15 Summer Programs for High School Students in New Orleans
Summer programs are a good option for high school students who want to gain professional experience, build skills, and explore the applications of what they learn in the classroom. Beyond academics, these programs often offer industry exposure and networking opportunities that can provide college recommendations and future career guidance.
New Orleans offers a mix of opportunities hosted by universities, research institutes, and local organizations. As a participant, you can explore advanced college-level coursework or gain practical experience in a field of choice. If you are interested in science, technology, and related fields, these summer programs can also help you discover niche interests.
We have listed 15 summer programs for high school students in New Orleans that combine academic enrichment, practical projects, and mentorship from professionals.
1. Tulane University’s High School Summer Research Program
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors from the Greater New Orleans area; applicants must apply to a Tulane Science Scholars Program course, attend a public school, and apply for financial aid
The Tulane Center for K-12 STEM Education offers a paid summer research program for a select group of high school students. Here, you will collaborate with faculty and graduate researchers from Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering over six weeks in university laboratories and receive a stipend for your work. Additionally, you will be granted a full-tuition scholarship to enroll in a 3-credit course through the Tulane Science Scholars Program during the summer. You can choose from various STEM courses, including options in neuroscience, music tech, engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and biology. Priority is given to applicants who are first-generation college students or qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including summer.
Application deadline: May/June for the summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or demonstrate some experience with AI concepts or Python.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers specialized online programs for high school students interested in academic writing for artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts over 10 sessions, combining theory with hands-on projects. Here, you will explore topics like sentiment analysis, neural networks, ethics in AI, and deep learning. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship offers 1:1 mentorship from researchers from top universities to help you develop an independent research project. You will also receive guidance on publishing your work in high school research journals. Both programs aim to provide rigorous academic writing exposure while supporting you in exploring potential research or career interests in AI and computer science.
3. Loyola University New Orleans Creative Summer Experience
Location: Loyola University New Orleans, LA
Cost: $700/week; a discount of $1,000 available for those enrolling for both weeks; need-based scholarships available
Cohort size: 12 students/experience
Dates: Week 1: June 16 – 20 | Week 2: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th grade students
Loyola’s College of Music and Media’s Creative Summer Experience is an academic and extracurricular boot camp for high school students. You will work closely with experienced educators and industry professionals to explore diverse creative disciplines through collaborative, hands-on workshops. The program encourages you to experiment with different media and approaches while building projects suitable for resumes and portfolios. You will select one primary area of focus for the morning and another for the afternoon, getting exposure to multiple disciplines during the week. Areas of focus include graphic design, filmmaking, post-production, motion design, photography, game design, book arts, music production, ensemble theatre-making, costume design, broadcast journalism, and sports communication.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full financial aid is available!
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort; options range from 12 weeks to a year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, preferably with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual opportunity designed for high school students seeking hands-on academic research experience. The program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors to help you work on a research project within your chosen subject area. Throughout the 12-week program, you will finalize a topic and participate in rigorous research. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished independent research paper. Areas of study include linguistics, history, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. The University of New Orleans AMRI High School Summer Research Program
Location: University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA.
Stipend: $2000.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; 7-10 students on average
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Students residing and attending high school within 40 miles of the University of New Orleans
Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI) offers an eight-week, full-time Summer Research Program for high school students across the Greater New Orleans area. Here, you will collaborate with leading national and international scientists in state-of-the-art research laboratories. You can work on projects spanning diverse fields such as chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, psychology, and mathematics, either pursuing independent research or contributing to larger team efforts. Recent topics have included nanomaterials, sensor technology, environmental remediation, 3D printing, battery development, catalysis, neuroscience, computer modeling, and magnetic materials. In addition to laboratory work, you will attend weekly seminars and tutorials that cover subjects such as research ethics, careers in materials science, laboratory safety, nanotechnology, microscopy, crystallography, and computational techniques.
6. Tulane University’s Young Public Scholars Program (YPS)
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $4,895; need-based financial aid available, with priority given to Louisiana residents
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies depending on the course
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
Tulane’s Young Public Scholars Program, offered through the university’s School of Liberal Arts, supports high-achieving high school students with an interest in social justice. This selective program focuses on developing your understanding of complex global challenges and your capacity to drive meaningful change. You can enroll in courses like Environmental and Climate Justice Challenges in the Digital Age, Criminal Justice Reform, Galactic Politics, Photojournalism, and more. You will also engage in research and analysis alongside faculty and peers, refining your perspectives and communication skills. With guidance from media professionals, you will produce written, photographic, video, and audio content to address societal inequities. The program focuses on helping you develop a digital portfolio.
7. Xavier University of Louisiana’s SOAR X
Location: Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $2,000; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application deadline: Priority deadline: March 3; final deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
SOAR X is Xavier University of Louisiana’s flagship pre-college program designed to prepare high school students for the academic demands of college-level mathematics and science. Over four weeks, you will engage with advanced texts, collaborate in groups, and present your insights through papers, projects, and discussions. The program emphasizes a student-centered approach, encouraging you to choose research and discussion topics that reflect your interests. In the process, you will refine your analytical thinking skills and get firsthand insights into life on a college campus.
