High school offers a valuable opportunity to thoughtfully explore various fields and subject areas before selecting a specific college or academic focus. Through summer programs, you’ll get exposure to college-level reading, discussion, and projects that focus on analysis and original thinking. Programs in fields like history, writing, philosophy, politics, economics, and the arts help you understand how people think, communicate, and shape the world around them. Many of these experiences also introduce real-world contexts, whether that means publishing writing, researching public policy, or studying art directly in museums and studios.
Why should you choose a structured humanities program?
Unlike casual workshops or short camps, structured humanities programs follow a clear academic framework guided by faculty, researchers, or professionals. You’ll engage in sustained discussions, close reading, research, writing, or creative work that builds over time rather than in isolated activities. These programs often mirror college expectations, requiring you to manage deadlines, participate actively in seminars, and revise your work based on feedback. They also bring together students from diverse backgrounds, which adds depth to conversations and exposes you to different viewpoints.
In this blog, we’ve put together a list of the top 20 humanities programs for high school students, highlighting opportunities that combine academic rigor, real-world relevance, and meaningful engagement.
You can also check out these blogs on philosophy programs or writing camps for high schoolers!
Top 20 Humanities Programs for High School Students
1. Telluride Association: Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Hosted by Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Takes place on various university campuses
Cost: Free; Financial aid may be offered in the form of stipends
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 15-17); Preference is given to Black, Indigenous, and underrepresented communities
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a highly selective six-week, fully-funded academic program. During the program, you’ll get to choose between two academic tracks—Critical Black Studies or Anti-Oppressive Studies—both of which examine power, identity, and inequality through humanities and social science lenses. Weekdays center on three-hour, discussion-driven seminars built around shared readings, analytical essays, media critique, and lectures. Outside the classroom, you’ll live in a self-governing residential community where students collectively manage responsibilities and practice consensus-based decision-making. The program also incorporates public speaking workshops, community engagement projects, and talks by visiting scholars.
2. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (hybrid)
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long; Multi-week summer intensive: late June – early August + a 10‑day residential session in early August
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0; Must meet at least one of the socioeconomic conditions listed here
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is a highly selective academic experience for high-achieving high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds with an interest in journalism. You’ll begin with virtual instruction in June, where professional journalists and Princeton faculty introduce reporting fundamentals and media ethics. This is followed by a ten-day residential session on Princeton’s campus focused on hands-on reporting and writing. During the program, you’ll conduct interviews, cover real-world topics such as politics and social issues, and draft multiple articles. The curriculum is centered on investigative techniques, fact-checking, and feature writing, with continuous feedback from counselors who are working journalists and program alumni. Selected student work is edited and published in The Princeton Summer Journal.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars: Politics, Law & Economics Track
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000 program fee + $80 – $95application fee; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: October 15 (early); January 7 (regular)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (ages 16-18); First-time participants
The Politics, Law, and Economics track at Yale Young Global Scholars will introduce you to interdisciplinary approaches to governance, justice, and economic systems. In this prestigious program, you’ll engage in lectures, seminars, and small-group discussions led by Yale faculty and invited professionals. You examine subjects such as constitutional interpretation, public policy design, international relations, and human rights law. The program encourages analytical thinking through collaborative projects and peer dialogue. You’ll also get to participate in symposiums and group activities designed to connect theory with contemporary issues.
4. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Capitol and Senate office buildings, Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Monthly stipend based on a $35,360 annual salary
Dates: Varies by semester (multiple in a year)
Application Deadline: Varies by session and office
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (ages 16-17) with a minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens/permanent residents (with SSN)
The U.S. Senate Page Program places you directly within the legislative process on Capitol Hill. As a Senate Page, you’ll assist with tasks such as delivering documents, setting up the Senate chamber, and supporting senators during floor debates. You’ll balance these responsibilities with academic coursework at the Senate Page School while living in Washington, D.C. The program is offered during the summer and academic semesters, allowing you to experience Congress in session. Participation also includes educational and cultural activities that provide historical and civic context. Entry is highly selective and requires nomination by a U.S. senator, with approximately 30 pages admitted per term.
5. UPenn Summer Academies: Economics Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949; Scholarships are available for select Philadelphia students
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February; Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students with a minimum GPA of 3.5
The Economics Academy at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week program focused on foundational economic theory and its global applications. You’ll dive into core concepts such as scarcity, supply and demand, market structures, and government intervention, often through international case examples. The experience blends lectures, interactive workshops, and guest talks that encourage discussion and critical evaluation of policy choices. Rather than focusing solely on theory, you’ll also apply economic models to real-world challenges. A central component of the program is a group capstone project analyzing an economic issue faced by a specific country. You’ll present your findings through a formal poster presentation at the end of the session.
