If you’re a high school student in Sacramento looking to explore your academic interests or gain hands-on experience, summer is a great time to do it. Local programs and internships provide opportunities to delve deeper into subjects such as STEM, health, the humanities, and more.
These programs often include research projects, lab work, workshops, or mentorship, providing you with a sense of what college-level academics and real-world problem-solving entail. They can also help you clarify future goals, strengthen your college applications, and connect with professionals in your area of interest.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled 15 summer programs for high school students in Sacramento, CA! You can also check out our blog on free summer programs for high school students.
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
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. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon Academic offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, neuroscience, psychology, and more. You can choose to focus on either quantitative or qualitative research, depending on your interests. After selecting a subject track, you’ll be matched with a professor or Ph.D. researcher who will mentor you as you work on a 20-page research paper. The program also includes feedback on your project and a letter of recommendation to support future academic goals. Apply here!
3. California State Summer School for the Arts
Location: California State Summer School for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $4,830; scholarships available for California residents based on financial need.
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12
The CSSSA Visual Arts Program offers high school students a chance to enhance their artistic abilities through studio practice, discussions, and studying art history. You’ll take core classes such as figure drawing, design, and a seminar titled “Arts and Culture,” which features visiting artists. In addition, you can choose from a variety of studio electives, including ceramics, digital media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The program facilitates exploration across various mediums and assists in developing a more focused creative practice.
4. Sacramento State College of Continuing Education Summer Youth Academies
Location: California State University, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $330 per academy
Application Deadline: Open enrollment after March 1
Program Dates: Multiple week-long sessions between June and August.
Eligibility: Students entering 7-12 grades in the fall
Sacramento State’s Summer Youth Academies, run by the College of Continuing Education, are weekday programs for students in grades 7–12. They offer a chance to learn about various subjects and get a sense of the college environment. Each academy specializes in a particular field, like computer science, engineering, public safety, business, or arts, and offers activities guided by instructors and experts. Guest speakers from various industries also share their experiences, providing you with a glimpse into potential career paths.
5. UC Davis Summer Pre-College Programs
Location: University of California, Davis, CA (20 minutes from Sacramento)
Cost: $6,985 + a $100 application fee
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: Session 1: July 17 – 18 | Session 2: July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to seniors in high school
UC Davis offers two-week residential Pre-College Programs for high school students interested in exploring academic subjects in a college setting. Held on the UC Davis campus, these programs let you stay in dorms, meet other students, and learn from faculty in areas where the university has strong research programs. Each session focuses on a specific subject, allowing you to study that area in depth. The program also includes sessions with admissions staff to help you better understand the college application process.
6. Met Sacramento High School’s Internship Program
Location: Met Sacramento High School, Sacramento, CA
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: The program runs year-round (summer included) and typically aligns with the academic year.
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled at the Met Sacramento High School
The Met Sacramento High School offers an internship program that lets you gain real-world experience in a field you’re interested in. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you’ll take part in shadow days at local businesses or organizations, where you can observe and help out with daily tasks. If the placement is a good fit, it may develop into a longer-term internship that counts toward your elective credits. Most internships run for the school year, but the length can vary depending on the project and your availability. This program is only open to students currently enrolled at the Met Sacramento High School.
7. City of Sacramento’s Summer @ City Hall
Location: City Hall, Sacramento, CA
Cost: No cost, stipend of $500 provided
Application Deadline: April 19
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attending SCUSD, TRUSD, or NUSD high schools or residing within city limits.
Summer @ City Hall (S@CH) is a six-week program for Sacramento high school students interested in learning how local government works. You’ll take part in classroom sessions led by teachers and staff, covering topics related to civic engagement and youth involvement in public service. The program blends academic learning with real-world examples of how local decisions are made. If you complete the program, you may be eligible to earn five elective credits or community service hours, depending on your school district.
8. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local non-profit organizations in Sacramento, CA. You can check out the multiple locations available here.
Cost/Stipend: The program is free for accepted students. Pay usually ranges from $15 to $20 per hour, with possible housing stipends, transportation reimbursements, and other benefits.
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Program Dates: Internship dates vary by location but typically start soon after your school year ends. The program lasts 8 weeks and includes a week-long Leadership Summit in D.C. in July.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and permanently reside in one of the eligible locations.
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program offers high school juniors and seniors a paid, eight-week internship with local nonprofits, such as Boys and Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity. During the internship, you’ll work on projects that support your community while developing skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Along with the internship, you’ll participate in a national summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll explore how nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses collaborate to tackle social issues. Each local group consists of 2–5 students, and the program is highly competitive with a low acceptance rate.
9. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC Davis (30 minutes from Sacramento), UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz.
Cost: $44 application fee + $5,256 for the residential program. Includes housing, meals, trips, and support. Financial aid is available for California residents.
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1 (UCI, UCSD) | July 6 – August 2 (UCD, UCLA, UCSC)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 who excel in mathematics/science and are attending a California high school
COSMOS, the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science, is a summer program at UCSD where you can study different STEM subjects through hands-on courses and research. You’ll choose from areas like biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering based on your interests. During the program, you’ll work on an independent research project and have access to university labs, research equipment, and libraries to support your work. You’ll also live on campus while the program is in session.
10. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old with strong math and/or computer programming skills and/or experience with a healthcare project.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging provides a two-week virtual internship opportunity to learn about AI in healthcare. The program features lectures, mentorship, and collaborative research projects. You’ll gain insight into how AI tools are applied in medical research and practice. The internship also features Career Lunch and Learn sessions with guest speakers working in the field. Approximately 50 high school students, including freshmen, are selected each year to participate.
11. FACES for the Future Sacramento Program
Location: Local healthcare and community-based agencies in Sacramento, CA. You can check the FACES Sacramento Program partners here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Stipends may or may not be provided depending on the opportunity.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: This is a multi-year program and the exact dates vary depending on the internship opportunity.
Eligibility: Students of Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School and Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento, CA
FACES for the Future Sacramento is a multi-year program that supports students interested in healthcare careers through internships, workshops, academic help, and college preparation. You’ll complete clinical and non-clinical rotations with local healthcare and community organizations, working closely with supervisors who offer guidance and hands-on training. The program offers workshops and field trips to explore health professions, along with sessions on personal development topics such as communication, stress management, and self-advocacy. You’ll also get support with academics, career planning, and navigating college applications and financial aid.
12. ACS Project SEED Program
Location: Varies based on lab choice. Opportunities are available in Sacramento. Check here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,000 stipend
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: 8 – 10 weeks from June – August
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates, have completed one high school chemistry course, and preference is given to those with a family income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Project SEED has multiple methods of documenting eligibility that you can access here!
Project SEED offers an 8–10 week internship for students interested in chemistry to work on independent projects in local research labs. You’ll choose a project based on your interests and gain hands-on experience conducting experiments, writing reports, and presenting your work. Depending on your site, you may also participate in field trips, career panels, and campus tours. The program aims to support students from underrepresented communities and may offer opportunities to present at the American Chemical Society National Meeting.
13. Sacramento Shakespeare Festival High School Intern Program
Location: City Theatre at Sacramento City College, Sacramento, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Information about a stipend is not available.
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: June 1 – 28
Eligibility: Local high school students aged 13–18 years with a minimum 2.75 GPA
The Sacramento Shakespeare Festival’s High School Intern Program lets you work closely with local artists while gaining hands-on experience in Shakespeare performance and production. You’ll assist with Green Shows, which are short previews of the plays, and perform a shortened Shakespeare play during a showcase on the main stage. The program includes workshops on voice, movement, stage combat, and other theater skills. You’ll also learn about different aspects of theater production, such as set design and backstage work. College credit or community service hours may be available.
14. Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Summer Internship Program
Location: Sacramento, CA. Internships may take place in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; This is a paid internship. Compensation details are provided during the hiring process.
Application Deadline: May 3
Program Dates: 6 weeks between June – August.
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old with a minimum 2.5 GPA
The SMUD Summer Internship Program provides high school students with a paid, six-week internship opportunity. During this program, participants work on real projects and collaborate with professionals from various departments at Sacramento Municipal Utility District. This experience will provide you with a deeper understanding of the energy industry and its impact on the community. Before the internship, you’ll participate in mandatory unpaid work readiness sessions, video interviews, and a three-day paid preparation workshop in June. Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
15. JUMA YouthConnect Program
Location: Sacramento, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Information about a stipend is not available.
Dates: Multiple internship opportunities are available, with exact dates varying depending on the specific internship opportunity.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Applicants must be 16–24 years old from low-income households. Priority is given to those with experiences of homelessness, foster care, or juvenile/criminal justice involvement.
Juma’s YouthConnect Program helps high school students and young adults gain work experience by placing them in concession jobs at major sporting or entertainment venues. You’ll learn practical job skills while working. The program also offers financial education, career tours, and one-on-one mentorship to help you explore various career paths and develop a personalized career plan. You’ll receive training in money management and savings, along with access to additional job and education resources. Through the program, you can also connect with an alumni network for ongoing support.
Image source – The California State University