Want to make the most of your summer? Summer programs for high school students in Nashville, Tennessee, offer a fantastic opportunity to explore new fields, build essential skills, and connect with industry experts. Whether you’re interested in STEM, arts, business, or humanities, these programs combine practical learning, teamwork, and access to advanced resources.
Whether you're drawn to STEM, arts, business, or humanities, these programs help you gain technical expertise and critical thinking skills. By the end of the program, you'll have a deeper understanding of your chosen field, a portfolio to showcase your work, and a competitive edge for college applications and beyond!
Here’s a list of 14 Great Nashville summer programs for high school students:
14 Great Nashville Summer Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a trimester-long online initiative designed to provide high school students with an immersive college-level research experience. Under the mentorship of professors and doctoral researchers from globally renowned universities, you develop critical thinking, research, and academic writing skills. You’ll have the chance to explore diverse disciplines, from science and technology to the humanities, gaining in-depth knowledge and expertise across multiple areas..
Throughout the program, you engage in a structured curriculum that includes small group classes, personalized office hours, and focused writing clinics. You explore your chosen topics through guided discussions, independent research, and regular feedback from your mentors, culminating in a comprehensive 20-page research paper. By the program's end, you gain a strong foundation in research methodologies and produce a portfolio-worthy academic paper that will set you apart in college applications!
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher, typically in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks may have specific prerequisites.
Program Dates:
- Summer Seminar: June 24 – September 2, 2024
- Fall Seminar: October 23, 2024 – February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible; applications should be submitted at least four weeks in advance.
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Medicine, with opportunities to explore related fields such as biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology.
Cost: Program fees are available upon inquiry; financial aid options may be available.
Application Deadlines:
- Summer Cohort: May 21, 2024
- Fall Cohort: September 25, 2024
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct advanced research under the guidance of Ph.D. scholars from top global universities. Over a 12-week period, you work closely with your mentors to explore a topic of your choice, formulate research questions, and produce a high-quality academic paper. With a focus on critical thinking, independent inquiry, and academic writing, this program allows you to develop college-level research skills that will boost your academic profile and prepare you for further academic challenges.
With multiple program tracks, including the Individual Research Program, Premium Research & Publication Program, and Lumiere Research Fellowship, you can tailor your experience based on your goals. The curriculum spans a wide range of disciplines, including STEM, social sciences, and humanities, ensuring alignment with your interests. You also have the chance to earn post-baccalaureate credits from the University of California, San Diego Extended Studies upon completion.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record and a keen interest in medicine.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, with the upcoming Winter Cohort 2024 starting December 16, 2024.
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Medicine and related fields such as biology, neuroscience, and public health.
Cost: $2,800; financial aid available. Please visit the website for the most accurate information.
Application Deadlines:
- Winter Cohort 2024: November 24, 2024
- Spring Cohort 2025: February 9, 2025
Ladder Internships connects high school students with leading startups, offering an immersive experience in entrepreneurship and innovation. Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, the program bridges academic learning with real-world application. You’ll work on meaningful projects, gaining skills and confidence while exploring the startup world.
This 8-week online program requires 10-15 hours per week, with access to startup founders and teams. You'll work on personalized projects, receive professional development training, and get mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs. By the end, you’ll have developed practical skills, expanded your network, and gained insight into career opportunities in startups.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Program Dates: December 16 - 10 February, 2025
Location: Virtual
Subject Areas: Healthcare, Medicine, Health Technology
Cost: $1,990 program fee, with financial assistance available.
Application Deadlines: November 4, 2024
The AI Scholars Program by Veritas AI is an online course for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you’ll learn Python programming and explore concepts like regression, neural networks, and natural language processing.
The program focuses on hands-on learning, letting you code and create AI models independently. You’ll work in small groups on real-world projects, applying your knowledge and improving your problem-solving skills. The course also introduces AI’s role in academic research and offers guidance on showcasing AI experience in college applications. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of AI fundamentals and practical experience in data science projects.
Eligibility: Primarily for students in grades 9–12; exceptions made for middle school students with a coding background.
Program Dates: Offered year-round with multiple cohorts; specific dates available on the Veritas AI website.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application is encouraged due to limited spots per cohort.
Location: Online.
Subject Areas: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, Python programming, data science.
Cost: $2,290; need-based financial aid is available.
Young Founders Lab is an online program for high school students interested in entrepreneurship. You’ll work with others to create and launch startups. The program teaches business basics and gives you hands-on experience in developing products and growing a business. You’ll solve real-world problems, build Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and learn how to scale your startup.
The program is divided into three phases: Phase 1 covers startup fundamentals and business ideation, Phase 2 focuses on market research and MVP development, and Phase 3 is about launching and scaling your venture, including marketing and growth strategies. The experience ends with a Demo Day, where you pitch your startup to investors and receive feedback. Mentorship is provided by entrepreneurs with experience at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in entrepreneurship.
Program Dates: Team-based program runs from December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Individual program offers flexible start dates; the next cohort begins December 16, 2024.
Application Deadline: Regular deadline for both programs is November 24, 2024.
Location: Online.
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, business development, technology, marketing, and sales.
Cost: $2,900 for the 3-week team-based program; $3,500 for the 12-week individual program. Financial aid is available.
The High School Intern Summer Program by the Nashville Bar Association offers a paid internship opportunity for high school students interested in legal careers. You’ll work in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices across Metro Nashville, gaining real-world experience in the legal profession. Tasks include attending court hearings, assisting with legal research, and exploring the daily operations of legal practices.
Alongside work experience, you’ll participate in workshops and networking events to build communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Attorneys and legal professionals mentor you, providing guidance and inspiration for pursuing higher education and a career in law.
