15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Connecticut
Participating in a summer program during high school offers valuable opportunities to build academic skills, explore career interests, and gain experience outside the classroom. These programs often provide structured learning environments, projects, and professional mentorship, helping you prepare for college and future careers.
In Connecticut, high school students have access to a wide variety of summer programs covering fields like science, the arts, public service, and more. Whether you’re looking to deepen a specific interest or explore new areas, there are numerous programs available. To make the search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer programs in Connecticut designed specifically for high school students.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Depends on specific programs, financial aid available!
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 offers two options for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence. Developed by Harvard graduate students, these programs provide both introductory and advanced experiences. The AI Scholars program is a boot camp covering AI basics through ten sessions, combining instruction and project work. Students with prior experience can apply to the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, which includes one-on-one research mentorship. During the fellowship, you’ll complete an original project and receive support for publication from Veritas AI’s editorial team.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application Deadline: November 22 - January 19
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer with flexible start and end dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; 16 years old by internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid, eight-week internship for high school students with an interest in fisheries and aquatic sciences. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be paired with a professional mentor located in your community. Internship experiences differ by region but might involve tasks like field studies, lab work, data analysis, and community education. Possible activities include electrofishing, testing water quality, or restoring aquatic habitats.
4. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, some opportunities are unpaid.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Summer Session: Late May/Early June – August
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
NASA’s OSTEM Internships offer paid positions for high school students to support NASA’s goals in science, aeronautics, technology, and space exploration. You’ll collaborate with NASA experts—including research scientists, engineers, and professionals in areas like finance and IT. Opportunities may be either full-time or part-time and take place at NASA centers and facilities nationwide. You’ll benefit from mentoring and practical experience that enhances both technical and professional abilities. These internships are available during three seasonal sessions annually.
5. Emagination Tech Summer Camp Weekly Sessions
Location: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Cost: $2,080 - $3,760
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Registrations are open till spots are filled up
Dates: For Day Camps: Session 1: July 15 - July 26 | Session 2: July 29 - August 9 | Overnight camps start 1 day before the day camps
Eligibility: Students aged 7-18
At Emagination Tech Summer Camp, you’ll build a personalized schedule by selecting four STEM courses from over 20 options. Each week includes a morning and afternoon class, taught by experienced instructors. The program blends hands-on learning with structured group activities led by counselors and assistants. You’ll be placed in a group of 10–12 peers, participating in activities together for the first few days. Recreation programs are integrated to provide variety beyond tech learning.
6. Summer@Taft: Liberal Studies
Location: The Taft School, Watertown, CT
Cost: $1,900 per course - $9,950 + $175 application fee
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: June 28—August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 - 11
In the Summer@Taft Liberal Studies program, you’ll explore a range of liberal arts disciplines by enrolling in two foundational and two elective courses. The program supports development in areas like academic preparation, cultural awareness, and college readiness. Coursework begins during class to allow support from instructors, followed by independent study in the evening. You can expect around two hours of homework during scheduled study hall time. You can choose from subjects such as science, writing, history, math, and the arts. Alternate course selections may be assigned if enrollment limits are reached.
7. UConn Pre-College Summer Program - Animation Studio
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Cost: Click here for a detailed breakdown of the pricing
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: April 1 (early-bird registration deadline)
Dates: July 13 – July 19 (Session 3)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Animation Studio course at UConn’s Pre-College Summer Program offers instruction in storyboarding, character development, and foundational animation techniques. You’ll explore collaborative storytelling and experiment with blending different animation styles. The course emphasizes creating animations using limited resources, such as smartphone apps. Your work can contribute to a college application portfolio. No prior experience is needed to participate. You’ll also leave the course with a framed piece of your original artwork.
8. UConn Pre-College Summer Program - Writers Lab
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Cost: $4,900 + $175 application fee
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: July 20—August 1
Eligibility: High school students
In UConn’s Messy Endings course, you’ll learn to write essays that reflect creativity, personal insight, and independent thought. You’ll engage with the essay as a literary form through readings, films, and writing activities. The course invites you to explore genres such as personal essays and commentaries. Class time includes opportunities to revise and workshop your writing with peers. You'll also try multimodal approaches to composition.
