10 Ivy League Leadership Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Leadership is more than managing a group or giving instructions. As a high school student, building leadership skills can help you gain confidence, do better in school, and explore future career options. If you’re a student based in the US, almost all Ivy League universities offer leadership programs for high school students. Not only are these programs prestigious additions to your resume (owing to their affiliation with Ivy league school), but are also super rigorous in nature.
These programs can match your interests in areas like general leadership, entrepreneurship, or even spearheading problem solving for larger social issues. Most of the programs in this list focus on communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Ivy League programs also often include faculty-led sessions, real-world case studies, and group projects with students from different backgrounds. If you plan to apply to these colleges, these experiences can demonstrate interest and show that you are ready to take on more advanced work as an undergraduate.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of 10 Ivy League leadership programs for high school students!
10 Ivy League Leadership Programs for High School Students
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (also available online)
Acceptance rate: 12 to 18 students per course.
Cost: Approx. $5,800 per session (financial aid available) + $75 nonrefundable application fee
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3; Session II: July 6 – July 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Harvard’s Pre-College Program in Business and Leadership introduces high school students to key business and leadership ideas. In small classes of 12 to 18 students, you take part in group discussions, develop problem-solving strategies, and practice clear communication.
With guidance from Harvard-affiliated instructors, you read and analyze real business cases, learn leadership approaches, and present your ideas at the end of the course. In past sessions, students have examined topics like market competition, decision-making in crisis scenarios, and ethical leadership.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate: Approximately 160 students per session
Cost: $11,399 (financial aid available) + $100 application fee
Program Dates: Session I: June 8 – June 28; Session II: June 29 – July 19; Session III: July 20 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school juniors with leadership experience and a 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher
Offered by the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the Leadership in the Business World (LBW) program gives high school students a practical look at leadership in modern businesses. You’ll take part in lectures, team projects, and business simulations that reflect challenges faced by real companies.
You’ll study topics like corporate strategy, negotiation tactics, and organizational behavior—all taught by Wharton faculty. In past years, students have worked on group consulting challenges and pitched business plans to panels of professionals. The program selects around 120 students per session and includes mentorship and guest talks from entrepreneurs and executives.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Acceptance rate: Selective intake
Cost: $6,500 + $ 90 application fee. Financial aid available
Program Dates: June 22- July 4, July 6 - July 18, and July 20 - Aug 1
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 at the time of application
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program is a two-week academic experience for high school students interested in leadership, policy, and global issues. Hosted on Yale’s campus, the program offers multiple session tracks such as “Politics, Law & Economics” and “Solving Global Challenges.” You’ll join seminars, simulations, and breakout discussions led by Yale affiliates and meet students from over 130 countries.
YYGS is designed to push you to think independently, speak up in group settings, and tackle complex questions through research and debate. You’ll also work on a Capstone Project, where you and a small team develop a proposal related to a global issue, presenting your findings to peers and instructors at the program’s close.
Location: On-Campus: Brown University, Providence, RI and Online: Through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Cost: Varies based on session; financial aid available
Program Dates: On Campus: Session I: June 29 – July 11 and Session II: July 13 – July 25; Online: June 23 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9 to 12 (ages 14 to 18 by June 15)
The Brown Leadership Institute is a two-week academic program for high school students interested in social change and civic leadership. You will choose from courses such as “Gender and Leadership,” “Law and Social Movements,” or “Social Entrepreneurship” and take part in daily workshops that build skills in public speaking, conflict resolution, and ethical decision-making.
A key part of the program is your Action Plan. You will identify a specific issue in your school or community, research the problem, and design a step-by-step project to address it. Instructors and peers will support you as you refine your plan and present it at the end of the session. You will receive a Course Performance Report and a Digital Certificate of Completion.
