10 Virtual Leadership Programs for High School Students
If you’re in high school and thinking about how to build skills you’ll use later, a virtual leadership program is one practical option. These programs focus on things like communication, decision-making, and teamwork, skills you don’t usually get to practice in classes. Many of them are run by universities and established organizations, and you won’t need to spend a lot of money or travel to be part of them.
The good thing about online programs is that you can attend from anywhere, plan your time around them, and still connect with people working in different fields. If you’re considering careers where leading teams, managing projects, or handling responsibilities matter, these programs can give you a head start.
To help you find the right fit, here’s a list of 10 virtual leadership programs for high school students!
1. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual/ In-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,528 + $65 - $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till capacity is full
Dates: June 23 - July 18 (Virtual program)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
Brown Leadership Institute offers high school students a chance to explore social change through either a two-week on-campus session or a four-week online program. You choose one interdisciplinary course, such as leadership in law, sports, or social entrepreneurship, and explore complex social issues while building skills in public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving. You also strengthen leadership through group projects and public speaking, and complete a personalized Action Plan for social impact. Students in sessions two weeks or longer receive a Digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Young Founder's Lab is a start-up boot camp created by Harvard student entrepreneurs for high school students interested in business. You work on building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem, with mentorship from professionals at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. The program includes sessions on business fundamentals, ideation, and case studies, along with workshops, panel discussions, and skill-building activities. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme (Online, Global)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $750
Application Deadline: Open until full (first-come, first-served basis)
Dates: 6 January - 1 February, 14 April - 9 May, 9 June - 4 July, 28 July - 22 August
Eligibility: High school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
The United Nations Young Leaders Online Training Programme is a four-week e-learning course by UNITAR for young people around the world. You complete four self-paced modules on the United Nations, Conference Diplomacy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Cosmopolitan Communication. You spend 4 to 6 hours per week on readings, videos, and discussion boards. Each week, you also join e-workshops on leadership, negotiation, and UN careers. The program includes four live webinars led by UN experts on the UN system, SDGs, MUN training, and job paths. You get a clear overview of how the UN works and what it does.
4. Lead4Change Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling basis throughout the year
Dates: Flexible; educators can begin anytime during the school year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; educators must register a team
Lead4Change is a free leadership and service program for students in grades 6 to 12. Educators can use the lessons in any subject or club. Once you enroll, you get structured lesson plans and a dashboard to manage resources. You work in teams to create projects that solve real problems in your community. After finishing the program, you can enter a grant contest with awards up to $10,000.
5. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 18
Dates: Virtual Sessions: April 1 & April 8
Eligibility: Female sophomores and Juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a leadership program for high school students run by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. You take part in workshops led by faculty, connect with alumni and students, and work on a business case project that builds problem-solving skills. The program focuses on leadership, communication, and teamwork. You can join either a one-day in-person session on campus or a multi-evening virtual version. Admission is selective, and seats are limited.
6. Sports Business Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,799 + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: May 1 (Final deadline)
Dates: July 7 - July 25
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 10-11 with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
Wharton Sports Business Academy (WSBA) is a three-week summer program from the Wharton School for high school juniors and seniors interested in the business side of sports. You study topics like sports law, media, marketing, and innovation through sessions led by Wharton professors and industry experts such as agents, broadcasters, and executives. You take part in case studies, virtual site visits to sports organizations, and team projects where you develop and pitch a sports-related business plan.
7. Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,965 per session + $80 application fee
Application Deadline: Open until full
Dates: Summer A (online): July 7 - July 18, Summer B (online): July 21 - August 1
Eligibility: Students who will be enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation is a Columbia Pre-College Summer Program course that introduces high school students to the basics of launching and growing a venture. You learn the full process from idea to execution, with a focus on innovation and social impact. The course uses lectures, case studies, and team projects to mirror real-world decisions. You study startup examples, assess business models, and use structured tools for analysis. You also learn how to do market research, define value propositions, and pitch to stakeholders. The course offers a strong foundation in entrepreneurship.
8. Art & Environmental Leadership at Brown University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218 + $65 - $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till capacity is full
Dates: July 14 - July 25
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
Environmental Leadership and Art is an online course offered through Summer@Brown that explores how art can support environmental awareness and leadership. You study the history of environmental art and its role in promoting ecological literacy and public engagement. The course covers tools for science communication, advocacy, and leadership using cross-disciplinary methods. You explore topics like environmental justice, climate change, and human impact on ecosystems. The course ends with an Action Plan project where you apply what you’ve learned to an issue you choose, using artistic strategies in your final proposal.
9. Wharton Global Youth Program - Essentials of Leadership
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: April 2 (Priority deadline) | May 1 (Final deadline)
Dates: June 16 - June 27 | July 7 - July 18
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9-12 with demonstrated leadership ability
Essentials of Leadership is a two-week online summer program from the Wharton Global Youth Program for high school students. You attend daily live lectures on leadership concepts and join TA-led recitations to build business skills. The course includes simulations and group projects that strengthen problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. You explore topics like emotional intelligence and interpersonal leadership through structured lessons and peer interaction.
10. FTE Economics For Leaders (Virtual)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $900
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: Multiple sessions running from June - August. Click here to know more.
Eligibility: Students who are currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school
Economics for Leaders (Virtual) is an online summer program from the Foundation for Teaching Economics for high school students. You study core economic concepts through ten topics like opportunity cost, inflation, labor markets, and property rights, using five Economic Reasoning Propositions and simulations to apply what you learn. The leadership section uses the Leadership Pyramid Matrix to teach personal, relational, and contextual leadership. You build teamwork and decision-making skills while learning how economics connects to public policy.
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