15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Seattle, Washington
Structured summer programs can help you explore academic interests beyond your regular coursework while gaining early exposure to university-style learning. Through focused classes, research experiences, internships, and guided projects, you can deepen your understanding of subjects and build skills that strengthen your academic profile. These programs also connect you with mentors and peers who share your interests, helping you clarify potential college majors and career paths.
Why should you attend a program in Seattle, Washington?
Seattle is a strong hub for science, technology, healthcare, and research, making it an excellent city for high school students looking to explore academic and career pathways early. Across the city, you can explore subjects such as medicine, public health, computer science, engineering, environmental science, and biomedical research through programs designed specifically for pre-college learners. Many of these opportunities are hosted by respected universities, hospitals, research institutes, and nonprofit organizations, offering exposure to professional environments and expert guidance.
To help you get started, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Seattle, Washington.
If you are looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of Washington Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle campus
Dates: July 21 - 25
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors attending school in the greater Seattle area
Cost: Free
Deadline: Applications open in March
The Engineering Academy at the University of Washington is a short yet immersive summer program designed to introduce high school students to the field of engineering through a hands-on curriculum. Over the course of one week, you participate in design challenges, collaborative group projects, and guided activities that showcase how different engineering disciplines address community and societal needs. The program also offers opportunities to interact with UW engineering faculty and current students, providing insight into academic pathways and careers in engineering. With no prior engineering experience required, this program is particularly well-suited for students who are curious about engineering and want a structured, low-barrier introduction in a university setting.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Cost: Varies by program (typically around $2,000-$2,500)
Deadline: Rolling (varies by cohort)
Veritas AI offers rigorous and project-based online programs designed for high school students who want a serious introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The programs emphasize applied learning, where you work with real datasets, write code in Python, and build end-to-end AI projects under the guidance of experienced mentors from top universities and the tech industry. Across its offerings, Veritas AI focuses on helping you understand how AI works in practice, covering areas such as data analysis, model building, and ethical considerations, while also strengthening problem-solving and computational thinking skills. With small class sizes and a strong mentorship model, Veritas AI is a good fit for students seeking a challenging, structured online experience that can complement in-person opportunities available in Seattle.
3. Research Training Program (RTP) - Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: July 13 - August 7
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students (rising juniors and seniors) residing within commuting distance of downtown Seattle
Cost: Free (students receive a $2,000 stipend for transportation and meals)
Deadline: March 8
The Research Training Program (RTP) at Seattle Children’s Research Institute is a highly selective, in-person summer program designed for high school students who want an authentic introduction to laboratory-based biomedical research. Aimed at students with little to no prior research experience, the program focuses on building foundational lab skills while exposing you to real scientific questions in areas like biochemistry, immunology, gene editing, and infectious diseases. Alongside hands-on lab work, you participate in college readiness and career exploration workshops, helping you better understand pathways into science and research careers. The program culminates in an independent research project and final presentation, offering a structured yet immersive first step into scientific inquiry.
4. Lumiere Education
Location: Virtual
Dates: Varies by cohort (multiple intakes throughout the year)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in engineering; prior research experience not required
Cost: Paid program (cost varies by track and mentorship format)
Deadline: Rolling admissions
The Lumiere Research Program’s Engineering Track is a selective and virtual research experience for high school students who want to explore engineering beyond classroom theory. You work one-on-one or in small groups with PhD mentors from top universities to design and complete an independent research project in areas such as mechanical, electrical, computer, or interdisciplinary engineering. The program emphasizes problem formulation, research methodology, and technical writing, making it especially valuable for you if you’re interested in engineering-focused college applications or future research pathways. Because the program is fully online, it offers flexibility for Seattle-based students who want a rigorous academic experience without relocating or committing to a full-time, in-person summer program.
5. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: June 22 - August 14
Eligibility: High school students entering 12th grade, age 16+ by program start, residing in Greater Seattle
Cost: Free; paid internship (stipend provided upon successful completion)
Deadline: March 13
The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive, eight-week, full-time paid research internship designed for students entering their senior year who are curious about biomedical and public health research, but may not yet have formal lab experience. The program begins with two weeks of training in laboratory safety, core research techniques, and an introduction to Fred Hutch as a research institution. For the remaining six weeks, you are paired and placed in mentored research groups, where you contribute to ongoing projects and learn what day-to-day scientific research looks like in practice. As an intern, you also attend research seminars, college and career-focused professional development workshops, and take part in social activities that build community with peers. The experience concludes with a formal presentation of their work to the Fred Hutch community, friends, and family, making this a strong option for students considering science-focused college pathways.
