2026 Best Summer Programs
An increasing number of selective colleges now scrutinize how applicants spend their summers during high school. In response to this trend, thousands of providers鈥搃ncluding both universities and private companies鈥搊ffer academically-themed summer programs for teens. These programs vary from free-to-extremely expensive, and highly-selective-to-open enrollment. With such a bevy of options, teens will likely need expert guidance in order to successfully locate an ideal-fit program that will fully support their future academic and career dreams.聽
To answer this need, our list of the Best Summer Programs is here to serve as your comprehensive guide. For your convenience, the list is sortable by discipline and location and contains relevant data and information about each recommended program.
Wonderworks Pre-College Summer Programs
- Houston, TX
- One option is the From the Ground Up architecture program.聽
- Combination of lectures, field trips, and daily building projects.聽
- Also offers history, art, philosophy, and film tracks.
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Residential -
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 5 Weeks
- Application Deadline: May
- Eligibility: 10th, 11th, 12th
Broadreach Summer Programs
- Caribbean; Bali; Fiji; Cura莽ao; Costa Rica; Amazon & Galapagos; Red Sea; Bahamas; Bonaire
- Learn and build skills in a hands-on environment.聽
- Groups of kept small 鈥� the average is around 12 students.聽
- Some programs offer college credits.聽
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Residential -
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 12 Days
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
- Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Putney Student Travel
- 25+ countries, 6 continents
- Cultural immersion and independent creative projects.
- Give back to the local community you are staying in.聽
- Language-focused programs available.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Tisch Summer High School Drama Programs
- New York, NY
- Students complete 28 hours of conservatory training each week.聽
- Learn from professional actors, designers, and stage managers.聽
- Program culminates with a showcase.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline: January
- Eligibility: 11th, 12th
Summer@Cornish
- Seattle, WA
- Held at Cornish College of the Arts.聽
- Options in Theater as well as art & design, film, or music.
- Culminates in a gallery exhibition or showcase.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
- Students become a SolidWorks Associate (industry recognized).聽
- Taught by former Mines professors.聽
- 3-D design in a hands-on format.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 1 Week
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 10th, 11th, 12th
Laboratory Learning Program at Princeton University
- Princeton, NJ
- Work with Princeton professors on research projects.聽
- Full-time research opportunities in engineering with no end date.聽
- Students author a two-page report at the conclusion of the experience.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length 5 Weeks
- Application Deadline: March
- Eligbility: Age 16鈥�18
Carnegie Mellon National High School Game Academy
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Learn 2D and 3D art, music composition, and team management.聽
- Blend of technology and creativity.聽
- Build actual games that can be used as college portfolio pieces.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: March
- Eligibility: 11th, 12th
Secondary Student Training Program
- Iowa City, IA
- 22 course options in-person and 7 online.
- Highly-competitive program鈥搉eed recommendations.聽
- Students spend 7 hours per day in research groups.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 6 Weeks
- Application Deadline: February
- Eligibility: 11th, 12th
Smith Science and Engineering Program (SSEP)
- Northampton, MA
- Students conduct experiments and field work.聽
- Only female students are eligible to apply.
- Six distinct course choices are available.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 Weeks
- Application Deadline: May
- Eligibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
National Student Leadership Conference: Medicine & Health Care
- Washington, D.C.; Evanston, IL; Berkeley, CA; Miami, FL; New Haven, CT
- Work in teams to develop an intervention to a public health issue.聽
- Practice surgical skills in hands-on labs.聽
- Tours of local medical facilities and museums.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 9 Days
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Eligibility: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
- Work in teams to develop an intervention to a public health issue.聽
- Practice surgical skills in hands-on labs.聽
- Tours of local medical facilities and museums.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 4 Weeks
- Application Deadline: February
- Eligibility: 11th, 12th; ages 15-18
Business Bootcamp at The University of Rochester
- Rochester, NY
- Learn more about what makes a 鈥済ood鈥� concept, corporate marketing, product development, and design thinking.
- Driven by the 鈥淒evelopment of New Ideas鈥� curriculum
- Students prototype, demo, and present their ideas while collaborating in small teams.
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Residential
-
Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 3 Weeks
- Application Deadline: February
- Eligibility: 11th, 12th
Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Learn at the University of Michigan鈥檚 top-ranked business school.
- Experience group workshops, field trips, and guest speakers.
- Meet with local companies and make presentations.
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Residential
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Online Option
- Min. Session Length: 2 weeks
- Application Deadline: January
- Eligibility: 12th
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