Leadership isn’t just about being the loudest voice in the room or holding a title. It’s about learning how to communicate clearly, work well with others, and make thoughtful decisions when it matters. Leadership programs give you the space to build these skills early through real experiences.
Why should you pursue a leadership program in California??
California is home to a wide range of leadership programs offered by universities, nonprofits, and civic organizations. These programs are designed to be hands-on and practical. You might find yourself leading a team during a challenge, presenting ideas, collaborating on a community initiative, or learning directly from mentors who have experience leading in the real world.
In this article, we have curated a list of 13 leadership programs for high school students in California. You can also check out our list of fall programs for high school students in California.
13 Leadership Programs for High School Students in California
1. American Red Cross’s Leadership Development Camp
Location: Pilgrim Pines Camp & Conference Center, Yucaipa, CA
Cost: $500; limited scholarships are available
Program dates: August 4 – 8
Application deadline: July 11
Eligibility: High school students residing in the Red Cross LA Region. Students must be registered as Red Cross Volunteers
The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp is an annual, youth camp that allows high school and college students to learn leadership skills over the course of five days. During the program, you will build confidence, public speaking skills, a sense of teamwork, emotional awareness, and your understanding of cultural differences. A unique feature of the program is that it is planned and run by high school students, college students, and young adults. This is also a good opportunity to build connections with peers from across the state.
2. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: The internship will take place at a local non-profit in the eligible areas and will be followed by a one-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend
Program dates: Varies with each internship, but it will take place during the summer months
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the USA
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program connects over 300 high school students to opportunities that offer work experience, skill-building, and leadership training. The program focuses on community service, and as a participant, you will be assigned to a paid internship with a local non-profit such as Habitat for Humanity. You will work 35 hours per week and learn about civic, social, and business leadership. The program culminates with a weeklong summit in Washington, DC, where you will see how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate for community well-being.
3. American Legion Auxiliary California Girls State
Location: Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 22 – 27
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year. Open to students who identify as female or gender non-conforming individuals
The ALA Girls State offers a week-long summer program for high school students to learn about politics, leadership, and how government bodies function. During the program, you and your peers will create a mock government by “electing” officials for various government bodies, being assigned to mock cities, and joining either the Federalist Party or the Nationalist Party. Through simulations and lessons, you will learn about civic engagement, consensus building, campaigning, voting processes, and more. You will also gain skills in public speaking, self-advocacy, and networking.
4. American Legion Boys State & Boys Nation
Location: Sacramento State University, Sacramento, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 20 – 26
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students
The American Legion Boys State & Boys Nation programs are intended to help young boys learn about government and civic leadership. Boys State programs are available in all US states, through which students learn how city, county, and state governments function by running mock governments. You will participate in activities such as legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, and more. Two delegates from each Boys State program will have the opportunity to attend Boys Nation, a week-long session in Washington, DC, where they will serve as senators.
5. I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders
Location: The program takes place in two locations: Crissy Field Center, San Francisco, CA and Canal Alliance, San Rafael, CA
Cost: Free; Students will be paid $310 per month
Program dates: October 18 – May 9. You are expected to attend sessions once a week and on three Saturdays of every month
Application deadline: September 23 (SF applicants) | September 30 (Marin applicants)
Eligibility: High school students attending San Francisco and Marin public schools
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy hosts the Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders program, designed for high school students to explore leadership, community, and social and environmental justice. The program combines community service, project-based learning, and outdoor adventures. Participants will organize community events, enjoy overnight camping trips, and participate in activities such as hiking and kayaking.
6. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership’s State Leadership Seminars
Location: Programs are available in LA as well as central, southern, and northern California
Cost: Not specified
Program dates: Varies with each location, but all the programs occur in June
Application deadline: December 12
Eligibility: High school sophomores
The State Leadership Seminar is a 3-4 day program during which high school students develop their leadership skills. The program operates through three phases, each focusing on a different aspect of leadership: personal leadership, group leadership, and service leadership. In the process, you will develop your confidence and public speaking skills, learn how to work with people, and learn how to create positive change. After the program, you will be challenged to apply your learnings by completing 100 hours of community service.
7. Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project’s Los Angeles Institute
Location: California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 27 – 29
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors who live in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles Institute is a three-day program for high school students that teaches leadership, public service, culture, and politics. Through the program, you will participate in a mock hearing, interact with lawmakers, and learn about the legislative process. You will also have the chance to meet with education, business, political, and community leaders. Additionally, the program includes college-preparation workshops that cover topics such as financial aid and the admissions process.
8. National Hispanic Institute’s Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session
Location: The program takes place in four locations: New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and New Jersey
Cost: $1,220 tuition (Colorado and Texas programs); $1,300 tuition (New Jersey program) + $25 application fee
Program dates: Varies with each location
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors who have a 3.2 GPA or higher
The Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session is an 8-day program for high school students interested in building leadership skills. The program uses a simulation of a high-stakes legislative session and involves training in public speaking, constituency development, time management, and policy writing. This immersive experience can help you understand the process of creating and managing large organizations. You will also go on a city excursion and attend sessions on college preparation.
9. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Online
Cost: $5,778
Program dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12 who are between the ages of 14-18
The Brown Leadership Institute teaches high school students about leadership in the context of social justice, focusing on how to promote real change at the local and global levels. While the in-person program takes place at Brown University, students in California can opt for the 4-week online program. You will focus on one of the available courses, which include topics like women and leadership, social entrepreneurship, art and social change, conflict transformation, educational equity, and more. During the program, you will practice a collaborative leadership model, attend 1-on-1 sessions with your instructor, and hone your active listening and public speaking skills. At the end of the program, you will develop an Action Plan — a project to apply what you have learned towards a pressing issue, which will be implemented in the year after the program ends.
10. Great American Leadership Program
Location: Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Cost: $1,999
Program dates: Not specified, but the program generally takes place in July
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Great American Leadership Program for High School Students is designed to empower high school students to become the next generation of leaders. You will develop leadership skills and explore American history and values through a combination of seminars, interactive challenges, group discussions, and workshops with guest speakers. The program features hands-on activities, including a crisis simulation where you’ll practice decision-making under pressure. You will also have access to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
11. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth’s High School Summer Entrepreneurship
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $6,292 (California residents) | $7,332 (Out-of-state residents)
Program dates: July 5 – 19 (Session 1) | July 19 – August 2 (Session 2)
Application deadline: March 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
UC Berkeley’s High School Summer Entrepreneurship is a two-week business program that includes a combination of classroom instruction, independent research, and group projects. The program offers an immersive experience into the process of building a startup, diving into topics like entrepreneur characteristics, marketing, finance, accounting, management, CSR, public speaking, and even game theory. By the end of two weeks, you and your team will have developed a complete business plan from scratch, which you will present during a competition. The previous winning teams have worked on ideas such as a sustainable plywood replacement or jewelry with emergency communication technology.
12. Cal State Fullerton’s Summer Leadership Institute
Location: California State University, Fullerton, CA
Cost: $999
Program dates: July 7 – 11
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
Cal State Fullerton’s Summer Leadership Institute is designed to train high school students with leadership tools and techniques that can be applied in the future. The program uses a combination of instructive and interactive elements, including workshops, group activities, and leadership exercises. The curriculum touches upon emotional intelligence, team building, public speaking, goal setting, innovation, networking, communication, and more. You will also learn about resume building and answering interview questions. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
13. USC Exploring Entrepreneurship Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost:, $11,570 tuition (Residents); $8,130 tuition (Commuters) + $85 application fee
Program dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: March 13 for international students, May 8 for domestic students
Eligibility: Students who have completed the 9th grade
USC’s Exploring Entrepreneurship Program allows high school students to get a hands-on experience in the fields of business and entrepreneurship. As a participant, you’ll engage directly in every step of building a business — assessing market trends, crafting value propositions, designing business models, developing a personal brand, and more. You will also go on field trips and meet venture capitalists and successful entrepreneurs. The program ends in a pitch competition where you will present your business idea.
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!
Image source – University of Southern California