13 Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you're a high school student looking to explore your interests beyond the standard curriculum, a structured academic program can be a strong next step. These programs offer practical experience, exposure to various tools, and opportunities to connect with professionals in fields such as medicine, architecture, engineering, or data science. You participate in labs, design projects, and collaborative problem-solving, helping you figure out what you actually enjoy and want to pursue further.
Why should you attend a program in Boston?
Boston offers a wide range of academic programs through its universities, hospitals, and research institutions. These programs allow you to study fields such as medicine, data science, architecture, engineering, and life sciences through university courses, research internships, and academic workshops. Whether you’re a local student or coming from outside the city, Boston’s programs give you access to challenging coursework, expert mentorship, and environments that reflect real industry or academic settings.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve selected 13 programs for high school students in Boston.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort size
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders living and attending a school in Massachusetts; must be within a commuting distance from NEU and be a US citizen or a permanent resident
The Young Scholars Program is catered toward students who want to explore the science and engineering fields through research. The program gives you the opportunity to work closely with Northeastern University professors from whom you will learn to complete different experiments in a laboratory setting. YSP also organizes a seminar series to help you explore various career options in different engineering disciplines. Throughout your involvement, you'll learn about topics like superconductivity, lasers, microwave materials, biotechnology, chemical analysis, and robotics. You will also attend education and career counseling sessions, take part in field trips, and get a taste of college life.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Started and managed by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI is a program catered towards high school students who are curious about exploring the world of artificial intelligence. When you enroll in this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. You will get the opportunity to implement what you learned on real-world projects. Veritas also offers a more advanced option, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, for students with prior knowledge of AI or Python. In this advanced program, you will work on individual projects under the 1-on-1 mentorship of AI experts from top universities. The program also provides you with access to its in-house publication team, offering additional support to publish your project in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. UMass Boston Upward Bound Program
Location: University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly availableDates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Open throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students from ages 13 to 19 who are enrolled in select high schools and have plans to attend college; priority is given to 9th and 10th graders
This is a college-preparation program that supports students from low-income households, in accordance with federal guidelines, and those who will be the first in their families to attend college. The Upward Bound Program organizes events throughout the year and categorizes them into summer and academic year sessions. In the summer, you will take college-level classes in English, Math, Science, and Financial or Media Literacy. These academic classes are accompanied by sports and extracurricular activities. During the academic year, you will attend tutoring sessions for at least four hours per week.
4. Immerse Education’s Boston Summer School
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 7-10 students per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 to 18
If you plan to attend the Boston Summer School, Immerse Education offers a variety of course options at this location. These include law, economics, psychology, engineering, medicine, and more. The program is designed for students who demonstrate a strong interest in academics, as the courses offer an intensive curriculum comprising in-depth academic sessions, one-on-one tutoring, individual research projects, and more. As part of the program, you will also go on-site visits to famous spots like the Harvard Art Museums, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Cambridge Common, and more. After completing the two-week course, you will receive a certificate of completion and written feedback from your tutor. You can find more details about the Boston summer school here.
5. City of Boston’s Summer Learn and Earn Program
Location: Various colleges across Boston, MA
Stipend: $225/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30%
Dates: July 8 – August 22
Application Deadline: March 1 – June 6
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who reside in Boston, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have met all course prerequisites per the policies of the participating campus; students who have earned a GED or high school diploma are not eligible to apply
Organized by the Boston government, this program allows high school students to take part in college-level classes while earning money and college credits for it. You can select from a range of courses, including Introduction to Networking, Introduction to Marketing, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and others. Every Wednesday, the program schedules an enrichment day during which you can participate in networking events and professional development workshops. You will also receive the support you need to be prepared for college. Your classes will either take place at Franklin Cummings Tech, Emmanuel College, or Roxbury Community College, so make sure to check which campus your particular course is being offered at.
6. LEAH Knox Scholars Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA in the first year and various research labs across Boston and Cambridge in the second year
Stipend: $2,250 stipend during the summer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long; training sessions take place from July to August in the first year, and the six-week internship in the second year, starting in the last week of June
Application Deadline: January – March
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders who attend a public high school in Boston, Cambridge, or Everett and are at least 16 years old by July 15
For students interested in STEM-related research, this is a two-year program that provides research experience in the field. In the first year, you will receive training in basic laboratory and quantitative techniques from MIT professionals. The following year, you will intern in a research lab for six weeks. You will also receive guidance with your college applications and have the chance to visit some college campuses. Apart from that, the Leah Knox Scholars Program also organizes activities such as monthly career planning meetings and lab visits, as well as one-on-one mentorship from a STEM professional.
