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Writer's pictureStephen Turban

10 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington, D.C.

If you’re a high school student looking for opportunities to explore your interests, gain hands-on experience, and make the most of your summer, this list is for you! Below are 10 of the best free programs in Washington, D.C., across diverse fields such as research, business, technology, and leadership. These programs are tailored to offer you practical learning experiences, often with mentorship, projects, and skill-building workshops.


Summer programs can give you hands-on experience in your subjects of interest. This application-oriented learning is crucial for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and industry knowledge. Participating in summer programs, especially selective or specialized ones, can also enhance your college application. Experiences in research, interning, or founding a business show initiative and commitment, setting you apart from other applicants.


Here’s our list of 10 free summer programs for high school students in Washington, D.C.




Location: Virtual

Cost: Paid, but with need-based financial aid

Eligibility: High school students with an interest in research. Most accepted students have a GPA above 3.0

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohorts; November 24, 2024 for winter cohort

Program Dates: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring cohorts are available


Lumiere connects high school students with PhD mentors from top universities to conduct in-depth research projects. You will work on a wide variety of topics and produce a final research paper that can be used for college applications or even journal submissions. The program offers personalized mentorship, enabling you to dive deep into your chosen subject while honing critical research skills. The program is ideal for students planning to publish or present their work at conferences.




Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,290–$9,400; financial aid available

Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python

Application Deadline: Winter deadline: December 1, 2024

Program Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts are available


Veritas AI offers high school students an engaging and accessible introduction to the world of artificial intelligence. In the program, you can work on hands-on AI projects under the mentorship of experts from top universities like Harvard and MIT. You will be exposed to the latest developments in AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks, and you will build your own AI models. The program offers multiple editions like AI Scholars, AI Fellowship, Deep Dives (AI + Medicine, AI + Finance), and AI Trailblazers. The program includes interactive lectures, coding sessions, and mentorship. You will complete a tangible AI project that you can showcase in your college applications.




Location: Remote

Cost: $2,490 with need-based financial aid 

Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Application Deadline: November 24, 2024 for the winter cohort

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year


Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program for ambitious high school students to gain work experience with high-growth start-ups across industries like tech, AI/ML, health, and more. Interns work on real-world projects under the guidance of experienced managers and Ladder Coaches, with opportunities to present their work and participate in skill-building sessions. Many Ladder start-ups are backed by top investors, with founders from companies like Google and Microsoft. The program is 8 weeks long and includes personalized training in communication and time management.




Location: Virtual

Cost: Paid, with need-based financial aid

Eligibility: High-achieving high school students (GPA > 3.67)

Application Deadline: February 9, 2025 for the upcoming spring cohort

Program Dates

  • March 3, 2025 onwards for the upcoming spring cohort

  • Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance


Horizon’s research program provides trimester-long research opportunities for high school students in fields like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, and psychology. You can select either quantitative or qualitative research tracks and work closely with a professor or PhD mentor. You will receive a letter of recommendation and tailored feedback to enhance your college applications and future research. By the end of the program, you will produce a 20-page, university-level research paper with the potential to submit it to prestigious academic journals.




Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,900 for 3 weeks, with need-based financial aid available

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

Application Deadlines: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort

Program Dates: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 


The Young Founder’s Lab is a hands-on start-up boot camp led by Harvard entrepreneurs, where high school students work to create revenue-generating businesses that tackle real-world challenges. You will receive mentorship from top professionals and entrepreneurs from companies like Google and Microsoft. In addition to building your start-up, you will engage in interactive sessions on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, skill-building activities, case studies, and panel discussions. This program provides a valuable space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building successful business ventures. 




Location: Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school 

Application Deadline: Varies by program

Program Dates: June – August 2025


The Smithsonian Youth Programs offers a range of free summer programs for high school students, including internships in areas such as history, science, and the arts. You can gain hands-on experience working with Smithsonian experts, and many programs include workshops, field trips, camps, and networking opportunities. For example, the Youth Engagement through Science is a career exploration program for students in grades 9-11. You will conduct a research internship with a mentor at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and receive a stipend of $2,500 upon successful completion. 




Location: Various locations in Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free

Eligibility: High school students in Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline: June 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program Dates: Spring Semester Program: February 3 – May 31, 2025


The High School Internship Program equips District youth ages 14 to 21 with essential work-readiness skills, project-based learning experiences, life skills, and leadership development training. The program aims to prepare you for a successful transition from high school to postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. This is a paid internship program that allows you to explore a range of industries. 




Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Cost: No cost, participants will receive a stipend once they complete the program

Eligibility: High school students 

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 

Program Dates: June 29 – July 18, 2025 


The Georgetown University Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP) is a three-week college preparatory program for rising high school seniors from the Cristo Rey Network, KIPP Foundation school systems, and other select educational institutions and community organizations. As a participant, you'll connect with peers from across the nation on Georgetown's campus, participating in class sessions, field trips, group discussions, seminars, and workshops. You'll take part in the Georgetown Experience Seminars, delving into topics such as international relations, business, cybersecurity, government, STEM, liberal arts, and health studies.




Location: Bethesda, MD (near Washington, D.C.)

Cost: Free (stipend provided)

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students should live in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, MD

Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Program Dates: July 7 – August 7, 2025


The HiSTEP program is held on the NIH main campus in Bethesda. This program is designed for rising 12th graders from schools where 30% or more of students participate in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. HiSTEP participants explore research and healthcare careers through lectures, visits to research groups, networking events, small group discussions, and collaborative projects. You will also receive support in the college application process, develop career readiness and leadership skills, and engage in a resilience and well-being program. You will be required to commit at least 21 hours per week to your projects and training.




Location: Capitol Campus, Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free (housing provided) with a stipend of $65 a day and up to 20 hours of community service

Eligibility: High school juniors aged at least 14 but not 17

Application Deadline: Applications opened on November 1, 2024 

Program Dates: January 8 – March 4, 2025


The US House Page program is a prestigious program that allows high school juniors to serve as pages in the U.S. Senate, assisting senators with legislative duties and learning about the legislative process. It’s a unique opportunity for students interested in politics and public service. You will work for 40 hours per week conducting tasks like making deliveries, supporting member offices, and serving on the chamber floor. You will also attend ‘Page School,’ where you’ll attend classes on the legislative process. 


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.



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