15 Programs for High School Students in Atlanta, Georgia
As a high school student, structured programs help you go beyond textbooks and offer exposure to real environments where professionals work every day. As a participant, you will learn through practical experiences, whether that is conducting experiments in a biomedical lab, analyzing outbreak data in public health, building AI models, designing engineering prototypes, studying the brain, or earning college credit in art history. You will build technical skills, collaborate with driven peers, and interact with mentors who work in the field. If you are serious about exploring your options before college, programs can be among the most direct ways to do it.
Why should you attend a program in Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta is home to institutions like Emory University, Georgia Tech, the CDC, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine, which host programs where you might learn about and conduct cancer research, simulate disease investigations, prototype aerospace solutions, or complete a credit-bearing college course. The projects here are often tied to real research or community initiatives, not hypothetical case studies. Whether you are a local or travelling to Atlanta, these programs give you access to various opportunities across fields and help you explore your interests.
To make your search easier, we have compiled a list of 15 programs for high school students in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Emory University Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA; virtual option is also available.
Stipend: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 12 students
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and 16 or older when the program begins
At Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, you will spend six weeks working full-time in an active laboratory or clinical setting under the direct mentorship of a physician or research scientist. You will be paired with a Winship investigator to work one-on-one and contribute to an original project in areas such as molecular oncology, cancer biology, public health, or clinical research methods. Alongside lab work, you will attend faculty-led lectures on oncology topics and participate in discussions on cancer careers and research pathways. The program also includes site visits to institutions such as the CDC, Georgia Tech, the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and the Emory Proton Therapy Center. The experience ends with a formal research symposium where you will present your findings to scientists, clinicians, peers, and invited guests.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 – 15-week cohorts run several times each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship typically accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI offers multiple learning opportunities focused on artificial intelligence exploration. These programs have been developed and executed by Harvard graduate students and alumni. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will attend 10 sessions that introduce you to Python and key machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. You can also opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers you mentorship from AI practitioners or researchers to help you develop your own unique project. You can check out past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Atlanta, GA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: Applications typically open in early February/March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett County School Districts; applicants must have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course when the program begins.
The Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week paid internship that introduces high school students to technology careers through team-based projects. You will join a small group, or “pod,” and be assigned to a product area where you will explore customer needs, product design, and early-stage development processes. Throughout the program, you will learn foundational coding concepts in Python and JavaScript while gaining exposure to roles in software engineering, UX design, and product management. Microsoft employees will serve as mentors, offering technical guidance and insight into workplace expectations.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts; dates vary each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; you can check details and apply here.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote academic research experience that pairs you with a Ph.D. mentor for individualized guidance over the course of a structured project. You will begin by identifying a focused research question, then conduct a literature review, refine your methodology, and complete your project while attending regular mentor meetings. Research topics span STEM, social sciences, and the humanities, allowing you to select a field aligned with your interests. Your mentor will provide iterative feedback on structure, evidence, and analytical depth. The program culminates in a completed research paper that can be submitted to journals, competitions, or other academic outlets in the future.
5. Grady Memorial Hospital’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive application process
Dates: May 26 – July 14
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 19, who have completed the 9th grade
Grady Memorial Hospital’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program allows you to volunteer in a working hospital while exploring healthcare careers. You will complete at least one four-hour shift every two weeks, rotating through clinical and non-clinical departments to observe medical staff and hospital operations. The program incorporates leadership development, teamwork training, and communication skill-building within a professional healthcare environment. You will also take part in virtual learning labs totaling approximately 20 hours and complete up to 40 hours of annual community engagement. Additionally, you can take on a project focused on health outcomes or equity, in which you can investigate local health challenges and present findings at a showcase event. Throughout the experience, you will earn documented volunteer hours.
6. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 27 participants/session chosen from 650 – 750 applications
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in high school, ages 16 and up
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a competitive summer day program held at the CDC headquarters. You will learn about public health and epidemiology through case-based instruction, short lectures from CDC professionals, and simulated outbreak investigations. You will also analyze data, examine patterns of disease transmission, and present findings in practical formats such as mock press briefings. Topics vary annually but may include infectious disease, chronic disease, environmental health, injury prevention, and global health surveillance. Laboratory sessions and interactive exercises will introduce methods used in real-world public health research.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Atlanta, GA (placements available within a 45-minute distance from your home)
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 27 – 33 students/year
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship focused on aquatic science and conservation. As a Hutton Scholar, you will be paired with a fisheries biologist whose ongoing projects shape your responsibilities. Depending on the placement, you may conduct fish population surveys, test water quality, assess aquatic habitats, or process biological samples in freshwater or marine environments. Many positions involve fieldwork, and some require extended or multi-day trips. You will be expected to submit biweekly timesheets, a mid-summer report, and a final written reflection summarizing your experience. Mentorship is central to the experience, with professionals providing day-to-day supervision and career insight.
8. Georgia Governor’s Honors Program
Location: Various college or university campuses in GA, including sites in Atlanta (varies by year)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive application process
Dates: June 14 – July 11
Application deadline: November 11 (school nominations); January 9 (student applications)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (current 10th and 11th graders) in Georgia public, private, or home schools
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is a four-week residential summer program for high school sophomores and juniors in Georgia who are nominated by their schools. Held on a college campus, GHP offers advanced instruction in academic subjects, fine arts, and career or technical disciplines. You will attend classes in your nominated field during the day and participate in seminars, workshops, and performances in the evenings. You will also engage in discussions and work on projects alongside peers from across the state.
