15 Programs for High School Students in Toronto, Canada
If you’re a high school student looking to explore your interests while building practical skills, academic and structured programs can be a great option. These programs let you study subjects like medicine, computer science, or finance while working on projects, conducting research, or solving real problems under guidance from mentors. Many universities and organizations offer such opportunities, giving you the chance to learn from experts, collaborate with peers, and explore potential academic or career paths.
Why should you attend a program in Toronto?
Toronto is home to various universities and organizations, such as the University of Toronto, York University, and Toronto Metropolitan University, that offer academic programs. In these programs, you might take part in workshops, research projects, or problem-solving challenges that help you strengthen your academic foundation and identify career prospects in Canada’s financial and technology hub. These programs are ideal not only for local students but also for those from other cities , or even the U.S. , who want to explore diverse educational opportunities and gain exposure to Canadian institutions.
To help with your search, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 15 programs for high school students in Toronto, Canada.
If you are looking for STEM programs in Canada, check out our blog here.
1. Focused Ultrasound High School Summer Research Program
Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 8-9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 who will be at least 16 years old when the program starts and legally authorized to work in Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre provides summer research opportunities in its Focused Ultrasound Lab for high school students. In this program, you will take part in ongoing research projects across medicine, physics, technology, engineering, and biology. Your work may involve tasks such as designing circuit boards, studying the effects of focused ultrasound, or conducting experiments. Throughout the program, you will gain practical experience and a better understanding of medical research and device development. You will work alongside researchers at one of Toronto’s leading health science centers and also build technical and analytical skills.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity 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 who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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.
3. SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program
Location: SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend is Ontario's minimum wage + vacation pay
Dates: 15 weeks from May – mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in their final year of high school who will be enrolled in a university/college undergraduate program in the fall following the Summer Program
The SSuRe Program provides summer research opportunities for high school and college students at one of Canada’s leading pediatric hospitals. If you are selected to work with a SickKids scientist, you will assist with an ongoing research project and participate in seminars, a research career panel, and the Summer Student Symposium, where you will present your findings. During the program, you will learn how to prepare research abstracts and design a scientific poster. You will also have the chance to interact with researchers and gain insight into their work. Projects cover areas such as molecular biology, genetics, and clinical research.
4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid is available
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4–10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Temerty Faculty of Medicine — Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: University of Toronto
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend of $1,600 CAD
Dates: 4 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 who identify as Indigenous or Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, or multi-racial students
The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine is a four-week program for high school students in Grades 10 and 11 who identify as Indigenous or Black. You will explore areas such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and social work through a combination of labs, lectures, and hands-on activities. The program pairs you with a mentor and provides opportunities to meet healthcare professionals, giving you insight into these career paths. Participants also receive academic support, can earn a high school credit, and are provided a $1,600 honorarium.
6. University of Toronto Blueprint
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, Ontario
Cost: None
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Canadian Black students in grades 10 and 11
Blueprint is a four-week, fully funded summer program designed for Black high school students interested in science and engineering. You will take part in hands-on courses, lab activities, and team projects in areas such as engineering and human health or mechatronics and automation, learning about the engineering design process. The program also includes research discussions and lectures to provide broader exposure to STEM fields. In addition, you will have opportunities for mentorship and skill development, with ongoing academic support and workshops available throughout the year.
7. Emily Stowe Scholars Program
Location: Women’s College Hospital, Grenville St, Toronto
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, early January
Eligibility: Students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized women, 2SLGBTQI+, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, and persons with a disability | Enrolled in grade 11 or 12 of high school and/or will be graduating in June | Must have previously taken grade 11/12 Biology and Chemistry | At least 16 years old by July 7
The Emily Stowe Scholar Program is a six-week research opportunity at Women’s College Hospital for high school students, particularly those who identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized women, trans, two-spirit, non-binary, or living with a disability. In the program, you will work on health sciences research projects under the guidance of mentors, participate in weekly seminars on equity and healthcare systems, and develop skills in data collection, literature review, and critical analysis. The program focuses on inclusive mentorship and encourages interdisciplinary approaches to health research. It concludes with a student-led Research Symposium, where you will present your findings and receive feedback from peers and professionals.
8. University of Toronto – DEEP Summer Academy
Location: University of Toronto’s St George Campus
Cost: Domestic students: $725 CAD per week; International students: $1,100 CAD per week (tentative)
Dates: Session A: July 6 – 10; Session B: July 13 – 17; Session C: July 20 – 24; Session D: July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-April
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9–12 who have completed at least one year of high school Grade 9-10 students need to have completed grade 9 math and grade 9 science courses by June of this year | Grade 11-12 students need to have completed grade 11 math and grade 11 science courses (ie. chemistry and physics) by June of this year
The University of Toronto’s DEEP Summer Academy is a one-week program where you explore engineering, science, and technology through practical activities. You will engage with topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedical design, and nanotechnology in sessions led by university researchers and graduate students. The program combines lectures with hands-on projects and group challenges, giving you a sense of how university-level courses approach problem-solving. You will also develop skills in teamwork, critical thinking, and analysis while seeing how different areas of engineering and innovation intersect at the University of Toronto.
