Summer programs are a wonderful way to challenge yourself academically, socially, and emotionally while in high school. These programs often provide rigorous academic work along with a student body of highly talented peers. Furthermore, summer programs help students develop their interests, cultivate their passions, and prepare them for the transition to college.
Though there is a perception that these programs are unaffordable to most people, there are in fact dozens of free academic summer programs for high school students. The subjects range from arts to research to humanities. There is a program for every student regardless of race, income, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, or residency. All programs include room, board, and transportation to and from the location unless otherwise specified. Some programs (particularly those in science research) will even give students stipends of more than $4,000 for the summer.
Arts
- The Arkansas Governor’s School is a six-week summer residential program for gifted and talented students who are upcoming high school seniors and residents of the state of Arkansas.
- Students must be current juniors and residents of Arkansas.
- Transportation NOT included
- 6 weeks
- Hendrix College
- Deadline January 19, 2016
- College Now gives high school students from New York City the opportunity to take college courses at the City University of New York.
- Students must be in 10th or 11th grade and attend a New York City public school.
- Housing NOT included
- 6 weeks
- City University of New York
- Deadlines vary
- The Delaware Governor’s School for Excellence is a one-week summer residential program that brings together academically and artistically talented Delaware high school students who have completed their sophomore year.
- Students must be sophomores who are residents of Delaware.
- Transportation NOT included
- 1 week
- University of Delaware
- April 15, 2016
- The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week summer residential instructional program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year.
- Students must be sophomores or juniors who are residents of Georgia.
- Transportation NOT included
- 4 weeks
- Valdosta State University
- Deadline December 16, 2015
- The Governor’s Schools of West Virginia are residential summer sessions for academically and/or artistically talented students from across West Virginia.
- Applicants must be current sophomores or juniors who reside in West Virginia.
- Transportation NOT included
- 3 weeks
- West Virginia University
- Deadline February 10, 2016
- Transportation NOT included
- The tuition-free program is for students who are residents of New Jersey, United States citizens and rising seniors at the high school level in New Jersey. Topics vary from year to year. The 2014 topic is “Climate Change and the Human Experience.”
- The Young Scholars Program (YSP) is a residential science and mathematics program for Florida high-school students with significant potential for careers in the sciences, engineering, and health professions.
- The Internship Program provides opportunities to inspire young scientists and other science professionals to work in all areas of the Institute. Interns are assigned to a mentor who is a member of the Institute’s faculty or senior staff.
- Students must have completed at least grade 9, be US citizens, and be at least 16 years of age.
