Philosophy programs for high school students offer a structured way to engage with complex ideas, refine critical thinking skills, and develop strong analytical reasoning. Unlike research-focused initiatives that emphasize independent inquiry and academic publishing, these programs provide a foundation in philosophical methods, argumentation, and ethical reasoning.
Through paid philosophy programs, you will gain experience in evaluating different perspectives, constructing logical arguments, and participating in discussions on abstract topics. These programs are highly competitive as they only admit a limited amount of students based on academic merit, helping you improve your academic profile.
Here’s a list of 8 paid philosophy programs for high school students
1. 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 offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, philosophy, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
As part of the philosophy track(s), you can expect to take courses on topics such as the philosophy of mind, political theory, critical history, and more.
The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Summer Philosophy Camp
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12, ages 14–19.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until all spots are filled.
Dates: June 24–June 28
Cost: $125 per student, covering instruction, materials, and lunch. Full-ride scholarships are available for students with financial need.
VCU’s Summer Philosophy Camp, led by faculty from the university’s Department of Philosophy, provides high school students with a chance to explore philosophical ideas in an interactive and engaging setting. Throughout the camp, students participate in hands-on activities designed to introduce them to philosophical inquiry. These include interactive games, staged dialogues, group presentations, guest lectures, and even a philosophy-themed scavenger hunt.
The camp encourages students to think critically, challenge their perspectives, and engage in discussions with diverse perspectives. In 2024, the program centered on the theme The Meaning of Life, covers topics such as human existence, the possibility of an afterlife, and concepts of immortality.
3. Philosophy Camp at Oakland University
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until all spots are filled.
Dates: June 23-27
Cost: $600 (Overnight Camp). Need-based financial aid is available.
Oakland University’s Philosophy Camp offers high school students a weeklong immersive program designed to encourage philosophical inquiry and analytical thinking. Daily activities include reading assignments, structured discussions, interactive lectures, and group dialogues. In the evenings, students participate in hands-on exercises inspired by the Socratic method, such as campfire debates, philosophy-themed scavenger hunts, and even tree-climbing challenges. The camp prioritizes an interactive approach, encouraging students to think critically while engaging in thought-provoking conversations.
For 2024, the program focused on the theme of Nature, exploring questions about humanity’s relationship with the natural world, the distinction between natural and artificial environments, and what it means for something to have “nature.”
4. Philosophy Summer Camp at Portland State UniversityLocation: Online via Zoom
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
Application Deadline: July 25
Dates: July 27-August 9
Cost: $220. Full scholarships are available for students with financial need. All required materials are provided at no additional cost, and participants will have online access to resources from the Portland State University Library.
Portland State University’s Philosophy Summer Camp offers high school students an opportunity to enhance their critical thinking and academic writing skills in a highly interactive, discussion-based format. You will collaborate with university faculty on an independent project while exploring various philosophical topics, including environmental and animal ethics, the philosophy of science, and contemporary political issues.
Throughout the camp, students will work closely with professors, teaching assistants, and peers to research and develop a project on a philosophical issue of their choice. Past topics have included cancel culture, the role of corporate money in politics, postmodern art and authoritarianism, ethical responsibilities toward refugees, artificial intelligence, and the philosophy of artistic expression through slam poetry. In addition to project work, students will attend guest lectures by PSU faculty and earn four university credits for Introduction to Philosophy.
5. Question Everything Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Location: UMass Amherst campus, Amherst, MA
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors from Springfield and Holyoke, MA.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until all spots are filled.
Dates: July 13–August 2
Cost: Free for all accepted students. Participants will also earn 3 college credits.
The Question Everything program, hosted by the UMass Amherst Department of Philosophy, is a residential summer program designed to introduce high school students to major philosophical debates while offering a preview of college life.
The 2024 program focused on the theme of Freedom and Liberty, encouraging students to examine fundamental questions about individual rights, moral and legal freedoms, and government authority. Topics included the nature of inalienable rights, the limits of state power, whether children possess a right to liberty, and the moral justifications for incarceration. You will also explore connections between free will and personal freedoms.
Throughout the weekdays, students will attend engaging lectures led by UMass faculty, participate in interactive discussions, and take part in debates, role-playing exercises, and philosophy-themed activities.
6. The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp at Arizona State University
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12, including graduating 8th graders.
Application Deadline: May 30
Dates: June 10–June 14
Cost: $375, covering instruction, materials, lunches, and facilities. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp at Arizona State University is a weeklong program that allows high school students to engage in philosophical inquiry and critical discussion. Through interactive activities, structured debates, and faculty-led sessions, students will explore philosophical themes and develop their analytical reasoning skills.
The 2024 program focused on The Nature of the Self, prompting students to examine questions such as: What does it mean to have a self? What defines personal identity? Are our identities fixed or constantly evolving? What implications arise from these questions?
Throughout the week, students will engage with ASU graduate students and attend guest lectures from university faculty across multiple disciplines, including metaphysics, philosophy of mind, epistemology, ethics, social and political philosophy, and behavioral economics. In addition to exploring core philosophical concepts, participants will have the opportunity to experience an academic environment similar to college life.
7. Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp at Ohio State University
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, including rising freshmen.
Program Dates: Typically between June-July
Location: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Fee: $500. Need-based financial aid is available.
The Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp at Ohio State University provides high school students with an introduction to philosophy through interactive discussions and inquiry-based learning. Organized by the university’s Department of Philosophy, the camp is designed to encourage critical thinking and dialogue on philosophical questions. Participants will collaborate in structured discussions, explore complex ideas, and refine their reasoning skills in a supportive academic setting.
The camp is offered in two sessions, each focusing on a different theme:
- Session 1: Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence – This session examines questions about AI, including its ethical implications, decision-making capabilities, and potential risks to humanity. Students will explore the intersection of philosophy and technology while debating real-world challenges posed by AI.
- Session 2: Science, Faith, and Reality – This session delves into questions about the nature of knowledge, the limits of scientific inquiry, and the role of faith in rational thought. Students will discuss whether science can answer all questions, whether belief systems can be logically justified, and how different ways of understanding reality coexist.
The program focuses on a collaborative learning environment, helping students develop skills in logical reasoning, debate, and philosophical analysis.
Image source: Virginia Commonwealth University logo
