15 Summer Programs for High School Juniors in 2026
As a high school junior, summer offers a great opportunity to dive deeper into your academic interests and go beyond what you're learning in class.
What do summer programs for high school juniors involve?
Enrolling in these programs offers a valuable opportunity to explore different academic pathways, build your resume, and figure out what you want to study in college. These programs will offer learning in a variety of fields, including journalism, STEM, economics, literature, history, mathematics, research, fashion, and medicine.
Why pursue a summer program as a high school junior?
No matter what you choose to study, every course will introduce you to something new and open up the opportunity for growth and learning. Many programs also connect you with faculty, mentors, and college advisors who can guide your next steps toward the college application process.
To help make the choice easier, we've compiled a list of the top 15 summer programs for high school juniors in 2026. For related opportunities, check out our guides on ivy league entrepreneurship programs and startups offering internships for high school students.
Quick Look
6 fully free programs: Princeton Summer Journalism Program, MITES Summer, Telluride Association Summer Seminar, Simons Summer Research Program (plus $1,000 completion stipend), and Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program.
1 fully virtual, entrepreneurship-focused option: Young Founders Lab, which pairs you with mentors as you build a real revenue-generating startup rather than studying an academic subject.
Highest-cost programs: Yale Young Global Scholars ($6,500) and Skidmore Summer Pre-College's residential option ($10,350).
2 income-restricted programs: Princeton Summer Journalism Program (family income under $65,000) and MITES Summer (strongly encourages underserved backgrounds).
Most research-focused programs, including Simons Summer Research and Stanford's Institute of Medicine program, require a minimum age of 16 by the program start date.
15 Summer Programs for High School Juniors in 2026
1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes housing, meals, transportation, and equipment for reporting assignments
Dates: June–August; begins with online workshops during June, 10-day residential journalism institute in July - August
Application Deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in early December and close in late winter
Eligibility: Current high school juniors; permanent U.S. or Puerto Rico residents planning to attend a U.S. four-year college; minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA; interest in journalism; family income not exceeding $65,000 or eligible for free/reduced-price lunch or an SAT/ACT fee waiver; first-generation college students receive priority consideration
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a competitive journalism and college preparation program for academically motivated high school juniors. The programme starts in the summer, where you can explore world affairs and current events through workshops and lectures led by professional journalists, Princeton alumni, and professors. The residential experience culminates in the publication of the annual newspaper that you’d have contributed to during the program. You will also be matched with a college advisor who will help you prepare lists, submit applications, revise essays, and make a decision.
Cost: $2,900 (need-based financial aid available)
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Program Dates: 4-week program starting tentatively June 5th
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.
3. Syracuse University Summer College
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by course length and credit option
Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 or older by the program start date; rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates; minimum 3.0 GPA
Syracuse University hosts a summer college experience for high school students where they take on college-level courses and explore what they want to study in college. You get to choose from a wide range of subject areas including journalism, art, business, architecture, computer science, economics, engineering, film, history, math, and humanities. The courses are supplemented through readings, guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on activities. You will also receive personalized guidance from your course instructors, as well as additional guidance on the college application process.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
5. Yale Summer Session
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course
Dates: Summer (dates vary by course)
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Current high school juniors entering senior year or current high school seniors entering college; minimum age 16 by the program start date; international students eligible; students must demonstrate strong academic preparation through a holistic application review
The Yale summer session is offered to academically motivated high school juniors seeking to explore academic pathways through undergraduate courses. You get to select your course options from a wide range of subject areas including writing, history, media, political science, algebra, mathematics, anthropology, education, environment, economics, foreign policy, and literature. During the program, you are required to take two courses where you will work on the same assignments and projects as college students. Selection is competitive and includes an application, transcript, standardized test scores, and two letters of recommendation.
6. Emory Pre-College Program
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by program and course selection; scholarships available
Dates: Multiple sessions offered between May and July
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students, current grades 10–11; minimum age 15 by the program start date; minimum 3.0 GPA; international students eligible; students must be prepared for college-level coursework.
The Emory Pre College program is an academic experience for current high school sophomores and juniors seeking to explore academic pathways through college-level curriculum. You can choose from a wide range of courses spanning subjects such as psychology, mathematics, data sciences, history, physics, biology, marketing, business, chemistry, languages, and economics. During the program, you will live on campus, take classes, work on hands-on projects, attend college events, and explore the city through field trips.
7. MITES Summer
Cost/Stipend: Free; all program costs, including tuition, housing, meals, and program activities, are covered
Dates: June - August; six-week residential program
Application Deadline: February 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; demonstrated interest in STEM; strong academic record; students from underserved backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply
MITES Summer is an immersive program for academically motivated high school juniors where they'll take five rigorous courses across humanities, science, and math. The experience condenses a semester of college into a summer. You will explore high-level STEM topics and electives that teach real-world applications ranging from genomics to architecture and machine learning. The program includes instruction and mentorship by MIT faculty along with lab tours, social events, and college admissions counselling.
8. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes tuition, housing, meals, books, field trips, and program activities
Dates: June–July; approximately six-week residential seminar
Application Deadline: Not specified (typically early December)
Eligibility: High school juniors; students attending school in the United States; strong interest in the humanities, social sciences, writing, history, literature, or related disciplines; selection based on intellectual curiosity, academic potential, leadership, and engagement with community
Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a summer educational experience for high school sophomores and juniors interested in exploring humanities and social science-aligned pathways. During the program, you will engage with subject areas that explore how power and privilege shape social structures. Topics that you will cover range from history to politics, literature, art, and sociology. A typical class day includes discussions, lectures by faculty, group work, and class activities along with assigned reading and essays.