6. Georgetown University’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions: Economics Policy Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Varies by format; Limited need-based scholarships offered
Dates: June 28 – July 17
Application Deadline: January 31 (early); April 15 (final)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-12 with at least a 2.0 GPA
Georgetown’s Economics Policy Academy explores how governments and governing bodies impact markets from both economic and political science perspectives. Through lectures, workshops, and case studies, you will gain insights into topics such as globalization, poverty, development economics, behavioral economics, and fiscal and monetary policy in the United States. The program includes field trips to local economic policy organizations, hands-on projects, and a research-based poster that ties into the program theme. You’ll explore the philosophical foundations of economics alongside its real-world applications, assessing policy solutions to global and domestic issues. A Certificate of Participation is awarded upon completion.
7. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio Summer Residential Program
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $2,500; Financial aid is available
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – 27; Session 2: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: 10th-12th graders with course-relevant writing samples
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio Summer Residential Program is a two-week intensive program centered on literary study and sustained writing practice. You’ll select a single discipline such as poetry, fiction, playwriting, TV writing, or multi-genre writing, and remain focused on that genre throughout the session. You’ll be taught by faculty affiliated with the Iowa Writers’ Workshop or the University of Iowa’s MFA programs. The curriculum combines close reading of published texts with workshops where students share drafts and receive feedback, while daily writing exercises focus on revision and experimentation across multiple drafts. The program offers separate online writing courses during summer and winter terms in addition to the residential program.
8. NYU Democracy Scholars
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in NYC
NYU Democracy Scholars is a three-week, tuition-free academic program that examines political philosophy, democracy, and social justice. As a participant, you’ll engage with a range of texts, including classical works and modern scholarship that have shaped political thought in the United States. You’ll learn through discussion-based seminars led by NYU faculty, with an emphasis on analytical reading and academic writing. You’ll also receive guidance on the college application process from faculty and writing mentors. A major element of the program is a civic engagement project that continues beyond the summer into your senior year.
9. Georgetown University’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions: American Politics Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Varies by format; Limited need-based scholarships offered
Dates: June 7 – 13
Application Deadline: January 31 (early); April 15 (final)
Eligibility: Current 8th-12th graders with a minimum 2.0 GPA
The American Politics Academy at Georgetown University examines the structure and operation of the U.S. political system through academic study and simulations. As a participant, you’ll explore topics such as the separation of powers, political parties, interest groups, and the role of public opinion in policymaking. Classroom learning is complemented by activities like mock congressional hearings that simulate legislative decision-making. Guest speakers, including policymakers and Capitol Hill professionals, provide perspectives on governance and campaigns. The curriculum also covers contemporary issues such as foreign policy, taxation, and the judiciary. Faculty-led discussions encourage you to evaluate political processes from multiple viewpoints.
10. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT; Virtual options available too
Cost: On Campus (with housing): $3,085; On Campus (without housing): $2,660; Online: $1,380
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 16 – April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (ages 16-18)
Yale’s Young Writers’ Workshop is a one-week residential program focused on developing writing skills through close study and sustained practice. You’ll work in a small, genre-specific group from among fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or graphic storytelling, allowing for focused instruction and discussion. Each day combines assigned readings, in-class writing exercises, group critique, and guided feedback from instructors. You’ll learn how to read analytically and offer constructive critique on peers’ work while applying feedback to your own drafts. The program also includes experiential writing activities, such as museum-based exercises, aimed at enhancing observation skills and fostering the development of new material.
11. UPenn Summer Academies: Social Change and Social Justice Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949 + $100 application fee; Scholarships are available for select Philadelphia students
Dates: July 11 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February; Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th graders with a minimum GPA of 3.5
Penn’s Social Justice Research Academy is a three-week program centered on examining inequality, resistance, and social movements through interdisciplinary study. You’ll engage with topics such as immigration, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting access through lectures and workshops led by faculty and guest speakers. Historical case studies, including abolition and civil rights movements, provide context for contemporary issues. Learning extends beyond campus through site visits to Philadelphia institutions like the National Constitution Center and local community organizations. The experience concludes with a capstone project in which you develop a research question and propose an action-oriented or creative response to a social justice issue.
12. Sotheby’s Institute of Art Pre-College Program: Global Art History: Movements and Masterpieces
Location: Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York, NY
Cost: $6,195 (day students); $7,695 (residential students); Limited scholarships offered
Dates: July 5 – 17; July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 and graduating seniors (15+)
The Sotheby’s Institute of Art Pre-College Program provides a two-week overview of art history through a combination of lectures, discussions, and museum-based learning experiences. You’ll study works from a wide range of cultures and historical periods, including ancient civilizations, Asian and Islamic art, and European movements such as Impressionism and Modernism. The experience is further enhanced through visits to major New York museums, including The Met, MoMA, the Guggenheim, and The Frick Collection. It also includes sessions with curators, scholars, and art professionals who explain how exhibitions and collections are developed. You’ll get to examine how art is researched, preserved, and interpreted in institutional settings. Discussions also introduce the structure of the global art market and how artworks move between public and private collections.
13. Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Annual Summer Journalism Workshop
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY; Virtual options available
Cost: Varies
Dates: In-person (Residential and Commuter): June 21 – 26 and June 28 – July 3; Virtual: July 6 – 10, July 13 – 17, July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Residential: May 21; Commuter: June 1; Virtual: June 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 (or rising college freshmen) from U.S./international schools following the American curriculum
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Summer Journalism Workshop is a one-week program during which you’ll select a specialization such as reporting, editing, digital media, broadcast journalism, or publication design. Classes combine direct teaching with practical assignments that simulate newsroom workflows. Instruction is led by journalism educators and professionals with experience in scholastic media. Students attending in person will get to use Columbia University facilities and participate in structured co-curricular activities.
14. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: Various locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Stipend: $450
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 13; Rolling
Eligibility: New York City or Newark young women and gender-expansive youth enrolled in high school
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a six-week program that explores leadership through identity, community engagement, and social justice education. You’ll take part in seminars that examine activism, power structures, and personal narrative as tools for social change. Coursework includes classes such as Creating Change: Art and Activism in America, which uses poetry, performance, and visual storytelling to analyze civic expression. You’ll also get to attend workshops focused on identity development and collective leadership. Visits to cultural and civic institutions are integrated to connect classroom themes with public life.
15. Tisch Future Artists
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: None
Dates: January 31 – May 9
Application Deadline: August – November 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11
Tisch Future Artists is a 14-week Saturday program that introduces you to college-level arts training through NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. You’ll get to choose a discipline such as filmmaking, game design, theatre, dance, photography, recorded music, or dramatic writing. Learning is mostly project-based, with assignments that reflect undergraduate expectations, including film production, script development, and digital design work. Programs like Future Music Moguls and Future Imagemakers also explore industry concepts and social context. Faculty-led critique and collaboration are central to the learning process. As a participant, you’ll get to earn up to six college credits, depending on the track and completion.
16. Yale Summer Session
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: Varies; Financial assistance is available
Dates: Session A: May 25 – June 26; Session B: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (16+)
Yale Summer Session provides you with the opportunity to enroll in undergraduate-level visual arts courses alongside Yale undergraduates. Available classes include Visual Thinking, Basic Drawing, Painting Basics, and Digital Photography, all conducted in Yale’s studios and academic spaces. The experience blends lectures, hands-on projects, and formal critiques to develop visual literacy and creative skills. Coursework reflects the academic standards and workload expected of Yale College students. In Visual Thinking, you’ll study foundational visual principles across media, while Digital Photography focuses on producing and refining original images. On-campus housing is included, offering exposure to Yale’s residential college environment.
17. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Program: School of Art
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are available
Dates: 3-Week: June 20 – July 11; 6-Week: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students (16+) between 10th and 11th grade, or 11th and 12th grade
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College School of Art program places you in a studio-based environment that reflects the structure of a professional art program. The program is organized around four areas: drawing and photography, sculpture and installation, electronic and time-based media, and social practice. You’ll develop technical skills while participating in the Concept Studio, which emphasizes contemporary theory and creative problem-solving. The curriculum includes activities such as laser-cut sculpture work and structured faculty critiques. Over the course of the program, you’ll produce a cohesive body of work. The experience culminates in a gallery exhibition showcasing student projects.
18. Economics for Leaders (EFL)
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. + Virtual
Cost: Varies based on location and type; Scholarships are available
Dates: Varies; See here for more info
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Economics for Leaders is a program that integrates economic reasoning with leadership development. As a participant, you’ll study economic principles such as opportunity cost, incentives, trade, inflation, and labor markets through simulations and guided discussion. The learning experience is grounded in five core Economic Reasoning Propositions used to analyze policy decisions. Alongside economics, leadership training follows the Leadership Pyramid Matrix, focusing on individual, relational, and contextual skills. You’ll get to apply both frameworks to current national and global issues.
19. Harvard Pre-College Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; Limited scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16-19)
The Harvard Pre-College Program consists of two-week, non-credit courses that introduce you to college-level academic study. You’ll get to choose from multiple arts-focused offerings, such as philosophy of art or photography and visual culture. Courses are led by Harvard instructors and center on discussion, analytical writing, critique, and independent coursework. If you choose to, you’ll also get to live in Harvard residence halls as part of the program experience. Many classes incorporate visits to the Harvard Art Museums and direct engagement with primary works.
20. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Limited stipends offered
Dates: Spring: February – April | Summer: June – August | Fall: October – December
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute are research-oriented opportunities for high school students interested in international relations and public policy. You’ll work alongside FPRI scholars whose expertise may include national security, regional politics, or global strategy. Responsibilities often involve research assistance, writing support, and help with public events or publications. The internship provides exposure to how policy research is conducted within a think tank setting. Weekly seminars allow you to engage with experts on current geopolitical developments and career pathways. Some students may also publish original writing through FPRI’s Intern Corner platform.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like history, philosophy, literature, cultural studies, ethics, political theory, and media analysis, 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!
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