15 Most Prestigious Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high schooler serious about writing, summer is the perfect time to hone your writing skills. Summer writing programs for high school students offer a unique opportunity to grow as a writer in a focused, collaborative setting. They provide a space to explore your creativity, sharpen your craft, and connect with peers who share your interests.
These programs often include small-group instruction, one-on-one feedback, and exposure to new genres and techniques. You’ll work with published authors, experienced teachers, and sometimes even professional editors or journalists. Many programs also give you the chance to publish your work, build a portfolio, or prepare for college writing. No matter your interests, there’s a program that can help you grow.
Here are 15 prestigious summer writing programs for high school students that are a good place to start!
1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Location: Virtual/Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 40 students
Dates: July 1 – August 3
Application Deadline: December – February 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA out of 4.0, interested in journalism, and from a limited-income background. Check here for more detailed eligibility requirements.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) gives you direct exposure to the field of journalism through lectures, workshops, and reporting assignments led by professional journalists and Princeton faculty. You’ll study a range of topics, including politics, race, economics, and the environment, while developing practical skills in interviewing, writing, editing, and media production. You’ll also contribute to The Princeton Summer Journal, a publication written, edited, and produced entirely by students. Beyond writing and reporting, the program offers extensive opportunities to engage with newsrooms, conduct investigative research, and collaborate with mentors and peers. After the summer intensive, you’ll receive one-on-one support from a college counselor throughout the year.
2. Iowa Young Writers' Studio Summer Residential Program
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $2,500 program fee (Financial aid is available)
Cohort Size: Each class has 10 or fewer students
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 28; Session 2: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: January 20 – February 2
Eligibility: 10th, 11th and 12th graders who have course-relevant writing samples
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio Summer Residential Program is an intensive summer writing program for high school students looking to balance practice with serious literary study. You’ll spend two weeks immersed in a single writing discipline: poetry, fiction, playwriting, TV writing, or a multi-genre creative writing course. You'll study published works to uncover the techniques behind them and complete writing exercises that push you to experiment with your own style. You’ll also take part in readings, peer critiques, and group projects that encourage you to view your work and the work of others with a critical and supportive lens. During the summer and winter, the Iowa Young Writers' Studio also offers 6-week online creative writing courses for high school students.
3. Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH/Virtual
Cost: Summer Residential: $2,575; Summer Online: $995; Financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Each workshop has 12-14 students
Dates: Summer Residential: June 22 – July 5 (Session One); July 13 – 26 (Session Two) | Summer Online: June 15 – 20
Application Deadline: Summer Residential: March 1; Summer Online: April 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors between the ages of 16 and 18 during the program
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops offer summer writing programs for high school students who are interested in challenging themselves creatively while building technical skill. Whether you attend the residential or online version, you’ll engage in multi-genre workshops that focus on short stories, poems, and personal essays. You’ll take part in conversations about revision, attend readings by published authors, and collaborate with peers in a supportive environment. Through guided discussions, daily writing exercises, and one-on-one conferences with instructors, you’ll learn to develop your own voice while gaining a deeper understanding of how established writers shape language, structure, and tone.
4. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None; However, students who normally work over the summer or have financial commitments may receive financial aid to replace any lost earnings
Acceptance Rate: ~3–5%
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors between the ages of 15-18
At the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS), you’ll explore how systems of power, identity, and privilege shape society through rigorous college-level seminars in the humanities and social sciences. You’ll engage deeply with topics in Critical Black Studies (TASS-CBS) or Anti-Oppressive Studies (TASS-AOS), reading scholarly texts, analyzing cultural works, and writing essays that challenge you to think critically about history, politics, literature, and art. Discussions are central to the classroom experience, with faculty and peers guiding you to examine complex ideas and develop your academic voice through dialogue and reflection. Outside the classroom, you and your peers will take part in shaping your residential community, practicing transformative justice, planning service projects, and participating in public speaking activities.
