If you’re a high school student looking to explore a subject you’re interested in or try something new, local programs provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in professional settings based on your interests. If you’re based in Madison, several universities and organizations in Madison offer programs that go beyond what you typically learn in school. You’ll get to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations, network with mentors and peers, and study topics in more depth. These programs can also help you figure out potential career paths, build valuable skills, and learn directly from professionals in the field.
You may have the opportunity to experience college-level academics, work on team projects, gain practical experience, and even earn college credit, all while experiencing college life. Staying local can also help save on housing and travel costs. Such experiences can also enhance your college applications and future job prospects by showcasing your skills and experience with advanced material.
To help you explore your options, here’s a list of 15 programs in Madison, Wisconsin, for high school students. They cover a range of topics, including engineering, music, research, writing, leadership, art, and college preparation.
1. 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.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective | AI Scholars: 5:1 student/mentor ratio, AI Fellowship: 1:1 student/mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts run throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; the upcoming deadline for the fall cohort is August 31
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply to AI Scholars. Those with Python experience or who’ve completed AI Scholars can join the AI Fellowship program.
Veritas AI offers opportunities for students interested in exploring artificial intelligence. Started by Harvard researchers, the programs are led by instructors from top schools like MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session, beginner-friendly course where you’ll explore AI, machine learning, and data science through hands-on projects and real-world examples. If you’ve got some programming experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a more advanced option that you can consider. You’ll receive one-on-one mentorship from a university mentor to create a research project and get help preparing it for publication. You can see past student projects here.
3. Badger Pre-College Summer Arts Clinic
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (Commuter Program)
Cost: $850 tuition + $75 non-refundable application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 13 – July 19
Application Deadline: January 13 – May 15
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12
The Badger Pre-College Summer Arts Clinic is a commuter program for students who want to grow as artists, try new techniques, and learn from experienced educators and professionals from UW–Madison and beyond. You’ll connect with other creative students, explore college and career paths in the arts, and develop your own style while spending time on the UW–Madison campus. You can tailor your experience to your interests, whether that means focusing on a single area or exploring a mix. Courses include options like dance, theater, acting, costume design, technical theater, visual art, fashion design, and textiles. Each course includes both group instruction and hands-on practice, and you’ll get the chance to perform or show your work on the final day. Along the way, you’ll also get tips on building your college arts portfolio and learn more about the college application process while meeting fellow student-artists.
4. Badger Pre-College Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $4,500 (Domestic Students) | $2,750 (Commuter Students) | $4,950 (International Students) + $100 non-refundable application fee; limited financial aid and scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small class size
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: January 13 – May 1
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 9–12
The Badger Pre-College Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) is a three-week, non-credit course at UW–Madison that allows high school students to explore a subject in a focused environment. Courses cover a wide range of subjects, including Neuroscience, Microbiology, International Law and Policymaking, Forensic Science, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering Fundamentals and Design, Organic Chemistry, Civil Engineering, and more. You’ll start with a pre-assessment and get extra support from undergraduate assistants throughout the course. You’ll have morning and afternoon classes plus a study session after. You’ll participate in group activities and events as well as explore Madison. By the end, you’ll feel more prepared for college-level work and better at managing time and complex tasks.
5. ARISE Summer Cancer Research Internship Program
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Students earn $15 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 2 – February 21
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year and are at least 16 years old at the program’s start
The UW Carbone Cancer Center High School Cancer Research Internship, in partnership with UW–Madison, gives students hands-on experience in a real cancer research lab. The program has two main parts: enrichment activities and lab work. In the lab, you’ll be placed with a mentor, get training in lab skills, attend weekly lab meetings, meet with the Principal Investigator, help with ongoing research, and work on your own project. You’ll work 25 hours a week for 8 weeks, Monday through Friday, and share your research at the end of the program. Outside the lab, you’ll spend 3–5 hours a week on enrichment activities like career exploration, workshops on pathology, medical ethics, and science communication, as well as career panels and social events. You’ll also earn a UW Carbone Cancer Center Science Research Certificate.
