If you are in high school then summer break is a great time to take on a new challenge, learn something new, work on a research or passion project, or explore new interests. Florida has a range of summer programs that cater to all interests and skill levels.

We’ve curated a great list of programs so that you can make the most of your summer in the sunshine state. Whether you're interested in STEM, social sciences, or the performing arts, or simply an ambitious student seeking diverse academic opportunities, Florida has got you covered!

Here are the 10 best summer programs for high school students in Florida:

1. Young Scholars Program

FSU's Young Scholars Program is a program that lasts six weeks and provides accommodation for high school students from Florida who are interested in pursuing STEM careers. During the program, participants usually take three courses that focus on math, science, and computer programming, and these courses are tailored to suit the requirements of the program. While the coursework is challenging, there are also plenty of social and physical activities scheduled, such as themed dances, canoe trips, fireworks, and scavenger hunts.

Application deadline: February 15th, 2023

Eligibility:

• Maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Achieve a math score in the 90th percentile or above on a nationally standardized exam, like the SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN before applying.

Program dates: June 11, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Fee/Stipend: Fully-funded program at Florida State University includes room, board, and tuition, and provides an automatic scholarship of over $3,000 for each student.

Additional Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in or have successfully completed Pre-Calculus.

• Be available for the entire six-week program; no exceptions will be made for other travel, summer internships, sports camps, or Mu Alpha Theta events.

• Have a permanent residence in Florida.

Financial assistance: Students who have a financial need that prevents them from attending the Young Scholars Program without additional support for travel and books can apply for a supplementary stipend.

2. Medicine Summer Institute by FSU

The Medicine Summer Institute by FSU is a highly selective program that offers students an immersive experience in medicine and healthcare. Through the SSTRIDE Summer Institute, students are introduced to various clinical settings and provided with information about scholarships and university mentoring programs. They are also given an idea of college life and the medical school curriculum through faculty-led presentations about medical topics.

Students attend lectures, conduct experiments in the lab, and participate in clinical simulations. The program also offers opportunities to shadow physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Application Deadline: Applications for the 2023 sessions are already closed. Based on this year’s deadlines, the applications close in late January.

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.3

Program dates:

• Session 1: June 11th - June 16th

• Session 2: June 25th - June 30th

• Session 3: July 9th - July 14th

Location: Florida State University

Fee/Stipend: $1,400

3. Upward Bound Math-Science

Upward Bound Math-Science is a federally funded program that supports high school students pursuing STEM fields through academic instruction, tutoring, and mentoring. The program provides opportunities for hands-on research, college preparation, and career exploration. Services include summer programs, year-round counseling, exposure to university faculty, computer training, and financial literacy education.

The program also offers special support for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, limited English proficiency, have disabilities, are homeless or in foster care, or are otherwise disconnected.

Application Deadline: May 5th, 2023

Eligibility: High school students from low-income families who are potential first-generation college students

Program dates: June 13 - July 23, 2022

Location: Florida International University

Fee/Stipend: Free

4. Miami University Summer Scholars Program

Miami University's Summer Scholars Program offers high school students college-level courses in a variety of subjects. Some examples of courses include Beginning Design: Architecture and Interior Design, Engineering: Design and Build an Interactive Robot, Exploring Game Design, and The Role of Data Science in the Modern World. These courses allow students to explore their interests and expand their knowledge in fields such as design, engineering, technology, and data science.

Application Deadline: May 1st, 2023

Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, with an average GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale

Program dates:

• Session 1: Sunday, July 9 - Friday, July 14

• Session 2: Sunday, July 16 - Friday, July 21

Location: Miami University

Fee:

• Enrollment Fee - $350

• Program Fee* - $730

5. Theatre - St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College offers a summer theatre program for high school students interested in acting, directing, stage management, and other aspects of theatre production. Students work with experienced professionals to develop their skills and put on a production at the end of the program.

Application Deadline: Applications are in the form of Auditions - May 22-23

Eligibility: High school students

Program Dates: Performances on June 23-24 at 7 p.m., and June 24-25 at 2 p.m.

Location: Arts Auditorium, SPC Clearwater Campus

Fee/Stipend: Two scholarships worth $500 each are being offered to theater students this term.

Financial Assistance: Available for students who demonstrate financial need, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and are committed to completing a Fine Arts degree program.

6. Florida State University Summer Programs

FSU provides a diverse range of summer programs, covering STEM, humanities, language courses, and more. Students can choose from various programs, such as iCamp for computing and technology careers exposure, American Legion Boys and Girls State to learn about local, county, and state government, and Saturday-at-the-Sea Summer Day Camp for nature investigations. The College Reach Out Program includes leadership training, life management skills, music appreciation, and more!

Application Deadline: May 12, 2023

Eligibility: Students must currently be enrolled in grades 6-8, be Florida residents, and possess swimming abilities.

Program Dates: Varies by program. Click here for the link to the session dates.

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Fee/Stipend: Varies by program, financial aid available. Click here for the link to the program fees.

7. Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University offers a range of summer programs for high school students, providing opportunities to explore various fields of study, enhance academic skills, and engage in college-level coursework. Some examples of these programs include the AGRI-STEM Summer Program and Forestry and Conservation Education for those interested in agriculture and food sciences, as well as the Engineering program for those interested in technology and innovation. Other programs, such as the Emerging Pharmacists program and the Creative Crafts program, offer opportunities for students to explore fields such as healthcare and the arts while gaining valuable skills and experiences.

Application Deadline: June 16, 2023

Eligibility: Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all music courses.

Program Dates: July 8 - July 15, 2023

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Fees:

• $700 Residential (staying on-campus)

• $500 Non-Residential (staying off-campus)

8. Theatre for Social Change - Eckerd College

The Asolo Repertory Theatre and Eckerd College have partnered to provide a unique opportunity for young artists to collaborate with industry professionals and create stories that promote social change. Through the program, participants will develop artistic skills and inspire change by creating impactful works of art.

Application Deadline: 25th July 2023

Eligibility: Must be a rising junior or senior in Fall 2023 and reside in St. Petersburg or nearby communities.

Program Dates: Varies by program. Click here for the link to the session dates.

Location: Eckerd College

Fees: Varies by program, ranging from $500 - $1,499. Click here for the link to the program fees.

9. Competitive Programming Overview - University of Central Florida

For high school students with a passion for computer science, algorithms, and programming competitions, a summer program is available to help enhance their skills. The program is designed to prepare students for contests like USACO, CodeForces, and ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) through a two-week curriculum that includes instruction on algorithms and data commonly used in competitions, practice competitions, and individualized coaching.

Application Deadline: Varied by program. Click here for the link to program deadlines.

Eligibility: To apply for the institute, students must currently be enrolled in grades 9-12 and at least 15 years old by the start of the program.

Program Dates: July 9 – 21, 2023

Location: Orlando, Main Campus

Fees: $3000

10. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University - Aerospace Camp

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a unique four-week summer camp that exposes high school students to the college experience while exploring various career paths in flight, mechanical engineering, global security, and NASA astronautics. The program covers diverse topics such as space flight history, propulsion theory, orbital mechanics, Space Shuttle operations, and US space policy, and provides participants with three college credits upon completion.

Application Deadline: Applications for the 2023 sessions are already closed. Based on this year’s deadlines, the applications close in April.

Eligibility: Students Ages 15-18

Program Dates: June 25-July 14, 2023

Location: Daytona Beach, FL

Fees: $4,500

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are passionate about research, you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image source: FSU Young Scholars Program logo