5. Yale Young Writers' Workshop
Location: Virtual/Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $3,275 (residential); $2,905 (commuter); $1,320 (online)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 21 – June 27
Application Deadline: January 15 – April 1; Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors between the ages of 16 and 18
The Yale Young Writers' Workshop is a summer writing program for high school students where you’ll focus on refining your skills in a specific writing genre: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or a combination of fiction and poetry. Each workshop emphasizes finding and strengthening your unique voice while building technical proficiency through writing exercises, readings, and group discussions. You’ll work closely with experienced instructors who guide the writing and revision process, providing feedback tailored to your individual style and goals. A highlight of the program is its engagement with professional authors. You’ll be assigned a book by a visiting writer, attend a craft talk with them, and participate in a small-group session where they’ll discuss the creative process and share insights into their writing journey.
6. Harvard Crimson's Summer Journalism Academy
Location: Virtual/Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $950 (in-person); $750 (virtual); Limited need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – 16
Application Deadline: June 1 (early registration); July 1 (final registration)
Eligibility: High school students interested in journalism
With The Harvard Crimson's Summer Journalism Academy, you'll learn journalism fundamentals directly from the student editors behind one of the country's oldest collegiate newspapers. Through hands-on workshops, panels, and writing sessions, you’ll develop key skills in news reporting, interviewing, editorial writing, multimedia production, and more. You’ll also gain exposure to the broader structure of a newsroom by working with all of The Crimson’s content boards, including News, Editorial, and Art. Over the course of this summer writing program for high school students, you’ll collaborate with mentors from The Crimson, receive detailed feedback on your writing, and build a portfolio of polished articles.
7. LA Times High School Insider Internship
Location: Virtual/Los Angeles Times headquarters, El Segundo, CA
Stipend: $16.90/hour
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors residing in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California, who can work in the El Segundo office
As an intern with the L.A. Times High School Insider program, you’ll take on the role of a working journalist by pitching ideas, interviewing sources, and crafting stories for a real audience. Over seven weeks, you’ll learn how to report on breaking news, write feature stories, and explore multimedia storytelling through video, audio, and digital platforms. Training sessions and workshops led by journalists from the L.A. Times newsroom will support your development, while structured mentorship will help you refine your reporting, research, and revision skills. You'll work both in the newsroom and remotely, gaining exposure to a hybrid model that reflects today’s media landscape, and get the chance to build a portfolio of published work on the L.A. Times High School Insider platform.
8. Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
Location: Denison University, Granville, OH
Cost: $1,500 (Financial assistance is available)
Cohort Size: 48 students each year
Dates: June 14 – 21
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors
The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop is a summer writing program for high school students where you’ll spend eight days working alongside peers, faculty, and visiting authors who are passionate about creative writing. Each day includes small-group workshops focused on technique, revision, and genre exploration, paired with craft sessions led by professional writers. You’ll receive feedback on your drafts, explore new approaches to writing, and engage with award-winning authors through readings and conversations about the writing life. The program also includes structured writing time, one-on-one conferences, and genre-deepening activities. The workshop concludes with a final reading, during which you will have the opportunity to share your work with fellow participants.
9. Alpha Young Writers Workshop
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Cost: $1,800 tuition fee (Financial aid is available)
Cohort Size: Maximum 20 participants
Dates: July 16 – July 27
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Applicants should be 14-19 years old and have an original short story ready for their application
The Alpha Young Writers Workshop is a twelve-day science fiction, fantasy, and horror workshop where you’ll focus on writing original speculative fiction. The program centers around the creation of a complete short story of 2,000 words or more, guiding you through every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to drafting and revising. You’ll participate in lectures and hands-on exercises led by experienced staff and guest authors, exploring topics like world-building, character development, conflict, pacing, and narrative structure. The workshop also introduces you to the professional side of writing, with sessions on publication, manuscript preparation, and navigating the speculative fiction market.
10. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Writing Program
Location: California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA
Cost: $20 non-refundable application fee; CA State Residents: $4,830 (Financial aid available); Out-of-State and International Students: $9,977
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 28
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12; Check here for specific writing requirements
The CSSSA Writing Program offers structured workshops and creative exploration for high school students interested in exploring fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and dramatic writing. You'll rotate through core classes in each major genre, learning how to craft compelling narratives, refine your voice, and critically engage with your own work and the work of others. Focus classes allow you to dive deeper into a genre of your choice, guided by professional writers and educators. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in writing sessions, faculty office hours, weekend colloquiums, as well as workshops and conventions by guest artists, including editors, agents, and published authors. You’ll also have the chance to contribute to a department anthology that showcases student writing.