9. Art History and Curatorial Studies Early College Program
Location: Spelman College, the Atlanta University Center, and the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 20 – July 17
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Early College Program in Art History and Curatorial Studies is a four-week, fully funded experience for students of color conducted primarily at Spelman College. During the program, you will complete the credit-bearing course “Ways of Seeing: Art History, Curating, and Museums,” earning three college credits recorded on a Spelman transcript. The instruction examines African American and Western art while introducing curatorial practice and museum studies. Classes, workshops, and discussions will take place at Spelman College, the Atlanta University Center, and the High Museum of Art. You will also work on exhibition-focused projects that require research, primary source analysis, and consideration of audience interpretation. Site visits to regional museums, archives, and libraries are part of the experience.
10. GTAE’s Science, Technology, and Engineering Pipeline (STEP) Summer Internship Program
Location: Georgia Tech main campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 and reside in Georgia
STEP Program is a free, two-week summer internship hosted by Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. As a participant, you will work in a team of peers to solve an open-ended engineering challenge inspired by active Georgia Tech research projects. Faculty mentors will guide you through the design, development, and prototyping process without providing predetermined solutions. Throughout the program, you will explore research concepts connected to aerospace innovation. The experience concludes with a formal poster session where teams will present their findings to parents, educators, faculty, and industry representatives.
11. Georgia Tech’s TryEngineering Summer Institute
Location: Georgia Tech main campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: June 7 – 15
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students who are Georgia residents
The TryEngineering Summer Institute at Georgia Tech is a residential program for 11th and 12th-graders interested in engineering and computer science. Over one week, you will participate in hands-on experiments, design challenges, and interactive workshops led in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering. You will stay overnight on campus, gaining exposure to college residential life while touring research facilities and academic spaces. Sessions will introduce multiple engineering disciplines and highlight real-world applications of technology. You will also learn about the engineering college admissions process and interact with Georgia Tech faculty, students, and staff. Field experiences and collaborative projects are part of the experience.
12. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy Authentic Research Experience
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – July 10
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th-grade students with a 3.0 overall GPA or higher
MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy’s Authentic Research Experience at Morehouse School of Medicine is a six-week, in-person biomedical research program for high school students interested in science and public health. You will work with a faculty mentor and graduate students on an investigative project. In the process, you will learn laboratory techniques and use scientific instrumentation common in biomedical research settings. The coursework includes mini-lectures and workshops on health equity, critical thinking, and career pathways in medicine and public health. Toward the end of the session, you will complete an original research project grounded in a biomedical discipline.
13. SCAD Rising Star
Location: Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Application fee: $100 + Program fee: $250 + Tuition: $4,680 + Housing and meals: $1,590
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28 – July 24
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; application opens on September 21.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
SCAD Rising Star is a four-week art and design pre-college program for rising high school seniors that offers 10 quarter hours of college credit upon successful completion. You will enroll in two SCAD courses, typically one major-specific class and one foundation or general education course, taught by university faculty. The curriculum is delivered at the collegiate level and typically spans disciplines such as animation, architecture, fashion, graphic design, or sequential art and offers opportunities for portfolio development. Access to professional-grade software, including Adobe Creative Cloud, is integrated into coursework where relevant. Any credits you earn can be applied toward a SCAD degree or transferred at the discretion of another institution.
14. The Neuroscience School @ Georgia State University
Location: Online or Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $275 – $350, depending on the course you choose; fee assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one-week options in June – July
Application deadline: Open until full; applications typically open in December.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least the 9th grade; for in-person courses, applicants must be at least 16 years old.
The Neuroscience School at Georgia State University offers short, college-level courses to high school students interested in brain science and psychology. The courses cover topics such as neurons and neurotransmission, brain anatomy, learning and memory, and neurological disorders. For instance, in the Neuroscience Boot Camp, you will engage in lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities that mirror introductory college coursework while introducing you to the field. Advanced courses focus on specific themes like neurological diseases, human brain imaging, or laboratory modeling of Alzheimer’s disease using Drosophila. Some in-person courses include laboratory sessions with exposure to research equipment and experimental design. Case studies and research reports are part of the experience, helping you analyze symptoms, treatments, and scientific models.
15. Emory Math Circle
Location: Online or Mathematics & Science Center at Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free; suggested donation for families who can afford it: $30/student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six sessions each semester (dates vary by year)
Application deadline: Varies by semester/session
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12 in Atlanta
Emory Math Circle is a free program designed to help you explore problems and topics in mathematics not covered in the school syllabus. The sessions, conducted at Emory's Math and Science Center or online, are scheduled six times each semester and are led by Ph.D. students from Emory or Georgia Tech. During the classes, you will first engage in a warm-up activity, and then join peer groups to work on problems, concepts, puzzles, or games focused on math. The lessons do not build on each other, allowing you to attend a session when you can. The focus is on helping you gain experience with working on accessible math problems that encourage mathematical exploration.
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