8. Ochsner Health’s STEM Pathfinder
Location: Ochsner Baptist, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 17 – 21
Application deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–11 who are at least 14 years old and attend a school or live within the 70126, 70127, 70128, and 70129 zip codes
STEM Pathfinder is a free, week-long summer program designed to introduce high school students to careers in the health sciences. The program is led by professionals from Ochsner Health who provide mentorship and guidance on career planning. As a participant, you will explore healthcare pathways through interactive sessions, facility tours, clinical skills training, and hands-on science activities. The program aims to support informed decision-making and early exposure to opportunities in the healthcare sector.
9. LSU Health New Orleans Medical Student Summer Research Program
Location: Various locations in New Orleans, LA
Stipend: $2,645
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 16 to 18 years old at the time of the application and living in the New Orleans area or vicinity during the summer internship
The Summer Research Internship Program offers students an eight-week opportunity to engage in clinical or basic science research. You will be paired with mentors at various institutions in New Orleans, such as the LSU Health Sciences Center, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, University Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital. You will gain hands-on experience in research methods and attend seminars on responsible research conduct, professional development, and scientific communication. The program concludes with a formal presentation of research findings at the annual Medical Student Research Symposium. Those interested in further research may apply to the Honors Program, which provides extended mentorship, manuscript preparation, and the opportunity to graduate with “Honors in Research”.
10. Tulane University’s Explorations in Architecture and Design
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $4,895; need-based financial aid available, with priority given to Louisiana residents
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Varies depending on the course
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Explorations in Architecture and Design is a pre-college program for high school students interested in foundational design principles and architectural thinking. The program emphasizes studio-based learning, combining lectures, site visits, critiques, and collaborative discussions. You will examine the built environment through historical, cultural, and professional lenses, guided by faculty from Tulane. You will create a portfolio through a series of model- and drawing-based projects and get access to additional support if you opt for open studio hours led by current Tulane Architecture students. The course carries three Tulane credits, which may count toward an undergraduate architecture degree at Tulane or be transferable to other institutions.
11. WYES - Digital Media Summer Camp
Location: WYES, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free!
Cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
WYES offers a free Digital Media Summer Camp where high school students gain practical experience in broadcasting and digital content production. You will work on “Did You KnowLa?”—a series of local history segments published on the WYES YouTube channel. The camp is led by educator and broadcasting professional Mary Jackson. The program also includes a tour of WYES facilities and discussions with key staff, including the producer, media and technology coordinator, and director of production and event services.
12. Ochsner Health’s STAR Summer Scholars Program
Location: Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free!
Cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – 27
Application deadline: March 21; applications open on January 21
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply. Applicants must be residents of and attend high school in Louisiana.
The Ochsner STAR Program is a cost-free, four-week summer initiative designed to introduce high school students, particularly those with limited access to educational resources, to careers in healthcare. The program combines instruction in science, technology, academic skills, and research. You will engage in laboratory-based scientific experiments, gain exposure to advanced medical technologies, and learn from healthcare professionals across disciplines. The curriculum also emphasizes leadership and professional development, covering areas such as resume writing, public speaking, and networking. Additional sessions will address wellness and current issues at the intersection of science and society.
13. Jazz Camp @ Loyola University New Orleans
Location: Loyola University New Orleans, LA
Cost: Not specified; check here for updates
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 12
Application deadline: Not available. Check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12 and graduating seniors
Loyola University New Orleans offers a four-day intensive jazz improvisation program focusing on small-group ensemble performance. Led by the university’s jazz faculty, the program is open to vocalists and instrumentalists, including those who play brass, woodwind, strings, piano, bass, guitar, or drums, with at least one year of experience. If you are at least 14 years old, you will be eligible to live on the university campus and get insights into the daily routine of a college student. The program also focuses on improvisation, helping you develop skills to create jazz music spontaneously.
14. Xavier University of Louisiana’s Star Programs
Location: Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $500 or $550/per track; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Sessions in June and July; exact dates vary by track
Application deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th graders; academic prerequisites vary based on the track
Xavier’s Star Programs offer middle and high school students opportunities to engage in STEM subjects to prepare for the upcoming school year. Here, you can choose a track in biology, physics, chemistry, or mathematics and get some experience in tackling challenging concepts that you will learn in school and college. You will live on campus and engage with faculty and university students during the program. Through daily classes, you will cover at least one-third of the high school curriculum before beginning the school year, getting a head start on future science and math academics in the process.
15. Art Camp 504’s Internship Program
Location: The Tigermen Den, New Orleans, LA
Stipend: $15/day meal stipend
Cohort size: Four students/week
Dates: Flexible dates; a minimum commitment of one week
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 or older
The Art Camp 504 internship program offers high school students the opportunity to gain experience in the visual arts, digital media, nonprofit operations, and art education. You will assist lead instructors with curriculum delivery, help with material organization and documentation, and support students individually on creative projects. You will contribute to large-scale works such as installations. You will focus on one specific area of interest, such as visual arts, performing arts, digital media, sewing, or creative writing, and get some experience in the chosen field.
Image source - Lumiere Education