Participating in academic summer programs as a high schooler is a great way to learn more about subjects you’re interested in. These programs allow you to gain an advanced level of knowledge, connect with professionals in the field, and tackle complex hands-on projects. These summer programs are offered in fields ranging from chemistry to neuroscience, philosophy, the performing arts, business, and more. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Whether you are looking for an internship, a pre-college program, or a research experience, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are the 11 best summer programs for high school students available in San Jose:
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Areas: STEM, Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Theory, History
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) are eligible. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon’s research program offers students the chance to work with top scholars on a university-level research paper in fields like data science, political theory, and neuroscience. Using advanced tools like SPSS for data analysis, you’ll conduct original research and develop a project that can be submitted for publication.
Once you select a particular subject track and the type of research you wish to carry out, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar from a reputed university 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.
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 and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
2. Internship at the San Jose Stage Company
Subject Area: Performing Arts
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High schoolers, college students, and young professionals
Program Dates: Based on the student’s availability
Location: San Jose Stage Company, San Jose, CA
Stipend: An hourly rate of minimum wage is provided
The San Jose Stage Company is a professional theatre company that offers internships in the field of performing arts. As an intern, you will be placed in a department such as sound, light, backstage support, management, marketing, or audience services. You will learn what it’s like to be in a professional work environment in the performing arts while connecting with the Bay Area’s theatre artists. Interns are also offered future stage management opportunities with the Actors Equity Association.
3. Ladder Internships
Subject areas: Technology, Business, Finance, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare and Medicine, Software Engineering, and more
Cost: $2,490 (Financial Aid Available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships, founded by Harvard alumni, connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide for virtual internships. Participants engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation and also receive personalized training in communication, time management, and other essential skills. Each intern is paired with a research manager and a Ladder coach for mentorship throughout the program.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company.
4. High School Internship Program at CliftonLarsenAllen
Subject Area: Business, Accounting, Professional Services
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: High schoolers aged 16-18
Program Dates: June 17 – July 19
Location: CliftonLarsonAllen, San Jose, CA
Stipend: Students are paid a wage, but there is no information regarding the amount
Offered by one of the largest professional services and accounting firms in the U.S., this internship allows you to get hands-on experience by working on professional services projects and interacting with real clients. Through shadowing professionals and examining case studies, you will learn about accounting, tax, wealth management, consulting, and more.
5. Santa Clara University’s Young Scholars Program
Subject Area: Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (international students can apply as well)
Program Dates: June 18 – July 26
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Fee: $610 per unit
The Young Scholars Program offers rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn in actual college classes during Santa Clara University’s summer sessions. Courses like computer science, biological anthropology, and introduction to engineering laboratory are available, with each class comprising 1-5 units. Aside from the hands-on experiences and networking events, the program offers college credit. Note that students are responsible for their own transportation and housing.
6. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Subject area: Biological Sciences, Medicine
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and live in the United States
Program dates: June 9 – July 31
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (About 22 miles from San Jose)
Stipend: $500 – $1,500
This highly selective program offers high school students an 8-week summer research internship at Stanford. You will get to take part in research under 1-on-1 mentorship in one of the eight available areas of research—immunology, neurobiology, cancer biology, genetics, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular biology, and bioinformatics. You can expect to learn about research methods, data analysis, scientific communication, and more.
7. Santa Clara University’s Summer Engineering Seminar
Subject area: Engineering
Application deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors. Students from underrepresented groups and low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Program Dates: Session 1: July 14 – 18 | Session 2: July 21 – 25 | Session 3 (for advanced students): July 28 – August 1
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA (3 miles from San Jose)
Cost: Free
A fully funded program, the Summer Engineering Seminar at Santa Clara University aims to give you a thorough introduction to college-level engineering through a five-day residential program. You will learn about the various subjects within the field, such as bioengineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and civil, sustainable, and environmental engineering. The program’s schedule includes workshops, practical engineering projects, and recreational activities. Preference is given to sophomores.
8. KP Launch High School Internship
Subject Area: Healthcare Administration
Application Deadline: No information available. Applications open on November 18
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16-19 who have a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area. Students must also provide proof of eligibility to legally work in the U.S.
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Location: Multiple locations are available, including San Jose Medical Center, San Jose, CA. You can see all locations here
Stipend: $23/hour
Kaiser Permanente is a reputed organization in the healthcare sector, and its internship offers high schoolers insight into a career in healthcare support. As an intern, you will be assigned to a department like nursing, internal medicine, administration, or patient care services. Along with exposure to the inner workings of a health center, you will also attend weekly workshops for skill building and network with peers and mentors in the industry. Note that this is not a medical internship, and you will not be conducting medical procedures.
9. San Jose State University’s Tech Academy
Subject Area: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Programming, Artificial Intelligence
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are eligible for the Pell Grant, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or lawful refugees
Program Dates: June 9 – July 7
Location: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Stipend: $2,000 provided
A 4-week residential program, San Jose State University’s Tech Academy improves your knowledge of math, physics, programming, and artificial intelligence through enrichment activities. The curriculum also includes college prep and the opportunity to meet Silicon Valley professionals, which could be a huge benefit if you’re considering a career in tech. Additionally, if you are admitted to an SJSU computer science major, you could also be eligible for a scholarship and another enrichment program the summer before college.
10. Evergreen Valley College’s TRIO Upward Bound
Subject Area: Multiple (focus is on college preparation)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from the Yerba Buena and W.C. Overfelt high schools who are first-generation and low-income students. Participants must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.5
Program Dates: It is a six-week program
Location: Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, CA
Fee: Free
TRIO Upward Bound offers fundamental support in the process of college applications and enrollment for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program includes workshops, seminars, enrichment courses, and a one-week residential component where you experience life at university. Previous residentials have taken place at San Jose State University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Santa Cruz, Cal State East Bay, and San Fransisco State University.
11. Student Internship Program at the County of Santa Clara
Subject Area: Multiple
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who have a legal right to work in the U.S.
Program Dates: Varies, internships are offered throughout the calendar year
Location: Various locations in Santa Clara County, depends on the specific internship
Stipend: $18-22/hour
If you are looking to get some professional work experience in local government, consider Santa Clara County’s internship program. Aiming to improve your educational and professional development, the program matches you with internships in departments such as the Office of the District Attorney, the Public Health Department, and County of Santa Clara Parks. Internships are offered in various departments year-round. This program is a good opportunity for students interested in civic service and government administration.
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