History programs allow high school students to explore the complexities of the past, encouraging critical thinking, analytical writing, and a nuanced understanding of historical events and their implications. These programs often include examining primary sources, engaging in discussions about historiography, and crafting well-supported arguments. By participating in a history program, you can develop a deeper appreciation for historical inquiry and prepare for more advanced academic pursuits in history and related fields.
Here are 8 history programs high school students should consider in 2024–2025!
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, history, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more!
Horizon offers two history tracks: Critical History, which examines foundational concepts like objectivity, causality, and identity to analyze how historians interpret events and processes, and Ancient Greco-Roman History, which explores themes such as slavery, autonomy, and love in Greek and Roman civilizations, emphasizing the experiences of laborers, artisans, and slaves. Both courses encourage students to think critically about historical narratives and contexts.
Once you select a track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will mentor you throughout your research journey to create a 20-page research paper.
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary (History, Sociology, Physics, Neuroscience, Theoretical Mathematics, Behavioral Economics, and more)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: February 16, 2025 for the upcoming spring cohort, and May 18, 2025 for the summer cohort. Apply here!
Program Dates:
- Spring seminar — March 3, 2025 onwards
- Summer seminar — June 16, 2025 onwards
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to dive into advanced research across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines. Founded by scholars from Harvard and Oxford, the program is designed to help you explore challenging topics while building a strong foundation in research methods.
This highly selective online program, which recently admitted about 500 participants from a pool of over 4,000 applicants, pairs you with a PhD mentor who will guide you through producing a university-level research paper in history. If you’re considering applying, you can find the application form here.
Subject Areas: History, Economics, Sociology, STEM, including Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Science, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: December 29, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: Individual Research Program: 12 weeks | Premium Research & Publication Program: 16–20 weeks | Research Fellowship: 6–12 months
Eligibility: High school students, most accepted students have a GPA of over 3.3
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program offers a unique, paid summer research opportunity where you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor. As part of a select cohort of just 12 students, you’ll join one of the nation’s most competitive research programs, which focuses on intellectual growth and academic excellence.
For students interested in history, the 2024 program offered research opportunities in areas such as Modern American Politics, Conservatism, and Texas Sunbelt Political Culture — exploring the post-1945 political fusion of the South and West. Alongside your research, you’ll participate in seminars, discussions, and field trips designed to enrich your experience. This program is an ideal way to delve into advanced historical research while connecting with like-minded peers and mentors.
Subject Areas: History, Nutritional Sciences, Biology/Cellular & Microbiology, Computer Science, Neurobiology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: No cost. $750 stipend paid on the submission of a successful research project report
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: 17-year-old students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and graduate in 2024 or 2025
History plays a central role in TASS’s Critical Black Studies program, which examines the lives and cultures of people of African descent. While not exclusively focused on history, this interdisciplinary program explores how historical events intersect with literature, politics, and art, offering a well-rounded perspective on the experiences of African diasporic communities. With an acceptance rate of just 3–5%, TASS is one of the most prestigious programs in the humanities, providing a rigorous academic environment for those who want to understand history within broader social and cultural contexts.
Subject Areas: History, Political Science, Sociology, Cultural Studies
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: December 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 22 – July 26, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th graders who are between the ages of 15-18
If you’re eager to conduct advanced research with mentorship, the UCSB summer program is a fantastic opportunity. Among its many focus areas, history offers a platform for exploring compelling topics. For instance, one recent project examined “Food in Fascist Italy: How Mussolini’s Battle for Grain Shaped Women’s Social and Cultural Roles.”
During the six-week program, you’ll work closely with a mentor on a specialized research project while enrolling in two complementary courses. The Lecture Course guides you through crafting a research paper, while the Exploratory Course teaches you how to present your findings across various formats. Admission to the program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of just 4–6%.
Subject Areas: History, Anthropology, Geography, Mathematics, Music, Ecology, STEM, Psychology, Sociology, Computer Science, Environmental Policy, Media, Arts & Tech, and Statistics
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA (commuter and residential options available)
Cost: $5,175 for commuters and $12,474 for the residential program. Limited scholarships are available based on need and qualifications, with priority given to California residents
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students who have a minimum GPA of 3.8 (outstanding 9th graders accepted on a case-by-case basis)
Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers high school students a two-week immersion into college life on the university’s campus. As part of this experience, you’ll engage with a small group of peers in a college-level course guided by Ivy League instructors. With an average class size of 15, the program ensures an interactive learning environment.
For students interested in history, the 2024 program features courses such as Immigrants and the American State since 1882, American Histories of Witchcraft and the Supernatural, American Foreign Relations since 1898, and Slave Rebellions and Resistance. These courses allow you to explore fascinating historical topics while developing your analytical and critical thinking skills.
Subject Areas: History, Speech, Writing, Literature, Psychology, Medicine, Public Health, Law, Politics, Philosophy, Business, Leadership, Race, Gender, Ethics, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee (financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: February 12, 2025
Program Dates:
- Session I: June 22 – July 3, 2025
- Session II: July 6 – 18, 2025
- Session III: July 20 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; applicants must graduate from high school and enter college in 2026 or 2027, be at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2025
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute invites high school students to explore their interests in history and related fields through an in-depth, three-week program. Recent offerings have included courses such as Revolutions, Ancient Rome and Its Legacies, The American Enlightenment, Racial Identity in the American Imagination, and Who Owns the Past? African Museum Collections in the Bay Area. You can select up to three courses that match your interests.
In the program’s final week, you’ll collaborate with Stanford professors and graduate students to develop an original research project. While the program doesn’t offer grades or credit, it encourages you to engage deeply with texts, hone your academic writing skills, and present well-reasoned arguments in discussions, all within the intellectual community of Stanford’s humanities and social sciences.
Subject Areas: History, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy, and more
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $8,575; need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
Program Dates:
- June 22 – July 11, 2025
- July 13 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are not yet 18 years old
The Met High School Internship Program offers a paid opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors to explore the world of art, museums, and professional fields while gaining valuable work experience and networking with experts. For students interested in history, this program helps you explore connections between historical narratives and museum work. You’ll interact with professionals in the editorial department, education, conservation, and more, discovering how history informs and intersects with these fields. Whether you’re interested in curating exhibitions, preserving historical artifacts, or exploring cultural narratives, this internship allows you to learn from industry leaders while collaborating with peers.
Subject Areas: Art History, Cultural Studies, Curation, Conservation, and more
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend commensurate with New York State minimum wage law
Application Deadline: March 8, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Program Dates: June 22 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 who live or attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.