10 Leadership Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
Short-term academic and career programs allow high school students to explore their interests. Leadership programs, in particular, offer training in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills that apply across fields. Many of these programs are hosted by established colleges and organizations, providing a balance of learning and industry exposure.
Leadership and civic engagement opportunities are increasingly popular among students considering careers in business, management, and public service. Whether you want to explore nonprofit leadership or prepare for business school, these programs offer practical learning environments. We’ve compiled the top 10 leadership programs in New Jersey for high school students.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Non-profits nationwide and a Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC. Click here to find available locations.
Stipend: This is a paid internship
Application Deadline: October 14 - January 15
Dates: The internship runs for 8 weeks, with start dates varying by market. The Summit in DC runs from July 21 to July 26
Eligibility: Current junior or senior in high school living in one of the eligible locations.
The Student Leaders program annually selects over 300 high school juniors and seniors from nearly 100 communities across the U.S. to participate in a paid eight-week internship with a local nonprofit. Interns work with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, gaining firsthand experience in community service. You will develop practical skills while learning how nonprofits function and collaborate with government and business sectors. In addition to the internship, you’ll attend a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., exploring civic engagement and policy-making. The program emphasizes community involvement and leadership development through structured experiences.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort.
Application Deadline: You can choose between three application deadlines: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May.
The Young Founders’ Lab is a boot camp led by Harvard entrepreneurs, where you’ll create and develop a startup venture. The program features mentorship from professionals in the tech and business sectors, including Google and Microsoft. You’ll learn about entrepreneurship through theory-based sessions and practical workshops. Elements of the program include business ideation classes, skill-building exercises, and analysis of startup case studies. Students are encouraged to apply this knowledge to building a revenue-driven business. The curriculum is designed to help high schoolers explore the fundamentals of starting and scaling a company.
3. Youth Leadership Somerset
Location: Somerset County, Somerville, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: September - May
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 - 12 who live in Somerset County, NJ
Youth Leadership Somerset is a nine-month leadership program open to high school students in Somerset County. Sessions are held one Saturday from September through May and combine presentations from local leaders, group activities, and field-based experiences. You’ll explore topics like mental health, emergency response, and economic development, focusing on your county's issues. Each session is structured to offer both community insights and personal leadership development. You’ll also participate in site visits and interactive workshops with community stakeholders. The program encourages long-term civic awareness while helping you build practical leadership skills.
4. Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy
Location: Rutgers–New Brunswick campus, NJ
Cost: $3,648.50 - $4,754
Application Deadline: January 6 - May 23
Dates: Session I: July 13 - July 19; Session II: July 27 - August 2
Eligibility: High school students completing their sophomore and junior year, ages 16 to 18 by Summer; Minimum 3.0 grade point average
The Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy is a one-week leadership development and communication program. You’ll participate in lectures, public speaking workshops, and collaborative activities to help you identify your leadership style. The curriculum includes an analysis of emotional, social, and cultural intelligence and how they affect leadership effectiveness. You will evaluate ethical dilemmas, examine trends in organizational leadership, and reflect on your leadership development. Final presentations allow you to showcase your learning and communication skills. Group problem-solving activities also encourage self-assessment and peer engagement.
5. New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps (NJYLC)
Location: Philadelphia Outward Bound School, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Cost: $50
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: July 6 - July 19
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors (entering grades 10-12) in the Northern New Jersey area
NJYLC offers a 14-day outdoor expedition focused on leadership for selected high school sophomores and juniors in Northern New Jersey. You’ll join a group of peers to explore the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, learning through rock climbing, backpacking, and canoeing. The program covers over 40 miles of Appalachian terrain, offering challenges that test your problem-solving and collaboration. You’ll also experience personal growth through exposure to wilderness settings such as the Kittatinny Ridge and Mt. Tammany. Most camping occurs in protected zones free from development or logging. The experience emphasizes outdoor learning and leadership skill-building.
6. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 18
Dates: Virtual Sessions: April 1 & April 8
Eligibility: Female sophomores and juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
At the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute, you’ll explore what studying and working in the business world is like. The program features workshops taught by faculty from the Kelley School of Business, focusing on leadership, communication, and business principles. You’ll collaborate on a business case project that mirrors real-world challenges and solutions. Discussions with alumni and current students offer a look at career possibilities and college life. Peer engagement is built into the structure, encouraging collaboration with others interested in business. The experience is designed for high school students preparing to explore business in college.
7. Igniting Your Leadership Potential Certificate in Leadership Development
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25/course
Application Deadline: Depends on the course you register for
Dates: The Voice of Leadership: March 4 – March 25 | The Art of Self-Leadership April 1 – April 22
Eligibility: Youth in grades 8–13
NJ 4‑H’s Igniting Your Leadership Potential Certificate lets you build your leadership skills through four focused online courses. You’ll start with classes like “The Voice of Leadership,” which examines how communication shapes leadership, or “The Art of Self-Leadership,” which explores values and emotional discipline. You’ll earn a digital badge for each course, with a certificate awarded after four. These sessions include guided discussions, personal assessments, and exercises you can apply daily. The program is entirely virtual, letting you manage the pace and structure of your participation. It’s designed to offer both theoretical insights and leadership applications.
8. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual/ In-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,528
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till capacity is full
Dates: June 23 - July 18 (Virtual program)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
The Brown Leadership Institute invites students to explore leadership that addresses social issues. Offered in both two-week in-person and four-week online formats, the program lets you explore a course topic relevant to your interests. Class time involves peer discussions, presentations, and problem-based activities. You’ll develop an Action Plan tailored to a need in your school or community. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and civic responsibility. You will work in a global peer group, which encourages the exchange of diverse ideas.
9. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme (Online, Global)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $750
Application Deadline: Open until complete (first-come, first-served basis)
Dates: 6 January - 1 February, 14 April - 9 May, 9 June - 4 July, 28 July - 22 August
Eligibility: High school students
The UNITAR Young Leaders Online Training Programme runs for four weeks and focuses on four core modules: the UN system, diplomatic practices, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and intercultural communication. You will engage with self-paced readings, videos, and discussion boards hosted on UNITAR’s online learning platform. The program also includes live webinars with UN professionals covering topics such as diplomacy, Model United Nations, and career development in international fields. Weekly e-workshops address leadership and negotiation skills. You must dedicate approximately 4–6 hours per week to complete the coursework.
10. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI provides two programs to consider if you're looking to explore artificial intelligence as a high school student. Harvard graduate students develop the programs. The AI Scholars program is a boot camp introducing you to AI fundamentals and includes ten instructional and project work sessions. You’ll study data science and machine learning, applying new concepts through hands-on assignments. Students with more advanced experience can apply to the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, which offers individual research mentorship. As part of the fellowship, you’ll work on a unique project and receive guidance on publication through Veritas AI’s editorial team.
Image source - Bank of America Logo