9. UConn Health High School Student Research Apprentice Program
Location: University of Connecticut Health, CT
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: June 16 - July 18
Eligibility: Connecticut high school juniors (16+ with a B average) who are first-gen, low-income, and from under-resourced schools with year-round guidance counselors.
The UConn Health High School Student Research Apprentice Program is a five-week summer experience for students interested in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research. You’ll be placed in a basic science or clinical lab at either UConn Health or Central Connecticut State University. Daily commuting to the assigned location is required. The program offers research exposure and direct engagement with scientific teams. Priority is given to students who have previously participated in pipeline programs. This opportunity allows you to explore potential career paths while gaining experience in an academic health or research setting.
10. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy Labs across the country
Stipend: New participant: $4,000 | Returning participant: $4,500
Cohort size: Around 300
Application Deadline: August 1- November 1
Dates: 8 weeks in the Summer
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who have completed at least Grade 9; Must be 16 years of age or older by the internship start date
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors an eight-week summer research experience in Department of Navy laboratories. You’ll assist with Naval science and engineering projects while working alongside professional researchers. SEAP hosts around 300 students annually across 38+ labs nationwide. Selection is competitive and considers academic records, recommendations, personal statements, and STEM-related interests. Some internships may extend up to two additional weeks. The program is designed to expose you to Naval research careers and professional lab environments.
11. Quinnipiac University Data Science Lab
Location: Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Cost: $2,400 - $3,360 (Financial aid is offered)
Cohort size: 30/course
Application Deadline: February 2 (Early bird registration)
Dates: July 7 - July 18
Eligibility: Current high school students; typically ages 15-18 at the start of the program
The Quinnipiac Data Science Lab is a two-week summer program designed for high school students interested in analyzing data to solve problems. You’ll explore how math, statistics, and programming come together to uncover patterns and support decision-making in areas like healthcare, business, and public policy. The curriculum includes foundational lessons in Big Data and data science methodologies. You’ll gain experience working with datasets to identify trends and make informed conclusions. The program also introduces various careers within data science.
12. Quinnipiac University Modern Storytelling: Movie-Making
Location: Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
Cost: $1,400 - $1,680 (Financial aid is offered)
Cohort size: 30/course
Application Deadline: February 2 (Early bird registration)
Dates: July 14 - July 18
Eligibility: Current high school students; typically ages 15-18 at the start of the program
At Quinnipiac’s Modern Storytelling: Movie-Making program, you’ll explore all phases of digital media production, from scripting through post-production. Set in a professional studio environment, the course provides instruction in camera use, editing software, and storytelling techniques. You’ll collaborate with fellow students and learn from experienced filmmakers and faculty. The program emphasizes creating content for a range of audiences and platforms. You’ll finish with media projects suitable for your personal or academic portfolio.
13. City of New Haven Internship
Location: The City of New Haven, CT
Stipend: $16.35 - $17.10 for high school students
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Depends on the internship you apply for
Dates: Depends on the internship you apply for
Eligibility: Students enrolled at an accredited high school; at least 16 years old
The City of New Haven Internship offers students experience in municipal government aligned with their academic studies. You can indicate your department preferences when applying, which allows placement based on your interests. Interns may work up to 35 hours per week in the summer or school breaks, and up to 19 hours during the academic year. This program introduces you to the day-to-day operations of city departments and helps you apply your academic knowledge in a professional setting.
14. Youth @ Work
Location: Organizations across New Haven, CT
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Application Deadline: April 4
Dates: July 7 - August 8 (Summer work-based learning experience)
Eligibility: 9th grade or higher at time of application submission; ages 14-21; New Haven residents and/or attend a New Haven Public School
Through Youth @ Work, you can gain job experience while learning critical skills for the workplace. The summer session offers 600–700 youth a five-week job placement with up to 25 hours of paid work per week. The program is not a job placement service, but a learning opportunity focusing on skills like communication, math, and professional behavior. You’ll work at sites supported by schools, universities, civic groups, and local businesses.
15. 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
Cohort size: Over 300
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 selects over 300 high school juniors and seniors from nearly 100 communities across the U.S. for a paid eight-week internship with a local nonprofit. Interns support organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, gaining experience in community service. You’ll build practical skills and learn how nonprofits interact with the government and business sectors. Alongside the internship, you’ll attend a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., focused on civic engagement and policy-making. The program centers on community involvement and leadership growth through structured experiences.
Image source - NASA Logo