15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Kansas
If you’re a high school student interested in learning new things over the summer, consider participating in a structured program. Summer programs for high school students in Kansas provide opportunities to go beyond classroom lessons, helping you acquire practical skills, discover potential career paths, and network with industry professionals. Many of these options are run by respected universities, research institutes, and community organizations, making them valuable additions to your resume.
From STEM and the arts to leadership and entrepreneurship, these programs provide valuable exposure to applications of academic interests. Whether you want to test out a field before college or build a network of like-minded peers, these opportunities can be a good use of your break.
We’ve rounded up 15 summer programs for high school students in Kansas!
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Kansas
1.University of Kansas Cancer Center - Accelerate Cancer Education
Location: University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS
Stipend: $2,940
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 students
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students living in Wyandotte County, Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri
The Accelerate Cancer Education (ACE) program is a paid six-week summer research initiative for high school students from Wyandotte County, Kansas, and Jackson County, Missouri. Hosted by the University of Kansas Cancer Center, this program offers an in-depth look at oncology through a comprehensive curriculum, mentorship from faculty, and a dedicated research project in laboratory, clinical, or office environments. The goal is to inspire future biomedical careers and promote workforce diversity. The program ends with a poster presentation that highlights your research.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers specialized online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts over ten sessions, combining theory with hands-on projects. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship offers 1:1 mentorship with researchers from top universities, culminating in an independent research project. You will also receive guidance on publishing your writing in high school research journals. These programs aim to provide rigorous academic writing exposure while supporting students in exploring potential research or career interests in AI and computer science.
3. University of Kansas - Summer Venture in Business
Location: University of Kansas School of Business, Lawrence, KS
Cost: Free
Dates: Session I: June 15 – 20 | Session II: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 11th- and 12th-grade students
The Summer Venture in Business (SVB) is a pre-college academy offered by the University of Kansas School of Business for high school students interested in exploring business as a career field. The program introduces you to both academic and campus life, serving as a pathway to university resources and opportunities. In addition to covering business-related topics, SVB provides guidance on the college application process, strategies for academic success, and career preparation. Activities encompass academic sessions with KU faculty, workshops with campus and community partners, an industry tour with corporate sponsors, panel discussions with students and alumni, a campus tour, and evening events guided by SVB mentors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating a high level of academic achievement are eligible to apply.
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.
5. Kansas State University - High School Business Summer Institute
Location: K-State College of Business, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $75; Need-based scholarships are available
Cohort size: 30 students
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 18 | Session 2: June 29 – July 2
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students going into grades 10-12
The College of Business Summer Institute is a four-day, three-night program designed to introduce high school students to the field of business and potential career pathways, while also providing a glimpse into college life at Kansas State University. Through interactive projects, you will explore core areas such as marketing, management, accounting, and finance, developing both creative thinking and leadership skills. The program includes team-based activities, discussions with faculty and peers, visits to local businesses, and an interdisciplinary Business Challenge where you will pitch entrepreneurial ideas. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate, along with access to resources, networking opportunities, and future events offered by the College of Business and other K-State departments.
6. University of Kansas - Pharmacy Summer Camp
Location: KU School of Pharmacy, Lawrence, KS
Cost: Day Camp: $75 | Night Camp: $250
Dates: Day Camps: June 9 and 13 | Night Camp: June 22 – 24
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school students
The KU Pharmacy Summer Camp offers high school students an introduction to the pharmacy profession. You will engage in academic advising sessions with School of Pharmacy deans, explore diverse career paths in the field, and visit community and hospital pharmacies to observe professional practice. The program also includes classroom presentations, lab demonstrations, and hands-on activities such as patient counseling, diabetes education, and pharmaceutical compounding, guided by current pharmacy students and faculty.
7. K-12 Initiative - Health Sciences Academy
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas City, KS
Stipend: Paid
Cohort size: 30 students
Dates: June 9 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students from Kansas City Kansas Public Schools
The Health Sciences Academy is a five-week immersive program designed to introduce you to careers in healthcare. You will engage in hands-on laboratories, dissections, and workshops, while also interacting with healthcare professionals and students. The program culminates with a research presentation to medical and community stakeholders in mid-July, and you will receive a stipend upon completion. Open to high school students from Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, the academy features classroom instruction and discussions led by medical students, educators, health professionals, and college interns.
8. University of Kansas - Health Sciences Enrichment Institute
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 2 – 27
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Recent high school graduates who have been accepted as a college freshman in an institution of higher education; minimum 3.0 G.P.A. at the high school level, completion of at least two sciences and two math courses at the high school level.
