14 Summer Programs for High School Students in New Hampshire
For high school students in New Hampshire, summer programs provide an opportunity to explore academic interests, develop new skills, and experience college life. Whether you’re interested in science, creative writing, leadership, or the arts, these programs provide practical learning, mentorship, and chances to connect with like-minded peers. Many programs include research projects, workshops, or even the chance to earn college credit, making them a valuable addition to your college applications.
In this blog, we’ve curated 14 summer programs for high school students in New Hampshire!
1. Dartmouth Bound Summer Program
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost: Free (transportation, housing, and meals are covered)
Dates: July 20 – July 23 | August 3 – August 6
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, with priority for those from underrepresented, rural, or low-income backgrounds
Dartmouth Bound Summer Program offers an on-campus taste of Ivy League life in a fully funded program. You’ll stay in dorms, share meals with admissions officers, meet student mentors, and take part in workshops on admissions and financial aid. The program features sessions led by admissions officers on Dartmouth’s holistic review process, tips for crafting strong applications, and a mock admissions committee exercise using sample applications. Faculty members also hold classes demonstrating how academics, leadership, and social engagement connect with real-world issues.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
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 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. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Southern New Hampshire – Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Location: Nashua, Manchester, and Seacoast regions of New Hampshire
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes lunch and all materials)
Dates: Varies by location (typically held in July)
Application Deadline: Usually due in late spring; varies by site
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students interested in health careers
Southern New Hampshire AHEC offers three hands-on Health Career Exploration Camps in Nashua, Manchester, and the Seacoast region, each designed to introduce high schoolers to real-world roles in healthcare. Throughout the week, you’ll encounter professionals such as EMTs, nurses, public health experts, and lab technicians while visiting clinics, universities, and hospitals. Activities include CPR training, shadowing job roles, and participating in interactive simulations. The camps are free to attend and provide lunch, gear, and opportunities to ask questions, explore career paths, and learn how healthcare connects to your community.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
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.
5. White Mountains Community College (WMCC) Early College Program
Location: Berlin, Littleton, North Conway campuses, or 100% online
Cost: $150 per course; books and materials are often covered by your high school
Dates: The summer session typically runs from May through August
Application Deadline: Depends on the course and seat availability
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
White Mountains Community College’s Early College program provides high school students with summer college courses, available online or on campus. Whether you're interested in psychology, English, environmental science, or healthcare, you’ll get a chance to explore college-level subjects and learn from WMCC faculty. This program allows you to earn college credits after successful completion. It's a great opportunity to advance academically, strengthen your college applications, and build confidence in a genuine college environment.
6. Debate Institutes at Dartmouth (DDI)
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Cost: $7,200; need-based aid available
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: Wave-based rolling system; Wave 1 by January 31; Wave 2 by February 28; Wave 3 by April 14
Eligibility: Rising sophomores with strong records, rising juniors, and seniors with at least one year of policy debate experience
For experienced high school policy debaters, DDI at Dartmouth offers a full month of immersive, advanced training. You'll join a small “lab” of around 20–24 debaters, working closely with two expert lab leaders and assistants to develop strategy, research, and argumentation skills. The program involves daily practice debates, collaborative research, and mock tournaments, enabling the application of new strategies in real-time. You will also benefit from specialized electives taught by debate professionals, engage in team‑based strategy labs, and receive personalized feedback in a supportive residential setting.
7. St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program (ASP)
Location: St. Paul's School, Concord, NH
Cost: $4,950 (includes tuition, room, board, and fees); need-based aid available
Dates: June 22 – July 27
Application Deadline: January 6 for application; formal recommendations & transcripts due by January 24; financial aid deadline is February 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors across New Hampshire
St. Paul's School’s Advanced Studies Program (ASP) offers a five-week, fully residential summer experience that mirrors the college experience. You choose a major from fields like Astronomy or International Relations, along with a required Writing Workshop, involving about 100 hours of focused small-group sessions led by expert faculty. The program also provides access to valuable resources, including research labs, art studios, and one-on-one guidance on college applications.
8. New Hampshire Teen Institute Leadership Program
Location: Lions Camp Pride, New Durham, NH
Cost: $950 (includes lodging, meals, materials, T-shirt); scholarships available
Dates: June 28 – July 3 | August 2 – 7
Application Deadline: Registration opens by March
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9-12
The New Hampshire Teen Institute’s Summer Leadership Program offers a week-long residential experience driven by peer-led workshops and real-world impact. You’ll spend the week living with about 100 other teens at Camp Pride, engaging in hands-on sessions that explore leadership, substance misuse prevention, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, and wellness. With support from trained youth staff and adult leaders, you can build self-awareness and civic confidence through activities, group discussions, and skill-building exercises.
