13 Business Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you are a high school student interested in business, a good way to learn and explore the industry is through structured programs. Through these programs, you may study topics such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management, and leadership while working on case studies, group projects, or simulations. These experiences can help you clarify your interests and understand whether business-related fields align with your academic or career goals. Additionally, you’ll be able to connect with like-minded peers and begin developing your professional network early on, which can be especially valuable for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals.
Why should you attend a program in Florida?
Florida is home to several businesses, institutions, and universities that offer comprehensive business programs to high school students, such as the University of Miami and Florida State University. These opportunities are available to both Florida-based students and, in many cases, students from outside the state through virtual or short-term summer formats. These programs enable you to learn from leading entrepreneurs and professionals, gain practical industry experience, and gain insight into business operations.
To help you get started, here are 13 business programs for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and led by Harvard entrepreneurs. Through this program, you will work towards developing a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex challenge. You will also have the opportunity to receive mentorship from established entrepreneurs and professionals from organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and X. In addition to building the start-up itself, you will engage in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, participate in workshops and skill-building sessions, explore case studies, experience panel discussions, and more. The program offers an excellent opportunity to explore the world of business in high school and provides a platform to examine multiple theoretical and practical frameworks essential for building a successful enterprise.
2. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Various states, including Florida
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors in good academic standing; More info here
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program allows you to take part in a paid internship with local nonprofits, where you'll learn about your community's needs and how crucial nonprofits are. You'll also get to see how nonprofits, governments, and businesses work together to serve the community. Along the way, you'll develop important civic, social, and business leadership skills. Once the internship is complete, you will attend a fully-funded national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
3. CLA’s High School Internship Program
Location: Various locations in FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 17 – July 19 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Spring (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students (ages d 16-18)
CLA’s High School Internship Program offers an opportunity to explore the fields of business, professional services, and accounting through practical, hands-on experience at CliftonLarsonAllen. As a participant, you will work on real projects and with actual clients while developing new skills, all while receiving compensation. The program includes an interactive case study serving various clients and industries, shadowing professionals, and supporting team projects. This internship provides an excellent introduction to the industry and an opportunity to learn about professional services.
4. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S., including FL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 150 interns
Dates: May – June
Application Deadline: September – January
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
If you’re interested in being a business executive, a producer, a PR agent, and so on, the Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is a solid option, as it gives you the chance to experience a career in media, entertainment, or technology. As a participant, you will get to experience the industry and do hands-on work in some of the top companies in these industries. You’ll get exposure to professionals and industry executives, access to professional development workshops and an annual conference, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to receive 1-on-1 mentorship and coaching.
5. Miami Dade College: Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations in Miami-Dade County, FL (on-site +virtual options)
Cost/Stipend: None; $1,500 stipend (tentative)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: May (tentative)
Eligibility: 10th-12th graders (ages 15-18) with a 2.5 weighted GPA, attending a Miami-Dade County Public School
The Summer Youth Internship Program provides an opportunity to gain practical work experience in an industry of your choice while also earning dual enrollment credit. As a participant, you will have the chance to build professional connections and deepen your understanding of the industry or field you choose. The program offers several tracks, including ones focused on hospitality, business, engineering, and more. Both “GEB1949: General Business Internship 1” and “GEB2949: General Business Internship 2” allow you to gain relevant business experience while receiving academic credit.
6. USF Summer Camps: Bulls Startup Summer Camp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $550 (tentative)
Cohort Size: 30 students
Dates: June 23 – 27 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Opens February 1
Eligibility: 10th-12th graders
The Bulls Startup Summer Camp provides an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and develop the skills necessary to bring your ideas to life. As a participant, you will engage in hands-on workshops, participate in interactive sessions with USF faculty, and receive mentorship. You will also get to brainstorm product ideas, design a business model, and learn about trends like social media marketing, cryptocurrency, and so on. The camp also includes a pitch competition, where you will learn to design, present, and refine your business ideas.
7. FSU’s Entrepreneurship Summer Camp
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $100
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
During FSU’s Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, you will gain practical insights into business startups. You will have the opportunity to learn from the faculty and staff of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship about the essentials of starting and managing a business. The program will cover how to strategically build and collaborate within a team, as well as how to develop innovative ideas and viable business models. Ultimately, at the conclusion of the camp, you will get to present your business pitches to family and friends.
