15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Atlanta, GA
From STEM camps to design studios and college prep intensives, Atlanta is home to a wide range of programs for high school students looking to learn something new this summer. Summer programs designed for high schoolers combine academic enrichment with industry exposure in different fields. As a participant, you will get to learn from professors, researchers, and professionals, network with like-minded peers, and explore life on a university campus or a research facility.
The experience can also offer you insights into a field of your choice, helping you make an informed decision about your future education and career! These programs may also offer opportunities to engage in advanced coursework and projects to better prepare you for a university education.
Here is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Atlanta, GA. Whether you are interested in STEM, architecture, or medicine, you will find an option here that works for you!
1. Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $2,400
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: TBA; next cycle opens in fall
The Summer Scholars Research Program is a six-week, full-time internship where you will engage in cancer research alongside Winship scientists and physicians. You will primarily work one-on-one with a Winship investigator in a lab or clinical setting. The program also offers access to lectures led by oncologists and researchers covering cancer research and field trips to the CDC Museum and Georgia Tech. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your work to graduate students, doctors, and researchers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: June – August; several 12- to 15-week cohorts run each year
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or demonstrate some experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application deadline: May/June for summer
Veritas AI provides high school students with several learning opportunities centered on exploring artificial intelligence. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will learn about the applications of AI, Python basics, and key machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. You can also opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers you access to mentorship and an opportunity to develop your own project. In the past, Veritas AI program participants have worked on interdisciplinary STEM projects that utilize concepts from medicine, AI, and environmental science. To know what to expect, you can check out past projects here.
3. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s Atlanta office, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Atlanta, GA; applicants should attend schools within the Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett County School Districts
Application deadline: TBA, but applications open in early February/March
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is designed for high school students interested in software engineering, computer science, and technology, and careers in these fields. During the program, you will be part of a team working on the design phase of the product development cycle, exploring the application of software engineering, computer science, and UX design fundamentals. You will also work on a group project, where you will try to learn about customer issues and requirements, and assist with product design to meet those needs. This experience can help you develop technical skills as well as professional skills like collaboration and problem-solving. You will also connect with and learn from Microsoft employees and explore various Microsoft technologies.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Dates: June – August; multiple cohorts, with sessions ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer sessions
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with opportunities to get some experience in conducting research under the guidance of Ph.D.-level mentors. Over 12 weeks or more, you will work one-on-one with your mentor to design and complete a research project, producing a full research paper at the end of the program. You will also work with a writing coach to understand the scientific writing rules and complete your research paper. The program is flexible, allowing you to choose from various fields and work on a customized research project.
5. SCAD Pre-college Program
Location: SCAD University Atlanta campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Registration fee: $100/session + Commuter program fee: $1,550/Residential fee: $1,850; Additional $300 fee for attending two consecutive sessions. Merit-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 11 | Session 3: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application deadline: Registration closes two weeks before the start date of each session
The SCAD Summer Seminars offer high school students the chance to explore art and design through workshops led by SCAD faculty, alumni, and graduate students. You will work in a small group of up to 20 peers, using SCAD’s professional-level resources and studio to build creative skills across disciplines like fashion, illustration, photography, and more. You will also get some experience in digital art, animation, graphic design, and digital imagery. In addition to studio work, you will engage in field trips, social events, and other on-site activities to experience life on a university campus.
6. CDC Museum Public Health Academy: Disease Detective Camp and Online Course
Location: Online (course) | CDC Museum, Atlanta, GA (Disease Detective Camp)
Cost: Free
Dates: In-person camp: June 23 – 27 or July 21 – 25 | Online course: June 9-13
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are 16 or older by the start of the session
Application deadline: TBA
The David J. Sencer CDC Museum offers on-site and virtual opportunities to high school students interested in learning about public health and epidemiology. Whether attending the in-person Disease Detective Camp or the Online Summer Course, you will explore topics like infectious disease, global health, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and data analysis. At camp, you will explore curriculum topics through short lectures delivered by CDC scientists, laboratory sessions, mock press conferences, and simulated/re-created disease outbreaks. Both programs are academically rigorous, led by CDC educators and experts, and designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how the CDC works in the field of public health.
7. GTAE Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP)
Location: Georgia Tech Main Campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: Georgia residents who are at least 16 years old by July
Application deadline: March 9
Hosted by Georgia Tech’s Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, STEP is a free, two-week summer internship offering exposure to real-world engineering research. STEP will place you in a team, within which you will solve open-ended aerospace engineering challenges inspired by active Georgia Tech projects. Under faculty mentorship, you will design, prototype, and present your work to academic and industry professionals. The experience can help you develop creative problem-solving and collaboration skills, as well as get some exposure to aerospace innovation.
