Leadership is a skill that shows up everywhere: college applications, job interviews, group projects, and personal goals. Whether you’re planning to study business, STEM, the arts, or something else, being able to lead and work well with others can make a real difference. Starting early helps you build confidence and learn how to handle real responsibilities.
If you’re a high school student in Georgia, a summer leadership program can be a smart way to begin. Across the state, local universities, nonprofits, and city offices run programs that give you hands-on experience through workshops, group challenges, and expert sessions. You’ll build useful skills like public speaking, communication, teamwork, and planning. Choosing a program close to home also keeps costs low, since you won’t need to worry about travel or housing.
To help you find the right fit, here are 15 summer leadership programs for high school students in Georgia!
15 Summer Leadership Programs for High School Students in Georgia
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.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week online research program for high school students. You will work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research project in a subject of your choice. Available topics include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Throughout the program, you will go through the full research process. This includes developing a research question, reviewing existing studies, analyzing data or building arguments, and writing a final paper. Apply here.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is an online entrepreneurship program where high school students work in teams to build real startups. The program was created by Harvard students and includes live classes, workshops, and mentorship from professionals at companies like Google and Microsoft. You’ll work on identifying a business problem, developing a product or service, and creating a revenue model. The program includes brainstorming sessions, feedback from mentors, and pitch presentations. You’ll also learn basic business frameworks, leadership skills, and design thinking tools as part of the process. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Youth Government Leadership Program
Location: Milton, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: At least one spot each round is reserved for a Milton student in the Fulton County Schools; other spots are open to any Milton student in public or private school.
The Youth Government Leadership Program is a 12-week civic program for high school juniors and seniors in Milton. You’ll be matched with a city leader based on your interests and rotate through different departments in local government. The program includes leadership assessments, a community needs project, and a final presentation to city officials. You’ll learn how city policies are made and how public services are run.
4. 21st Century Leaders – EarthCare
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Program dates: June 8–June 13
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Georgia
EarthCare is a one-week residential summer program for high school students, held at Georgia College & State University. The program focuses on STEM and environmental topics through group projects, workshops, and site visits. You’ll stay in dorms, attend sessions on sustainability, clean energy, and environmental policy, and work with professionals from Georgia Power. The program also includes leadership training through teamwork and communication exercises. An in-person orientation is required in April before the program begins. Only 85 students are selected.
5. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Location: Various nonprofit organizations across Georgia; the summit takes place in Washington, D.C.
Cost: No cost; includes a paid internship and a fully funded trip to the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Program dates: 8 weeks during the summer, including the summit from July 21 – 26
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in one of the eligible locations
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program is an eight-week summer internship for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll work at a local nonprofit, such as Habitat for Humanity or Boys & Girls Clubs, where you’ll help with service projects and learn how nonprofits serve the community. The program also includes a national summit in Washington, D.C., where students from across the country meet to discuss leadership, policy, and civic issues. You’ll learn how businesses, governments, and nonprofits work together and get hands-on experience in community leadership.
6. Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program
Location: Cobb EMC Headquarters, Marietta, GA
Cost: No cost
Program dates: August 21 – February 12 (monthly sessions) | optional Washington, D.C. trip: June 12–19
Application deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors (including homeschooled students) whose primary residence is served by Cobb EMC
The Cobb EMC Youth Leadership Program is a six-month program for high school juniors interested in leadership and civic engagement. It runs from August to February and focuses on the electric cooperative industry. You’ll attend evening workshops on topics like public speaking, teamwork, and business operations. Top students move on to the Junior Youth Leadership Program. You’ll also be considered for college scholarships, a paid summer internship at Cobb EMC, and a spot on the Washington Youth Tour, a fully funded leadership trip to Washington, D.C.
7. 21st Century Leaders Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI)
Location: Emory University
Cost: $395 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: June 1 – 6
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school and live in the state of Georgia
The Summer Youth Leadership Institute is a residential program at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School for high school students in Georgia. The program focuses on leadership and business through workshops, group projects, and site visits. You’ll stay on campus, attend daily sessions on industries like finance, marketing, media, and entrepreneurship, and visit local companies. You will work in teams on business challenges and meet professionals and alumni from different fields. A spring orientation is also held before the summer session to help you prepare and meet your cohort.
