Participating in academic summer programs as a high schooler is a great way to learn more about subjects you’re interested in. These programs allow you to gain an advanced level of knowledge, connect with professionals in the field, and tackle complex hands-on projects. These summer programs are offered in fields ranging from chemistry to neuroscience, philosophy, the performing arts, business, and more.
Whether you are looking for an internship, a pre-college program, or a research experience, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are the 14 best summer programs for high school students available in San Jose in 2024-2025:
Subject Areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History
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, while 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) are eligible. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon's research program offers students the chance to work with top scholars on a university-level research paper in fields like data science, political theory, and neuroscience. Using advanced tools like SPSS for data analysis, you'll conduct original research and develop a project that can be submitted for publication.
Once you select a particular subject track and the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university who acts as a mentor 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.
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 and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Finance, Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks research program)
- $6,900 for both the AI Scholars and Fellowship program
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. The Winter cohort application deadline is October 20, 2024. Apply here!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Veritas AI offers students a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence through hands-on projects and expert mentorship. The program is founded and led by Harvard graduate students. In the AI Scholars Program, a 10-week boot camp, you'll learn the fundamentals of AI, develop machine learning models, and work with tools like Python, TensorFlow, and Keras to create your own AI systems. For a more advanced experience, the AI Fellowship spans 12–15 weeks and provides personalized mentorship from PhD candidates, allowing you to focus on an individual research project. Both programs culminate in a final project that can be submitted to competitions or research journals.
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!
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. Participants engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation and also receive personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills. Each intern is paired with a research manager and a Ladder coach for mentorship throughout the program.
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.
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 Young Founder’s Lab is a startup bootcamp founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, designed to help students build revenue-generating startups that solve real-world problems. You will be mentored by entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, gaining valuable industry insights. In addition to developing your startup, the program includes interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. This hands-on experience equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to launch and grow your own business.
Subject Areas: STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available
- Individual Research Program: $2,990 (12 weeks)
- Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900 (16-20 weeks)
Application Deadline: Application deadline varies depending on the cohort. The Winter cohort application deadline is November 24, 2024. Apply here!
Program Dates: The summer cohort typically runs from June to August. Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA are eligible to apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a personalized, mentor-driven experience where high school students work one-on-one with PhD mentors to conduct research in fields like Biology, Physics, Neuroscience, Environmental Science, and Computer Science. Throughout the program, you’ll develop a full research paper, gain hands-on experience with tools like R, SPSS, and Python, and master research methodologies. Topics covered range from molecular biology to artificial intelligence, with a focus on data analysis, coding, and scientific writing. Ideal for students looking to deepen their research skills before applying to internships or college programs, Lumiere provides an excellent foundation for exploring scientific research.
Subject area: Biological Sciences, Medicine
Application deadline: February 22, 2025
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and live in the United States
Program dates: June 9 – July 31, 2025
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (About 22 miles from San Jose)
Stipend: $500 – $1,500
This highly selective program offers high school students an 8-week summer research internship at Stanford. You will get to take part in research under 1-on-1 mentorship in one of the eight available areas of research—immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, and bioinformatics. You can expect to learn about research methods, data analysis, scientific communication, and more.
Subject area: Engineering
Application deadline: March 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors. Students from underrepresented groups and low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Three sessions were offered in 2024:
- Session 1: July 14 – 18, 2024
- Session 2: July 21 – 25, 2024
- Session 3 (for advanced students): July 28 – August 1, 2024
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA (3 miles from San Jose)
Cost: Free
A fully funded program, the Summer Engineering Seminar at Santa Clara University aims to give you a thorough introduction to college-level engineering through a five-day residential program. You will learn about the various subjects within the field, such as bioengineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and civil, sustainable, and environmental engineering. The program’s schedule includes workshops, practical engineering projects, and recreational activities. Preference is given to sophomores.
Subject Area: Healthcare Administration
Application Deadline: No information available. Applications open on November 18, 2024
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16-19 who have a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area. Students must also provide proof of eligibility to legally work in the U.S.
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Location: Multiple locations are available, including San Jose Medical Center, San Jose, CA. You can see all locations here
Stipend: $23/hour
Kaiser Permanente is a reputed organization in the healthcare sector, and its internship offers high schoolers insight into a career in healthcare support. As an intern, you will be assigned to a department like nursing, internal medicine, administration, or patient care services. Along with exposure to the inner workings of a health center, you will also attend weekly workshops for skill building and network with peers and mentors in the industry. Note that this is not a medical internship, and you will not be conducting medical procedures.
Subject Area: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Programming, Artificial Intelligence
Application Deadline: January 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are eligible for the Pell Grant, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or lawful refugees
Program Dates: June 9 – July 7, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Stipend: $2,000 provided
A 4-week residential program, San Jose State University’s Tech Academy improves your knowledge of math, physics, programming, and artificial intelligence through enrichment activities. The curriculum also includes college prep and the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley professionals, which could be a huge benefit if you’re considering a career in tech. Additionally, if you are admitted to an SJSU computer science major, you could also be eligible for a scholarship and another enrichment program the summer before college.
Subject Area: Multiple (focus is on college preparation)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from the Yerba Buena and W.C. Overfelt high schools who are first-generation and low-income students. Participants must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.5
Program Dates: It is a six-week program, but the 2025 dates have not been announced
Location: Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, CA
Fee: Free
TRIO Upward Bound offers fundamental support in the process of college applications and enrollment for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program includes workshops, seminars, enrichment courses, and a one-week residential component where you experience life at university. Previous residentials have taken place at San Jose State University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Santa Cruz, Cal State East Bay, and San Fransisco State University.
Subject Area: Multiple
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who have a legal right to work in the U.S.
Program Dates: Varies, internships are offered throughout the calendar year
Location: Various locations in Santa Clara County, depends on the specific internship
Stipend: $18-22/hour
If you are looking to get some professional work experience in local government, consider Santa Clara County’s internship program. Aiming to improve your educational and professional development, the program matches you with internships in departments such as the Office of the District Attorney, the Public Health Department, and County of Santa Clara Parks. Internships are offered in various departments year-round. This program is a good opportunity for students interested in civic service and government administration.
Subject Area: Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering
Application Deadline: April 16, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (international students can apply as well)
Program Dates: June 18 – July 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Fee: $610 per unit
The Young Scholars Program offers rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn in actual college classes during Santa Clara University’s summer sessions. Courses like computer science, biological anthropology, and introduction to engineering laboratory are available, with each class comprising 1-5 units. Aside from the hands-on experiences and networking events, the program offers college credit. Note that students are responsible for their own transportation and housing.
Subject Area: Business, Accounting, Professional Services
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: High schoolers aged 16-18
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: CliftonLarsonAllen, San Jose, CA
Stipend: Students are paid a wage, but there is no information regarding the amount
Offered by one of the largest professional services and accounting firms in the U.S., this internship allows you to get hands-on experience by working on professional services projects and interacting with real clients. Through shadowing professionals and examining case studies, you will learn about accounting, tax, wealth management, consulting, and more.
Subject Area: Performing Arts
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High schoolers, college students, and young professionals
Program Dates: Based on the student’s availability
Location: San Jose Stage Company, San Jose, CA
Stipend: An hourly rate of minimum wage is provided
The San Jose Stage Company is a professional theatre company that offers internships in the field of performing arts. As an intern, you will be placed in a department such as sound, light, backstage support, management, marketing, or audience services. You will learn what it’s like to be in a professional work environment in the performing arts while connecting with the Bay Area’s theatre artists. Interns are also offered future stage management opportunities with the Actors Equity Association.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.