7. MSLC’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Various companies across Massachusetts
Stipend: ~$4,080 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150+ interns per year
Dates: Internships take place May 1 – April 30 (exact dates vary by host company and role)
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship and attend a Massachusetts high school that meets the requirements of the program (see requirements here)
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center provides funding to various companies, thus allowing them to hire high school interns. If selected for the program, you will typically intern full-time or part-time at a research institution or a small life sciences company. Before starting the internship, MLSC offers pre-internship training programs in biotechnology and biomedicine, available during the summer or after school. These programs aim to help you develop important professional skills necessary for a successful internship. They are especially targeted at underrepresented youth and students from low-income backgrounds.
8. Harvard Medical School’s Project Success
Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and HMS-affiliated science laboratories
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~7 slotsDates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders who reside in Boston or Cambridge, are at least 16 years old by the start of the program, have a minimum GPA of 2.70, have completed algebra, biology, and chemistry, and can show proof of eligibility to work in the US
This is a summer research program that offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to intern at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Its Affiliated science laboratories. Throughout your participation, you'll be mentored by science professionals and attend seminars led by researchers and physicians. The program includes on-site visits to hospitals and biotech companies. Project Success also offers valuable tips to support your future educational and career goals.
9. New England Aquarium Summer Teen Internship Program
Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 40
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Opens from March until all spots are filled
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old and reside in Boston or Cambridge
As part of the New England Aquarium’s Youth Development Programs, this summer internship offers the chance to work at the aquarium. You will also undergo a one-week orientation before beginning your internship. In your first year, your role will primarily be to educate visitors about the aquarium's creatures. In the following years, you may be rotated through other departments. In addition to working two days per week, interns also participate in other enriching activities, including professional development sessions held two hours per week and the Ocean Advocacy Training program.
10. StatStart
Location: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free + CharlieCard for commuting to the campus
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 8
Dates: July 1 – 25
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Students in 9th to 12th grades are eligible to apply, but preference is given to rising 11th- and 12th-graders; applicants should live within commuting distance and possess basic algebra knowledge.
In this one-month program that is run by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Biostatistics, you will explore topics across data science and computing. Upon enrollment, you'll be scheduled for lectures and lab sessions covering R programming and introductory statistics. Additionally, you'll work collaboratively on a research project with other participants. StatStart aims to build a strong foundation in statistical programming, computational thinking, and problem-solving by the end of the program. Other important aspects of the program include guidance with college applications and career counseling.
11. Summer Academy - Boston
Location: Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (With credits) | $1,800 (No credits) | You can also earn a $2,000 scholarship toward BAC’s undergraduate programs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8-10 students in a studio
Dates: July 6 – 31; this is a half-day program meeting in the afternoons
Application Deadline: June 22
Eligibility: Students who are 14 years and older
If you are interested in careers in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, or related fields, consider enrolling in the Summer Academy program at the Boston Architectural College. The program gives you the opportunity to work in studio labs, gaining field experience. Throughout your participation, you'll develop a range of skills, including ideation, sketching, drawing, digital design, digital fabrication, model making, and presentation techniques. Beginners can choose the Exploration Track, but if you already have design experience, the Investigation Track is more comprehensive.
12. HMS MEDscienceClinical
Location: Harvard Medical, Boston, MA
Cost: $2,800 (5-day program | $2,250 (4-day program) | limited scholarships available for students from Boston
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in June, July, and August
Application Deadline: January 1 – March 15
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders
The HMS MEDscienceClinical program allows you to explore healthcare through realistic, simulated medical emergencies. You will learn to assess patients, interpret vital signs, and perform procedures such as suturing, IV insertion, and CPR/AED. Over the program, you'll work in small groups with physicians, nurses, and medical students who guide you through diagnosis and treatment processes. The program also presents different healthcare careers through organized MEDchats with Harvard-affiliated professionals.
13. Camp Zon Virtual Summer Research Experience – Boston Children’s Hospital
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 –17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students or rising college freshmen aged 16+ residing in Massachusetts and attending a Massachusetts high school
Camp Zon is a two‑week virtual research experience offered by the Zon Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital focused on scientific inquiry and laboratory investigation. Participants work in small teams to design a research project related to blood development and anemia using zebrafish as a model organism. Over the course of the program, students generate a hypothesis, design experiments, analyze data, and present their findings to the lab community. The camp includes lectures and discussions led by scientists, opportunities to learn how to interpret scientific literature, and mentoring sessions on research and career paths.
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