8. Georgia Governor’s Honors Program
Location: Georgia Southern University, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 15 – July 12
Application deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors from Georgia
The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a four-week residential summer program for high-achieving high school sophomores and juniors. It takes place on a college campus and offers advanced instruction in academic subjects, fine arts, or career and technical areas. You’ll take classes in a field you’re nominated for, such as chemistry, visual arts, or agricultural science, while also joining evening activities that include workshops and social events. The focus is on learning, leadership, and critical thinking. You must be nominated by a teacher and go through a competitive selection process to join.
9. Statesboro Youth Connect (SYC)
Location: Statesboro, GA
Cost: Free. A stipend of $8.25 per hour is provided
Program dates: May 27 – end of June (5-week summer session)
Application deadline: March 24
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 10–12) living in Bulloch County or children of city employees
Statesboro Youth Connect is a five-week summer program for high school students that builds work-readiness skills through real-world experience. You’ll spend about 30 hours each week learning life skills, financial literacy, leadership, and job preparation while earning $8.25 per hour. The program includes training on civic engagement, diversity, and soft skills. You’ll also meet professionals from different city departments and community organizations. The structure is similar to an internship, combining hands-on work with guided learning.
10. Georgia State University College of the Arts’ Summer Leadership Institute
Location: Georgia State University, Atlanta
Cost: $90–$105 per student, depending on group size
Program dates: June 2 – June 3
Application deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school music students (primarily grades 9–12); must attend with an adult chaperone if under 18
Georgia State University’s Summer Leadership Institute is a two-day training program for high school student musicians. The program focuses on leadership in band, choir, and orchestra settings. You’ll attend large-group sessions and smaller workshops led by faculty and guest clinicians and learn skills like team coordination, communication, public speaking, and leading rehearsals. About 400 students from across the Southeast take part each year. The program is designed to help you prepare for leadership roles in your school music program.
11. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session (see UNITAR website)
Program dates: January Edition: January 6–February 1; April Edition: April 14–May 9; June Edition: June 9–July 4; August Edition: July 28–August 22
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
The United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme is a four-week online course run by UNITAR. It’s meant for high school or early college students who want to understand how the UN works and what international leadership looks like. Each week, you’ll go through self-paced lessons and join live sessions with UN experts. You’ll learn about the UN system, sustainable development goals, and global negotiations. There are also e-workshops and group discussions where you can share ideas with students from different countries. Only 30 students are accepted per session and if you complete the program, you’ll get a certificate from UNITAR.
12. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost:$1,365
Program dates: July 14–August 1
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to rising students in grade 10 to graduating grade 12
The Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) program is a summer business program for high school students. You’ll work in teams to solve business problems while learning from faculty, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals. Sessions cover marketing, business strategy, economics, and personal finance. You’ll also build a personal leadership plan called “My Enterprise, Inc.” and develop a venture idea to pitch at the end of the program. The focus is on learning how to lead, make decisions, and take initiative through hands-on projects.
13. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,528
Program dates: June 23–July 18
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
The Brown Leadership Institute is a summer program where high school students explore social justice and learn how to lead change in their communities. You can choose between a two-week on-campus program or a four-week online version. You’ll pick a course based on your interests, with topics like intercultural communication, leadership in sports, or law. Each course includes group discussions, case studies, and sessions where you plan a project to carry out at your school or in your community. Everyone who completes the program gets a certificate. Longer courses also include a performance report.
14. Babson Summer Study
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee (scholarships available)
Program dates: July 7–28
Application deadline: Early Bird: February 14 | Standard: March 14
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson Summer Study is a multi-week pre-college program where high school students explore entrepreneurship while earning four college credits. You’ll learn through Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action framework, focusing on business, leadership, and global challenges. You’ll work with faculty and mentors on a social impact project while building skills in business strategy, finance, and communication. The program includes speaker sessions with startup founders and business leaders.
15. Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE) at UCSD
Location: Virtual
Cost: $ 2,500
Program dates: July 7 – 25
Application deadline: First-come first first-served basis
Eligibility: Open to high school students (9th- 12th) with a minimum 3.3 GPA.
BRIDGE at UC San Diego is an online business program for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and leadership. You’ll take part in live Zoom sessions, case studies, and simulations to learn how startups grow and how business strategies are built. The course covers venture financing, business models, and user-focused growth. You’ll study real startups and learn how to turn an idea into a market-ready business. You’ll also practice building proposals that respond to social or economic problems.
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 – 21st Century Leaders