For high school students looking to develop leadership skills without attending an in-person program, online summer opportunities offer a flexible and accessible alternative. These virtual programs typically feature interactive workshops, group projects, mentorship, and involvement in real-world leadership issues, providing an excellent opportunity to develop confidence and practical skills from any location.
While they may not always carry the same level of recognition as selective, in-person programs, many virtual options offer structured, college-level learning and provide an opportunity to connect with peers and professionals across various fields, including business, policy, and social impact.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated 11 online leadership summer programs for high school students, ranging from formal, application-based experiences to more flexible, skills-focused courses.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
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).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June — August), Fall (September — December), Winter (December — February), and Spring (March — June).
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows high school students to take part in a focused, research-based learning experience. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll be matched with a Ph.D. mentor to guide you through the process of developing and completing an independent research project. The program offers a wide range of subject areas, including psychology, physics, economics, and international relations, giving you the opportunity to explore a topic that aligns with your interests. By the end of the program, you’ll have written a research paper that reflects the work you’ve done. To learn more about how to apply, you can visit the program’s application page here.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students.
The Young Founder’s Lab is a virtual entrepreneurship program designed by Harvard-affiliated founders, where high school students work on creating a start-up aimed at addressing a real-world issue. During the program, you’ll collaborate with peers to develop a business idea and work toward building a product or service with the potential to generate revenue. You’ll also take part in sessions that cover core business topics such as market research, product development, and business strategy. Additionally, the program offers mentorship from professionals with experience at companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X, along with workshops, case discussions, and group activities. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Lead4Change Student Leadership Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Completely free, including curriculum materials and competition entry.
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment throughout the year.
Program 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 online leadership program open to students in grades 6–12, including high schoolers. The program is centered on service learning and provides you with the opportunity to collaborate with your peers on projects that address needs in your community. It’s designed to help you develop leadership skills through collaboration and real-world application. As part of the program, you can also take part in a service project competition where participating schools have the chance to receive funding for their initiatives. Lead4Change focuses on building leadership through community engagement and teamwork.
4. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 18
Program Dates: Virtual Sessions: April 1 & April 8
Eligibility: Female sophomores and Juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI), offered by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, is a leadership program for high school students who identify as female and are interested in learning more about business. The program brings together students from diverse backgrounds to explore key areas, including leadership, communication, and problem-solving, through practical activities and guided sessions. You will have the opportunity to participate in workshops led by faculty, connect with current students and alumni, and work on business-related case studies.
5. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: $750
Application deadline: Applications are open until slots are filled
Program dates: January 6 – February 1 | April 14 – May 9 | June 9 – July 4 | July 28 – August 22
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Young Leaders Training Programme, organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is an online course aimed at high school students interested in international relations and global governance. Over four weeks, you’ll engage with a mix of self-paced modules and live sessions led by UN professionals. Topics include the structure and functions of the United Nations, diplomacy, sustainable development, and international communication. The program also includes practical components such as Model United Nations (MUN) simulations, leadership-focused workshops, and discussions on career pathways in global affairs. Participation is limited to 30 students per session, and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis to allow for a more interactive and focused experience.
6. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Varies by session; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates:
- Online: June 23 – July 18
- On-Campus: June 29 – July 11 | July 13 – July 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12. Must be ages 14–18 by June
The Brown Leadership Institute provides high school students with an opportunity to explore social issues and develop leadership skills through academic coursework and project-based learning. In this program, you’ll explore subjects including gender equity, education, legal systems, and social entrepreneurship, all while developing an Action Plan aimed at tackling a challenge in your local community. Through discussions, case studies, and structured activities, you’ll build your ability to think critically and approach problems from multiple perspectives. If you complete a course that lasts two weeks or longer, you’ll receive a Digital Certificate of Completion along with a Course Performance Report.
7. Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students
The ‘Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization’, available on Coursera and taught by Professor Sydney Finkelstein from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, introduces foundational leadership concepts for those interested in improving their ability to make decisions and manage change. The course draws on academic research and professional experience to explore how leaders approach complex challenges within organizations. Designed to be accessible for learners at all levels, the program is self-paced and can be completed on your schedule. While not a traditional summer program, you’ll still study topics related to strategy, influence, and organizational dynamics, and explore how leadership practices apply across different industries.
8. Harvard Pre-College Program: Business and Leadership
Location: Virtual or in-person at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800; financial aid available
Application Deadline: April 9
Program Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3
- Session II: July 6 – July 18
- Session III: July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Harvard’s Pre-College Program in Business and Leadership offers high school students an introduction to fundamental business concepts within a small, collaborative setting. With class sizes ranging from 12 to 18 students, you’ll have the chance to engage in discussions, develop problem-solving abilities, and practice communication skills such as diplomacy. Guided by instructors affiliated with Harvard, you’ll analyze business materials and explore different leadership ideas throughout the course.
9. Blanchard Institute’s Student Self Leadership Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: June 15
Program dates: June 26 – July 23
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18
The Student Self Leadership course is a free, four-week online program designed to help students build foundational skills in self-leadership and personal management. Offered through the Intrepid® platform and led by instructors from Blanchard, the course combines weekly one-hour live sessions with interactive assignments you complete on your own time. Throughout the program, you’ll explore ways to manage everyday challenges, increase your confidence, and set personal goals. A points and badge system tracks your progress and encourages regular participation. This course offers a practical introduction to self-directed leadership in both academic and individual settings.
10. Yale University’s Connected Leadership
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to enroll; fee required for certificate
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students
The ‘Connected Leadership’ course on Coursera, led by Peter Boyd from Yale University, introduces a modern approach to leadership that reflects today’s interconnected and rapidly changing environments. The course examines how effective leadership frequently entails collaborating across networks rather than relying solely on traditional structures. Over five modules, you’ll examine how to align your personal leadership goals with broader organizational objectives. The course also covers topics such as systems thinking, sustainability, and making decisions in complex settings.
11. Wharton Global Youth Program Essentials of Leadership Program
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: June 16 – 27 | July 7 – 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Essentials of Leadership program from the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania introduces high school students to core leadership concepts within a business context. The curriculum features daily live lectures and recitations designed to enhance skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Discussions with instructors and classmates bridge the gap between leadership theory and real-world applications. Throughout the program, you will take part in business simulations and group projects, allowing you to apply your learning in real-time through collaborative and organized activities. Students who complete all program requirements earn a Certificate of Completion from Wharton Global Youth.
12. NYU Future Business Leaders Webinar Series
Location: Virtual
Cost: $350
Application Deadline: July 1
Program Dates: August 9 – 30
Eligibility: High school students
New York University’s Stern School of Business offers a nine-part webinar series that gives high school students an overview of different business fields with input from industry professionals. It provides a solid introduction for students interested in developing leadership skills within a business context. The sessions are led by the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and cover topics such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and management across various industries, including fashion, sports, and entertainment. This series is designed to help you explore various business career options and offers a certificate upon completion.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – NYU