6. Changemakers in Computing
Location: Seattle, Washington (University of Washington campus)
Dates: July 6 - 30
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors enrolled in Washington State high schools; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or students with an EAD
Cost: Free
Deadline: April 1
Changemakers in Computing (CiC) is a free summer program hosted by the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, designed for students who are curious about technology beyond just coding. The program focuses on how computing intersects with society, justice, and practical change, making it especially relevant for students interested in using technology as a tool for impact. You get to work in small mentee groups led by current UW undergraduate mentors and learn through culturally relevant, project-based activities rather than traditional lectures. No prior coding experience is required; CiC is intentionally built for students who may not otherwise see themselves represented in computer science spaces.
7. SafeFutures Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: July 31 - August 14 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: Students ages 14-18; entering 9th grade through recently graduated seniors
Cost: Free (stipend provided)
Deadline: Applications open in April (rolling; competitive)
The SafeFutures Summer Youth Employment Program is a paid, in-person internship experience designed for high school students who want early exposure to the working world while building confidence, skills, and career awareness. Structured as a selective six-week program, SYEP treats you as interns, offering hands-on learning through field trips, guest speakers, and guided personal development rather than classroom-style instruction. The emphasis is on career exploration, workplace readiness, and practical responsibility, making it a strong option for students who may be entering their first formal work environment. With a stipend attached, the program also recognizes your time and commitment, which can be especially meaningful for families balancing summer priorities.
8. Seattle Police Explorers Program
Location: Seattle, Washington
Format: In-person, year-round (monthly meetings + community service)
Eligibility: Ages 14-21; full-time students with a 2.5+ GPA; background check required
Cost: Free
Deadline: Rolling (attendance at 2-4 meetings required before application)
The Seattle Police Explorers Program is a long-term, in-person youth engagement and leadership program designed for students curious about law enforcement, public service, and community safety. Rather than a short summer course, Explorers is an ongoing commitment that introduces you to the realities of police work while emphasizing civic responsibility, ethics, and service. You learn directly from Seattle Police officers and detectives, gain exposure to specialized units, and actively contribute to community events, making this a great pathway for students considering careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, or public service more broadly.
9. AI for Equity - Seattle University
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: July 12 - 17
Eligibility: High school students (specific grade requirements not specified)
Cost: $1,500 (includes coursework, activities, and housing; $50 nonrefundable deposit applied toward total cost)
Deadline: April 25
AI for Equity is a residential summer program by Seattle University for high school students interested in how artificial intelligence intersects with criminal justice, ethics, and social equity. The program introduces you to core concepts in machine learning and AI while grounding those tools in real-world questions around bias, fairness, and accountability in modern justice systems. You explore how AI is currently being used in criminal justice, examine its ethical challenges, and learn to evaluate technical solutions through a social justice lens. Through guided projects, you work toward designing AI-based responses to longstanding social problems, supported by faculty instruction and guest speakers from the Seattle area. This program is well-suited for students who are curious about technology but want to engage with it critically and responsibly.
10. Summer@Cornish - Cornish College of the Arts
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: July 6 - 31
Eligibility: High school students interested in the arts
Cost: Electives from $730; Morning Intensive $3,160 (need-based scholarships available)
Deadline: TBD
Summer@Cornish is an immersive pre-college program that offers high school students a mini college experience at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Designed for students interested in disciplines such as music, dance, theater, film, art, and design, the program emphasizes creating and performing original work rather than replicating existing pieces. You begin each day with an intensive in their primary discipline and spend afternoons exploring electives across other art forms, encouraging creative range and experimentation. The curriculum also includes dedicated time for portfolio development, making it especially valuable for students considering arts programs at the college level. Full-time students also have the option to live on campus, adding a residential experience that mirrors life at an arts college.