8. University of Miami Pre-College – Summer Scholars: Business, Finance, and Global Relations
Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Varies by format; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 27 – July 17
Application Deadline: November 14 – December 31 (early), March 1 (international), April 1 (regular)
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders with a GPA of at least 3.0 (prerequisites vary by course)
The University of Miami offers a range of pre-college opportunities for high school students, including the Summer Scholars program. In this program, students learn directly from distinguished faculty and gain hands-on experience across multiple fields, with several options focused on business and leadership. The Business, Finance, and Global Relations track provides courses that introduce core concepts such as economics, accounting, marketing, and management while also exploring topics like global markets and international relations. Along the way, participants develop practical career skills, strengthen their leadership abilities, and gain valuable preparation for college and future professional success.
9. Pluris Academy's Entrepreneurial High School Program
Location: Pluris Academy, Orlando, FL
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Around 12 students per class
Dates: Typically, between fall and spring
Application Deadline: Not specified (rolling)
Eligibility: High school students
The Pluris Academy Entrepreneurial High School Program is a rigorous college-prep program that allows you to build a solid foundation in international business as well as business management and analysis. As a participant, you'll attend courses that are designed to keep you actively involved in learning. You’ll also get to build ongoing relationships with faculty and classmates and learn how to achieve academic independence. The program covers topics like financial modeling, market research, pitch development, global markets, digital marketing, and more. You’ll get to develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur. See here for more detailed information!
10. USF Summer Camps: Bulls Finance Camp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $750
Cohort Size: 60 participants
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens February 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Bulls Finance Camp offers an opportunity to explore finance, investing, and fintech through practical, hands-on learning. As a participant, you will gain an understanding of fundamental financial concepts, enhance your financial literacy, and develop skills necessary for making informed decisions. The camp also includes topics such as corporate finance and financial planning, providing you the opportunity to utilize the Bloomberg Terminals in the Lasher Center, which serves as the camp’s advanced trading room for financial analysis and stock trading. You’ll learn from finance professionals, gain industry insights, and expand your network. Whether your goal is to learn how to manage and finance a business or to improve your personal financial knowledge, these skills are valuable for your future.
11. University of Miami Pre-College – Summer Scholars: Business, Law, and Litigation Foundations
Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Varies by format; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 27 – July 17
Application Deadline: November 14 – December 31 (early), March 1 (international), April 1 (regular)
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders with a GPA of at least 3.0
The University of Miami offers several pre-college programs for high school students, including the Summer Scholars program. During this program, you will get to learn from distinguished UM faculty and benefit from hands-on learning in a variety of fields, including business. The Business, Law, and Litigation Foundations track offers you courses like “Business, Law, and Society,” “Business of Real Estate,” and more. During the “Business, Law, and Society” course, you will cover topics like the fundamentals of the common law system, the judiciary, and more. You will also learn about the impact legislative processes have on businesses and industries in the U.S. The “Business of Real Estate” course explores the fundamentals of commercial real estate and teaches you the role contracting has in business.
12. Wharton Global Youth Program: Sports Business Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,799; Need-based scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: January 28 (priority); March 18 (final)
Eligibility: 10th-11th graders in good academic standing; Must have an interest in sports, business, and management
The Wharton Global Youth Program provides both online and in-person programs for high school students who want to get a business education. These programs let you learn from Wharton professors and work alongside other talented students interested in business. The Sports Business Academy is sponsored by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI) and the Wharton Sports Business Academy (WSBA) and allows you to study the business of sports. You will get to learn more about the sports industry, like how it’s structured, monetized, and evolving. You will cover topics like the history of sports business, the concept of leagues, teams, and associations, and more. You will explore the business of sports properties and learn about revenue generation models, shifting consumer behaviors, marketing, and so on. You’ll also work on a Capstone Project and research an emerging professional sports league.
13. Georgetown University: Online Business Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course and format; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by session and course
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
Georgetown University offers several online and in-person pre-college programs in a variety of fields, including business. The Online Business Programs will have you explore the concept of entrepreneurship, investing, or marketing, giving you the chance to explore such business-related topics in depth before college. Some of the courses you can attend include Business of Sports, Marketing, Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation, and more. The Business of Sports course will have you explore how professional leagues operate in the sports industry and analyze how real-world business decisions have shaped the industry. During the Marketing course, you will learn about consumer behavior and marketing strategies, as well as social media marketing and brand management. In the Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation course, you will learn what it takes to launch a business, how to identify your target customers and market your business, and more.
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