If you’re a high school student in New Hampshire looking to engage with a subject of your choice beyond the classroom, consider a summer program in the state! These programs focus on specific fields and offer immersive experiences that involve specialized coursework, hands-on projects, and collaborative activities. By participating in these programs, you’ll develop advanced skills that will be useful in your future academic endeavors.
Here’s our list of 13 summer programs in New Hampshire for high school students worth considering.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more. It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
Subject areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History, and more
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring 2025 cohort
Program dates:
- The winter seminar starts on December 2, 2024
- The spring seminar starts on March 3, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
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
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, established by Harvard graduates, offers two key programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on teamwork and practical AI applications, while the AI Fellowship pairs students with PhD mentors for personalized research guidance.
In the AI Fellowship, you'll explore how AI shapes industries like finance, healthcare, and gaming, with chances to publish or present your work. Past projects have included AI in medical diagnostics, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program is designed to help you build technical skills and apply AI to real-world challenges.
Subject areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship)
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship
- Need-based financial aid is available
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort. December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, designed by Harvard and Oxford researchers, gives high school students the opportunity to work closely with a PhD mentor on independent research. Throughout the program, you’ll receive guidance to craft a college-level research paper, with additional help from writing coaches.
You can select from a wide array of subjects, such as mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, astrophysics, and more. The program concludes with a symposium where you can present your research, and there is an opportunity for publication.
Subject areas: STEM, Social Science, Humanities
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Summer deadlines are usually in March, April, and May
Program dates: June to August (summer). Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
The University of New Hampshire’s HighTech Bound Internship is a paid summer program for rising high school seniors focused on developing advanced technical skills. Over four to six weeks, you’ll work with software and hardware used by companies like Apple and Cisco, guided by engineers at the UNH InterOperability Laboratory. You’ll collaborate on real-world projects, visit tech companies, and gain hands-on experience in network technologies. You can earn 0.5 high school credits, and you will earn a stipend for participation.
Subject areas: Network Technologies, Software Development, Hardware Integration
Cost: No cost. Interns will get a stipend
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Application deadline: February 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program dates: Four to six weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are U.S. residents
This weeklong program offers high school students an immersive experience in advanced fields like molecular dynamics, cryopreservation, or bioinformatics. In the Molecular Dynamics project, you’ll explore how molecules interact using computers and virtual reality, enhancing your understanding of molecular structures and dynamics. The Cryopreservation project focuses on freezing cells for regenerative medicine, covering key concepts like protein structure and properties of cells. The Bioinformatics project uses computer science to analyze biological data, including proteins, DNA, and genomes. This program helps you build advanced skills in molecular biology, chemistry, and computational techniques.
Subject areas: Molecular Dynamics, Cryopreservation, Bioinformatics, Regenerative Medicine
Cost: No cost
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Application deadline: TBA for 2025
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- July 15 – 19, 2024
- July 22 – 26, 2024
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
Interns are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in their cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Subject areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Medicine, Software Engineering, and more
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The Thomas More College Great Books Programs offer two-week sessions where high school students dive into classic texts from the Western tradition through Socratic discussions. You will explore philosophy, politics, and literature while enjoying excursions to places like the White Mountains and Boston. Two programs are offered: Great Books I focuses on political life, featuring readings from authors like Aristotle and Plato, and ends with a debate. Great Books II explores humanism and poetry, culminating in a Shakespearean play performance.
Subject areas: Philosophy, Literature, Politics
Cost: $275 (includes room, board, and books)
Location: The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Merrimack, NH
Application deadline: March 31, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
- June 23 – July 6, 2024
- July 14 – 27, 2024
Eligibility: High school students, with preference given to rising juniors and seniors
The Debate Institute at Dartmouth helps participants sharpen their skills in argumentation, strategy, and research. Over four weeks, you will immerse yourself in the world of policy debate, benefiting from personalized instruction in small classes and learning from coaches. DDI's curriculum is designed to refine debate techniques, foster critical thinking, and help you reach competitive excellence. You will research effective debate techniques through labs, where you’ll try out new strategies against peers before competing against the other labs in a tournament.
Subject areas: Debate
Cost: $6,800 (Need-based financial assistance is available)
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Application deadline: TBA for 2025
Program dates: July 7 – August 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, sophomores may be admitted on a case-by-case basis
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. You will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Subject Areas: Business, Entrepreneurship, Technology
Cost: The total cost to attend the 3-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple, year-round cohorts. December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 for the upcoming Winter cohort
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 24, 2024 for the Winter cohort. You can access the application link here!
The New England College’s Summer Art program is a two-week pre-college studio art course for aspiring artists. This program focuses on exploring various artistic styles and building a strong portfolio while fostering a community of mutual respect and support. With class sizes capped at 10 students, you will receive personalized attention from experienced faculty, including practicing artists. You will engage in innovative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking to ignite their creativity. Participants earn four college credits upon completion.
Subject areas: Visual Arts, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Creative Writing, Game Design, Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration
Cost: Commuter Program fee: $2,200; Resident Program fee: $3,200. Partial scholarships available
Location: New England College, Henniker, NH
Application deadline: TBA for 2025
Program dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 18
The Summer Youth Music School at the University of New Hampshire offers an enriching experience for high school musicians through its Senior Session. You will focus on your primary instrument or voice while engaging in various ensembles, including concert bands, orchestras, and jazz bands, guided by experienced faculty. You will benefit from masterclasses and group lessons and have opportunities for private lessons and small ensemble work. The session culminates in public performances, allowing you to showcase your talents at the end of the program.
Subject areas: Performing Arts, Music, Orchestra, Jazz
Cost: Commuter Program fee: $699, Resident Program fee: $899
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Application deadline: June 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program dates: July 18 – 27, 2025
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
The Writers Academy for Youth is a week-long program that provides a creative space where students are treated as writers and can improve their craft through daily writing exercises, peer reviews, and workshops. The program explores different genres and writing techniques, allowing you to find your unique voice as a writer. You will use writing prompts, receive personalized feedback, and connect with professional authors who share their experiences. Past writing exercises have included blackout poetry and writing 50-word pieces.
Subject areas: Creative Writing
Cost: $325/week
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Application deadline: Registration typically opens in February
Program dates: Multiple one-week sessions in June and July
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12
The STARS Theatre Academy at the University of New Hampshire is a comprehensive program that teaches students essential theatre skills, including acting, playwriting, technical theatre skills, and theatre etiquette. The academy helps build a strong foundation for future theatrical endeavors, such as advanced programs or productions. You will participate in hands-on classes and workshops, and your work will be showcased through a recording of the performances throughout the week.
Subject areas: Theatre Arts, Playwriting, Acting
Cost: $400 (includes lunch)
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Application deadline: June 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program dates: July 8 – 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-12 in the fall
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.