If you’re a high school student looking to refine your writing or build a portfolio, an online summer writing program can be a great way to start. These programs connect you with experienced instructors and peers to help you create a project or portfolio tailored to your interests.
From creative writing to technical and journalistic styles, online programs offer structured lessons, personalized feedback, and opportunities to explore different genres or focus deeply on one. Whether you’re developing your storytelling or fine-tuning analytical writing, these programs provide practical experience and guidance from professional writers.
Here’s a list of the 10 best online summer writing programs for high school students.
10 Online Summer Writing Programs for High School Students
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) – Writing Track
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts throughout the year.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as literature, data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who mentors you throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Writing Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Eligibility: Open to current high school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3; no prior field experience required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as literature, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
3. Summer Mentorship Program – The Adroit Journal
Location: Virtual
Cost: $450/student, financial assistance available
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: Mid-late June to early August
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12, including graduating seniors and gap year students
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program gives high school students and recent graduates the chance to work 1-on-1 with experienced writers in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction/memoir. You’ll focus on developing and refining your work through drafting, revising, and editing.
During the program, you’ll share your writing with both mentors and peers to receive detailed feedback and improve your technique. The mentorship also includes discussions on the writing process, exploring themes, and strengthening your voice. You’ll complete the program with a more polished body of work and a deeper understanding of creative writing practices.
4. Juniper Institute for Young Writers | UMass Amherst
Location: Online
Cost: $1,300
Application Deadline: April 7
Program Dates: July 7–11
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores through graduating seniors
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers is designed for high school students looking to enhance their creative writing through workshops, craft sessions, and writing labs led by MFA students. You’ll work in small groups, sharing your writing, exploring new ideas, and receiving constructive feedback. Scholarships are available to those requiring financial assistance.
For the virtual session, Juniper Young Writers Online (JYWO) offers an intensive, week-long experience. You’ll collaborate with Creative Writing instructors, working writers, and MFA students from the UMass Amherst MFA for Poets and Writers program and a community of peer writers.
5. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically in September and October for the winter course; March and April for the summer course
Program Dates: Mid-January through late February; late June through early August. The winter course runs from January 19-March 2
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers 6-week online creative writing courses for high school students, available to both U.S. and international students in grades 9-12. The program is designed to give you structured yet flexible learning opportunities to develop your writing skills.
You will engage in weekly writing exercises, read assigned texts, provide feedback on peers’ writing, and participate in discussions. These activities help you build your writing portfolio, refine your techniques, and explore new genres. While the courses are asynchronous, you’ll need to meet weekly deadlines and contribute to discussions.
6. Princeton’s Summer Journalism Program
Location: Online and in-person options, with a 10-day residential program at the end of July
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 27
Program Dates: Year-long
Eligibility: Open to 11th-grade students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and who meet specific socioeconomic criteria.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long initiative designed for high school juniors interested in journalism. The program begins with online workshops and lectures, followed by a 10-day residential experience on Princeton’s campus. Throughout the year, you will engage in various activities aimed at developing your journalistic skills.
During the online portion, you will participate in workshops and lectures led by professional journalists, focusing on current events and the fundamentals of journalism. You will complete weekly reading assignments to stay informed about current events, begin preparing your articles, and work with your assigned college adviser to start preparing for the college application process.
7. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop
Location: Online
Fee: $1,320
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Program Dates: June 21-26, 2025
Eligibility: Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
The Yale Young Writers’ Workshop is a one-week program focused on developing writing skills in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or graphic storytelling. You will be placed in a small workshop with just 12 students, allowing for personalized feedback and guidance. The program encourages creativity and experimentation, giving you the chance to refine your writing and explore new ideas.
Throughout the week, you will work closely with experienced faculty and collaborate with fellow writers to strengthen your craft. This program is open to students aged 16 to 18 who have completed their junior or senior year of high school before the workshop begins.
8. Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week
Location: Online
Cost: $1,025 (Based on last year’s fee)
Application Deadline: July 7
Program Dates:
- Virtual cohort: July 7 – 11
- In-person cohorts: July 21 to 25, August 4 to 8
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
If you are a high school student looking to develop your creative writing skills, Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week is a great fit. The program focuses on creative expression in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Workshops are small, with only 18 students per group and two faculty members, ensuring you receive individualized attention.
Through interactive workshops, you will explore your writing, receive feedback from peers and mentors, and refine your craft. The program concludes with a celebration featuring readings from both faculty and students, showcasing the work developed throughout the week.
9. The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Location: Online
Cost: $995
Application Deadline: April 14, 2025
Program Dates: June 15-20, 2025
Eligibility: Ages 16-18
The Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Online Workshops provide high school students with an opportunity to strengthen their writing skills. You will explore a range of genres, including short stories, poetry, and essays. The program allows you to develop your writing through live sessions, solo writing time, and one-on-one conferences with instructors.
In addition to workshops, the program includes daily events such as readings, craft talks, and social gatherings, all conducted via Zoom. These events help you engage with other writers and gain insights into the writing process. The workshop is scheduled for one week during the summer, and the program is open to high school students aged 16 to 18.
10. My Philosophy on Teaching Writing: Brandon Sanderson, Brigham Young University and Youtube
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost, free
Application Deadline: Flexible
Program Dates: Flexible, 15 hours total, self-paced
Eligibility: Flexible
Brandon Sanderson’s free course, hosted on YouTube and based on his lessons at Brigham Young University, introduces essential skills for aspiring writers. You’ll explore topics like plot construction, character development, and world-building, while also gaining insights into the publishing industry and strategies for creating short stories.
The course features 15 hours of self-paced content, allowing you to learn at your convenience. With detailed guidance, you can build a strong foundation in writing fantasy and short stories while developing a better understanding of the writing process.
