15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Jacksonville, FL
Summer programs offer high school students a valuable chance to explore new interests, build academic and career-related skills, and gain experience outside the classroom. Whether you’re interested in conducting research, developing leadership abilities, or learning the fundamentals of law, these opportunities can help you deepen your understanding of potential future paths.
For those in Jacksonville, Florida, various local programs make it possible to stay close to home while engaging in meaningful summer learning. These programs often combine coursework with application, allowing you to work with professionals, participate in research, or develop creative projects. Beyond academics, summer programs can foster personal growth by encouraging independence, collaboration, and problem-solving. Jacksonville’s institutions offer many such programs hosted by universities, museums, medical centers, and more. The list below highlights 15 summer programs for high school students in Jacksonville, FL.
1. Science Program for the Advancement of Research Knowledge (SPARK) (Florida)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 3 - December 2.
Application Deadline: November 1 - December 31.
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students in Duval or St. Johns high schools in Florida can apply. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA.
In this program, high school students work alongside scientists in laboratories, exploring biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, cancer biology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and regenerative sciences. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific methods, and professional ethics while encouraging you to develop independent research projects. Many SPARK scholars present their work at science fairs, earning awards and recognition, and often continue their studies in science and medicine at top universities. Participation requires a commitment of at least 25 hours per week during the summer and additional time during the school year.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Depends on specific programs, financial aid available!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Application Deadline: May. On a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers specialized online programs for high school students interested in academic writing for artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts over ten sessions, combining theory with hands-on projects. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship offers 1:1 mentorship with researchers from top universities, culminating in an independent research project. You will also receive guidance on publishing your writing in high school research journals. These programs aim to provide rigorous academic writing exposure while supporting students in exploring potential research or career interests in AI and computer science.
3. GlobalJax High School Internships
Location: GlobalJax, Jacksonville, FL.
Cost/Stipend: None.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 2 students.
Dates: Start and end dates are flexible based on the student's academic calendar.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The High School Internship Program offers practical experience in nonprofit administration, international education, diplomacy, and business. You will help coordinate educational programs by working with staff and global business leaders, and may also assist with special projects, visitor programming, fundraising, and social media. You will gain membership in GlobalJax, providing access to events and networking with local and international leaders. The program offers exposure to government relations, public policy, and North Florida’s business and cultural sectors, with opportunities for extended internships or leadership roles.
4. Jacksonville Transportation Authority Summer Internship Program
Location: Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Jacksonville, FL.
Stipend: Paid.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 30-40 students.
Dates: June 2 - August 8.
Application Deadline: December 15 - April 1.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority offers a 10-week paid summer internship for students interested in the transit industry. You will gain experience by working with professional Finance, Marketing, Transportation, and Human Resources teams and contributing to the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C) program. The internship is designed to blend learning with practical work, encouraging you to develop innovative solutions to transit challenges. You will explore diverse career paths in transportation, engage in professional development activities, and receive mentorship. The program also includes opportunities to present projects, network, and fulfill college internship requirements.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Varies by cohort. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research opportunity designed for high school students seeking hands-on academic research experience. The program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors, allowing you to work independently on a project within your chosen subject area. Throughout the 12-week program, you will participate in rigorous research. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished independent research paper. Areas of study include linguistics, history, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
6. Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Stepping Stones Program
Location: Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL.
Stipend: $1,500.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available.
Dates: The program runs in the summer after high school graduation.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors from the greater Jacksonville area, specifically in low-income, high-needs schools, are eligible to apply.
FSCJ’s Stepping Stones Program offers accelerated career training and personal development for graduating high school seniors. This workforce initiative guides you toward earning one of several industry-recognized credentials in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, low-voltage systems, or entrepreneurship. Over the summer after graduation, you will pursue certifications and receive support for job placement or further education. The program includes mentorship from FSCJ faculty and industry professionals, soft-skill development, academic advising, tutoring, and help with financial aid. You will also benefit from guidance provided by a dedicated Student Success Advisor and career placement assistance from a Job Placement Coordinator.
7. Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership (MYAWP)
Location: Various locations in Jacksonville, FL.
Stipend: Paid.
Cohort size: 300 students.
Dates: The program runs in the summer.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-21 years enrolled in a high school, GED program, technical school, college, or university in Duval County are eligible to apply.
The Mayor’s Youth at Work Partnership program offers eligible students paid internships and practical work experiences to help them prepare for future employment. It aims to strengthen the local talent pipeline by connecting you to education and career pathways aligned with employer needs. You will receive job-readiness training, support in opening a bank account, and guidance from a dedicated job coach throughout the internship. Beyond gaining work experience, you will learn professional norms, develop social and financial skills, explore career pathways, and build networks within the local business community.
8. Pathways into Healthcare Careers Program (Florida)
Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 60 students.
Dates: July 10 - 12.
Application Deadline: March 1 - May 15.
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors from Duval County can apply.
