Summer is a great time to explore a field beyond the classroom, especially if you’re a high schooler. Summer internships, specifically, offer a practical way to develop technical and professional skills that go beyond classroom learning. These opportunities can be especially valuable for students interested in pursuing fields related to STEM, business, or public policy in college.
Summer internships for local high school students in Northern Virginia give you access to several notable universities, research labs, government institutions, and nonprofits that offer a range of summer internships. Choosing a local program can be a financially efficient option if you’re based in the region, since you can access high-quality experiences without the added cost of relocation. Summer internships for high school students such as the ones below emphasize project-based learning, mentorship, and skill-building, allowing you to gain deeper exposure to fields such as engineering, biomedical sciences, information technology, and public service.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 14 of the best summer internships for high school students in Northern Virginia.
1. Engineering Technology (ET) Career Scholars Program
Location: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), with partner placements in local data centers and semiconductor facilities
Cost/Stipend: $5,690.36 for 26 academic credits; financial aid is available / Stipends: Summer Bridge: $500; Academic Year: $3,000 | Industry Internship: $3,000; Professional supplies : Up to $1,000
Dates: Summer bridge (June–August), followed by academic year coursework and internships
Application Deadline: Typically mid March
Eligibility: Graduating or recently graduated high school students
This program prepares students for careers in data center operations and semiconductor manufacturing, two rapidly expanding industries in Northern Virginia. You will complete a summer bridge program introducing college-level coursework and industry fundamentals, then move into a cohort-based block schedule during the academic year to earn a career studies certificate in Data Center Operations or Semiconductor Technology. The curriculum emphasizes technical coursework in electrical systems, mechanical operations, and digital infrastructure, supported by tutoring and mentoring. You will also receive professional preparation, guaranteed interviews with industry partners, and hands-on training through internships or apprenticeships, building practical expertise in one of the region’s most in-demand sectors.
2. JSSA High School Internship Program
Location: Fairfax, VA, with additional sites in Rockville, MD, and Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible scheduling; 12–16 hours per week in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students who are residents of DC, Maryland, or Virginia, and the National Capital Region
The JSSA High School Internship Program offers high school students an opportunity to gain firsthand experience working in a nonprofit setting that addresses a variety of human service needs. You may participate in case consultations, program support, and youth camps, while also handling technical tasks such as data analysis, writing reports, and developing presentations on mental health topics. The program emphasizes professional collaboration, giving you exposure to multiple JSSA departments. With structured opportunities to join team meetings and observe service delivery, you will gain insight into nonprofit management and social services workflows, while also earning community service learning (SSL) hours.
3. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Summer Internship Program
Location: Gatehouse Administration Center, Willow Oaks Administrative Center, and other FCPS facilities
Stipend: $15.88/hour
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: FCPS high school students | Age 16+ by June 30 | Have U.S. work authorization
This internship provides structured exposure to education administration and public service functions. You will be placed in departments such as capital planning, human resources, procurement, facilities management, and academic services, where tasks may include document digitization, data organization, program coordination, and market research. The program incorporates weekly professional development workshops on topics such as personal finance and resume writing, while providing staff with opportunities to shadow on mission-critical projects. By supporting operational tasks and policy-aligned initiatives, interns gain practical experience in public administration, project management, and organizational systems within one of the nation’s largest school divisions.
4. Lockheed Martin Space – High School Internship Program
Location: Herndon, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: Current high school students who are 16+ at the internship’s start | Live within commuting distance of the Lockheed Martin Space facility
The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program is a summer internship designed to give high school students interested in STEM careers the opportunity to work alongside aerospace scientists and engineers. It engages you in aerospace engineering and defense technology projects. You will work directly with scientists and engineers on applied assignments such as systems modeling, robotics, computer science, and cybersecurity. The program incorporates mentorship, professional development workshops, and facility tours, giving students exposure to both technical workflows and organizational operations. Projects are designed to build proficiency in engineering design methods, collaborative problem-solving, and technical documentation, while also emphasizing the role of STEM innovation in national defense.
