If you’re a high schooler interested in exploring a subject during a school year, an after-school program is the best option for you.
What are after school programs? Why should I apply as a high school student?
After-school programs give high school students the chance to dive deeper into subjects like neuroscience, policy, design, or creative writing. These programs are hosted after school hours (in the evenings), and are more flexible and hands-on than regular classes. They can help you develop real skills, explore possible college majors, and gain early exposure to academic or professional fields.
New York City is particularly rich in these opportunities. With access to leading universities, cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations, you can find programs that connect you with mentors, support meaningful projects, and offer specialized training in areas like research, coding, public service, and the arts. For NYC-based students, staying local also means avoiding the cost and logistics of travel while still tapping into high-quality programming.
Below, you’ll find 10 after-school programs for high school students in NYC that offer mentorship, academic depth, and real-world experience.
1. Girls Who Code Clubs (NYC & Virtual)
Location: Hybrid (NYC libraries, schools, community centers, or fully online)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round; typically meets 1–2 hours weekly
Application Deadline: Rolling; clubs recruit continuously
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 (Clubs also available to younger students)
Girls Who Code Clubs give you the chance to discover coding in a fun, supportive community. In these free after-school sessions, you’ll dive into hands-on projects that teach programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. You can work with other students to design tech solutions for real-world challenges, building your confidence in problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. Led by trained facilitators, the clubs also provide mentorship and promote peer support within a gender-inclusive learning environment. The flexible model supports ongoing engagement throughout the school year.
2. Harlem Children Society (HCS) Research & Mentorship Program
Location: NYC-area labs and community sites
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend provided to participants
Program Dates: Starts with summer internship (June – August), followed by after-school research seminars during the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies annually (typically opens in early spring)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 8–12), especially from underserved or underrepresented communities
The Harlem Children Society (HCS) gives you the chance to step into real-world research while still in school. During the summer, you’ll work in labs at top NYC institutions like Columbia University, NYU, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, assisting scientists on projects in fields such as medicine, biology, and environmental science. You’ll learn how to design experiments, analyze data, and present your findings while being mentored by professionals who guide you through every step of the research process. Once the summer ends, your learning continues through after-school seminars and mentoring sessions held during the school year. These sessions help you sharpen your research communication, strengthen your college readiness, and connect with other young scientists. You’ll also get to share your work at community science fairs and outreach events.
3. DOROT Academic Year Teen Internship
Location: Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: October – December (Fall) | February – May (Spring)
Application Deadline: Fall deadline: October 20 (varies by semester)
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9–12
The DOROT Academic Year Teen Internship is an after-school community engagement program that lets you connect directly with older adults across Manhattan. You’ll spend your afternoons learning how to communicate across generations by helping seniors with technology, leading discussions, and planning small community events. Through this experience, you’ll strengthen your empathy, leadership, and problem-solving abilities while earning community service credit. It’s a chance to make a real impact, learn from others’ stories, and see how your efforts can brighten someone’s day.
4. Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s BEYOND ALBERT
Location: Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | $2,500 stipend
Program Dates: June 30 – August 22 (Summer) | September – May (After-school)
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Bronx high school students aged 16+ entering grades 11–12
The BEYOND ALBERT High School Research Program at Montefiore Einstein is a two-part program that gives you the chance to dive into real biomedical research while still in high school. During the summer, you’ll spend your days in research labs, attend seminars led by faculty, and design your own projects under expert guidance. Once the school year begins, you’ll continue to grow through weekly after-school sessions focused on data analysis, presentations, and exploring careers in medicine and science. With a $2,500 stipend, meal vouchers, and transportation support, the program makes it possible for you to access world-class research experiences.
5. Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) Youth Program
Location: GIAC, 301 W. Court St., Ithaca, NY
Cost: Most programs are free or low cost (varies by activity)
Program Dates: Year-round sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 9–12; some activities available for K–12)
The GIAC Youth Program offers after-school and weekend sessions that include tutoring, mentoring, college visits, and job-readiness workshops, along with sports, swimming, and outdoor field trips. Every activity is designed to help with growth, whether you’re building teamwork skills, exploring your creativity, or taking part in community projects that make a real difference. While less academically intensive than some others on this list, GIAC provides structured, consistent support, especially for students in the Ithaca City School District.
6. RockEDU’s Jumpstart Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipends available for students with financial need
Program Dates: February 27 – June 12 (After-school sessions) | June 23 – August 7 (Summer Science Research Program)
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors aged 16+
The RockEDU Jumpstart Program introduces students to laboratory research through weekly sessions hosted at The Rockefeller University. During the spring, students develop core scientific skills such as experimental design, data collection, and analysis in a university lab setting. Those who complete the academic-year component may be eligible for the Summer Science Research Program, where they join research teams exploring molecular biology, genetics, or biomedical topics. With mentorship from university researchers and a chance to present your work at a final symposium, Jumpstart gives you the full research experience.
7. City Art Lab
Location: City College of New York (CCNY), New York, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Once a week, mid-February – end of May
Application Deadline: Dates announced on the program website
Eligibility: High school students
The City Art Lab offers high school students weekly after-school instruction in visual arts, guided by graduate students in art education at CCNY. As part of this free after-school program, you’ll engage in studio-based projects using a range of materials and techniques while exploring themes such as identity, culture, and social justice. The program emphasizes collaborative art-making and concludes with a public exhibition of student work. Along the way, you’ll experience what college-level studio practice feels like and start building a portfolio that reflects your artistic voice. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is required.
8. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Virtual After-School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: November – May (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: October 15 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Public high school students in NYC’s five boroughs, especially those identifying as female or gender-expansive and attending low-income or Title I schools
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) Virtual After-School Program centers on debate, public speaking, and civic engagement. Meeting weekly, students participate in workshops focused on communication, advocacy, and emotional intelligence. The program is designed especially for young women and gender-expansive youth, creating a supportive space where you can build communication skills, emotional intelligence, and self-assurance. The curriculum emphasizes leadership through dialogue, with activities designed to develop confidence and self-expression in public settings.
9. CUNY Creative Arts Team (CAT) Youth Theatre
Location: The City University of New York (CUNY), Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Weekly after-school sessions, September – May
Application Deadline: Rolling (interviews held in early fall)
Eligibility: NYC high school students in grades 9–12
The CAT Youth Theatre, part of CUNY’s Creative Arts Team, offers the chance to collaborate with professional theatre artists and other teens to create and perform original productions. Guided by professional teaching artists, students meet weekly to explore social issues through drama and devise performances based on personal and community experiences. Final performances are staged for live audiences, giving participants a platform for public storytelling and social commentary.
10. Rocking the Boat (South Bronx Youth Program)
Location: Hunts Point, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid summer apprenticeships available
Program Dates: September – December and March – May (After-school sessions) | June 30 – August 14 (Summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by season; applications open to current and rising 9th–10th graders
Eligibility: Bronx-based students entering or currently in 9th–10th grade
Rocking the Boat combines hands-on learning with community-based environmental and technical education. In this hands-on after-school program, you’ll choose a track from tracks in boatbuilding, sailing and rowing, or environmental science. Each week, you’ll learn woodworking skills, water quality testing, or ecological restoration techniques. The program integrates STEM concepts with experiential learning, offering additional life skills training and access to college counseling. Eligible students may advance into paid summer roles, deepening both technical and leadership experience.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
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