15 Online Programs for High School Students
If you're a high school student looking to explore your interests beyond the classroom, online programs can make advanced learning more accessible. They allow you to learn directly from universities, research labs, and industry organizations without needing to relocate or commit to long-term travel. Many of these programs go beyond traditional coursework, offering a closer look at fields such as AI, neuroscience, policy, and business through structured projects, mentorship, and guided learning experiences. Along the way, you may analyze datasets, work through case studies, or contribute to research projects that reflect how these fields are studied and applied.
What are the benefits of an online program?
Online programs can take many forms, from research experiences and academic courses to project-based learning and career-focused workshops. Some guide you through an entire research process, from developing a question to presenting your findings, while others are designed around practical challenges drawn from fields such as technology, healthcare, public policy, or entrepreneurship. Through these experiences, you can explore advanced topics such as medical AI, neuroscience research methods, global policy analysis, and user-centered design while building subject-specific skills. Because these programs are accessible from anywhere and often designed to fit around your school schedule, they offer a flexible way to pursue academic interests without disrupting your routine.
In this blog, we’ve selected 15 online programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for AI summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Columbia Brain Seminar for Teens and Opportunities for Research Mentorship (BrainSTORM)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 25 students for the mentorship program
Dates: Seminar Series: November – June (Monthly) | Mentorship Program: June – May (one-year duration)
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: High school students
BrainSTORM combines a monthly virtual seminar series with an optional research mentorship track in neuroscience. Through online sessions, you learn from specialists in neurology, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and neuropathology. Seminar topics span Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, concussions, brain injury, and cognitive experiment design, giving you exposure to both clinical and research perspectives. Students selected for the mentorship component work with a faculty mentor to develop and complete an original research project over an extended period. The online program for high school students ends with a research symposium where you present your work in a poster session.
2. Veritas AI
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several 12- to 15-week cohorts run during the year, including summer sessions
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.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications 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. American Psychological Association (APA) – Remote Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are offered all year round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s eVerify service) and residing in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer
The APA’s remote internship program introduces high school students to applied work in psychology-related professional settings. Placements may be based in research, education, policy, communications, publishing, or operations, depending on departmental needs and student fit. Responsibilities vary, but can include analyzing data, drafting materials, supporting educational resources, or contributing to broader organizational projects. Each intern works under the supervision of a mentor or departmental supervisor, which adds structure to the experience. Optional workshops, discussions, and group activities extend learning beyond the assigned office.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial assistance is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts available each year; Summer cohorts run between June and August
Application Deadline: June/July for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement; accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
UCLA’s online neuroscience scholars program focuses on brain science, neurological disorders, and research literacy. Across several weeks, students participate in live seminars, virtual lab activities, and journal club discussions. Core topics include Alzheimer’s disease, related neurodegenerative conditions, and broader neuroscience concepts tied to the structure and function of the nervous system. Observation of neurology grand rounds gives you insight into how clinicians and researchers approach real neurological cases. The curriculum also examines how social and cultural factors affect healthcare outcomes, adding a broader public health perspective. Mentors guide students through the academic content while supporting a final project. The program concludes with research-based work that draws together the scientific themes explored throughout the experience.
6. SparkCampus Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: March 9 – April 11 (Spring term)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
SparkCampus offers a short virtual internship built around startup operations, entrepreneurship, and applied business learning. Participants attend workshops on marketing, sales, and business development while contributing to projects linked to a student-led company. The online program for high school students goes beyond general business instruction by involving interns in tasks connected to real operations and client-facing work. Team challenges are used to simulate common startup scenarios and strengthen collaborative problem-solving. Guest speakers add context by discussing careers, industries, and entrepreneurial decision-making. The program also gives students a sense of how strategy is shaped in a growing business environment.
7. USC CPF/Wrigley High School Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 26 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school with a minimum GPA 3.5 (4.0 GPA unweighted scale)
USC’s CPF/Wrigley internship examines the connection between public policy, legislation, and environmental sustainability. Participants select a bill related to sustainability or environmental policy and study it through two major written assignments. One focuses on policy substance through a legislative memo, while the other analyzes how the bill moved through the legislative process. Regular check-ins and written feedback help students improve the quality and precision of their analysis. The program also incorporates work tied to the Climate Forward Conference, which adds another layer of policy interpretation and structured writing. Students are expected to stay engaged throughout the internship and complete assignments on schedule.
