15 Leadership Programs for Girls in High School
Leadership summer programs allow you to step outside the classroom and practice skills that are essential for success in college, careers, and beyond.
What do leadership programs cover?
In these programs, you will learn how to communicate effectively, work with diverse teams, solve problems, and make informed decisions. These programs often emphasize practical leadership development, helping you apply what you’ve learned in school to situations that mirror academic, professional, and community settings.
How are leadership programs helpful for high school girls?
Many of these programs are designed to create supportive environments where you can build confidence, learn from women leaders, and explore what leadership looks like in different fields. You will often gain access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and role models who help you understand how leadership skills translate into real careers. Whether you want to lead a student organization, launch a venture, or prepare for future leadership positions, leadership summer programs can help you develop the skills, perspective, and confidence to take the next step.
For adjacent opportunities, you might be interested in participating in business programs for girls in high school. For a more international experience, you could also have a look at leadership programs abroad. Here is a list of 15 leadership programs for girls in high school.
15 Leadership Programs for Girls in High School
1. Athena Summer Innovation Institute (ASII)
Location: New York City
Cost: Residential: $10,771; Commuter: $8,160
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 17
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school girls
The Athena Summer Innovation Institute (ASII) is a three-week, in-person leadership program that allows you to explore how ideas become initiatives with real-world impact. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with other students to shape an original venture concept, which may focus on business innovation, community impact, or advocacy. The experience emphasizes leadership through teamwork, decision-making, and creative problem-solving rather than passive instruction. During the institute, you will take part in interactive sessions that introduce you to core leadership and innovation skills such as understanding user needs, communicating ideas clearly, and evaluating trade-offs. You will receive guidance from instructors and mentors as you refine your thinking and practice presenting your ideas with confidence.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Young Founders Lab is a virtual leadership and entrepreneurship program that allows you to take ownership of a project from concept to execution. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, you will actively work on developing an idea, learning how leaders identify challenges, evaluate solutions, and make strategic decisions. Throughout the program, you will participate in live workshops and guided sessions that focus on leadership fundamentals such as strategic thinking, collaboration, and clear communication. You will also receive feedback from experienced mentors who share insights into leading teams and navigating uncertainty. By the end of the program, you will have strengthened your leadership skills, gained experience managing a long-term project, and built confidence. The program invites young, female entrepreneurs looking to develop leadership, management, and entrepreneurial skills to build their ventures.
3. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Bloomington, Indiana, or virtual
Cost: Free (participants cover travel, housing, and personal expenses for in-person sessions)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: One-day in-person sessions in June and July; virtual sessions held across two evenings in April
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a short-term leadership program that gives you exposure to business education within a top undergraduate business school. During the program, you will take part in faculty-led sessions and guided case discussions that introduce how leaders analyze challenges, make decisions, and communicate ideas effectively. The experience is designed to help you understand how leadership skills apply across different areas of business. You will also explore topics related to women’s leadership and inclusive decision-making, gaining perspective on how leadership pathways can evolve in academic and professional settings.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Paid (stipend provided)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program offers a remote leadership experience that places you inside a fast-moving startup environment. During the internship, you will work with a growing company on defined projects that require initiative, accountability, and collaboration. You may contribute to areas such as research, strategy, marketing, or operations, depending on the needs of your assigned startup. Throughout the program, you will receive guidance from both a startup supervisor and a Ladder Coach who supports your professional growth and reflection. You will practice managing responsibilities, communicating with a team, and adapting to feedback in a real workplace setting.
5. Girls With Confidence – Girls With Leadership Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Program dates vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle and high school girls
The Girls With Leadership Program by Girls With Confidence is a virtual leadership program designed to help you build confidence, self-awareness, and communication skills. Throughout the program, you will participate in guided sessions that focus on understanding your strengths, developing a leadership mindset, and learning how to express yourself with clarity and confidence. The curriculum emphasizes personal growth and leadership development in both academic and everyday settings. During the program, you will engage in interactive discussions and activities that help you practice goal-setting, decision-making, and effective communication. You will also learn strategies for managing challenges such as self-doubt and peer pressure while building confidence in your ability to lead.
6. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Newark
Cost: Free; stipend available ($450 upon completion)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who identify as young women or gender-expansive youth living in New York City or Newark; previous participants are not eligible
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a six-week leadership program that gives you space to explore your voice, values, and role as a leader within your community. During the program, you will take part in structured workshops that focus on leadership, identity, social awareness, and critical thinking. These sessions are designed to help you reflect on your experiences while building confidence in how you communicate and collaborate with others. Throughout the institute, you will participate in experiential learning activities such as site visits and group projects that connect discussions to practical issues. You will also hear from women and gender-expansive leaders working across fields like business, public service, and the arts, gaining insight into different leadership paths.
7. Journey to Leadership Program (BALI)
Location: Hunter College Main Campus, New York City
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–21 from the NYC metropolitan area; open to female-identifying and gender-expansive students, with priority given to students from underserved communities
The Journey to Leadership Program is a summer leadership experience that helps you develop your voice, confidence, and ability to lead in academic and community settings. During the program, you will take part in interactive workshops, guided discussions, and debate-focused activities that strengthen communication and critical thinking. Throughout the program, you will engage in social-emotional learning and leadership exercises that support personal growth and self-awareness. By the end of the program, you will have built stronger public speaking skills, greater confidence, and a clearer understanding of how to apply leadership skills in real-world contexts.
8. Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York
Cost: Paid ($1,300 total; $100 non-refundable deposit)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: Priority registration before April 1
Eligibility: Female high school students; international students are not eligible
Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women is a week-long, in-person leadership program that introduces you to how financial knowledge supports confident decision-making and professional leadership. During the program, you will explore how money, markets, and basic accounting concepts influence organizations and careers, while applying what you learn through structured group activities and discussions. Throughout the experience, you will engage with faculty from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and hear from professionals who share how leadership shows up in real business environments. The program emphasizes professional presence, communication, and strategic thinking, helping you practice skills that are valuable in both academic and workplace settings.
9. Millie King Entrepreneurship Program (MKEP)
Location: In-person (Hunter College, New York City)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective; open only to BALI alumni
Dates: Three-day program held annually in late July or early August
Application Deadline: Typically opens in March (applications currently closed)
Eligibility: BALI alumni who are high school seniors or current college students
The Millie King Entrepreneurship Program (MKEP) is a short, focused program that allows you to deepen your leadership skills through entrepreneurship and venture development. Over three days, you will explore how ideas become sustainable organizations by working through structured sessions on planning, branding, and mission-driven decision-making. The program is designed for students who are ready to think critically about how leadership and entrepreneurship intersect. During the program, you will learn from experienced professionals who share practical insights into building businesses and nonprofit initiatives. By the end of the experience, you will gain clearer direction, practical entrepreneurial knowledge, and inspiration to pursue leadership through business or social ventures.
10. Get Girls Going – Teen Program
Location: New York City
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive students
The Get Girls Going – Teen Program is a youth leadership initiative that helps you build confidence, explore your interests, and develop skills that support long-term academic and career growth. During the program, you will take part in interactive sessions that focus on leadership development, personal goal-setting, and career awareness. The experience is designed to help you better understand your strengths while encouraging curiosity and initiative. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with peers in group activities that strengthen communication, teamwork, and decision-making. You will also connect with mentors who provide guidance and encouragement as you explore different leadership pathways.
11. Bossgirls – Zahn Innovation Center, City College of New York (CCNY)
Location: New York City, New York
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school girls and nonbinary students in grades 9–12 who live in the tri-state area and can commute to CCNY
Bossgirls is a five-week summer program that introduces you to leadership through entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving. During the program, you will work in teams to examine a practical challenge, research potential users, and design a solution from the ground up. You will also learn how to communicate ideas clearly by developing branding and messaging for your project. Throughout the experience, you will participate in hands-on workshops that emphasize design thinking, collaboration, and customer-centered decision-making. You will receive feedback and mentorship from professionals connected to the Zahn Innovation Center, helping you refine both your ideas and presentation skills. The program concludes with a pitch event, where you present your project and gain experience sharing ideas confidently in a professional setting.
12. Fidelity Boundless
Location: Boston, Massachusetts; Merrimack, New Hampshire; Westlake, Texas; Durham, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by program (career discovery events, job shadow experiences, and internships)
Application Deadline: Varies by program; applications typically open in spring or early winter
Eligibility: Female high school students
Fidelity Boundless is a collection of career exploration opportunities that allows you to learn how leadership and decision-making function within a large financial services organization. Through a range of short-term and multi-week experiences, you will gain exposure to professional roles across areas such as finance, technology, and corporate operations. The program is designed to help you explore career possibilities while understanding how teams collaborate within a complex organization. Depending on the opportunity you participate in, you may attend a one-day discovery event, observe professionals in an office setting, or join a structured internship experience. Throughout these experiences, you will practice professional communication, learn workplace expectations, and build confidence navigating corporate environments.
13. Girls With Impact 10-Week Business and Leadership Academy
Location: Virtual (live online)
Cost: Paid ($995; scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: 10-week program starting the week of September 9
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Eligibility: Young women ages 14–24
The Girls With Impact 10-Week Business and Leadership Academy is an online leadership program that helps you develop an idea into a structured project while building confidence and strategic thinking skills. Over ten weeks, you will participate in live, interactive sessions that introduce leadership concepts, entrepreneurial frameworks, and practical decision-making tools. The program is designed to help you think critically about how ideas can be shaped into meaningful initiatives. Throughout the academy, you will receive individualized coaching that supports your personal growth and leadership development. You will collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds while strengthening skills such as communication, problem-solving, and goal-setting. By the end of the program, you will have gained experience leading a long-term project and developed leadership skills that can support future academic, entrepreneurial, or professional pursuits.
14. NAWBO-SA High School Mentorship Program
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Six-month program (annual cycle)
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school girls in the San Antonio region
The NAWBO-SA High School Mentorship Program is a long-term leadership experience that allows you to explore entrepreneurship through guided mentorship and hands-on learning. Over six months, you will connect with women business owners and professionals who share how they navigate leadership, education, and business ownership. The program is designed to help you understand how entrepreneurship can serve as a tool for independence and long-term career development. Throughout the program, you will take part in interactive workshops and mentoring sessions focused on planning, financial decision-making, and leadership skills. The experience concludes with a business plan presentation, where you will practice communicating your ideas and compete for college scholarship opportunities.
15. Girls Inc. of Metro Denver – Collegiate & Leadership Programs
Location: Denver, Colorado (hybrid; in-person and virtual components)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by program track
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school girls and young women in the Denver metro area (eligibility depends on program track)
The Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Collegiate & Leadership Programs are designed to help you build leadership skills while preparing for college and future careers. Through structured activities and guided programming, you will develop skills related to goal-setting, self-advocacy, and professional growth. The program's focus is on helping you understand how leadership applies in academic environments, workplaces, and community settings. Throughout your experience, you will participate in workshops, mentoring sessions, and community-based projects that strengthen your confidence and leadership identity. You will also connect with peers and role models who share insights on navigating academic transitions and exploring career options.