6. Badger Summer Scholars
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $4,250 (Domestic Students) | $2,500 (Commuter Students) | $4,600 (International Students) + $100 non-refundable application fee; limited financial aid and scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small class size
Dates: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 13 – May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Badger Summer Scholars is a residential program that allows high school students to experience college life while exploring different academic interests. You’ll take classes taught by UW–Madison instructors, connect with staff and peers, and learn what it’s like to live and learn on a college campus. You’ll gain valuable insights into the college application process, financial aid, and campus life. Courses cover a variety of fields like STEM, veterinary and animal science, entrepreneurship, psychology, political science, policy, law, engineering, medicine, writing, and more, giving you a head start in thinking about your future major. Each weekday includes morning and afternoon class sessions, as well as a required study period. Once a week, you’ll join the Jump Forward series, which focuses on admissions and student life topics.
7. Summer Music Clinic | Senior Session
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $1,220 (Residential) | $840 (Commuter) | $1,350 (International Students) + $150 non-refundable fee + $75 additional registration fee
Cohort Size: Each course has limited enrollment, with 12 to 50 students per class
Dates: June 29 – July 5
Application Deadline: January 13 – May 15
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12, including recent high school graduates
The Summer Music Clinic’s Senior Session is a one-week program for high school students of all experience levels who want to make music, perform, create, and learn. Options include acting, band, choir, composition, conducting, dance, digital music, guitar, jazz, music history, music technology, musical theatre, orchestra, piano, strings, and music theory. Classes include both small and large group instruction, with plenty of opportunities for creativity and collaboration. You’ll be placed in performance groups through an in-person audition or conversation at the start of camp, ensuring the right level of challenge and support. Outside of class, you’ll join in activities like arts and crafts, games, and campus exploration while meeting students from across the country and the world. You’ll also get to hear live performances from professional musicians and educators.
8. College Ready @ Badger Precollege
Location: Virtual and in person at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $450 (online) | $650 (online plus overnight stay) + $75 non-refundable application fee; full and partial scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The staff-to-student ratio is 1:10
Dates: October 21 – November 15
Application Deadline: October 13
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9–12
College Ready @ Badger Precollege is a program for high school students designed to help them prepare for college. You’ll learn about admissions, financial aid, and different college paths while building useful skills for the application process. The online part of the program is interactive, focusing on helping you explore your options and determine which type of school might be right for you. Classes are held on Zoom and Canvas, with each 2-hour session featuring discussions, guest speakers, college planning activities, and opportunities for collaborative work. You’ll also have the chance to draft an admissions essay, build a college budget, and explore what student life is like. The program ends with an optional overnight experience on campus, where you’ll get to explore college life firsthand by attending classes, touring the campus, and experiencing student culture.
9. Edgewood University’s Cutting Edge Pre-College Program
Location: Edgewood University, Madison, WI
Cost: $895
Cohort Size: Maximum 20 students
Dates: July 9 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 6 – March 3
Eligibility: High school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aged 16–21, who are interested in attending college in the future
Edgewood University’s Cutting Edge Pre-College Program gives high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a chance to explore what college life is like, especially if they’re planning to attend college in the future. During the summer program, you’ll take part in classes focused on topics like community safety, employment, health and wellness, and how to succeed academically in college. You’ll also get to spend time exploring the Madison community. Throughout the program, you will learn about self-determination and goal setting, practice safety skills both on and off campus, make social connections with other students, talk about staying healthy while at college, and gain a better understanding of your legal rights when it comes to accommodations.
10. Madison Area Technical College’s Youth Enrichment Classes
Location: Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI
Cost: $27–$177, depending on the selected course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Year-round courses are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 8–17
Madison Area Technical College’s Youth Enrichment Classes are designed for students aged 8–17 who want to try out new hobbies, build skills, and enjoy hands-on learning. These non-credit classes focus on personal growth and having fun, with age ranges depending on the topic. Classes are scheduled in the evenings or on Saturdays. Art classes include options like character design, drawing and painting, and world building in virtual reality. There are several courses available for students interested in improving their cooking and baking skills. Other classes cover a range of interests, including pet sitting for extra income, basic and intermediate welding, auto maintenance, CPR essentials, an introduction to American Sign Language, and side hustle ideas for teens.
