Summer programs for high school students offer an opportunity to go beyond the classroom and explore areas of interest. These programs can help you develop advanced skills and gain hands-on experience in specific subjects. Whether it's conducting research in neuroscience, developing entrepreneurial ventures, or mastering coding and artificial intelligence, summer programs allow you to explore new fields.
Many of these opportunities let you work under the mentorship of industry experts and university professors, offering valuable insights into potential career paths. Furthermore, participating in summer programs can help you build meaningful connections, collaborate with like-minded peers, and produce projects or portfolios you can use to apply for future opportunities.
Below is a curated list of 7 summer programs for high school students in Baltimore:
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
Vary according to cohort:
- Winter: December 16, 2024 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Subject Areas: Data science, biology, chemistry, political theory, psychology, and more
Eligibility: High school students, typically in 10th or 11th grade, with a 3.67+ GPA. 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, public health and safety, social psychology, and medicine. It is one of the very 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 PhD 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. The program includes a letter of recommendation for every student, plus comprehensive feedback on projects that can assist with future work and college applications. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Duration: 10 sessions, 2.5 hours per session
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. June 9 – August 11, 2025 for the summer cohort (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The summer 2024 deadlines were:
- Early Admission: March 24, 2024
- Regular Admission 1: April 21, 2024
- Regular Admission 2: May 19, 2024
Subject Areas: Data science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, computer science, finance, medicine
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
Run by Harvard graduates, Veritas AI is a program designed to teach ambitious high school students about artificial intelligence. In the AI + Medicine program, you will learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. You will get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients in the larger context of public health and wellbeing. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Behavioral Health, Biomedical Research, Psychology
Eligibility: Open to Baltimore City public high school juniors and seniors who are underrepresented
Program Dates: June to August 2025 (exact dates to be announced).
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, East Baltimore Campus, MD
Cost: Free for selected participants; students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is an eight-week summer research program designed to provide Baltimore City public high school juniors and seniors with a hands-on introduction to neuroscience. You will delve into the complexities of brain science by conducting research projects under the mentorship of Johns Hopkins faculty, exploring topics such as neurodegenerative diseases, brain imaging, and behavioral health. You also gain firsthand experience in both laboratory and clinical environments, enhancing your technical skills and understanding of scientific methodologies.
The program incorporates weekly seminars and workshops, where you get to learn about scientific writing, data analysis, and effective presentation techniques. Clinical rotations with Johns Hopkins neurologists will expose you to the real-world applications of neuroscience research. You leave with a final presentation of your research findings and a deeper understanding of potential careers in medicine, psychology, and scientific research.
Subject Areas: Web Development, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Game Development, Digital Forensics, Python
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of Baltimore City
Program Dates: July 7 – August 8, 2025
Location: University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free; participants are paid a stipend of $15/hour
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
CodeWorks is a five-week summer program designed to empower Baltimore City residents aged 14 to 21 with hands-on experience in technology. This program places you in real-world projects where you collaborate with peers and industry professionals to develop essential tech skills. Areas of focus include web development, data science, cybersecurity, and game development.
CodeWorks is designed not only to teach technical skills but also to foster professional development. You learn project management, communication, and teamwork, which are vital for success in the tech industry. The program culminates in a showcase event, where you wil present your completed project, creating a portfolio that can be useful for college applications and job opportunities.
Subject Areas: Law, Professional Development
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Baltimore City public schools
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8, 2025
Location: Various law firms and legal agencies in Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free; participants receive a stipend of $15/hour
Application Deadline: April 5, 2025
The Law Links Internship Program provides Baltimore City public high school juniors and seniors with a summer experience in the legal field. This seven-week paid internship places you in law firms and law-related agencies, offering first-hand exposure to the daily operations of the legal profession. You will engage in meaningful legal work, gaining practical skills while exploring potential career paths within the field. A key program component is the Law & Leadership Institute, a 50-hour seminar held at the University of Maryland, aimed to give you an academic introduction to law.
Subject Areas: Business, Leadership, Nonprofits, Community Service
Location: Various U.S. cities, including Baltimore, MD; see the full list here
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing, authorized to work in the U.S., and permanently live in an eligible location
Program Dates/Duration: Varies according to internship, but typically 8 weeks in May – June, including one week of leadership training in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Cost: Free, includes travel and lodging in Washington, D.C.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to intern at nonprofit organizations across the country. The program combines work experience and leadership training, concluding in a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
The leadership summit allows you to network with nonprofit leaders and attend workshops on social impact. This eight-week program builds skills in community service and leadership with the goal of helping students create change in their communities.
Subject Areas: Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
Eligibility:
- High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in a Baltimore City public high school
- Achieved A's and B's in all math and science courses
- Sophomores should have completed two years of high school-level math
Program Dates: Summer 2025: 4 weeks, 20 hours per week
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: The program is free. Paid positions are available for U.S. citizens or those with work authorization; unpaid internships are offered for others
Application Deadline: Summer: March 2, 2025
The Whiting Internships in Science and Engineering (WISE) program offers Baltimore City public high school students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in STEM fields through paid research internships at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Designed to promote diversity in STEM, the program provides you with exposure to research in areas such as materials science, biomedical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering. You will work closely with JHU researchers, engaging in laboratory, computer, or field settings to conduct research that aligns with your academic interests and career goals.
In addition to hands-on research, you attend networking sessions, lab tours, and special events, including Design Day, where you can interact with professionals and peers. The program concludes with a presentation of your research findings, showcasing your work to the broader community.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.tes.