If you’re a high schooler looking for ways to explore a subject outside the classroom, consider a program or an internship! If you’re based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, you’re in luck! The city is home to a variety of academic institutions and organizations that provide high school students with opportunities to develop advanced skills and gain in-depth experience in specialized fields. Local programs (such as the ones below) for high school students often come with reduced costs and easy access, making them a financially sensible choice for students living in the area.
These programs range from immersive summer intensives and pre-college courses to internships and research mentorships. They focus on building specific technical skills, proficiency with subject-specific software, and real-world applications in fields like biomedical research, computer science, environmental science, and humanities.
Below is a list of 14 active programs for high school students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, including offerings from universities, research institutes, and community organizations.
14 Programs for High School Students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Year-round cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic records (recommended GPA of 3.3+)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students the opportunity to conduct independent STEM research under Ph.D.-level mentorship. You can choose your area of focus within biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, neuroscience, or a variety of other fields, and develop a personalized research project. The program includes writing workshops, exposure to advanced research methodologies, and individualized mentorship to refine your work. The program culminates in a publication-ready academic paper that highlights your research skills and subject expertise.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar 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. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. EXPLORE@UNC
Location: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Varies; $75 non-refundable deposit per session plus remaining balance; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: Session 1: June 23 – 27; Session 2: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Opens early December
Eligibility: Current 8th-11th graders
EXPLORE@UNC offers high school students a week-long immersive academic experience exploring diverse fields, including Biology, Peace, War, and Defense, Material Science & Engineering (June session), and Political Science, Public Policy, and Music (July session). You will develop subject-specific knowledge and critical thinking skills through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities. The program fosters intellectual growth in a multidisciplinary setting for motivated high school students.
4. Outset Medical Summer Camp
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: $2,950; Financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple 6-day sessions from June 8 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling; Early application recommended
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders interested in STEM and pre-med
Outset offers an immersive 1-week pre-college camp designed to give high school students hands-on experience in healthcare fields. Located on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, students learn directly from physicians, medical faculty, and M.D. students across specialty tracks such as family medicine, surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics, dentistry, pharmacy, and more. The program balances rigorous medical skills training and simulations with social activities to build community among future healthcare leaders.
5. UNC-Chapel Hill: Summer School for Rising High School Seniors
Location: UNC-Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Varies by course
Program Dates: Two sessions: Maymester/First Session and Second Session
Application Deadlines: Maymester/First Session: May 7; Second Session: June 11
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who have completed junior year; Must be honor roll students
This program allows rising high school seniors to enroll as Summer School Visitors at UNC-Chapel Hill, taking rigorous college-level courses during summer terms. You must submit transcripts, personal statements specifying course goals, and letters of recommendation. The accelerated courses demand strong commitment, with 90-minute daily sessions plus 3-4 hours of additional work. All course grades are included on official UNC transcripts.
6. The Chuck Stone Program for Diversity in Education and Media
Location: UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Campus, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – 25
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with an interest in journalism and diverse backgrounds
The Chuck Stone Program is a highly competitive and rigorous in-person summer workshop focused on multi-platform storytelling, reporting, newsroom practice, and professional development. The program honors Professor Chuck Stone’s legacy by emphasizing diversity in media. As a participant, you will receive mentorship and career preparation, with full financial support covering travel, housing, and meals.
7. Project Uplift
Location: UNC-Chapel Hill Campus, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: $50
Program Dates: Session 1: May 30; Session 2: June 6; Session 3: June 13
Application Deadline: January 15 – April 5
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Project Uplift provides high school seniors with an immersive, full-day experience on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus aimed at fostering meaningful engagement with the university community. You will attend large lectures and small seminars, engage with current students, faculty, and staff, and gain insights into the admissions and financial aid processes. The program also includes a parent panel discussing academic and campus resources. Project Uplift fosters connections with peers and provides a firsthand look at university life.
