15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are a high school student looking to prepare for advanced academics, build new skills, and explore your interests, consider enrolling in programs this summer! Structured programs typically offer opportunities to gain industry insights, dive into college-level coursework, develop practical skills, gain exposure to new fields, and connect with friends and peers from diverse backgrounds. As a participant, you will explore workplace or university environments, collaborate on projects, and go on field trips.
Washington is home to many credible universities and organizations that offer high schoolers a variety of learning experiences across disciplines, including medical, business, finance, and engineering. You will get to learn from experts and university faculty and access valuable guidance for your next academic or career move. Whether you live in or around Washington, joining a program in the state can be a great way to get exposure to its academic and professional culture.
To make your search easier, we have listed 15 summer programs for high school students in Washington State.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including Washington + a one-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 300+ students/year
Application deadline: January 15; application opens on October 14
Program dates: Eight-week summer internship; dates can vary by opportunity
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program is a paid opportunity to work with non-profit organizations in your area. As a Student Leader, you will explore key aspects of running a non-profit, contribute to community service, and learn about various social issues. In the process, you will work on your social, civic, and business leadership skills. The program includes a fully paid week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will connect with professionals and peers. Here, you will also get insights into the combined efforts of businesses, the government, and non-profits in meeting community requirements.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer sessions
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; May/June deadlines for summer cohorts. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship requires completion of the AI Scholars program or equivalent knowledge of coding/AI.
Veritas AI offers multiple learning opportunities designed for students interested in exploring artificial intelligence. These programs are developed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni. If applying to the AI Scholars program, you will join virtual sessions to learn about the applications of AI, the Python programming language, as well as key machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. You can also opt for the AI Fellowship program, which offers personalized mentorship to help you develop your own unique project. In the past, Veritas AI program participants have worked on interdisciplinary AI-focused projects that utilize concepts from medicine, finance, environmental science, and mental health. You can check out past projects here.
3. University of Washington’s Changemakers in Computing
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No fees; stipend of $1,200 offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Grade 10 and 11 students currently enrolled in a Washington State school who are permanent U.S. residents/permanent residents/DACA recipients, or those who have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
The Changemakers in Computing at the University of Washington is a free summer program designed to help high schoolers prepare for a future in computer science and engineering. The four-week program will offer you close mentorship from undergraduate UW students while they help you develop coding skills. You will engage in project-based learning, explore the real-world impact of technology, and build connections with other mentees and mentors. Sessions also cover topics such as social responsibility and ethics in tech, as well as career exploration and post-high school education. This is also an opportunity to experience life on a college campus and connect with like-minded peers.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; need-based aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar is a mentored research program designed for high schoolers interested in exploring a field of interest in absolute detail. Over the course of 12 weeks or more, you will work with a Ph.D. mentor, interacting with them one-on-one virtually, on an independent research project. Your project can focus on a topic within a subject of your choice, with options available across disciplines like engineering, psychology, healthcare, physics, chemistry, international relations, and economics. At the end of the program, you will have a complete research paper, which you can present or use for future research opportunities. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Training Program
Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend offered
Cohort size: 16 students
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors living within commuting distance of Downtown Seattle
Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Training Program is an in-person program designed to introduce high schoolers to laboratory research. Over the course of four weeks, you will explore topics like immunotherapy, public health, and biochemistry through lectures, labs, and assignments. You will also gain hands-on exposure to techniques like immunoassays, polymerase chain reaction, microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, isolating white blood cells, bacterial transformation, and gene editing. Additionally, the program offers career exploration workshops and an opportunity to conduct an independent research project based on your learning.
6. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s offices in Redmond
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA, but applications typically open in early February/March
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, and are members/participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations listed on the program website
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in software engineering, computer science, and tech. Here, you will join a team working on designing a product and explore the real-world work within software engineering, computer science, and UX design. Additionally, you will work on a group project, where you will identify customer issues and needs and help the product design team meet those requirements. This experience can help you build professional skills like collaboration and problem-solving, as well as technical skills. You will also interact with and learn from Microsoft employees and gain exposure to Microsoft technologies.
7. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 stipend offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 students/session
Dates: Session 1: July 28 – August 8 | Session 2: August 11 – 22
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students residing in Seattle or the surrounding areas who have attended an introductory chemistry or biology course
The Pathways Research Explorers Program is a two-week opportunity to learn about the research conducted at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. As a participant, you will learn about ongoing research in immune-based cancer therapies, such as bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, as well as epidemiology, cancer prevention, public health, and biostatistics. You will engage in activities within Fred Hutch facilities and tour working labs during the program. Additionally, you will find opportunities to connect with scientists and students, who can offer you insights into career paths in biomedical research and the appropriate next academic and professional steps you can take.