9. CISS Canada Future Entrepreneurs Program
Location: CISS at Trinity, Toronto, ON
Dates: Session 1: July 5 – 18; Session 2: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 with an advanced level of English, equivalent to IELTS 4.0+
CISS Canada Future Entrepreneurs is a two-week program in Toronto where you explore the process of starting and running a business. You will work on idea generation, teamwork, and problem-solving while developing practical skills in business planning, marketing, and pitching. The program includes guest lectures, visits to local businesses, and a final project presentation in a “Shark Tank”–style format. You will stay on campus in supervised accommodations with access to classrooms, lounges, and meals. The schedule also includes afternoon and evening activities, as well as full-day excursions around Toronto.
10. University of Toronto’s Medicine Youth Summer Program (Med YSP)
Location: University of Toronto, St. George Campus.
Cost: $1,668 CAD per module
Dates: Module 1: July 7 – 11; Module 2: July 14 – 18; Module 3: July 21 – 25; July 28 – August 1 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 | Students in grade 9 are only eligible for Module 4
The University of Toronto’s Med YSP is a one-week program that introduces you to medical science through hands-on labs and lectures at Toronto’s Medical Discovery District. You select one focus area for the week. In the Human Physiology track, you explore lung function and physiological measurements. In Pharmacology & Toxicology, you examine how drugs affect the body. The Molecular Biology & Genetics track involves solving a mock case using DNA analysis, while the Microbiology track covers bacteria, viruses, and the role of public health in managing outbreaks. The program provides practical insight into how medical science is applied in real-world settings.
11. Science Unlimited Summer Camp
Location: University of Toronto’s St George Campus
Cost: CAD $300; bursaries and scholarships are available
Dates: August 18 – 22 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: April 15 (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Grade 10 or Grade 11 by August
Science Unlimited Summer Camp at the University of Toronto is a one-week program where you explore different areas of science through experiments and practical activities. You will study subjects such as physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, and computer science in university labs and classrooms. Sessions are led by faculty members and researchers, giving you insight into how science is studied and applied in a research setting. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and project-based activities, allowing you to engage directly with scientific concepts and methods.
12. Youreka Canada Program
Location: Partner university campuses, including Toronto
Cost: $80 CAD
Dates: January – April (10-week program)
Application Deadline: Typically, early January
Eligibility: Canadian high school students in grades 9–12
Youreka Canada is a 10-week research and mentorship program where you work on a citizen science project with guidance from an undergraduate mentor. The program takes place at multiple Canadian universities and provides opportunities to learn data analysis, research writing, and presentation skills. You will also have the chance to develop your own project idea while gaining experience with academic research methods. The program concludes with regional and national symposiums, where you present your work and engage with other participants. Selected teams may have the opportunity to publish their research following a peer review process.
13. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Discovery Healthcare
Location: Multiple locations in Ontario
Cost: $325.99 CAD (plus tax)
Dates: Week 1: July 6 – 10; Week 2: July 13 – 17; Week 3: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 as of September and residing in Ontario, Canada
The Discovery Healthcare Camp is a one-week summer program for high school students interested in medicine and healthcare. You will gain practical experience with clinical skills such as suturing, casting, and wound care, while exploring real healthcare environments. The program includes diagnostic case studies, presentations from healthcare professionals, and discussions on how social factors influence health. Each session is structured to reflect the healthcare system of the local region, giving you an understanding of the specific needs and services within that community.
14. STEM Co-Operative Placement Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Semester-based; Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Canadian high school students in grades 11-12 completing a school-supported co-op placement
The STEM Co-Operative Placement Program is an online opportunity for high school students interested in science communication and space-related topics. You will work in a small team to create educational materials in areas such as chemistry, planetary science, and Canadian space research. Your tasks may include research, coding, project planning, and preparing presentations. With only two or three students per placement, the program provides regular guidance and feedback. Your contributions will support the development of resources intended for science outreach and education.
15. Quantum School for Young Students (QSYS)
Location: Virtual, with optional in-person lab day in Waterloo, Ontario
Cost: None
Dates: August 4 – 13 (optional in-person lab day on August 17)
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Canadian high school students in grades 11 and 12 (exceptional 10th grade students may be accepted if there is space) | Students currently in Grade 12 who will be attending university or college in the fall immediately following the summer program | Enrolled in or completed grade 11 mathematics
QSYS is a one-week summer program offered by the Institute for Quantum Computing that introduces high school students to the basics of quantum mechanics. You will learn about concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum cryptography through virtual lectures, collaborative problem-solving, and mentoring. The program provides examples of real-world applications of quantum technology and exposes you to current research in the field. Students in the Waterloo region have the option to attend a lab day for hands-on experience with experimental setups. While it is not a traditional research program, QSYS allows you to engage with researchers and gain insight into quantum science.
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