8. American Cancer Society – High School Program
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer, starting in July
Application Deadline: Varies by institute
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old when the program starts
The American Cancer Society’s high school program is a virtual research experience centered on cancer biology and oncology-related careers. Participants work with the eCLOSE Institute on guided projects and case studies that examine scientific and clinical issues in cancer research. Through that work, students are introduced to research methods and the broader process behind scientific investigation. Discussions and collaborative activities help clarify how cancer research connects to prevention, treatment, and public health. The paid online program for high school students also highlights different professional roles in oncology and health-related sciences. Students may continue engaging through networking and development opportunities offered after the summer session.
9. Rice University NeuroCamp
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 18 – 19
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: All high school students
Rice NeuroCamp introduces high school students to neuroscience through a concentrated online experience that blends scientific content with mentoring. The instruction covers foundational concepts such as neuron function, neurotransmission, neuroanatomy, and neurological disorders. The curriculum also introduces broader topics such as computational neuroscience and the philosophy of mind to illustrate the field’s breadth. Guided at-home experiments help students practice basic lab-related skills in an accessible format. Professional development sessions led in partnership with career-focused staff add context on STEM pathways and planning for college, while panels with current students and professionals further expand your understanding of neuroscience as an academic and career field.
10. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; limited stipends offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring: February – May; Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute provide remote exposure to policy research and international affairs. Students work with scholars or staff in areas such as national security, diplomacy, regional studies, or institutional operations. Responsibilities may include research assistance, data analysis, writing, and support for program-related initiatives, depending on the placement. A mentorship component is built into the internship, helping students strengthen communication, critical thinking, and professional skills. Summer interns also attend seminars featuring guest speakers and foreign policy discussions. Access to the institute’s events broadens exposure to current issues and policy communities. Some interns also complete research papers that may be considered for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
11. EDIT AI Summer Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 13 – August 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated ability in computer science
This online program for high school students places you in a research-oriented setting focused on machine learning applications in medicine and biomedical science. Interns work with complex data types such as pathology images, electronic health records, metagenomic data, and multi-omics datasets. The program emphasizes programming, data analysis, and algorithm development using tools like Python, R, and high-performance computing environments. Structured mentorship supports students through multiple phases of the research process, from preparation to presentation. Seminars and workshops introduce related topics such as pathology, medical AI, and research ethics. Students also gain experience explaining technical work to scientific or clinical audiences.
12. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience
Cost: $1,420
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising students in grade 10 to graduating grade 12
The SELF Experience approaches leadership development through entrepreneurship, collaboration, and applied problem-solving. Students examine topics such as personal finance, marketing, strategy, and economics while working through real-world challenges in teams. A central feature of the program is the idea of treating yourself as the “CEO of Me,” which frames leadership as a skill set that can be developed intentionally. Faculty and business professionals guide students as they test ideas and refine their thinking. Group work plays a major role, particularly in developing a venture pitch presented at the end of the program.
13. Kode With Klossy
Cost/Stipend: NoneAcceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions available between June 1 and August 14
Application Deadline: March; dates can vary
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18 years are encouraged to apply
Kode With Klossy runs virtual coding camps for students from underrepresented genders who want structured exposure to computer science. Participants choose from tracks such as web development, mobile app development, data science, or artificial intelligence and machine learning. Each track teaches relevant programming languages and tools through project-based instruction. Depending on the path selected, students might build websites, mobile apps, chatbots, or data visualizations. The curriculum also includes discussion of issues such as bias in technology, accessibility, and user-centered design. Speaker sessions introduce participants to professionals working across the tech industry.
14. New York Film Academy Teen Camps
Cost: Varies as per camp; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple camps throughout the year; find a summer camp here.
Application Deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–17 years old
New York Film Academy’s online programs for high school students focus on creative production across media and performing arts disciplines. You can study areas such as filmmaking, acting, screenwriting, photography, game design, or animation, depending on the camp selected. The teaching part is project-based, so participants spend most of their time producing original work rather than only reviewing concepts. The learning process is shaped around practical workflows used in creative fields, including scripting, editing, performance, critique, and digital production. Faculty members bring industry experience and guide students through the technical and creative demands of each discipline.
15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~50 students per year
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills, or those who have worked on a healthcare project
Stanford AIMI’s summer research internship introduces students to the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical imaging. The program combines lectures on machine learning fundamentals with small-group project work using real health-related datasets. Students work in teams and receive support from Stanford-affiliated mentors and student leads throughout the experience. Sessions cover both technical concepts and the practical use of AI in research and clinical contexts. Guest speakers from academia, industry, healthcare, and public service expand the discussion by outlining different career paths in the field. Team collaboration is a major component, especially during the guided mini-research project.