8. Emory Pre-college Program
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Two-week course: $5,137 (residential); $3,662 (commuter) | Four-week course: $10,274 (residential); $7,299 (commuter)
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 28 | Session B: June 29 – July 12 | Session C: July 13 – 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are at least 15 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Application deadline: Session A: May 9 | Session B: May 23 |Session C: June 6
Emory University’s Pre-College Program is meant for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in experiencing college-level academics and life on a university campus. During the program, you will choose from non-credit courses in subjects ranging from neuroscience to programming, learn from Emory faculty, and participate in co-curricular events and excursions throughout Atlanta. The program also offers workshops, residence hall activities, and opportunities to connect with peers from across the world. You can choose between two- and four-week sessions, depending on what fits your schedule.
9. Georgia Tech College of Design’s Pre-College Program
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $2,500, which includes tuition, room, board, materials, and activities
Dates: Session I: June 15 – 27 | Session II: July 6 – 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Application deadline: TBA
Georgia Tech’s Pre-College Summer Program is an opportunity for high school students to experience life at a leading design school. Over two weeks, you will engage in hands-on workshops in architecture, industrial design, building construction, or music Technology, based on your chosen track. Held on Georgia Tech’s Atlanta campus, the program offers access to faculty-led instruction, studios, and opportunities to explore the design process in a collegiate environment. You may also visit construction sites and engage with architecture/design professionals. You will also participate in weekend trips to places like the High Museum or the Georgia Aquarium.
10. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Option 1: $600 | Option 2: $1,000
Dates: Option 1: June 2 – June 20 | Option 2: June 3 - July 11
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders (10th–12th graders for the research track) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application deadline: March 21
Morehouse’s S.T.E.A.M. Academy introduces high school students to health careers and biomedical research through hands-on labs, workshops, and mentorship. You can choose between a three-week program covering healthcare app development, anatomy, and college prep, and a six-week authentic research experience with an MSM faculty mentor. Both tracks offer exposure to STEAM fields and opportunities to develop critical thinking skills. You will also get exposure to scientific instrumentation and laboratory techniques during the program. The sessions also offer mini-courses and workshops on health equity, careers in science, and health professions.
11. Georgia Tech Summer P.E.A.K.S. for High School Students
Location: Georgia Tech Atlanta campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $400–$650/session
Dates: Weekly sessions in June and July
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders
Application deadline: Not specified
Hosted by CEISMC at Georgia Tech, the Summer P.E.A.K.S. (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM) are one-to two-week programs covering unique topics in STEAM. You can choose from a variety of experiential learning tracks, all held on the Georgia Tech Atlanta campus. In the past, the program has offered tracks in robotics, energy, chemistry, 3D printing, and more. Each track offers opportunities to network with like-minded peers, learn from experts, and work on projects relevant to the given subject.
12. The Neuroscience School at Georgia State University
Location: Online or in-person at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade; for in-person courses, applicants must be at least 16
Dates: Multiple one-week options in June and July
Application deadline: Open until full; applications usually open in December
Cost: $350 – $550, depending on the course you choose; fee assistance available
Hosted by the Georgia State University’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, the Neuroscience School offers short, college-level neuroscience courses for high school students. Taught by university professors, the courses here cover topics like the structure and function of the nervous system, introduce core neuroscience competencies, and provide space for discussion, peer connections, and hands-on learning. In-person courses also offer laboratory sessions. Online courses typically involve a synchronous commitment in the form of live instruction and peer discussions, while also leaving some time for asynchronous work.
13. Grady Memorial Hospital’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP)
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: May 27 – July 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 19 years old
Application deadline: March 17; applications open January 27
TELP offers high schoolers an opportunity to volunteer in a real hospital setting while learning about healthcare careers. As a participant, you will complete at least one four-hour shift in two weeks, shadowing medical staff and observing various roles across hospital departments. The program emphasizes leadership development and teamwork, helping you build communication skills while navigating a professional clinical environment. Along the way, you will earn volunteer service hours, interact with healthcare professionals, and get exposure to the inner workings of a hospital. The program also offers project work opportunities, where you can research health inequities, create a poster, and present your findings.
14. Georgetown University Summer College Program
Location: Online option available for Atlanta students
Cost: $2,207/credit (most courses being three credits) + $50 application fee
Dates: June 1 – July 25
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, or 12th graders with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Georgetown’s Summer College offers high schoolers an opportunity to engage in college-level academics while earning credit. You can choose from an expansive list of online courses across subjects, from biology to psychology. Over eight weeks, you will attend virtual classes alongside undergraduates, engage in guest lectures, and learn from Georgetown faculty. You will get college credits and a college transcript at the end of the session.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $850 + a $40 application fee; fee waivers available
Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: High school students who are 14+ and U.S. citizens
Application deadline: February 28
This online program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of healthcare innovation. As a participant, you will explore how AI is used to address challenges in medicine and healthcare and work on solving a real medical issue with the assistance of AI tools. You will work with a team on research projects and engage in social activities, virtual group work sessions, and career-exploration sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to the mentorship of researchers and Stanford Student Leads. You may also be able to access an extended research internship opportunity once the program ends.
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