If you are a high school student looking for summer programs in Wisconsin, look no further! From immersive pre-college programs to skill-building internships and mentorships, these programs give you hands-on experience across a variety of fields, including science, technology, arts, and leadership. Participating in these programs can sharpen your critical skills, help you explore potential career paths, and set you apart in college applications. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
This list of 11 summer programs for high school students in Wisconsin highlights opportunities to enrich your learning, build strong networks, and prepare for college and beyond. Whether you’re interested in research, entrepreneurship, or creative pursuits, you will find options to help you deepen your interests.
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more
Location: Virtual
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! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods. After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique opportunity!
2. UW-Green Bay—High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Internship Program
Subject Areas: Water Science
Location: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay, WI
Cost / Stipend: There is no cost. Students receive a stipend
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students, including graduating seniors
The High School Freshwater Summer Scholars internship program provides paid opportunities for students to engage with water science. Through a selective application and interview process, students are paired with a UW-Green Bay mentor researching freshwater topics. Alongside your research project, you’ll explore water science careers through field trips and presentations, culminating in a poster presentation at the annual Lakeshore Water Summit on the Manitowoc campus.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges.
4. UW-Oshkosh—Arc of Teaching (AT)
Subject Areas: Education, Writing, Teaching
Location: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
Cost: $1,600. Some need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: March 21
Program Dates: July 6 – 12
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 8-12 in the fall
The Arc of Teaching (AT) program offers academic and professional development courses designed to help you explore careers in education before entering college. The program also focuses on strengthening your writing skills. Through the AT program, you’ll engage in group discussions focused on pressing issues, such as inequalities and injustices within the United States and around the world, working together to seek potential solutions.
5. UW-Whitewater—Leadership Academy
Subject Areas: Leadership Development, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving
Location: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 14 – 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
At the week-long Inclusive Leadership Academy, you’ll engage in hands-on activities led by UWW Leadership and Career Services designed to enhance your critical thinking, problem-solving, and executive functioning skills. Through a blend of leadership development exercises and stress management strategies, you’ll build the resilience and skills needed for both college and career readiness. You’ll also attend a “Going to College” workshop, which covers essential topics like college applications, career guidance, and financial aid. The program offers classes to help you develop skills that will benefit you inside and outside the classroom.
6. UW–Madison—Badger Summer Scholars
Subject Areas: STEM, Politics, Writing, Philosophy, Leadership, Veterinary Science
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $2,300 – $4,450, depending on whether you are international or domestic and commuting or residential. Some need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9th to 12th
Badger Summer Scholars offers a college preparatory experience for high school students. As a participant, you’ll get a firsthand look at college life, guided by instructors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through interactive sessions, you’ll explore different academic fields, discover potential college majors, and gain insights into the college application process, financial aid, and campus living. With small class sizes, you’ll take one non-credit academic course led by UW–Madison staff and Badger Pre-College instructors.
7. Medical College of Wisconsin—Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM)
Subject Areas: Medicine, Healthcare, Biomedical Research
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Cost / Stipend: No information available
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising junior, senior, or recent graduate who:
- Has a minimum 3.0 GPA in science and math
- Is at least 16 years old
- Attends a Milwaukee Public School, Milwaukee charter school, Milwaukee area private school, or a school within a nearby suburban district
AIM offers high school students from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds a chance to deepen their interest in careers in medicine, biomedical research, and allied health fields. Throughout this six-week program, you’ll receive mentorship from current medical students and participate in weekly clinical shadowing and simulations.
You’ll also expand your understanding of significant medical issues affecting your community and interact with a range of healthcare professionals and specialists to explore potential career paths. By the end of the program, you’ll develop and present an abstract on a medical condition or disease that interests you, showcasing your knowledge and research skills.
8. UW-Madison—Engineering Summer Program
Subject Areas: Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 13 – August 2
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who have completed at least one year of algebra and geometry, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a free, three-week residential experience for high school students who want to explore engineering. Living on the UW-Madison campus, you’ll take a challenging curriculum in math, physics, chemistry, and engineering design guided by UW-Madison faculty. Beyond classes, you’ll engage in hands-on workshops, field trips, and industry site visits. ESP also includes professional development sessions on college admissions and financial aid. Visits to companies like Alliant Energy and GE Healthcare will give you a firsthand look at engineering careers, enriching your experience.
9. Lawrence University—Lawrence Summer Music Institute
Subject Areas: Music, Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Location: Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
Cost: $950 + lodging and meals
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 6 – 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12
Taught by professors at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music, the Lawrence Summer Music Institute gives high-school pianists and string players an opportunity to advance their skills. Throughout this week-long program, you’ll refine your technical abilities, explore musical expression, and refine your approach to performance. This selective program, with a class of 28 students, provides private lessons, group coaching, performance opportunities, and workshops with visiting artists.
10. MSOE University—Women in Technology
Subject Areas: Construction Management, Engineering (Civil, Architectural, Biomedical, Biomolecular, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Software)
Location: MSOE University, Milwaukee, WI
Cost: $950
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Program Dates: June 23 – 28
Eligibility: High school girls entering 10th through 12th grades
This week-long residential camp invites high school girls to explore various engineering fields, including biomedical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Led by MSOE faculty and supported by female engineering students, the program offers hands-on activities, industry tours, and exposure to the real-world applications of engineering. The Women in Technology program mirrors the Explore Summer Program but with an emphasis on the experiences of women in engineering. Evenings are set aside for relaxation, with events like interactive comedy, bowling, Milwaukee tours, and game nights.
11. Madison Metropolitan School District—High School Science Research Internship Program
Subject Areas: Science
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Cost / Stipend: No information available
Application Deadline: January 17
Program Dates: The program typically runs for nine weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled at a Madison Metropolitan School District high school
The High School Science Research Internship Program, a collaboration between Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and UW-Madison, offers high school juniors the opportunity to work with researchers at UW-Madison each summer. This internship is designed to give you research experience in science, culminating in the creation of a scientific poster to showcase your findings. Upon successful completion, you’ll earn multiple credits: one full college credit from UW-Madison, one-quarter high school science credit from MMSD, and an additional quarter experiential learning credit for every 45 hours of lab work completed.
Image Source – University of Wisconsin-Madison Logo