Location: Columbia University, New York City (On-Campus)
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Cost: Tuition varies; financial aid available
Program Dates: June 30 to July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 to 12 with an interest in law, leadership, and public policy
The Columbia Pre-College Leadership Lab is a short academic program that helps high school students explore how leadership works in real settings. You will study different leadership styles, examine case studies, and take part in group projects to understand how leaders make decisions, solve problems, and communicate under pressure.
During the program, you will practice public speaking, lead team challenges, and work through role-play scenarios involving conflict or ethical dilemmas. Each activity is designed to show how leadership theory plays out in daily situations. By the end, you will create a leadership development plan based on your strengths and goals.
Location: Various field sites and Brown University’s partner locations
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Cost: Varies by program session; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 10 to 12 (ages 16 to 18).
The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) gives high school students a chance to study environmental issues while building leadership skills. You will examine topics like climate policy, conservation, and environmental justice through fieldwork, group projects, and case-based discussions.
In past sessions, students have measured biodiversity in coastal ecosystems, evaluated local climate action plans, and worked on environmental outreach projects. The program is led by Brown instructors and includes input from environmental scientists and community leaders. By the end of the course, you’ll complete a group project focused on a real environmental issue and receive a digital certificate from Brown.
Location: Green Mountains, Vermont
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Cost: $6,890 + travel fees + $700 application fees
Program Dates: June 29 - July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students in grade 9-12 and rising 9th-grade students interested in climate science and sustainability
The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains gives high school students the chance to study climate change while learning how to lead on environmental issues. Held in Vermont, this program combines science, policy, and problem-solving through workshops, fieldwork, and mentorship from climate experts.
You’ll study climate science, energy systems, and sustainability while working on projects that address real-world challenges. Past students have analyzed soil samples, measured carbon storage in forests, and presented climate action plans to peers and mentors. After completing the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation from Columbia’s Climate School.
Location: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, and White Mountains Lodge
Acceptance rate: Selective intake for every course
Cost: $8,299; Financial assistance available
Program Dates: Session 1: July 13 – July 25; Session 2: July 27 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 25, after which it's on a rolling basis till seats are filled
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 to 12
The Leadership in the Real World course at the Dartmouth Leadership Institute helps you understand what leadership really looks like. You’ll explore whether leadership is something people are born with or something you can build over time. Through case studies and discussions, you’ll see how leaders work through problems in public policy, social issues, and global events.
You’ll examine how identity, institutions, and pressure shape leadership decisions. Along the way, you’ll build skills in analysis, problem-solving, and reflection to better understand your leadership style. One of the most hands-on parts of the course is a two-day outdoor leadership experience at an Appalachian Mountain Club lodge in the White Mountains, where you’ll work with others in team-based challenges and practice decision-making in real time.
9. Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialization by Dartmouth College
Location: Online via Coursera
Acceptance rate: open enrollment till seats are filled
Cost: Free enrollment with fees for certificate
Program Dates: Rolling dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till seats are filled
Eligibility: High school students
Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making is a beginner-friendly Coursera specialization created by Professor Sydney Finkelstein from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Drawing on research and experience with global executives, the course gives you a clear framework for making decisions, leading during change, and creating lasting impact.
You’ll explore real-world leadership strategies through video lectures, case studies, and short assessments. The program is fully online and self-paced, so you can work through it on your schedule.
10. Connected Leadership by Yale University
Location: Online via Coursera
Acceptance rate: open enrollment till seats are filled
Cost: Free enrollment with fees for certificate
Program Dates: Rolling dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till seats are filled
Eligibility: High school students
Connected Leadership, a course on Coursera led by Yale University’s Peter Boyd, introduces you to leadership in today’s networked world. The course challenges the idea that leadership only comes from holding a title and instead shows how influence works across teams, communities, and systems.
Across five modules, you’ll learn how to connect your personal goals with broader organizational missions. You’ll examine how strong leadership depends on adaptability, collaboration, and clear communication—especially when facing complex, real-world problems.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Image Source - Harvard Logo
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.