The Health Science Enrichment Institute is a five-week summer program held at the University of Kansas Medical Center for recent high school graduates, incoming college freshmen, and sophomores. It provides academic instruction in subjects such as biology, anatomy, microbiology, research methods, and introductory medicine, alongside non-academic sessions on time management, study skills, and professional development. You will also engage in clinical skills training, interact with a diverse group of peers, and meet practicing health professionals.
9. Benedictine College - Summer Intensive in Classical Architecture
Location: Benedictine College, Atchison, KS
Cost: $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students
Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: June 9
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recently graduated high school students
The Benedictine College Architecture Program offers an Intensive in Classical Architecture for high school students considering a major in architecture. Guided by faculty and current architecture majors, you will study the principles of classical architecture, exploring the relationship between architecture and the Transcendentals — Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. The program includes residence hall living, campus and abbey tours, portfolio development through design projects, and skill-building in hand drafting, field sketching, composition, and proportion. You will also learn architectural theory and history, culminating in a final project review with professional architects and a celebratory luncheon.
10. MidAmerica Nazarene University - Spark MNU Arts Camp: Theatre
Location: MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS
Cost: Check here for updates
Dates: June 2 - 6
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: High school students
The Spark MNU Arts Camp is a weeklong program for high school students interested in theatre, film, or choir. You will work closely with professionals from MNU and the Kansas City arts community, developing skills in your chosen track through hands-on workshops and masterclasses. Theatre students can select a performance or technical track, covering topics such as musical theatre, dance, improvisation, stage combat, makeup, lighting, and backstage production. The camp includes on-campus activities, dining in the student center, and overnight accommodation for theatre and film participants. The week concludes with a media showcase for family and friends.
11. University of Kansas - Advanced Aerospace Technologies Exploration Experience (AATEE) Camp
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in rural Kansas interested in STEM
The Advanced Aerospace Technologies Exploration Experience (AATEE) camp is a two-week program for rising high school seniors interested in aerospace and computer science. You will engage in applied physics instruction, participate in collaborative research projects involving autonomous race cars and drones, and learn programming in Python and Robot Operating Systems (ROS). You will also collaborate with open-source autopilot platforms like NVIDIA’s Racer RTX, Dronecode, and ArduPilot to conduct validation experiments. The program offers career guidance, an introduction to college life in Lawrence, and recreational activities, with participants staying in campus dormitories.
12. Newman University - Investigative Summer STEM Program
Location: Newman University, Wichita, KS
Cost: $400 by April 15; $450 after. Need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA and who have completed at least one high school science course
The Intensive Summer Science Program is a research-based STEM camp, offering you the chance to explore biology or chemistry through hands-on projects. Working in small groups under the guidance of faculty, you will conduct literature reviews, design and carry out experiments, collect and analyze data, and present your findings to faculty and peers. The program focuses on one-on-one and small-group mentorship, rather than traditional lectures, and includes guest speakers. Participants will earn two college credits, improve teamwork and communication skills, and explore STEM career paths.
13. Kansas State University - Young Writers' Workshop
Location: Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 15 students
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 8-10. Preference to writers from Kansas.
This one-week creative writing program offers the opportunity to work with educators and published authors, including slam poets, graphic novelists, oral historians, and playwrights. You will engage in daily writing workshops, guest lectures, and collaborative exercises, developing original works while refining your craft. The week concludes with a graduation ceremony and a public reading of your work.
14. University of Kansas - Jayhawk Media Workshop
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Cost: $425 until April 19; $475 after. Need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 8 – 11
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: High school students
The Jayhawk Media Workshop is a four-day summer program at the University of Kansas for high school students interested in journalism and media production. You will choose a focus area, such as multimedia storytelling, yearbook planning, publication leadership, writing and editing, design, or photography, and develop your skills through hands-on instruction from KU faculty and experienced journalism educators. The program combines skill-building sessions with evening social activities, offering both professional guidance and a preview of careers in journalism.
15. Kansas State University - Shakespeare Camp
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $439
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: High school students
The K-State Theatre Shakespeare Camp offers high school students an immersive experience in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the Kansas State University campus. You will participate in rehearsals, theatre training, and classes in voice, movement, and acting, leading up to a final performance. Guided by professional teaching artists, the program focuses on fostering creativity, collaboration, and skill-building, with housing, meals, and all activities provided.