11. University of Wisconsin’s Engineering Summer Program
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who have completed at least one year of algebra and geometry, have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
UW–Madison’s Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a free, three-week residential program for high school students interested in engineering. You’ll live on campus, take college-level classes, and experience life as a Badger Engineer. The program includes coursework in math (pre-calculus or calculus), chemistry, physics, and engineering design, all taught by UW–Madison faculty. You’ll also take part in hands-on workshops, field trips, and group projects that help you build problem-solving and teamwork skills. Alongside academics, you’ll attend faculty-led sessions on college admissions, financial aid, and campus life, and take part in team-building and professional development activities. You’ll also visit companies like Rockwell Automation, GE Healthcare, and Alliant Energy to meet engineers and learn how engineering applies in real-world settings.
12. UW-Whitewater Summer Academic Camps — Inclusive Leadership Academy
Location: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, 43 miles from Madison, WI
Cost: Free with a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Scholarship for students eligible for free or reduced lunch
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
UW-Whitewater Summer Academic Camps offer in-person residential programs focused on academics, careers, culture, and recreation for first-generation and underrepresented students. The Inclusive Leadership Academy helps high school students explore what it means to be an inclusive leader in college and beyond. Daily activities cover topics like leadership in and out of the classroom, inclusive leadership, leading as a team member or executive board member, budgeting for student organizations, and making a positive impact. You’ll take part in cross-curricular classroom sessions, hands-on activities involving student affairs, and engage with faculty and college students. The camp will also help you build skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and managing responsibilities.
13. Madison Metropolitan School District – High School Science Research Internship Program
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Information about a stipend is not provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: 9 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled at an MMSD high school
The Madison Metropolitan School District’s High School Science Research Internship Program, in partnership with UW–Madison, gives students a hands-on science research experience. Past interns have worked in areas like astrophysics, botany, ecology, chemistry, pharmacy, neuroscience, engineering, food science, psychology, medicine, geology, and cancer research. By the end of the program, you’ll create and present a scientific poster at a final session attended by university staff, teachers, friends, and family. You’ll also attend a March orientation with a parent or guardian, participate in group seminars on campus, and complete the requirements for the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Skill Certificate. You will earn one UW–Madison college credit, a quarter high school science credit from MMSD, and a quarter experiential learning credit for every 45 lab hours.
14. Greater Madison Writing Project High School Writing Camps
Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI
Cost: $275 (Early Bird Registration) | $325 (Regular Registration); need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: June 23 – June 26 | August 4 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
The Greater Madison Writing Project’s High School Writing Camps give high school students a chance to strengthen their writing in a creative space. Led by experienced educators and guest writers, the camp welcomes students of all skill levels. Each day, you’ll connect with other young writers from the Madison area and share your work during “Author’s Chair.” You’ll explore different genres like creative nonfiction, poetry, narratives, and short stories, and take part in peer review groups to give and receive feedback. You’ll also pick up new writing techniques, work through the writing process, and contribute a final piece to a published anthology, which you will get a copy of to take home.
15. Pharmacy Summer Program for High School Students
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 18 – April 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application
The Pharmacy Summer Program (PSP) at UW–Madison’s School of Pharmacy is a five-day residential camp for high school students interested in pharmacy careers and the PharmD program. You’ll explore different career paths in pharmacy, get tips on the PharmD admissions process, and hear directly from practicing pharmacists, current pharmacy students, and admissions staff. The program includes hands-on activities to help you understand the profession and what it’s like to be a student at UW–Madison. You’ll also get familiar with the campus, learn how to finance your undergraduate and PharmD education, and get a better idea of what being a Badger pharmacist is all about.
Image source – University of Wisconsin-Madison