11. Sewanee Young Writers Conference
Location: The University of the South, Sewanee, TN
Cost: $2,600 (Limited financial aid available) + $175 refundable deposit
Cohort Size: Approximately 85 students each year; Each workshop has a maximum of 12 students
Dates: June 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: December – March 3
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders with an interest in writing
At the Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference, you’ll spend two weeks immersed in the craft of creative writing through focused workshops in fiction, poetry, playwriting, or songwriting. Mornings are dedicated to small, intensive sessions where you’ll write, revise, and critique alongside peers and faculty. Instructors will guide you through exercises, discussions, and one-on-one conferences that help sharpen your voice and expand your creative range. Afternoons and evenings offer additional opportunities to deepen your understanding of writing through craft talks, readings, and visits to literary institutions, like the Sewanee Review. You’ll also have unscheduled time for independent writing and exploration, balanced with social activities to foster a sense of community.
12. 92NY’s Young Writers Workshop
Location: 92NY, New York, NY
Cost: $2,600; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 14 – 31
Application Deadline: July 8
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 with a 5-page sample of their work
92NY’s Young Writers Workshop is a summer writing program for high school students where you’ll explore fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a series of focused, rotating workshops led by experienced writers and educators based in New York City. The first week centers on poetry and imagery, the second focuses on fiction and narrative voice, and the final week shifts to nonfiction, including personal essays, journalism, and podcast storytelling. Each morning and afternoon session is designed to help you experiment with language, develop your voice, and think more critically about what makes writing resonate. The workshops are built around discussion, peer critique, and hands-on writing activities that challenge you to take creative risks and reflect on your process.
13. Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575 (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Dates: June 26 – July 28
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12, including graduating seniors and gap year students; A genre-relevant writing sample is required for the application
The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program offers a flexible, one-on-one online experience for high school students looking to develop their skills in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Instead of formal classes, you’ll engage in an ongoing exchange with a professional writer who mentors you through the process of drafting, revising, and refining your work. The mentorship is structured around consistent feedback—weekly for poetry and biweekly for prose—and encourages you to explore your voice and sharpen your craft in a low-pressure but focused environment. As one of the more self-directed summer writing programs for high school students, it’s well-suited for writers seeking deeper engagement with the revision process without a strict schedule.
14. NYC Summer Academy
Location: Fordham University at Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Cost: $5,935 (day students) and $7,265 (residential students) + $275 materials fee + $50 non-refundable application fee (Scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Term 1: June 8 – 20; Term 2: June 22 – July 4; Term 3: July 6 – 18; Term 4: July 20 – Aug 1
Application Deadline: April 30; Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who are 15-18 years old at the start of the program
The NYC Summer Academy offers a hands-on introduction to journalism and media through courses that reflect the real-world pace and complexity of today’s news industry. You’ll explore topics ranging from feature writing and multimedia journalism to cultural reporting and data visualization, taught by working professionals (including editors, reporters, and visual storytellers). Each course focuses on practical application, giving you the chance to develop skills in interviewing, writing, editing, and using audio and video tools to tell compelling stories. Apart from theory, you’ll step outside the classroom to report from the city itself, learning how to cover communities, analyze media representation, and investigate current events with a critical lens. Whether you’re interested in opinion writing, audio storytelling, or the visual design of information, you’ll learn how to think and approach your work like a journalist.
15. Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week
Location: Virtual/Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY
Cost: $1,095 (virtual) and $1,750 (on campus) + $250 non-refundable deposit
Cohort Size: 18 students per class
Dates: Virtual: July 7 – 11; On Campus Session 1: July 21 – 25; Session 2: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program
Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week is a summer writing program for high school students that combines creative writing and performance-based storytelling. Each day begins with writing workshops led by MFA students, where you’ll explore multiple genres from speculative fiction and flash fiction to poetry and memoir through generative prompts, text-based discussion, and peer collaboration. In the afternoons, you’ll engage in theater-focused workshops that examine storytelling through performance. Whether you're exploring screenwriting, sketch comedy, or musical songwriting, this part of the program is structured to help you understand how writers and performers intersect in their approach to character and narrative. With small class sizes and a focus on collaboration, you’ll receive close attention and space to reflect on your creative process.
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