This summer program introduces you to over 20 allied health professions, highlighting educational pathways and career progression in fields such as pharmacy, nurse anesthesia, surgical technology, and histotechnology. You will engage in scenarios in the Simulation Center, attend panels and lectures with faculty and current students, and participate in personal and professional development activities. The program also offers networking opportunities with peers and healthcare professionals. By the end, you will gain an understanding of healthcare career options, educational programs provided by the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, and resources to support your academic and professional growth.
9. Society of American Military Engineers U.S. Navy Camp
Location: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL.
Cost: $800.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students.
Dates: June 22 - 28.
Application Deadline: March 12.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors at least 15 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.2.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) offers STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps for high school students at a military base. You will learn about engineering, construction, and design through project-based activities while developing leadership and teamwork skills. Led by professionals from SAME and volunteers from the military and engineering sectors, the camps help you explore STEM careers and educational pathways from high school to college. At the SAME/Navy STEM, Engineering & Construction Camp at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, you will live and work in squads, guided by uniformed service members and industry mentors. Activities include building and testing concrete beams, constructing cardboard boats, and other practical engineering projects to encourage problem-solving and collaboration.
10. AnnieRuth Foundation Summer Internship Program
Location: Community partners in Jacksonville, FL.
Stipend: Paid.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available.
Dates: The program runs in the summer. Exact dates are provided upon acceptance.
Application Deadline: May 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors living in Duval or any of its surrounding counties with a 2.0 or higher GPA.
The AnnieRuth Foundation’s Summer Internship Program matches you with local businesses and organizations based on your career interests and allows you to work 20 hours per week in a professional setting. You will compete for placements emphasizing personal growth, academic development, and workforce readiness. You will have opportunities to interact with community leaders, subject matter experts, and peers nationwide while receiving mentorship and practical training from local professionals.
11. Carnival Summer Internship
Location: Carnival Cruise Port, Jacksonville, FL.
Stipend: Paid.
Cohort size: 15-20 students.
Dates: Late June - Early August.
Application Deadline: No information available.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors 17 years and older with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Carnival Cruise Line offers a paid summer internship for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in hospitality, travel, and customer service. Over 6-8 weeks, you will work at the JAXPORT cruise terminal as a Directional Agent, Zone Supervisor, and EZ Board Agent, assisting with guest check-in, boarding, and port operations. This internship runs primarily on embarkation days, usually weekends, allowing flexibility to balance other summer commitments. You will receive training, a uniform, and port credentials, gaining experience and building professional networks within the industry.
12. Museum of Science and History (MOSH) Teen Volunteers
Location: Museum of Science and History (MOSH), Jacksonville, FL.
Cost/Stipend: None.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available.
Dates: Available year-round, including summer.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 can apply.
As Teen Volunteers at MOSH, you will support Discovery Camps held throughout the year, museum events, and educational programming by preparing materials, assisting staff, and supervising activities. Those aged 15 and older can volunteer as Discovery Camp assistants, working with kindergarten through sixth-grade students and helping facilitate lessons and projects. Volunteers aged 14 and older may serve as Innovation Volunteers, engaging museum visitors with STEAM and history topics, setting up activities, and preparing educational materials for camps and field trips. Through these roles, you will gain experience in education and public engagement.
13. Jimerson Birr Business Law High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Jimerson Birr, P.A., Jacksonville, FL.
Cost/Stipend: None.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: The program runs for 4-6 weeks in the summer.
Application Deadline: No information available. Interested students should contact the firm directly.
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year are eligible to apply.
The High School Summer Internship Program allows you to explore careers within a professional setting before beginning college. Over four to six weeks, you will take on meaningful assignments across different departments, such as accounting, marketing, legal services, and information technology. By working closely with department heads and staff, you will develop practical business administration skills applicable across various fields. This program aims to help you build experience and professional confidence that supports your future academic and career goals.
14. University of North Florida ID Tech Camps
Location: University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL.
Cost: Starting at $1,199.
Cohort size: 10-12 students.
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between June and July.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17 can apply.
In these summer camps, high school students can explore fields like game design, robotics, coding, AI, animation, or digital art guided by instructors from the University of North Florida. Held in small groups on the college campus, the program combines projects with campus activities, themed events, and gaming tournaments. You will use professional tools like Unreal Engine, VEX robotics kits, Python, Java, or Adobe software to create apps, games, and digital content while developing technical and creative skills.
15. American Graphics Institute Graphic Design Courses
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $895.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: No information available.
Dates: Session I: July 7 - 18 | Session II: August 4 - 15.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students in Jacksonville, FL, can apply.
In this graphic design program, you will learn design principles and typography from an industry professional while working with professional Adobe software to create digital drawings, logos, advertisements, and magazine layouts. The program is an online option where you will complete projects over two weeks. Course topics include digital drawing, text effects, image editing, logo creation, print design layouts, and portfolio development, with opportunities to receive feedback through design critiques. You will finish the course by producing a digital project demonstrating your skills.
Image source - Lumiere Education