11. The Bush School - Upper School Academic Summer Programs
Location: Seattle, Washington
Dates: June-August (varies by course)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12; some courses grade-specific)
Cost: Paid; varies by course (some offerings are free; paid courses range from $500-$1650)
Deadline: Rolling registration; course-specific availability and waitlists apply
The Bush School offers a thoughtfully designed set of Upper School Academic summer courses for high school students who want to use the summer to strengthen core academic skills, explore advanced subjects, or prepare for key transitions like high school coursework and the college application process. Rather than a single-track program, these offerings span writing, mathematics, study skills, and STEM, allowing you to choose courses aligned with your goals and readiness level. Classes are taught by experienced Bush faculty and emphasize depth, discussion, and skill-building in a small, supportive classroom environment. The program is especially well-suited for students who prefer an academically grounded, school-like learning experience over a traditional camp format. All courses take place on The Bush School’s Seattle campus and run at different points across the summer. This school also offers various other summer programs and camps for middle school students.
12. University of Washington - Foster School of Business Pre-College Programs
Location: Seattle, Washington (University of Washington, Seattle Campus)
Dates: July 5 - 17 (Business & Leadership Program); July 19 - 26 (Business Startup Bootcamp)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders and recent high school graduates
Cost: Paid; ranges from $2,998-$4,498 for commuter students, with optional residential add-ons
Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application discounts available through December 31
The Foster School of Business offers immersive pre-college summer programs for high school students who want early exposure to business, leadership, and entrepreneurship in a real university setting. Hosted on the UW Seattle campus, these programs combine classroom learning with hands-on projects, case competitions, and close interaction with Foster faculty and industry professionals. You can choose between a deeper, two-week leadership-focused experience or a fast-paced startup bootcamp designed around innovation and pitching ideas. Set in Seattle’s startup and business ecosystem, the programs are a strong fit for students curious about management, entrepreneurship, or future business majors, even with no prior experience!
13. American Graphics Institute (AGI) – Graphic Design & UX Training for High School Students
Location: Online (Seattle-based instruction)
Dates: Multiple sessions between June 22 and August 14
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $895 per course
Deadline: Rolling registration (until seats fill)
American Graphics Institute (AGI) offers professional, software-focused design training for high school students who want practical skills in graphic design, UX, and digital media, without the fluff of a traditional summer camp. These courses are taught live by industry instructors and are structured much like real design bootcamps, making them especially useful for you if you’re considering creative majors, portfolio-building, or early exposure to design tools used in college and industry. Rather than separating students by niche, AGI’s high school offerings are best understood as a bundle of intensive design and media courses, allowing you to choose a track aligned with your interests, whether it be graphic design, web design, video editing, or UX-related skills. The online format makes it accessible from Seattle while still offering real-time instruction and feedback.
14. DigiPen Academy - Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Online
Dates: July 6 - 31
Eligibility: Students 16+, entering junior or senior year, or recent high school graduates; Algebra II required for Game Programming
Cost: $2,995 - $3,195
Deadline: Registration open
DigiPen Academy’s Pre-College Summer Programs offer high school students an immersive introduction to game design and interactive media through four-week, college-level online courses. You can choose from Art & Animation, Game Design, Video Game Programming, or Music & Sound Design, with coursework aligned to DigiPen Institute of Technology’s undergraduate curriculum. Mornings focus on foundational instruction from faculty-level instructors, while afternoons are dedicated to collaborative project labs where students across tracks work together to build a game from concept to completion. The program emphasizes both technical skill-building and creative collaboration, mirroring how interdisciplinary teams function in the game industry. You earn grades and receive an official transcript that can be included in college applications, making this a strong option for those seriously considering creative or technical pathways in gaming and interactive media.
15. Washington Aerospace Scholars - The Museum of Flight
Location: Seattle, Washington (online + in-person residency at The Museum of Flight)
Dates: Online course: November-March; Summer residency: July-August
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in Washington State schools
Cost: Online course free (optional UW credit $255); Summer residency $1,850 (financial aid available)
Deadline: TBD
Washington Aerospace Scholars is a two-phase STEM program designed for high school juniors in Washington State who are interested in aerospace, engineering, and space science. The program begins with an online, asynchronous University of Washington–affiliated course that introduces students to air and space vehicle design, NASA’s space exploration efforts, and core concepts in Earth and space science. Students who complete the online phase may earn UW college credit and become eligible for a selective summer residency at The Museum of Flight in Seattle, where they collaborate with peers, engineers, NASA scientists, and STEM educators. Beyond academics, WAS offers meaningful exposure to industry mentorship and long-term opportunities, including access to exclusive scholarships and an alumni network. The structure makes it particularly well-suited for students who want both academic rigor and real-world context in aerospace pathways.
Image source - Uni of Washington