9. UNH Upward Bound Summer Academy
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Cost: Free (funded through a federal grant)
Dates: Senior Weeks: June 22 – July 3 | Summer Academy: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not explicitly listed; recruitment involves high school guidance offices in late winter/spring
Eligibility: Low-income or first-generation high school students from New Hampshire.
UNH’s Upward Bound Summer Academy is a six-week residential program to help first-generation or low-income students succeed on their path to college. You will reside in UNH dorms, eat on campus, and enroll in four academic courses, including options like math, science, English, foreign language, and SAT prep or research skills, all conducted in small, interactive groups. Days are filled with experiential lessons, creative problem-solving challenges, team-building, cultural trips, and athletic activities. The summer program wraps up with a creative problem-solving showcase, where you present interdisciplinary challenges alongside peers.
10. New Hampshire Academy of Science Applied Scientific Research Program
Location: Crossroads Academy, Lyme, NH
Cost: $3,050 (financial aid is available)
Dates: Session 1: June 30 – July 18 | Session 2: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
The New Hampshire Academy of Science’s Applied Scientific Research Program offers a three-week summer experience in a real STEM laboratory. Participants will design experiments, operate advanced equipment, and analyze data alongside PhD-level scientists and engineers. The daily 8-hour sessions guide you through the scientific process, from forming hypotheses and designing methods to conducting statistical analysis and technical writing. This prepares you for real-world research, often providing an opportunity to publish on NHAS’s website. You’ll work independently and in teams, gaining lab safety training, personalized mentorship, and the tools to present your findings effectively.
11. University of New Hampshire - Summer Youth Music School (SYMS)
Location: Durham, NH
Cost: $699 (Commuter) | $899 (Overnight)
Dates: July 19 – July 27
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
At SYMS, you’ll spend a full week immersed in music, choosing a primary instrument or voice and developing your skills with electives. Whether participating in concert bands, orchestras, choruses, or jazz ensembles, you’ll learn from distinguished faculty and freelance artists. Each day features masterclasses, small group sessions, and electives that focus on technique and musicianship. You’ll also get the chance to perform in evening recitals and wrap up the session with a final concert. If you’re enrolled in Senior SYMS, you could also audition for the Chamber Music Intensive, pairing with peers and coaches for a focused two-day ensemble experience before the session begins.
12. Brewster Academy Summer Session
Location: Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, NH
Cost: Boarding: $77,700; Day: $43,000
Dates: Varies by program; e.g., July 7 – 18 for Theater Design; July 21 – August 1 for Acting & Audition Skills
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 6–12), depending on the program
The Summer Session at Brewster Academy offers a college-prep academic experience set in New Hampshire’s scenic Lakes Region. Over four weeks, you'll study subjects like environmental science, history, math, and creative writing while living on campus. The program combines formal academic lessons with outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and group sports. With small classes and close mentorship from teachers, you benefit from personalized learning and the chance to build friendships with peers from around the world.
13. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free; eligible participants may receive a $300 grant for tech/hotspot needs
Dates: Summer Immersion Program (SIP): Two weeks, with sessions such as June 16–30 (Round 1) and July 10–21 (Round 2) | Self‑Paced ‘Pathways’ Program: Six-week flexible schedule, early July to mid-August
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students in grades 9–12
Girls Who Code provides two online summer tracks designed to help you develop practical tech skills within a supportive virtual community. During the Summer Immersion Program (SIP), you’ll participate in live, two-week interactive classes led by industry mentors. You'll learn game design, UX, and foundational coding, then apply your skills by creating your own project using tools like p5.js. The Pathways self-paced program lets you learn coding at your own speed over six weeks, covering topics such as web development, cybersecurity, data science, or AI, while earning certificates along the way. Both programs emphasize mentorship from tech professionals, peer collaboration, and hands-on projects that address real-world problems.
14. The UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $4,779 (residential) | $2,695 (virtual)
Dates: Session A (Virtual): July 7– July 18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
The UCLA Game Lab Summer Institute is a two-week program that gives high school students an introduction to game design. Taught by alumni from the UCLA Game Lab, the program comprises four courses that cover core areas, including character development, world-building, programming, and game design principles. You’ll work on creating original games or game assets in each class, building a portfolio of work that can support your college applications. The program also offers the chance to earn four units of UC credit.
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