Winter break sits in an unusual spot. It’s short enough to feel like a pause but long enough to use with purpose. While many students take this time to reset, others are using it to build high-level skills through focused online programs. These programs are built to fit into a tight timeframe, usually one to three weeks, and let you work in fields that go beyond what’s taught in school.
You can learn to build AI models, write policy briefs, animate digital characters, analyze gene expression, or investigate startup strategies. Some courses lead you through business case studies or investment simulations, while others ask you to write research papers, design experiments, or code projects from scratch.
Why do an online winter program, and how is it different from a summer one?
Winter programs move fast. Since they’re short, there’s no time wasted on long intros or general content. You start working on real tasks right away, often with help from a mentor or instructor. You’ll follow a tight schedule and finish something concrete in just a few sessions, like a project, report, or presentation.
They’re also built to fit during the school year. Most courses are flexible, with recorded lessons or short live sessions, so you can work around school or family plans. Because the groups are usually small, it’s easier to ask questions, get feedback, and stay involved. The setup helps you build time management and accountability skills that are useful later in college or internships.
To get you started, here is a list of 15 online winter break programs for high school students!
15 Online Winter Break Programs for High School Students
1. Veritas AI’s Programs
Subject Areas: AI, Programming, Data Science, Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars costs $2,290, the AI Fellowship is $5,400, and the combined program (AI Scholars + AI Fellowship) is $6,900. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: Deadlines depend on the cohort.
Dates: The program offers multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the winter.
Eligibility: Any high school student can join the AI Scholars program. To do the AI Fellowship, you just need some basic Python knowledge or have finished the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. Designed by Harvard researchers, the programs are taught by faculty from schools like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll join ten sessions that cover core ideas in AI, data science, and machine learning. You’ll apply what you learn by working on real problems using real datasets.
If you already have experience with coding or AI, you can join the AI Fellowship. This track pairs you with a university mentor to build a focused AI project from the ground up. You’ll choose a topic, develop a method, and get help submitting your work to a high school research journal. Past students have used AI in projects related to climate, finance, and healthcare. You can check out past student projects here.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Subject Areas: History, Environmental Science, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Psychology, Business, International Relations, Economics, Data Science, Chemistry, Physics, and more
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort. Winter: December – February
Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.3 unweighted GPA (on a 4.0 scale) are encouraged to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the chance to do independent research in a range of fields with support from a PhD mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work with both a mentor and a writing coach to choose and develop your research topic. You will also attend workshops on research methods and work on an independent research paper.
You can explore areas like History, Environmental Science, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Psychology, Business, International Relations, Economics, Data Science, Chemistry, Gender Studies, Physics, and more. If none of the listed topics match your interests, you can also customize your research focus. You can find more details about how to apply here.
3. Cornell SCE Precollege Studies Summer/Winter Online Program
Subject Areas: History, Anthropology, Arts, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, and more.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Online courses are also available
Cost: Tuition is $1,840 per credit. Textbooks aren’t included in Cornell’s tuition, and some online courses may also have nonrefundable fees for required materials or supplies.
Application Deadline: December 2
Dates: The 3-week winter session runs from January 2 to January 18
Eligibility: Rising or current high school juniors and seniors ages 15 to 19
If you’re looking to earn college credit during winter break, Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education offers online pre-college courses for high school students. You can take one or more college-level classes and earn between 3 and 12 credits. After completing the program, you’ll receive an official Cornell transcript, which you may be able to use for credit at other colleges.
You can choose from over 100 courses in subjects like history, veterinary medicine, engineering, health, business, hospitality, and more. Courses run on Cornell’s Canvas platform and include communication through email, chats, discussion boards, video calls, and phone calls. Some classes meet live while others are recorded, so you can decide how to fit them into your schedule.
4. Research Scholars at UC San Diego
Subject Areas: Engineering, Medicine, Business Research, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, and Marine Science
Location: Offered online, hybrid, or in person at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: The cost ranges from $1,300 to $4,800, depending on the program and format you choose.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the slots are filled.
Dates: Programs are available year-round, including summer, fall, and winter sessions.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 who are at least 15 years old and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
UC San Diego’s Research Scholars program lets you work on real research projects in fields like Engineering in Medicine, Life Sciences, Business Research, Bioengineering, Marine Science, and Medicine. These online programs include lab work, data analysis, and technical tasks that help you build skills while exploring how research is done. You can join more than one track if the schedules don’t overlap.
In the Business Research track, for example, you’ll study how companies grow, how ideas turn into ventures, and how funding works. You’ll build a proposal and learn core economics skills while working on a team project. At the end, you’ll present your work at a poster session attended by scientists and professionals.
