If you’re a high school student looking to make the most of your summer, joining a structured program can be a great way to explore your interests and build new skills. Without the pressure of regular schoolwork, summer is the perfect time to try something different—whether it’s diving into a subject you’re curious about, working on hands-on projects, or just getting a feel for what college-level learning is like.
In Miami, there are plenty of local opportunities to do just that. From universities and hospitals to arts centers and nonprofits, the city offers a wide range of summer programs for high school students across fields like science, business, medicine, and the arts. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 15 options worth exploring.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $8,144 for the commuter track, $9,532 for the residential track
Program dates: June 28 – July 18
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders
The University of Miami’s Summer Scholars Program is a three-week pre-college experience, where you can take college courses, learn from university faculty, and earn 6 college credits. A diverse range of courses is available, covering areas such as engineering, architecture, business, science, communication, media, and medicine. You can select two courses for the program. In addition to lectures, you’ll experience practical activities like lab work, field trips, group discussions, and sessions with guest speakers.
4. UM Academies
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $4,605 for the commuter track, $5,494 for the residential track
Program dates: June 28 – July 11
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
The University of Miami also offers a two-week, non-credit option that allows you to dive into a single university course. This one also offers residential and commuter tracks, although the course options are limited, allowing you to choose from the following: Shark Academy, Business Academy, Hurricane Academy, Spanish Immersion Academy, and Forensic Science Academy. Throughout the program, you’ll grasp essential concepts and tools of the field while participating in practical activities such as creating a business plan or examining evidence from a crime scene.
5. FIU’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 13 – August 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and graduating seniors who are at least 16 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship is an eight-week program that engages high school students in cardiovascular health research. The program has two components: curriculum time, featuring lectures, case studies, and workshops, and research time, which includes hands-on research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The research is largely interdisciplinary, with past students examining cardiovascular health alongside fields such as chemistry or mechanical engineering. You will end the program by submitting an abstract of your research and presenting your project at a symposium.
6. University of Miami’s JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Program dates: June 16 – August 8
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: All high school students
The University of Miami’s JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is a paid summer internship for high school students interested in the biological and computational sciences. As a participant, you’ll join an eight-week research program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. You’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and help with their research, providing a great opportunity for personalized mentorship. Previous students have also had the opportunity to work on a paper with their mentor and be listed as an author.
7. Miami Dade College’s MAGIC Summer Camp
Location: Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
Cost: $395 per week
Program dates:
- June 9 – 13 for Week 1 of Animation
- June 23 – 27 for Week 2 of Animation
- June 16 – 20 for Week 1 of Game Design
- July 7 – 11 for Week 2 of Game Design
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Middle and high school students between the ages of 14-19
Miami Dade College’s MAGIC Summer Camp is a summer program in Miami for high school students interested in animation and/or game development. These are project-based camps during which you will get hands-on experience working with industry-standard technology. You can select either the animation camp or the game design camp. The animation camp emphasizes 2D and character animation, teaching how to use Autodesk Maya. The game design camp covers both 2D and 3D game development, guiding you to create your own video game with Unity and programming skills.
8. Istituto Marangoni Miami’s Fashion Summer Camp
Location: Instituto Marangoni Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $2,500 for domestic students,; $3,000 for international students
Program dates:
- Session 1: June 2 – 13
- Session 2: June 16 – 27
- Session 3: June 30 – July 11
- Session 4: July 14 – 25
- Session 5: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: July 10
Eligibility: High school students aged 15 years and above
Istituto Marangoni Miami’s Fashion Summer Camp is a 2-week summer program for high school students interested in the fashion industry. The program covers all the basics of fashion, including design, styling, and business, while also helping you build a portfolio. In the process, you will learn about fashion drawing techniques, garment construction, textile selection, marketing strategies, branding essentials, digital communication, and more. Upon completing this program, you’ll earn college credit hours and receive a partial scholarship when applying to the Istituto Marangoni Miami for an undergraduate program.
9. University of Miami’s High School Student Research Trainee Program
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: Varies depending on placement
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years of age
The University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine provide this research program for high school students eager to explore research, especially within healthcare. As a research trainee, you will be paired with a researcher or professor, observe their work, and assist in their research. You will be assigned to a specific department where you’ll learn the research methodologies and techniques relevant to that field. The program includes plenty of hands-on experience, and you can expect to dedicate up to 20 hours per week.