Eligibility: Open to diverse students who will graduate in 2024 and rising seniors graduating in 2025. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in the legal field.
Program Dates: June 7 – July 26, 2024.
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024.
Location: Various legal offices throughout Metro Nashville.
Subject Areas: Law, legal studies, and professional development.
Cost: This is a paid internship; participants will receive compensation ranging from $10 to $15 per hour.
The Aspirnaut™ Summer Research Internship program, hosted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, offers high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research. This six-week program is tailored to inspire students, particularly those from rural areas or underrepresented groups in STEM, to pursue careers in science and technology. You work full-time in state-of-the-art laboratories, focusing on research topics such as renal biology, diabetes, cancer, and regenerative medicine.
You are paired with mentors who guide your research projects, fostering skill development in laboratory techniques, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Beyond lab work, you also participate in weekly seminars and lab meetings.
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15 and above
Program Dates: June 1 – July 12, 2024.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2024.
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Biomedical research, including genetics, molecular biology, and engineering.
Cost: Participants receive a stipend of $2,000 for the six-week session; room and board are provided.
Vanderbilt Summer Academy (VSA) is designed for high-achieving students in grades 7–12, offering an opportunity to explore advanced subjects and expand intellectual horizons. Hosted by Vanderbilt University's Programs for Talented Youth, it allows you to learn about topics that match your academic interests and career goals.
You’ll choose courses across fields like science, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences, taught by Vanderbilt faculty and graduate students. The program helps you build foundational knowledge, sharpen problem-solving and analytical skills, and develop effective communication and prepare you for college and future career paths.
Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th graders
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July 2024, varying by grade level.
Application Deadline: January 7, 2024.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Various subjects, including science, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
Cost: Tuition varies by course length; financial aid is available.
The Discover Biomedical Research Program, hosted by Vanderbilt University, offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to biomedical research. This two-week program is designed to engage you in foundational scientific concepts and laboratory techniques, providing a platform for you if you are interested in pursuing careers in medical research.You receive hands-on training in basic lab skills and engage in stimulating discussions on STEM topics, including evidence-based decision-making, the impact of social media on science, community awareness, and academic science culture. The program is led by Vanderbilt biomedical graduate students who offer one-on-one mentoring, share their experiences in graduate school, and promote cultural awareness and inclusion in medical science.
Eligibility: 10th–12th graders aged 16 or older
Program Dates: June 10 – June 21, 2024
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Biomedical research and laboratory skills.
Cost: Free
The Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) program at Vanderbilt University offers rising seniors an intensive, six-week scientific research internship. You will work in a Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center research lab, conducting independent research under the guidance of faculty mentors.
You will gain firsthand experience in scientific research, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills relevant to STEM careers. Working alongside researchers, you will contribute to ongoing projects and understand the workings of a research lab.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors attending Stratford STEM, John Overton, or Hillsboro High School, participating in the Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program, and at least 16 years old at the program's start.
Program Dates: May 28 – July 3, 2024.
Application Deadline: Interested students should consult their ISR scientist for application details.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Various STEM disciplines, including biology, chemistry, engineering, and more.
Cost: Free
The Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts is a three-week residential program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro. It focuses on enhancing high school students' skills in music, visual art, theater, dance, and filmmaking.
You will receive instruction from experienced artists and faculty, attend daily classes and workshops, and engage in rehearsals and exhibitions. The program concludes with performances or displays of your work. You also earn college credit, gaining academic and artistic preparation for future opportunities.
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students residing in Tennessee
Program Dates: Typically held in June
Application Deadline: Applications are usually due in early January
Location: Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN.
Subject Areas: Music, visual art, theater, dance, and filmmaking.
Cost: The program is tuition-free
The Tennessee Governor’s School for the Sciences and Engineering (GSSE) is a four-week residential program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for high school juniors and seniors interested in STEM fields. You take core courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in the mornings, followed by elective classes like robotics, environmental science, or engineering in the afternoons. The program includes hands-on labs, collaborative projects, and problem-solving activities, helping you apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges while building critical thinking and technical skills.
In addition to the coursework, you also benefit from guest lectures by leading researchers and industry professionals.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending high school in Tennessee.
Program Dates: June 1–28, 2024.
Application Deadline: December 6, 2023.
Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
Subject Areas: Advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cost: The program offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships; students awarded partial scholarships will incur a participation fee.
Belmont University's Summer Science and Math Camps provide high school students with an immersive introduction to STEM through hands-on exploration and interactive learning. Each week-long program focuses on a specific scientific or mathematical discipline, such as data science, game design, applied physics, or neuroscience. Guided by Belmont’s faculty, you engage in college-level coursework that includes laboratory experiments, collaborative projects, and interactive lectures. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and above with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Program Dates: Various sessions offered between June and July
Application Deadline: Typically in May
Location: Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Data science, game design, physics, neuroscience, and more.
Cost: Approximately $425 per week, including lunch; financial assistance may be available.
The Nissan AERO (Accelerated Engineering Readiness Opportunity) Summer Program at Lipscomb University is a one-week program for students preparing for college-level engineering. You receive math instruction tailored to Calculus I readiness and apply mathematical concepts to solve engineering problems. Guided by Lipscomb faculty and industry experts, you build problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
The program also includes interactions with Nissan Automotive professionals and a tour of their manufacturing facility, offering insights into real-world engineering in the automotive sector.
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising seniors
Program Dates: Two sessions offered: July 22-27, 2024, and July 29-August 3, 2024.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; early submission is encouraged due to limited spots.
Location: Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN.
Subject Areas: Mathematics and engineering fundamentals.
Cost: $150, covering breakfast and lunch daily.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.