11 Winter Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)

If you are a high school student and want to explore your interests during your winter break, participating in a structured program can be a great choice. Winter programs offer you a valuable opportunity to explore academic interests, develop new skills, and investigate potential career pathways. You also have the opportunity to learn from experts and professionals in the field, helping you build your network. 

With its universities, cultural institutions, and innovation hubs, NYC provides a learning environment that’s both dynamic and diverse. These institutions offer winter programs ideal for both local and out-of-city students who want to utilize the city’s academic resources. Whether it’s delving into STEM, arts, business, or social sciences, you’ll build practical skills and strengthen your college and career readiness. 

Here are 11 winter programs for high school students in New York City (NYC) for you to explore.

1. Pratt Institute: Fall, Winter, and Spring Pre-College Program

Location: Pratt Institute, NY (multiple campuses); Online options available  

Cost: 1-Credit Courses: $1,244; Non-credit Courses: $675; Non-credit Workshops: $170 – $249; Scholarships may be available 

Dates: January 17 – 19

Application Deadline: January 5

Eligibility: High school students (15-18)

Pratt’s Fall, Winter, and Spring PreCollege Program is a great opportunity for high school students in New York City to explore art, design, and creative problem-solving while building skills that can support future college applications. The program offers a mix of college-credit courses, noncredit courses, and shorter workshops. Credit courses allow students to produce portfolio-ready work and earn transferable college credit, while noncredit options focus on skill development for those seeking a lighter commitment. Specialized one-day workshops provide concentrated experiences in areas like figure drawing, embroidery, and portfolio preparation. All classes are taught by Pratt faculty and designed to help students experiment, refine their creative voice, and experience college-level study.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual 

Cost: Varies; Financial aid available 

Dates: Multiple winter cohorts available from December to February

Application Deadline: Varies per cohort 

Eligibility: High school students

Veritas AI offers remote programs for high school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. These programs explore applications of AI across domains like climate change, healthcare, finance, political science, and more. As a participant, you will engage in interactive workshops, coding projects, and collaborative problem-solving challenges that emphasize both technical skills and critical thinking. You will also get to create your own AI-driven projects under the guidance of expert instructors. 

3. Vogue Winter Break: Pre-College Program

Location: Manhattan, New York City, NY

Cost: Residential: $3,945; Day Program: $3,100; Scholarships available  

Dates: January 4 – 9

Application Deadline: Rolling; Apply as soon as possible 

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12, aged 15-18

Vogue Winter Break is a five-day, immersive fashion business program in New York City for high school students who want to explore the creative and commercial sides of the fashion industry. You will gain behind-the-scenes access to designer studios, ateliers, and exhibitions, while learning about branding, marketing, product development, and sustainability. Through expert-led discussions and collaborative team assignments, you will develop practical skills and gain insight into career opportunities in fashion. The program balances classroom learning with real-world exposure, guided by Vogue professionals and industry specialists.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies per program; Financial aid available 

Dates: Multiple cohorts a year

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort 

Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.3 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a unique opportunity to engage in advanced, mentor-guided research. Established by scholars affiliated with Harvard and Oxford, the program connects motivated students with PhD mentors for individualized guidance. You will work closely with your mentors to develop a professional-level research paper, gaining practical experience in research methodologies, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills relevant to academic inquiry. Projects span a wide array of disciplines, including STEM fields, such as data science, chemistry, and medicine, and social sciences and humanities, such as economics, sociology, and law. 

5. Columbia University Pre-college Programs

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY

Cost: $2,574 per credit (approx. $7,722 for a 3-credit course) + fees ($80 application fee, $1,000 deposit, other required fees)

Dates: September 2 – December 19 (fall)

Application Deadline: July 29 (early); August 4 (general) 

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (grades 11-12)

The College Edge program at Columbia University gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to experience college life firsthand while earning official college credit. You’ll get to take undergraduate courses on Columbia’s Morningside campus, working alongside college students and guided by academic advisors who help with course selection and professional development. The program offers access to a range of fields—from chemistry and statistics to languages and mathematics—though enrollment in specific classes is not guaranteed. With small but meaningful steps into rigorous academics, you will gain valuable preparation for the transition to higher education.

