15 Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you’re a student based in NYC looking to spend your break building new skills, there is a wide range of summer programs in the city that can give you an inside look at college academics, creative industries, and professional fields. Summer programs usually go beyond classroom learning, offering hands-on projects, research opportunities, and collaboration with faculty or professionals in the city.
NYC is home to several notable local universities and institutions, such as Columbia University and Cornell University, that help reduce travel and housing costs. Some summer programs focus on STEM fields such as robotics, engineering, or computer science, while others emphasize the arts, writing, or design.
Whether you want to explore a future career path, strengthen your academic foundation, or simply challenge yourself with something new, summer programs are designed to help you gain practical experience. Because they’re based in New York City, many can also utilize the city itself, through site visits, performances, or projects tied to local industries.
This guide highlights 15 distinct summer programs for high school students in NYC, so you can explore which ones best match your interests. They also include virtual programs that students in NYC can apply to.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,880 (commuter), $10,705 (residential); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10% / Around 25 students per class
Dates: July 7 – 25; July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates | Students need to be 16 or older for the residential option
In the Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE), you’ll spend three weeks diving into project-based courses that mirror the pace and structure of college-level classes. The program centers on engineering and applied science, with topics that range from robotics and autonomous driving to biomedical engineering, sustainable design, and computer science. Once you select a subject area, you’ll work on hands-on projects under the guidance of Columbia faculty while learning to apply theory in practical ways. Beyond the main course, you can join electives and workshops designed to expand your technical skill set and give you a chance to explore related interests.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10-25% / 70-100 students
Dates: Several cohorts year-round; Summer I and II cohorts start on June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer I: May 11; Summer II; June 23
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 connects you with a high-growth startup for an eight-week project-based experience. Ladder’s start-ups are backed by substantial funding, with founders from top accelerators like Y Combinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. You’ll contribute 5–10 hours each week to tasks aligned with the company’s needs, which can include areas like AI, health tech, marketing, or journalism. You will be paired with a manager at the host company and a Ladder Coach, ensuring structured guidance while leaving space for independent contributions. Projects are designed to be substantive, meaning your work ties directly to the goals of the business. At the end of your internship, you’ll deliver a final presentation of your work to the company team.
3. Applied Research In Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / $1000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive / 65-80 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
At ARISE, you’ll be placed in a working NYU research lab where your tasks contribute to ongoing scientific studies. Graduate researchers and faculty will mentor you, and you will learn technical skills in areas like biomedical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and data science. During the six weeks of in-person lab work, you’ll get practical experience with lab protocols, data collection, and analysis, while remote workshops earlier in the summer prepare you with research methods and foundational knowledge. You’ll also practice sharing your findings, as ARISE includes presentation and communication training. The program ends with a colloquium where you present your research to faculty, graduate students, and peers.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid availableNone
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 400+ students
Dates: Several cohorts throughout the year; Summer I: June 2; Summer II: July 14
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer I: May 11; Summer II: June 23; apply here
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic background
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor to complete a 12-week independent research project. You’ll begin by choosing a subject, anything from economics to psychology to physics, and work with your mentor to refine a research question. Over the next several weeks, you’ll explore existing literature, design your approach, and begin drafting your paper with step-by-step feedback. A writing coach provides additional support, ensuring your final paper reflects both strong content and clear academic writing. The program ends with final edits, submission, and a symposium to present your work. You will also be eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).
5. Student Historian Internship Program
Location: The New York Historical, New York, NY
Stipend: $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive / 25 interns
Dates: July 8 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders who live and attend school in NYC, as well as areas of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey
If you’re interested in history and want to see how research translates into public resources, this summer program for high school students in NYC gives you a direct look into that process. You’ll work with the museum’s collections, analyze primary sources, and collaborate with fellow interns to create digital projects that share historical findings with a public audience. A typical week may involve touring galleries, participating in writing workshops, meeting experts in history and digital humanities, and joining field trips to other institutions. Sessions often start with community-building activities, but the central work is your research and production of accessible educational resources.
6. Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipends may be awarded to students experiencing financial hardship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
SSRP is a summer program structured around small research teams, each guided by scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Weill Cornell Medicine. During the first week, you’re introduced to your team’s research topic and trained in lab techniques. By week two, you begin designing a research question with guidance from your mentors, which you then pursue in weeks three to five through data collection and experimentation. You will spend the final weeks analyzing findings and preparing a research poster for presentation at a symposium. Alongside lab work, you’ll join electives, lectures, and workshops to expand your understanding of the scientific process.
7. The Forest Project
Location: Wave Hill, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $2,275 (approximately) + credit for one college course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / Around 15 students
Dates: 7 weeks in the summer; typically early July to mid-August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who live in NYC and are 16 years or older by May 1 | Eligible to work in the U.S.
The Wave Hill Forest Project is a paid summer internship focused on urban ecological restoration for New York City high school students. The program includes daily work of removing invasive species, restoring eroded areas, and maintaining trails, all done in small crews. Alongside fieldwork, you’ll take an accredited introductory college course in ecology and environmental management, which combines group projects with data collection and classroom study. You’ll use tools, work in unpaved natural areas, and see firsthand how restoration efforts affect the health of urban ecosystems. You will learn skills such as scientific inquiry and research, critical thinking and problem-solving, and teamwork and collaboration.
