10 Winter Programs for High School Students in Florida
As a high school student, winter can be a great time for learning, exploration, and growth. Many winter programs offer a unique chance to explore subjects you’re passionate about, build new skills, and collaborate with peers and mentors. Whether you’re interested in STEM, the arts, healthcare, or leadership, a solid winter program can broaden your perspective and strengthen your academic profile.
Why should you participate in a winter program in Florida?
Florida is home to numerous colleges and institutions that offer opportunities to high school students during the winter. From marine biology and clinical health care to creative arts and policy workshops, you can explore short-term opportunities tailored for the winter months that help you build skills and connections with mentors. Whether you are a local or visiting Florida, you can find a program that suits your interests and helps improve your profile.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled 10 winter programs for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Observer Program – Baptist Health South Florida
Location: Various hospital and clinic sites across South Florida, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Flexible; Up to 4 weeks, including during the winter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students (16+); Must obtain a sponsoring clinician at a Baptist Health facility
The Observer Program at Baptist Health South Florida offers you the opportunity to shadow healthcare professionals in real-world clinical settings, gaining valuable insights into patient care and hospital operations. You will observe rounds, attend teaching conferences, and, if approved by your sponsoring clinician, may observe surgeries or procedures. The experience exposes you to healthcare team workflows, patient interactions, and the professional responsibilities of clinicians. Although you will not perform clinical tasks, the program helps build familiarity with hospital settings, enhances understanding of healthcare careers, and strengthens professional skills like observation, communication, and professionalism.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Zoo Miami: Teen Squad Volunteers
Location: Zoo Miami, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students (14+)
The Teen Squad Volunteer Program at Zoo Miami allows you to join as a teen volunteer who assists with guest services, animal-related educational activities, and zoo operations, gaining hands-on experience within a major conservation institution. You will be assigned roles such as working at safari cycle rentals, animal feeding sites, education stations, or other guest-facing functions. This opportunity gives you a chance to build a professional network, develop communication skills, and learn about conservation advocacy.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing (an unweighted GPA of 3.3+)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive, 12-week research experience designed for high school students seeking one-on-one academic mentorship. During the program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to conduct an independent research project, culminating in a scholarly research paper. You can explore a wide range of subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations, while gaining hands-on experience in research design, critical thinking, and academic writing.
5. Florida State University (FSU): The Upward Bound Program
Location: Florida State University campus, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: High-school students from low-income households attending schools in the designated target area
The Upward Bound Program supports high-school students through weekly academic tutoring and enrichment throughout the school year, helping strengthen their math, English, science, foreign language, and study skills. During the six-week summer on-campus session at FSU, you will live in residence halls and take coursework in core subjects, while also attending workshops in life skills, college prep, leadership, and career exploration. Beyond academics, the program arranges cultural enrichment trips, college tours, job-shadowing opportunities, and mentoring, giving students exposure to campus life, higher-ed culture, and a broader set of academic/career possibilities.
6. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Remote and in-person options available across various locations
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; Clubs typically meet one to two hours/week after school or on weekends
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 3-12 of any skill level
The Girls Who Code Clubs program brings together young students to explore coding and computer science in a supportive, peer-centred environment. You will work in small groups guided by trained facilitators and use a flexible curriculum that adapts to your interests and pace. The program emphasizes building foundational skills in computational thinking, industry-relevant technologies (like web development, game design, AI), and project-based learning where students create digital projects that solve real-world problems.
7. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid and unpaid options available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-round internships, including during the winter
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (under 18) who reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer
The APA Internship Program allows you to engage with the leading professional organization for psychology and behavioral science. During the program, you might work with departments such as policy, research, communications, publishing, education, or operations, helping with tasks like literature reviews, drafting content, supporting workshops, or assisting analysts. Through weekly check-ins, team projects, and professional development sessions, you will gain exposure to how psychological principles are applied in real-world settings.
8. MIT’s OpenCourseWare
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced courses
Application Deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: High school students
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free online resource offering access to a wide range of MIT course materials. One of its most popular options, Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python, covers key concepts such as problem-solving, algorithm design, and Python programming fundamentals. The course includes lecture notes, assignments, and exams, providing a complete academic experience without enrollment or deadlines.
9. UMBC: Winter Session
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies for Maryland residents and non-Maryland residents; Tuition & fee structure here
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: January 5 – 23
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school rising juniors or seniors
During the UMBC Winter Session, you’ll get to take real university courses over the winter break, earning official college credits. As a visiting student, you’ll register for one or more undergraduate-level courses and study alongside UMBC undergraduates. Some courses are available to you in areas like economics, history, gender studies, and more. The program offers flexibility through asynchronous and synchronous formats, giving you room to manage school responsibilities while experiencing college-level academics.
10. University of Rochester’s Online Medical Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595 course fees
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13+
This online pre-college program from the University of Rochester allows you to explore medicine, healthcare, and related STEM fields virtually. You’ll take courses like Personalized Medicine: Customizing Care Through Genetics, Orthopedic Medicine: Treatments & Surgery, and Biomedical Engineering: Solving the Body’s Problems Through Technology. Each course features video lectures by Rochester faculty, mentor support, and a final capstone project where you demonstrate what you’ve learned. Designed for independent learners, the program allows you to explore medical concepts and potential career paths while earning a certificate of completion.
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