5. Goodwin Living Internship Program
Location: Falls Church and Alexandria, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Four cohorts available year-round; Summer cohort runs June – August
Application Deadline: Typically mid-May
Eligibility: All high school students
The Goodwin Living Internship Program for high school students is an 8-week paid internship designed to provide meaningful, non-clinical work experience in the senior living and healthcare field. It covers departments such as Life Enrichment, Brain Health, Finance, and Marketing & Communications. You will contribute to structured projects supporting senior living operations, gaining skills in program coordination, communications, and data-driven decision-making. Depending on placement, students may also support community engagement activities, assist with financial tracking, or participate in health and aging-related initiatives. The program is cohort-based, offering structured mentorship, professional development, and practical exposure to nonprofit management in the healthcare and senior services sector.
6. High School Cybersecurity Internship Program – CCI (NoVa Node)
Location: Northern Virginia (virtual, hybrid, or in-person depending on host company)
Stipend: $2,650
Dates: 7 weeks total – 2-week professional skills bootcamp + 5-week industry placement typically from mid-June to mid-August
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors | Age 17+
This program introduces you to cybersecurity and information technology careers through a two-part structure. The professional skills boot camp builds workplace competencies such as technical communication, teamwork, and cybersecurity fundamentals. Following training, you will be matched with a cyber-related company for a five-week placement, where you gain hands-on experience in areas like software engineering, information security, data science, and product testing. You will also complete structured progress reflections with the Children’s Science Center Lab. The program emphasizes both applied technical skills and professional readiness, preparing students for STEM career pathways in cybersecurity.
7. Arlingteens Leaders Summer Internship
Location: Arlington, VA
Stipend: None
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12 | Living in Arlington | Ages 14–18
The Arlingteens Leaders Summer Internship is a program offered to youth ages 14-18 in Arlington, Virginia, focused on providing leadership experience through internships related primarily to the parks and recreation field and other community service jobs. You will assist with local programs, public events, and youth engagement activities while practicing skills in team leadership, communication, and service coordination. The program emphasizes community building by connecting you with staff mentors and peers, giving you practical exposure to the workflows that support recreational services. The experience is designed to build early professional readiness for students interested in public service or community-based careers.
8. Aspire Afterschool – High School Volunteer Program
Location: Arlington, VA
Stipend: None
Dates: Summer Volunteer Program: (6 weeks, June–August) + school-year afterschool sessions (weekly, 2–3 hours)
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students in Arlington, Northern Virginia who can commit weekly time to tutoring and mentoring
The Aspire Afterschool High School Volunteer Program offers high school students the opportunity to volunteer as tutors and mentors for 3rd-8th grade students in an academic afterschool setting. You will assist with homework, reading, and math, and provide support during Aspire’s six-week summer learning camp that includes STEM, art, and special projects. You will practice mentorship, tutoring, and small-group facilitation, helping students develop reading and math skills in a supportive environment. During the summer camp program, high school volunteers contribute to enrichment activities and academic support sessions. The experience emphasizes educational equity, communication skills, and community engagement, while also providing service hours toward graduation requirements.
9. George Mason University – Young Scholars Research Program
Location: GMU campuses in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William; hybrid/remote options available
Cost: May have specific fees, waivers, or financial assistance details and it is recommended to review the program’s official information or contact [email protected] for inquiries
Stipend: None
Dates: 4 weeks – 4 months (summer and fall sessions)
Application Deadline: Opens early February and admissions are first-come first-served
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
The George Mason University Young Scholars Research Program is an exclusive research opportunity for exceptional high school students in grades 9 through 12. It matches students with GMU faculty mentors for research in fields such as biosciences, political science, computer science, astronomy, and environmental studies. Projects may involve quantitative data analysis, laboratory techniques, or drafting scholarly papers. Weekly structures combine faculty-led lectures with independent or team-based research tasks. The program emphasizes academic research methods, scientific communication, and publication preparation, with flexible in-person, hybrid, and online options to accommodate different schedules.
10. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Northern Virginia (part of the Greater DC region)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Nine-month program during the school year inclusive of a summer component
Application Deadline: Vary by region and year; typically around September and October
Eligibility: High school seniors on track to graduate | Authorized for an off-campus/early release schedule | At least a 2.0 GPA
The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program is a career-focused initiative designed to prepare high school seniors for success in the professional world. It combines paid internships with professional development workshops, where you learn essential workplace skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork. Throughout the program, you participate in activities like job shadowing, resume building, mock interviews, and attending workplace meetings, giving you real-world experience in various industries. A unique feature of the program is its one-on-one coaching and ongoing support, which helps you navigate challenges and set career goals. By engaging in this program, students gain confidence, practical skills, and a professional network that make them stand out when applying to colleges or future jobs.
11. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University
Location: GMU campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William; some hybrid/remote options
Cost/Stipend: None except $25 application fee; waivers available / None
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: For computer lab internships, students must be at least 15 years old by the program start date | For in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships, students must be at least 16 years old
ASSIP is a highly selective research internship where students work with GMU faculty mentors on advanced projects in fields such as bioinformatics, molecular medicine, neuroscience, engineering, and cybersecurity. You will learn laboratory methods, computational tools, and professional research practices, while also developing scientific writing and communication skills through structured workshops. The program concludes with a poster presentation, and you can co-author publications or present at conferences, making it one of the most academically rigorous high school research opportunities in the region. You’ll build skills such as research tools, science writing, communication, and problem-solving, while getting a firsthand look at STEM careers.
12. Fairfax County – Department of Information Technology Equity Impact High School Internship Program
Location: Fairfax County government offices and departments
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: Mid-June – mid-August
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: Fairfax County high school students | U.S Citizen | At least 16 years of age | Basic understanding of computer systems, software, and technology concepts
This program is designed to introduce high school students to careers in technology within local government while prioritizing diversity and equity. You explore a variety of IT topics, including cybersecurity, software development, networking, and data management, gaining hands-on experience throughout. Interns might engage in activities such as assisting with real IT projects, troubleshooting technical issues, participating in team problem-solving sessions, and learning to use industry-standard tools and software. A unique feature of the program is its focus on equity, encouraging participation from underrepresented groups in tech to foster inclusive growth. You develop practical technical skills, along with communication and teamwork abilities, which are vital for any future career.
13. Children’s Science Center – Youth Development Initiative Internships
Location: Children’s Science Center Lab (Fairfax, VA) and community sites across Northern Virginia
Stipend: None
Dates: Summer STEM Camp is for 7 weeks with additional year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling basis for most, with Animal Husbandry internship applications due by August 29
Eligibility: STEM Camp: High school students who are 16+| Cybersecurity: Rising high school seniors who are 17+ | Animal care roles: High school students who are 18+
The Children’s Science Center – Youth Development Initiative Internships is a program designed to provide high school and college-aged youth with valuable skills and experiences needed to obtain and maintain employment. You may support elementary STEM camps, design hands-on learning activities, or assist with communications and outreach. For older students, the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative track offers paid placements with cybersecurity companies, focusing on technical training and professional readiness. Other placements, such as animal husbandry internships, introduce students to animal care practices in educational settings. Across all roles, the program develops mentorship, instructional design, and applied technical skills while connecting you to Northern Virginia’s STEM ecosystem.
14. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Location: Online option available
Stipend: Provided, amount unspecified, but provided based on academic level and session duration
Dates: 10 weeks between May – August
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school student | At least 16 years old at the time of application | Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) | U.S. citizens
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers high school students the chance to contribute to aerospace engineering, data science, computer modeling, and mission planning. You will be mentored by NASA scientists and engineers, with tasks ranging from data analysis and prototype design to supporting active space missions. The program emphasizes hands-on technical training, research methods, and problem-solving in STEM fields, all of which are directly tied to national space exploration goals. With options for in-person or remote participation, OSTEM provides structured professional mentorship and practical exposure to real-world aerospace research and development.
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 – George Mason University