8. Double Discovery Center's Summer Academy
Location: The Double Discovery Center, New York, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / Typically 45 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: 9th and 10th-grade students at an NYC public high school | Meet the low-income requirement | GPA of 80 or higher | Neither of the parents are U.S. college graduates
The Double Discovery Center's Summer Academy is a 5-week academic enrichment program for New York City high school students offering a residential experience focused on college access programming, core academic courses, and engaging field trips around NYC. You’ll take classes covering subjects like sociology, theater, financial literacy, writing, and STEM, with an emphasis on strengthening reading, writing, and research abilities. The program also includes wellness workshops that focus on socio-emotional development and help you build balance between personal growth and academics. The schedule mirrors a college setting, giving you daily exposure to campus life and its routines.
9. Met Summer High School Internship Program
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Stipend: Paid corresponding to New York State's minimum wage law
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive / Around 36 students
Dates: June 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who live or attend a high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’ll take on roles that connect you directly to museum work and the creative fields surrounding it. Depending on your placement, you may be involved in editorial projects, marketing and social media, conservation, or even scientific research. The internship begins with orientation and training, followed by department-based work where you assist staff and observe professional practices. Regular “Career Labs” bring you into conversation with curators, educators, and designers who explain their career paths and guide hands-on activities related to their roles. Toward the end of the program, you’ll present your learning at a final event designed and led by interns themselves.
10. Cooper Union Summer STEM
Location: 41 Cooper Square, East Village of Manhattan, NY
Cost: 3 weeks: $1,950; 6 weeks: $3,950; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 18–24 students per class
Dates: 3- and 6-week classes starting July 7
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: 9th–12th graders in the current academic year should reside in New York City or within its five boroughs | High school students who have completed grades 9-11 can be from anywhere in the world
Summer STEM at Cooper Union is a summer program for high school students in NYC built around three- and six-week courses that replicate aspects of college-level engineering and design. If you’re new to the field, introductory classes like “Design Thinking in Engineering” provide a starting point for learning how engineers approach problems. If you already have some background, you can take on more specialized topics such as embedded systems, computational physics, or data visualization. Each course involves group work, projects, and exposure to faculty and student research, giving you practical insight into how STEM theory is applied.
11. Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 + $80 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 400-600 students across all sessions
Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18; Session B: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years or older
Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer program is an immersive academic experience for high school students, held on Columbia’s Morningside campus in New York City. Through this program, you can choose from over 70 courses across several subject areas while living on the Columbia Morningside campus. Classes meet twice daily, with time in between for independent study or community activities. The coursework is designed to challenge you to think critically and creatively, whether you’re studying humanities, social sciences, or STEM. Residential students often attend workshops on college preparation and writing, as well as activities that build community within the cohort. Columbia Pre-College Commuter and online formats are also available.
12. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 45-50 students
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who live in NYC or Nassau County
CS4CS is a summer program for high school students in NYC that introduces you to the fundamentals of computer science and cybersecurity without requiring prior experience. Topics covered include cryptography, digital forensics, steganography, and ethical “white-hat” hacking. Classes are taught by NYU faculty and graduate students, who guide you through both the technical aspects and the larger issues around privacy and data security. You’ll also explore how cybersecurity connects to everyday life, from protecting personal information to understanding digital footprints. There’s also a theater-based communication workshop to strengthen your ability to present technical material clearly to others. The experience is ideal for beginners curious about real-world applications of CS.
13. Tisch Summer High School Program
Location: Residence halls in Greenwich Village or Brooklyn, NYC
Cost: Varies by track; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective / 14–36 students per track
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior at the time of application | At least 15 years old | Cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
Tisch Summer High School is a four-week program that immerses you in professional training in the arts. You’ll choose one of nine artistic tracks, such as animation, drama, filmmaking, game design, and more, and follow a curriculum modeled on the first-year undergraduate program at Tisch. Instruction is full-time, with mornings and afternoons spent in classes, workshops, and collaborative projects. Each track includes both independent work and group performances, giving you experience in multiple modes of artistic practice. At the end of the session, you’ll have completed projects or performances that demonstrate your growth.
14. Cornell University Precollege Studies
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Residential: $1,840 per credit + $2,879 charge for dining, housing, activities, and health fee for three weeks and $5,714 for six weeks + $75 application fee | Commuter: $1,940 per credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 30-35% / Vary as per course
Dates: Residential & Commuter: Several 3-week sessions across June 2 – August 1; the 6-week session takes place from June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Varies by format; you can find more information here
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Cornell University Precollege Studies is a prestigious program that offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience college-level academics by taking undergraduate courses taught by Cornell faculty. You can choose from residential, commuter, or online programs, each of which allows you to take regular Cornell courses alongside undergraduates. Courses span multiple disciplines, giving you the flexibility to explore a potential major or test out an academic interest. You’ll also earn college credit and receive an official transcript, which can often be transferred to other institutions. There is also a virtual summer/winter option available.
15. Coding for Game Design
Location: CREATE Lab, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $2,745 + $50 application fee + $100 extracurricular event fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / typically small cohorts to ensure personalized attention
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 18; Session 2: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, or 11th graders who have a basic understanding of coding and programming
In this summer program for high school students in NYC, you’ll spend two weeks learning the fundamentals of game development with C# and Unity. You’ll work both individually and in teams to create 3D games, applying principles used by professional developers, and experimenting with mechanics, design concepts, and collaborative coding. The program emphasizes both the creative and technical sides of coding, guiding you through concept development, pitching ideas, and refining your project for playability. By the end, you’ll have built a working game that demonstrates your understanding of programming and design.
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