6. New York Institute of Technology: New York Tech Advance

Location: New York Institute of Technology, New York City, NY

Cost: 2 credit courses: $265; 3-4 credit courses: $315; Discounts of up to 90% are available 

Dates: Sessions in the fall/spring 

Application Deadline: Not specified 

Eligibility: High school sophomores or above with a minimum cumulative average of B (80) or higher; Some courses may require additional department-level criteria

The New York Tech Advance program at NYIT lets high school students take university-level courses that count toward both high school graduation and college credit. You’ll explore a variety of subjects while getting a head start on your college education, often at a significantly reduced tuition rate. The program helps you acclimate to the pace and expectations of college-level work while still benefiting from high school support. You’ll also gain access to NYIT resources like an official email account, software discounts, and exposure to campus life and advanced academic opportunities.

7. Centre for Architecture + American Institute of Architects New York: Discover Architecture

Location: Various firms in New York City

Cost: Not specified

Dates: February 17 – 20 (mid-winter break)

Application Deadline: January 9 (tentative) 

Eligibility: NYC sophomores and juniors who live and attend school in the five boroughs; Priority to NYC public school students

This is an exceptional program by the Centre for Architecture that gives New York City high schoolers a direct look into the world of architecture by pairing them with professional firms. Over the course of three days, you will be placed at leading architecture offices across the city to observe, shadow, and learn how design moves from idea to reality. The experience concludes with a final day at the Center for Architecture, where you’ll share reflections and connect with peers. It’s an immersive way to explore whether a future in architecture might be the right fit, all during the school mid-winter break.

8. New-York Historical Society: Student Internship Program

Location: New-York Historical Society, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: None; $700 stipend 

Dates: October 29 – June 24 (academic year); June – August (summer)

Application Deadline: May – August 24

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12; Must live in the NYC metro area (five boroughs, plus parts of NY, NJ, and CT)

The Student Historian Internship Program is selective, admitting only around 25 students per session. It offers a chance to step into the role of researcher, writer, and storyteller while working with the collections of the New-York Historical Society. As an intern, you’ll dive into the museum and library archives, explore the intersection of history and digital media, and create public-facing digital projects that share your findings. Alongside professional staff, you will strengthen your historical thinking, sharpen your communication skills, and gain firsthand exposure to the fields of history, museums, and digital humanities. 

9. Northwestern Pre-college Online Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: $1,895 per course; Need-based scholarships available 

Dates: Sessions offered year-round (2- or 4-week options)

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Eligibility: High school students ages 13+

Northwestern’s Pre-College Online Program is a great choice as it lets motivated high school students explore new fields through flexible and mentor-guided courses. Designed and taught by Northwestern faculty, the program combines dynamic video lessons with interactive tools to help you deepen your understanding of topics in areas like business, finance, psychology, law, medicine, and engineering, and so on. With the option to choose between two or four-week sessions, you can fit learning into your schedule. You’ll also earn a certificate of completion, which will strengthen future college applications. 

10. SCAD Joint Enrollment Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Application fee $100; Tuition varies by course

Dates: Multiple sessions year-round; Winter: January 5 – March 12

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (16+)

Take college-level classes while in high school through SCAD’s joint enrollment program, where you’ll begin your creative journey early. Classes are taught online by SCAD professors and include virtual discussions, Zoom hangouts, and access to SCAD’s academic resources. You’ll explore a wide range of creative fields while earning college credit that can be applied to a future SCAD degree. This program is designed for motivated high school juniors and seniors who are ready to challenge themselves and develop both technical and conceptual skills in their chosen disciplines.

11. UMBC Winter Session

Location: Virtual (in-person at UMBC, Maryland, available too) 

Cost: Not specified; check UMBC Winter Session registration for details

Dates: January 5 – 23

Application Deadline: October 13 – December 15 

Eligibility: Academically strong rising 11th-12th graders

UMBC’s Winter Session allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses through a concurrent enrollment program. You can explore a range of subjects, including computer science, biology, and the humanities, while earning official UMBC credits. Courses are intensive due to the condensed three-week schedule, requiring focus, maturity, and strong study habits. The program includes both online and hybrid options, making it accessible to students in Maryland and beyond. Asynchronous courses allow flexible completion without scheduled meetings, while synchronous courses require participation at set times. Participating in Winter Session demonstrates readiness for college-level work and can help you get ahead in your academic planning.

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