9. Stanford University Mathematics Camp
Cost/Stipend: Online: $3,750; Residential: $8,950; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 15–July 3 (Online Session I); June 21–July 17 (Residential Session); July 6–24 (Online Session II)
Application Deadline: February 2.
Eligibility: High school students, grades 10–11; minimum age 15 during the program; exceptional interest in mathematics; strong mastery of high school algebra and geometry; experience reading and writing mathematical proofs; familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic recommended
Stanford University Mathematics Camp offers an intensive program to academically motivated rising high school juniors and seniors. The program allows you to explore advanced mathematics through guided research, lectures, and problem-solving sessions. You will be mentored by professionals in the mathematics field who will help you explore the current advancements in mathematical research, developments in important areas, and real-world applications across scientific disciplines. The program takes place both online and in person, inviting applications from all around the world.
10. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by campus; need-based financial assistance available
Dates: Four-week residential summer program (typically held in July - August)
Application Deadline: February 6.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12; California residents strongly encouraged; students must meet individual campus eligibility requirements; demonstrated strength and interest in STEM; applicants may apply to one participating UC campus and cluster
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science is a highly competitive residential program for high school students academically gifted in STEM subjects. The program allows you to work on hands-on projects in STEM labs alongside researchers and scientists. The curriculum is designed to be challenging and goes beyond high school STEM and combines theory, hands-on work, and lab research.
11. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is $6,100; includes instruction, housing, meals, and program activities; full and partial need-based financial aid available
Dates: Six-week residential program (typically June-August)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students; minimum age 14 by the start of the program; students with exceptional mathematical ability and strong interest in problem solving; selection based primarily on admissions problem set and overall application
The program in mathematics for young scientists is an exploratory mathematics program for academically motivated high school students. The program takes place over six weeks, during which you will delve into advanced mathematics study. A typical day includes lectures, exploration labs, seminars, mentored research, guest lectures, and mini courses on a wide range of mathematical topics. Selection to the program is competitive, requiring an application process that includes your high school transcript, letter of recommendation, solutions to problem sets, and short essay-based questions.
12. Yale Young Global Scholars
Cost/Stipend: $6,500 tuition; includes housing, meals, curriculum materials, and all on-campus program activities; full and partial need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 21–July 3 (Session I); July 5–17 (Session II); July 19–31 (Session III); two-week residential program
Application Deadline: January 7 (Regular Decision)
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16–18; current sophomores or juniors at the time of application; able to participate in an intensive English-language academic program; international students eligible
Yale Young Global Scholars is offered to high school students looking for academic enrichment during the summer break. The program takes place over two weeks, where you can choose from different courses and topics such as STEM, law, economics, and public policy. The courses take you through fundamental concepts along with helping you refine skills in areas such as problem-solving, creativity, critical analysis, and writing. Each course combines lectures, seminars, and projects to help you practice what you've learned.
13. Simons Summer Research Program
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive a stipend of $1,000 upon successful completion of the program; housing, meals, and weekend activities included
Dates: June–August; seven-week residential research program
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors; minimum age 16 by the start of the program; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students attending school in the United States eligible; strong academic record with demonstrated interest in science, mathematics, or engineering; applicants must have completed coursework appropriate for their intended research area.
The Simon Summer Research Program offers hands-on research experience in STEM to academically motivated high school juniors. During the program, you will work under the mentorship of research faculty, become a part of active research teams, learn research techniques and tools, and experience what it's like to be at a research university. The experience includes faculty research talks, workshops, tools, and events. The program culminates in a poster symposium where you will conclude your apprenticeship by producing a written research abstract and be presented with a Stipend Award.
14. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: June 8–July 30; eight-week full-time summer research program
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students, current juniors or seniors; minimum age 16 by the program start date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; currently living in and attending high school in the United States; applicants must be available for the entire eight-week program
The Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program is an intensive eight-week experience during which high school students work on research alongside Stanford faculty. During the program, you will participate in hands-on research on a medically oriented project. You will also explore concepts in biological science and medicine while learning how scientific research is performed. The experience includes mentorship from Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers alongside career and academic exploration.
15. Skidmore Summer Pre-College Program
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $10,350; commuter:$6,975; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 29–August 1; five-week residential or commuter program
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students, current grades 10–12 for residential enrollment; international students eligible with a valid student visa; residential students must enroll in two courses
The Skidmore Summer Pre-College program offers academic exploration to high school juniors and seniors where they can earn college credits at the same time. The courses you can pick from include options from a diverse range of subject areas such as anthropology, computer science, microeconomics, environmental science, media studies, gender studies, writing, and biology. The program includes learning at college level, which is supplemented by class assignments and projects where you'll practice what you're learning and experience what it's like to study that subject at university.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free summer programs for high school juniors?
Yes. The Princeton Summer Journalism Program, MITES Summer, Telluride Association Summer Seminar, and Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program are all free, and the Simons Summer Research Program also offers a $1,000 stipend upon completion.
2. Is there a program focused on building a business rather than studying an academic subject?
Young Founders Lab is the one option on this list centered on entrepreneurship rather than coursework, letting you build a real revenue-generating startup with mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and X, fully virtually and with need-based financial aid available.
3. Which programs are restricted by family income or background?
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program requires a family income under $65,000 or an equivalent fee waiver, and MITES Summer strongly encourages applicants from underserved backgrounds, though it's not a strict requirement.