8. University of Washington’s UDOC Summer Program
Location: Virtual and in-person at the University of Washington Seattle campus, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school juniors currently enrolled in a WA State school with limited financial or educational resources and U.S. citizenship/permanent residency
The UDOC Summer Program is a free program designed to help underrepresented high school students explore health careers. Conducted in a hybrid format—three weeks of virtual and three weeks of in-person engagement, the program offers insights into different healthcare fields, including dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, occupational therapy, nursing, and research. Throughout the program, you will have access to expert mentorship. You may also get to shadow professionals in a clinic.
9. SEAS Summer Immersion Program (SSIP) @ Gonzaga University
Location: Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 16 students
Dates: July 6 – 11
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SSIP at Gonzaga University is a free summer program for high school students interested in math and science. Over five days, you will explore various career paths in math, engineering, and computer science while participating in tours and project-based learning opportunities. You will get to connect with Gonzaga students and faculty and will engage in hands-on projects and use makerspace tools. Workshops and sessions covering college preparation, STEM careers, and Gonzaga admissions and financial aid details are also part of the experience. You will also engage in research rotations and attend a research symposium where you will share your experience with peers and faculty.
10. Seattle University’s Summer Business Institute
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Cost: No fees; $50 registration deposit (refundable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 25
Application deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9 – 11); students from historically marginalized groups are encouraged to apply
Seattle University’s Summer Business Institute is a residential program for high school students interested in exploring different aspects of business. You will spend the week learning about a wide range of business disciplines through lectures and team projects. You will also have access to networking opportunities and company visits. Upon completing the program, you will earn two college credits. Following the summer experience, you will continue to receive digital resources and support for boosting financial literacy, college planning, and career development.
11. University of Washington’s Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors attending schools in the greater Seattle area
The University of Washington’s Engineering Academy is a free summer program for high schoolers looking for an introduction to the field of engineering. Over the course of one week, you will gain hands-on experience in design, connect with engineering students and faculty, and understand the impact of different engineering disciplines. The program combines instruction with practical experiences, allowing you to tackle design challenges to apply what you learn during the weeklong session. You will also participate in UW campus tours and learn about the university’s undergraduate engineering programs.
12. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual and in-person; sites can vary each year
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two weeks in the summer; dates vary by year
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy’s free Summer Camp offers teens a two-week introduction to coding/programming, machine learning, and software development. You will explore these tech and computer science disciplines through one of four tracks. The machine learning track covers AI and ML concepts such as algorithms, natural language processing, and datasets. In the data science track, you will examine data and draw insights using SQL, Python, and data visualization tools. The mobile app track covers coding basics in Swift (Apple’s programming language), allowing you to apply what you learn by developing an iOS mobile application. In the camp’s web development track, you will learn how to work with HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and develop an online platform.
13. University of Washington’s Young Scholars Program: Reach
Location: Virtual or in person at the University of Washington Seattle Campus, WA
Cost: $100 (virtual) | $500 (in person)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year.
Dates: July 14 – 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Scholars Program: Reach, sponsored by the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, is a five-day program for students interested in neural engineering and neuroscience. Here, you will learn about neuroethics, neuroscience, neural engineering, scientific communication, and the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces. You will also visit the CNT partner labs in the electrical engineering and computer science departments. You will gain early exposure to the neural engineering field and guidance to prepare for a career in STEM.
14. Seattle University’s AI for Equity
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,500 (including $50 non-refundable deposit); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students
AI for Equity is a weeklong residential program for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence and criminal justice. Here, you will explore topics like ethical challenges involved in AI use, the relationship between machine learning and AI, and the use of artificial intelligence in the field of criminal justice. The program covers the basics of machine learning and various ML techniques that are applied to common datasets. You will also learn how to assess technological solutions within the context of social justice. The program offers opportunities to learn from guest speakers who share insights into the intersection of AI and the criminal justice system.
15. University of Washington’s STEP Students Exploring Pharmacy Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $100 non-refundable fee; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 – 17
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students; priority given to rising high school juniors and seniors
STEP is a four-day summer program for high school students interested in exploring careers in pharmacy. You will engage in hands-on activities to learn about pharmacy practice and the contribution of pharmacists in improving public health. You will participate in discussions with pharmacists from diverse specialties, interact with students and faculty, and explore a wide range of options for a career in pharmacy. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of basic medication compounding procedures, clinical skills, and health information during the program.
Image Source - Veritas AI Logo