5. Ecampus at Oregon State University
Subject Areas: Biology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: The cost is $384 per credit, along with a $30 nonrefundable application fee and extra costs for books and supplies. You can calculate the total cost here.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by session. The deadline for the winter session is December 22.
Dates: Winter session runs from January 5 to March 20.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Oregon State University’s Ecampus gives you the option to take online college courses and earn credit while still in high school. You’ll apply as a nondegree-seeking student, which lets you take up to eight credits per term during the school year. These credits may later count toward a degree if you continue at Oregon State or transfer to another university. It’s also a chance to study subjects your high school might not offer.
Most classes are asynchronous, so you can work on them when it fits your schedule. You’ll still have deadlines for assignments, exams, and participation, but no required live sessions. You’ll be in classes alongside both high school and college students, choosing from over 100 courses in fields like computer science, psychology, anthropology, business, biology, and environmental sciences.
6. UMBC’s Pre-College Program – Winter Session
Subject Areas: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Leadership, and more.
Location: Winter Session courses are mostly online, but hybrid and on-campus options are also available.
Cost: The total cost ranges from $455 to $7,112, depending on how many credits you take and whether you’re a Maryland resident. There’s also a $50 non-refundable application fee.
Application Deadline: December 16
Dates: January 2 – January 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
UMBC’s Pre-College Program gives high school students the chance to take winter session courses and earn college credit while still in high school. If you meet the university’s qualifications for concurrent enrollment, you can apply as a non-degree-seeking student and enroll part-time.
You’ll choose from a wide variety of courses across subjects like STEM, humanities, and social sciences, with most credits eligible to transfer to UMBC or other colleges. The program offers both synchronous and asynchronous options. Synchronous courses meet at scheduled times, while asynchronous courses allow you to work through the material on your schedule.
7. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Understanding Your Money
Subject Areas: Economics, Financial Literacy, Money Management, Investments
Location: Virtual
Cost: $329
Application Deadline: Enrollment for the program is offered on a rolling basis.
Dates: The program is self-paced and typically takes about 13–15 hours to complete.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, including international applicants
UPenn’s Understanding Your Money is a self-paced online course designed for high school students, teaching key financial concepts like investing and money management. Through video lessons by Wharton faculty, readings, and interactive quizzes, you’ll build practical skills that can be applied in real-world financial situations.
The program, offered on the Wharton Online Learning platform, consists of four modules with 16 topic units and 55 lecture videos. It takes approximately 13 to 15 hours to complete. You’ll explore important topics like supply and demand, budgeting, retirement planning, risk vs. return, and asset allocation.
8. Interlochen’s Acting Techniques Certificate Program
Subject Areas: Acting, Scene Study, Monologues, Script Analysis, Improvisation
Location: Virtual
Cost: $799
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple four-week sessions are available. Winter I: January 12 – February 8; Winter II: February 17 – March 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The Acting Techniques Certificate Program offers three four-week courses for both teens and adults, with separate age groups for those under 18 and 18 and older. You can take the courses in any order: Monologues, Scene Study, and Improvisation.
In the Monologues course, you’ll break down scripts and develop strong characters for both stage and screen while learning basic acting techniques. You’ll also explore the history and methods of acting across different cultures.
The Scene Study course helps you analyze scripts, understand character motivations, and practice delivering dialogue. You’ll also work on using movement and staying engaged in performances. In the Improvisation course, you’ll focus on improv skills, applying them to scripted scenes to enhance your character development and performance abilities.
9. Internships at the American Psychological Association
Subject Areas: Psychology, Training, Education
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: There’s no cost to apply, and both paid and unpaid (for academic credit) internships are available.
Application Deadline: Varies based on the internship opportunity.
Dates: APA offers internships year-round—spring, summer, fall, and winter—with dates depending on the specific opportunity.
Eligibility: To be eligible for an APA internship, you need to be able to work in the U.S. (verified through E-Verify), live in a state where APA is registered as an employer, and be enrolled at least part-time in school. If you’re under 18, you’ll also need to submit a D.C. Work Permit with your application.
The American Psychological Association (APA) offers remote internships year-round for students interested in psychology. These internships connect classroom learning with real-world tasks across departments like policy, research, communications, publishing, education, and operations. What you do depends on your placement.
You might research, write, support digital projects, or assist with planning and operations. You’ll report to a supervisor, complete assigned tasks, and take part in group activities like workshops and discussions.
10. Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program
Subject Areas: Psychology, Finance, Regenerative Medicine, and Biology
Location: Virtual
Cost: The program costs $1,795, and need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multi-length courses are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program gives you the chance to study college-level topics on your schedule. You can choose from subjects like Psychology, Regenerative Medicine, Finance, or Biology, and learn through videos, activities, and assignments from wherever you are. A mentor will be assigned to guide you, answer your questions, and give feedback throughout the course.
Each course takes around 20 to 30 hours to complete and ends with a final capstone project. You’ll work through lessons using interactive tools like simulations and curated content, while your mentor helps you stay on track. Once finished, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion from Dartmouth that can strengthen your college applications.
11. Interlochen’s Digital Animation Studies Certificate Program
Subject Areas: Digital Animation
Location: Virtual
Cost: $799
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Multiple four-week sessions are available. Winter I: January 12 – February 8; Winter II: February 17 – March 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The Digital Animation Studies Certificate Program offers three four-week online courses for students under 18 and adults, with separate groups based on age. You can take the courses in any order: Digital Animation 101, Designing Animated Characters, and Expressions and Movement. In Digital Animation 101, you’ll study core animation principles and apply them to your short works. You’ll analyze existing animations, improve observation, and learn how mood and timing affect scenes.
Designing Animated Characters focuses on how shape, silhouette, and color influence character design and expression. In Expressions and Movement, you’ll build storytelling skills through body language and facial animation. After completing the program, you’ll earn high school credit and receive an Interlochen credential that can support your college applications.
12. EnergyMag Research Internship
Subject Areas: Market Research, Technology, Renewable Energy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: There’s no cost to join the program, but the internships are unpaid.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Two options: Summer half-time (2–8 weeks, 20 hrs/week) or year-round quarter-time (1–9 months, 8 hrs/week).
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least one honors science or honors English course completed and a minimum GPA of 3.25
EnergyMag offers remote research internships for high school and college students interested in renewable energy. As a winter intern, you can choose a quarter-time option that gives you scheduling flexibility while gaining experience in research and analysis.
You’ll focus on a specific technology, company, or market within the renewable energy sector. Your work will involve gathering sources, reviewing data, conducting outreach, and writing a structured report. A mentor will guide you through editing and formatting. If your piece meets publishing standards, it will appear on the EnergyMag site with your byline, and you’ll receive a Letter of Accomplishment recognizing your work.
13. Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Programs
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Journalism and Media, Psychology, and more.
Location: Virtual
Cost: The cost is $1,795 for enrichment courses and $3,995 for college credit courses. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Courses of varying lengths are offered year-round.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 13 years old
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Programs are designed for high school students who want to explore new subjects and earn recognition for academic work before college. You can choose between two formats: shorter enrichment courses or longer, credit-bearing college courses. Both can be done remotely and on your schedule.
Enrichment courses involve 20 to 30 hours of content, while credit courses include about 130 hours of structured academic work. You’ll engage with interactive materials, simulations, and assignments, with guidance from a mentor or teaching assistant. Course topics range from Cybersecurity and Psychology to Journalism, Law, and Medical Research. Each course ends with a Final Capstone Project where you apply what you’ve learned.
14. Rising Researchers Camps
Subject Areas: Biology, Programming, AI, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics Research, Microbiology, Public Health, Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease,
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,700
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Four-week camps are available year-round, with three winter sessions: two starting on December 16 and one starting on February 3.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Rising Researchers offers 4-week virtual camps throughout the year that focus on Bioinformatics and how AI and Machine Learning are used in research. You’ll learn to work with tools like GEO2R, ShinyGo, SR Plot, and DAVID, and access databases such as KEGG and GO. Research topics often connect biology with public health, like how environmental or social factors affect heart health.
Each camp is led by a mentor who guides a small group of students through live Zoom sessions that run for 75 to 90 minutes. By the end, you’ll complete a research paper, design a poster presentation, and receive a certificate. Your research will be published online with a shareable, citable link.
15. University of Rochester’s Pre-College Online Medicine Courses for High School Students
Subject Areas: Medicine, Biomedical Research, Engineering
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions are offered year-round
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 13 years old
The University of Rochester’s Pre-College Online Program gives high school students a chance to explore medicine through flexible, self-paced courses. Designed by Rochester faculty, each course includes video lectures, interactive activities, and support from a mentor who answers questions and provides feedback.
Topics cover areas like genetics and how it helps identify and treat conditions such as bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, and addiction. Other courses look at orthopedic problems or innovations like artificial limbs and medical implants. You can complete each course on your schedule. At the end, you’ll work on a final project to apply what you’ve learned. When you finish, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Rochester.
Image source – University of Rochester