For high school students, summer college programs offer a chance to jump-start academic and career exploration. Not only do these programs provide hands-on experience and a taste of college life, but they can also enhance your college applications and point you toward your future profession. Whether you're looking to take college-level courses, develop leadership skills, or simply explore an interest, there’s something for every high school student in Phoenix.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 16 summer programs worth considering for high school students in Phoenix. These programs offer hands-on opportunities in areas like engineering, technology, and the arts.
16 Programs for High School Students in Phoenix for 2024-2025
Location: Virtual
Application Date: May 21, 2024, for the summer cohort, and September 25, 2024, for the fall cohort
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024
- Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
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 offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: AI, Machine Learning, Finance, Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks research program)
- $6,900 for both programs
- $9,400 for the AI Accelerator (30 weeks)
Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter cohort deadline: December 1, 2024. Apply here.
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to high school students. Applicants for the AI Fellowship should have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience in AI and Python.
Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students and offers programs that are geared toward high school students who want to build their foundations in data science and AI. The AI Scholars program provides a collaborative learning environment focused on AI applications across fields, while the AI Fellowship includes one-on-one mentorship with PhD experts for in-depth research projects. Through the Fellowship, you’ll explore AI’s impact in areas like finance, healthcare, gaming, and more with chances to publish or present your work. Past projects have included medical AI tools, educational apps, and gaming algorithms, giving students hands-on experience with real-world applications.
Subject Areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, AI, Healthcare, Software Engineering, and more
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Fully remote—accessible from anywhere
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; the deadline for the Winter cohort is November 24, 2024. Click here to apply.
Program Dates: Year-round cohorts, with the winter cohort starting on December 16, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit 10-20 hours per week over 8-12 weeks.
Ladder Internships offers high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with high-growth start-ups across industries like tech, AI, and health tech. Throughout the program, you work on real projects with guidance from experienced managers and a dedicated Ladder Coach, culminating in a presentation of your work.
You also receive personalized training in core skills and participate in group sessions with peers. Over the 8-week internship, you gain direct exposure to companies with successful funding backgrounds and influential founders, making it an ideal program for building experience in cutting-edge fields.
Subject Areas: Business and Entrepreneurship
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024
Dates: Varies by cohort; Winter cohort runs Dec 21, 2024–Jan 5, 2025
Cost: $2,900 (4 weeks) | $3,500 (12 weeks). Financial aid available
The Young Founders Lab, founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, is an immersive boot camp where you can take your business ideas from concept to launch. This startup-focused program helps you develop a revenue-generating business, either solo or in a team while working alongside founders from real companies like Fintech Launch and Fair Opportunity Project. Throughout the program, you'll dive into business essentials like ideation, market research, prototyping, growth strategies, and marketing, all with support from mentors and industry leaders. The experience wraps up with Demo Day, where you’ll showcase your startup to peers, mentors, and potential investors, marking a powerful first step into the entrepreneurial world.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3
Application Deadline: Winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024
Program Dates: The winter cohort typically begins around December 18
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks); $5,900 (16-20 weeks); $8,900 (6-12 months). Financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students a unique opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of PhD mentors. In this program, you’ll explore a topic of your choice in fields ranging from biology and data science to philosophy and social sciences, all while receiving personalized support to produce a college-level research paper. Writing coaches assist with each step of your paper, and the program wraps up with a research symposium where you can present your work and potentially get it published. For students passionate about a subject and eager to dive into academic research, Lumiere provides both the structure and mentorship to bring your ideas to life.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Cost: Free, with scholarships available
Application Deadline: February 14, 2025
Internship Dates: May 30-July 3, 2025
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old and enrolled full-time in high school
Subject Areas: Medicine, Neurology, Healthcare
The Barrow Neurological Institute, renowned as the largest center for neurological disease treatment and research, offers an exciting Summer High School Internship Program. This volunteer opportunity immerses you in a professional lab environment, where you can work with cutting-edge technology under expert mentorship.
You will not only master advanced scientific techniques but also enhance your skills in analyzing scientific literature and effectively communicating their research findings. The program deepens your understanding of biological principles, disease causes, and potential treatments.
Location: Mayo Clinic, Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, or virtual
Cost: Free, with a stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (tentative; applications will open in December 2024)
Internship Dates: TBA for 2025. Two options were available in 2024:
- In-Person Program: June 4 – 27, 2024 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays)
- Virtual Program: July 8 – 12, 2024 (Monday – Friday)
Eligibility: Open to Arizona high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Subject Areas: Medicine, STEM
The Mayo Clinic's CARES Program gives you an exciting opportunity to explore healthcare careers. As an Arizona high school student, you'll engage in hands-on activities in a hospital setting, connect with professionals, and gain mentorship that extends beyond the summer. During the program, you'll learn about the wide variety of careers in health care, establish connections, and discover the possibilities for your personal and professional journey.
The program also offers sessions on college prep, resume building, and interviewing skills, with a focus on supporting students from underserved communities.
Location: Arizona State University campus
Cost: Free; $1,800 stipend provided upon successful completion of the internship (interns are responsible for transportation costs)
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Internship Dates: May-July, 2025
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a high school in the Phoenix metro area
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, AI, Coding
In this research internship at Arizona State University, you will be paired with a PhD student who shares your specific research interests. Your mentor will guide you through various project options, whether you're interested in ongoing research or have ideas to explore and develop. Previous work has included comparing linting tools with ChatGPT for code reviews. Other projects involved creating secure finance bot simulations to identify vulnerabilities in Python and analyzing social media ad scams based on consumer demographics. At the end of the internship, you’ll showcase your research findings in a presentation.
