spring or summer
Application Deadline: Students are nominated by their peers. See here
Eligibility: High school sophomores nominated by their school or community
HOBY’s State Leadership Seminars are short-term leadership programs designed to help high school students understand what leadership looks like in practice. As a student ambassador, you take part in a 3–4 day seminar where you engage in facilitated discussions, hands-on workshops, and interactive activities with peers from across your state. The experience is hosted on a college campus, giving you an early glimpse into university life while you focus on leadership development. The seminar curriculum is structured around three stages: personal leadership, group leadership, and service leadership. Many students participate in HOBY’s Leadership for Service challenge, contributing thousands of service hours alongside alumni across the country.
7. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx) and Newark
Cost: Free
Program Duration: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who identify as young women or gender-expansive youth and live in NYC or Newark; first-time applicants only
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute is a free six-week leadership program designed for high school students who want to better understand their identity, voice, and role in creating change in their communities. Throughout the program, you participate in interactive workshops focused on leadership, social justice, and critical thinking, while building a close-knit community with peers from across New York City and Newark. Each week, you engage with accomplished women and gender-expansive leaders working in a range of fields, including elected officials, entrepreneurs, and artists, and gain exposure to different career paths and leadership journeys. The program also includes field trips that connect learning to real-world settings and help strengthen relationships within the cohort. By the end of the Summer Institute, you walk away with practical leadership tools, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of how you can create impact in your community and beyond.
8. Subiendo Academy
Location: Texas (in-person, on a university campus)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 14– 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current Texas high school juniors
Subiendo Academy is a free, five-day summer leadership program for Texas high school students who want to develop problem-solving skills and explore how change happens in the real world. The program focuses on real-world challenges in healthcare, energy and the environment, and education, giving you early exposure to the intersection of leadership, policy, and decision-making. During the academy, you take part in leadership training and team-building exercises while working on project-based learning activities tied to real policy issues. You collaborate with peers to analyze complex problems and develop thoughtful solutions, sharpening your critical thinking and communication skills along the way. Dedicated workshops also help you improve how you present ideas clearly and confidently. A key highlight of Subiendo is the opportunity to connect with accomplished business, political, and community leaders, giving you insights into different leadership paths.
9. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Bloomington, Indiana (in-person) or Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Virtual: April 22 & April 29 | In-person: June 12, June 26, July 10, or July 24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute is a selective, free leadership program that introduces high school students to business careers and college-level learning through the lens of women’s leadership. During the program, you take part in lectures led by Kelley faculty, work through a real-world business case, and collaborate with peers who share an interest in business and leadership. You build practical communication and leadership skills while exploring how different areas of business align with your long-term career and life goals. Overall, the program offers a structured introduction to business leadership, meaningful peer learning, and a credible experience to highlight in college applications.
10. Youth Leadership Program (YLP)
Location: FBI National Academy Associates, United States
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 9 – 17
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, ages 14–16 by program start date
The Youth Leadership Program is a selective, no-cost leadership program designed for high school students with strong academic records, physical fitness, and a commitment to service. During the program, you take part in leadership training led by experienced law enforcement and public service professionals. The curriculum combines classroom-style learning with practical exercises focused on areas such as ethical leadership, decision-making under pressure, teamwork, and organizational leadership. You also explore business leadership concepts, learning how values, accountability, and adaptability shape effective leaders in complex environments. You also participate in supervised field experiences and visits to major civic and historical sites in and around Washington DC, helping you connect leadership theory to real-world institutions and public service.
11. Lead4Change Student Leadership Program
Location: Flexible, you can participate through your school or classroom
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Varies by school or educator timeline
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–12
Lead4Change is a free leadership program for high school students that helps you build real leadership skills by working on a hands-on service project in your school or local community. You work in a team to identify a local issue that matters to you, design a solution, and put your plan into action. Through this process, you practice skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, communication, and accountability in a real-world setting. The program is structured around clear, easy-to-follow lessons that guide you step by step through the leadership and service-learning process. As you move through the curriculum, you learn how to lead with empathy, understand community needs, and create meaningful impact. A unique feature of Lead4Change is the opportunity for student teams to submit their final projects for grant funding.
12. CLYLP Los Angeles Institute (LAI)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who live in Los Angeles County
The CLYLP Los Angeles Institute is a leadership program for high school students from Southern California who are interested in public service and service leadership. During the program, you take part in structured leadership activities that throw light on how local government works and how leaders shape public policy. You also participate in college and career workshops that cover topics such as university requirements, financial aid, and post-secondary planning. A key part of the LAI experience is exposure to professionals across education, business, politics, and community leadership. Through these conversations, you gain insights into different career paths while building confidence in your own leadership voice.
13. NextGen Latino Leadership Program
Location: Washington, DC
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Session 1: June 7– 13 | Session 2: June 21– 27
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders during the 2025–26 academic year; students from all U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC
The NextGen Latino Leadership Program is a fully funded, week-long leadership experience that brings high school students to Washington, DC, to learn how civic leadership works in practice. During the program, you learn how the legislative process works while engaging directly with Members of Congress, CHCI alumni, and public service professionals. You attend leadership and civic engagement workshops, learn how to advocate for issues that matter to you and your community. The experience is highly interactive and concludes with site visits across the city, including Capitol Hill, museums, and historic landmarks. Beyond civic education, the program places a strong emphasis on confidence, communication, and long-term leadership growth. You build strong connections with peers from across the country and join the CHCI Alumni Association, gaining access to a national network that can support your academic and professional journey.
14. Journey to Leadership Program (BALI)
Location: New York City metropolitan area
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer program, 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Keep a check on the website for the latest updates
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–21 from the NYC metro area; open to female-identifying and gender-expansive youth
The Journey to Leadership Program is a summer offering from the Baruch Alumnae Leadership Institute that helps high school students build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Over six weeks, you take part in workshops, seminars, guest talks, networking sessions, and debate labs that focus on leadership development and social-emotional learning. The program runs in cohorts, allowing you to grow alongside peers while practicing communication, critical thinking, and public speaking in a supportive environment. You’ll spend full weekdays in leadership training that encourages you to engage with community, civic, and professional issues, helping you see how leadership shows up in everyday life situations. By the end of the program, you walk away with practical skills, stronger self-confidence, and meaningful connections with peers and mentors that can support your academic goals and long-term leadership journey.
15. Wharton Global Youth’s AI Leadership Program
Location: Wharton San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Cost: $8959; full financial aid available
Program Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadlines: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–11
Wharton Global Youth's AI Leadership program helps high school students understand how artificial intelligence is reshaping business and society. Over nine days, you work directly with AI and generative AI tools, gaining hands-on experience with how these technologies are used in real-world settings. The program combines faculty-led instruction with insights from industry experts, giving you a front-row view of the Bay Area’s technology ecosystem. The experience culminates in a final team project and presentation, where you define a real-world problem, propose an AI-powered solution, and explain its potential impact. Beyond technical exposure, the program places an emphasis on teamwork, and strategic thinking in an AI-driven world. Students who complete the program earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
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