8. Health Careers Day On “The Hill”
Location: UNC Chapel Hill
Cost: $20 registration fee
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle and high school students across North Carolina
During Health Careers Day on “The Hill,” you will attend presentations by representatives from UNC’s health professional schools and the Duke Physician Assistant Program, gaining exposure to diverse healthcare careers. The event includes practical workshops such as Stop The Bleed training to develop emergency response skills. This program facilitates networking with healthcare professionals and prepares students for college and health career pathways.
9. Fusion Academy
Location: Fusion Academy, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Varies by program and enrollment status
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Eligibility: 6th-12th graders, especially those with learning, social, or emotional differences
Fusion Academy Chapel Hill provides a personalized 1-to-1 instructional model tailored to middle and high school students who learn differently or need individualized academic support. You will benefit from one-on-one classes with dedicated teachers, small group sessions, and self-directed digital learning with personalized assistance. The academy offers flexible scheduling to accommodate family lifestyles and daily feedback from instructors. Full-time and part-time enrollment options are available.
10. North Carolina Health Careers Initiative (NC-HCAP): HCIE Workshops
Location: Statewide, including Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Offered year-round
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12
The HCIE Workshop series offers interactive, hands-on sessions aimed at stimulating interest in health career professions among students in grades 5-12. Each two-hour workshop uses small group learning and cooperative activities to engage you in discussions about health careers, goal-setting, academic skill-building, and college preparation. Workshops cover topics like health career clusters, financial aid resources, and personal career planning.
11. Upward Bound
Location: UNC Campus and select high schools in Durham, Chatham, and Lee Counties
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Academic year and summer programming
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Talented, motivated 9th or 10th graders from eligible high schools in Durham, Chatham, and Lee County; Low-income families or first-generation college-bound; Minimum 2.5 GPA
Upward Bound at UNC-Chapel Hill is a competitive program that supports around 102 high school students. The program helps you build academic skills and motivation to succeed in secondary education and pursue a bachelor’s degree. You will engage in academic enrichment, college prep, and supportive mentoring. You must attend designated high schools and meet federal income and educational background guidelines.
12. Emerson Waldorf School Summer Camps
Location: Emerson Waldorf School, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: Varies by camp
Program Dates: Six weekly sessions throughout the summer; See here
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Children ages 4-18
Emerson Waldorf School offers specialty summer camps primarily outdoors, focusing on arts, crafts, fort-building, sports, farming, and nature exploration on its expansive campus. Camp sizes are intentionally small, with Childhood Magic camps capped at 10 children and theme camps for grade-schoolers limited to 12 participants to promote individualized attention. The program encourages active, healthy days, connecting campers with nature and hands-on creative activities.
13. Uplift PLUS
Location: UNC, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: $1,200 (includes $100 non-refundable deposit); Scholarships available
Program Dates: July 6 – July 19
Application Deadline: Apply via Project Uplift by April 5
Eligibility: NC residents who are accepted to Project Uplift; Rising high school seniors
Uplift PLUS is a comprehensive two-week residential program focused on academic enrichment and college preparedness for North Carolina residents participating in Project Uplift. You will live on campus while taking an essay writing course focused on drafting college admissions essays and engaging in leadership development and experiential learning. The program offers exposure to UNC campus resources, personalized mentoring with current Carolina students, and sessions with representatives from UNC Undergraduate Admissions.
14. iHEAL Overnight Healthcare Leadership Camp
Location: UNC Wilmington Campus + UNC-Chapel Hill
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Girls Camp: June 14 – 17; Co-Ed Camp: June 21 – 24
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders interested in healthcare careers
iHEAL (Interdisciplinary Health Education for Aspiring Leaders) is a free, immersive overnight camp that introduces rising 9th graders to healthcare career paths available in southeastern North Carolina, including at UNC Wilmington and UNC Chapel Hill. The program covers social determinants of health, academic preparation, and health leadership skills through hands-on simulations and interactive seminars. You will engage in evening activities like sessions led by guest speakers, campus tours, and team-building. iHEAL also offers ongoing alumni seminars during high school to continue healthcare learning and mentorship.
Image source – UNC, Chapel Hill, NC