Subject Areas: Biology
Program Dates: 6 weeks, mid-June to July
Cost: $6,000, with financial scholarships and tuition waivers available.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and one-year Arizona residents who have completed their junior year in high school, maintain a GPA of over 3.0, and have a strong interest in healthcare. The program especially encourages applications from students from underrepresented and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 summer program was February 1; TBD for 2025.
This six-week academic enrichment program is designed to deepen your understanding of healthcare careers and broaden your access to them. In this program, you’ll explore healthcare facilities and labs, attend engaging lectures on various health professions, and take introductory college courses in English, Math, and Chemistry, earning transferable credits along the way.
A plus - students will get to stay in Arizona University's Residential Hall, and have an immersive experience that blends academic learning with real-world healthcare exposure.
Subject Areas: Biology, Medicine
Location: College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
Program Dates: Residential Camp: June 1 to June 7, 2025
Day Camp: June 9-June 13, 2025
The Healthcare Team: June 16-20, 2025
Cost: Residential Camp: $500 (includes meals, room, and board)
Day Camp: $300 (includes meals, camp activities, scrubs)
The Healthcare Team: $250 (includes meals, camp activities, scrubs)
Eligibility: Available for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: March 2025
If you’re interested in healthcare and medicine, this program is a must-attend. It offers a dynamic mix of interactive workshops, medical simulations, and clinical rotations that provide an in-depth look into the medical field. You'll have the chance to get hands-on experience with suturing, CPR, anatomy labs, and patient simulations, equipping you with valuable practical skills.
The program also includes guest lectures from healthcare professionals, college readiness workshops, and insights into the medical school application process, ensuring you're well-prepared for a future in medicine.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Location: Online
Program Dates: Usually either in June or July
Cost: Free to attend
Eligibility: Open to Arizona high school students
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025. Get more information here.
The Colorado Plateau Center for Health Professions is a free, week-long virtual summer camp tailored for Arizona high school students. This engaging camp offers a glimpse into various health careers through hands-on activities like First Aid and CPR training, virtual tours of TGen, nurse simulations, and essential college preparation sessions. You will also connect with healthcare professionals and enjoy fun recreational activities like rock climbing and baseball games. This program is perfect for anyone interested in medicine, providing early career insights and practical training that can help shape your future career decisions and college readiness.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Program Dates: 8 days, typically at the end of June (based on previous schedules)
Cost: Free; students are responsible for their transportation to and from the Glendale campus in Arizona.
Eligibility: Open to all Arizona high school students
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025, usually around early April. For more information, visit the official site.
Midwestern University’s Glendale campus hosts a complimentary 8-day Health Careers Institute, designed for Arizona high school students interested in various healthcare fields such as Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dental Medicine. Here, you will have the opportunity to engage with faculty and students, gaining valuable insights and practical experience in healthcare careers.
Program Dates: June 1-6, 2025
Location: University of Arizona
Application Deadline: March 2, 2025
Cost: Free
Subject Areas: Business, Accounting
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
The Business Careers Awareness Program at the University of Arizona provides high school juniors from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to explore careers in accounting and business while experiencing college life at the University of Arizona (UA). You can choose between a day-long event or a week-long residential program, both facilitated by UA’s Eller College of Management Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy. This engaging experience will give you a glimpse into the world of business, helping you build connections and gain valuable insights into your future career.
Program Dates: June 8-14, 2025
Location: University of Arizona
Application Deadline: Generally in February
Cost: Free
Subject Areas: STEM
Eligibility: Current high school senior or junior attending a high school in Arizona
This summer program offers a great opportunity for rising Native American high school juniors and seniors, particularly those enrolled in or descended from AI/AN or Native Hawaiian tribes, interested in STEM. For one week, you will network with Indigenous professionals and take part in hands-on activities, such as building a computer and visiting Biosphere II. This immersive experience will help you develop valuable skills and kick off a year-long engagement, setting the stage for pursuing a STEM degree in college.
Program Dates: Between June-July, 2025. See the list of dates here.
Location: University of Arizona
Application Deadline: Usually in March
Cost: Residential camps: $750, Day Camps: $350. Financial aid is available.
Subject Area: STEM
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
The Summer Engineering Academy offers residential camps for high school students who are interested in engineering. In this program, you’ll have the chance to engage in hands-on projects and research while experiencing life as a Wildcat. You’ll collaborate with mentors and connect with peers who share your interests, all while exploring various engineering careers. Both day and residential options are available, making it a flexible choice for aspiring engineers.
Program Dates: June 9 - August 1, 2025
Stipend: High school interns earn $14.35 per hour.
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 9, 2025, eligible to work in the U.S., and graduates of an Arizona high school by that date.
Application Deadline: 5 February, 2025
Subject Area: STEM
The Helios Scholars at TGen program offers a research internship through the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in collaboration with the Helios Education Foundation. This immersive opportunity allows you to gain hands-on experience in biomedical research while working closely with leading scientists on projects in areas such as genomics, cancer biology, neurogenomics, and infectious diseases.
You will enhance your skills in inquiry, data analysis, and laboratory techniques, all while contributing to innovative research. Most scholars will work at TGen's headquarters in Phoenix, while others may intern at Translational Drug Development (TD2) on the Mayo Clinic campus in Scottsdale or in the Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.