10. Florida International University’s Upward Bound Math-Science
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: This is a year-round program
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th graders who will be first-generation college students, have an unweighted GPA of 3.3, and meet the Department of Education’s income requirements. Students must also attend one of the following high schools: North Miami, North Miami Beach, Miami Central, Miami Northwestern, Miami Norland, and Miami Carol City
Upward Bound Math-Science is a federally funded program that provides academic and personal development opportunities for high school students who are first-generation college students. The program aims to equip students with skills and knowledge necessary for careers in STEM. It accomplishes this through a mix of tutoring, college counseling, virtual tours, and test preparation. While this is a year-round program, it also includes a summer residential component during which you will live in dorms and take college classes.
11. ArtWorks: Internships in the Arts
Location: Lewis Arts Studio, Coral Gables, FL, or Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Cost: Free; you will be paid $14/hour for up to 180 hours of work
Program dates: 6 weeks from June to July
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old, live in Florida, and meet certain work eligibility requirements
Organized by a non-profit called Arts for Learning (A4L), ArtWorks is a paid internship for high school students interested in the arts. As an intern, you will work under the guidance of a professional artist and dive into a field of your choice. Internships are available in visual art, dance and theatre, music production, creative writing, animation, film, and architecture. Through the program, you will not only develop creative skills by making art but also gain an understanding of careers in the arts.
12. City of North Miami’s Youth Opportunity Board Summer Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations in Miami
Cost: Free; interns will be paid on an hourly basis, working up to 20 hours per week
Program dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years of age and residents of North Miami
The Youth Opportunity Board Summer Internship Program enables high school students to gain insight into the inner workings of local government. Positions are available in several departments, including economic development, finance, housing, IT, personnel, police, public works, risk management, and the offices of the mayor and council. You can expect to engage in hands-on work, assisting with clerical tasks, administrative work, research, event management, and more. Throughout the process, you will have the opportunity to observe and learn more about civic responsibility and local governance.
13. High School Summer Internship Program at FIU’s Center for Translational Science
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 9 – July 10
Application deadline: April 8
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who live and attend school in St. Lucie County
The Florida International University Center for Translational Science offers this 5-week internship for high school students interested in biomedical science. During the internship, you will work with a scientist and learn about various fields, including pulmonary vascular diseases, spinal cord injury, cancer, regenerative medicine, genomics, organic synthesis, and neuroscience. You will gain practical experience in the scientific research process by exploring hypotheses, performing experiments, analyzing data, and creating a scientific poster. Upon completing the program, you will receive a certificate and earn over 100 volunteer hours.
14. Miami Dade College’s Summer Youth Internship Program for Dual Enrollment
Location: Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend of $1,500
Program dates: July 1 – August 2
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, who are between the ages of 15-18, enrolled in a Miami Dade public school, and have a minimum 2.5 weighted high school GPA. You must also meet these eligibility requirements.
The Miami Dade College’s Summer Youth Internship Program for Dual Enrollment connects high school students with work opportunities in professional environments. The program begins with an online pre-internship course, after which you will be assigned to a business or organization. You will work in one of the available fields, such as computer information systems, engineering, business, hospitality, creativity, innovation, or technology. You will work for a total of 150 hours and earn dual enrollment credit at Miami Dade College at the end of the program. You can go through the FAQs here.
15. NSLC’s Miami Summer Programs
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $4,195 for the medicine program; $4,295 for the marine biology program
Program dates: Session 1: June 17 – 25 | Session 2: June 29 – July 7
Application deadline: NSLC accepts applications as long as space is available
Eligibility: All high school students
The National Student Leadership Conference offers immersive pre-college programs for high school students in Miami. The program offers two courses — medicine and healthcare, and marine biology, both of which include simulations, field trips, and networking sessions with field experts. The medicine program allows you to take on the role of a physician, learn surgical skills, diagnose patients, and go on field trips to medical institutions. The marine biology program explores underwater ecosystems and marine biodiversity through which you will design a conservation strategy, attend dissection workshops, and learn about fisheries management.
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 – University of Miami