13 Summer Programs for High School Students in Louisiana
Summer programs offer a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of fields. For high school students, these programs offer specialized training, giving you the opportunity to develop both foundational and advanced skills in your chosen discipline. Many summer programs also provide mentorship from professionals, researchers, and industry leaders, allowing you to learn from experts who are shaping fields you’re interested in.
In addition to helping you develop skills and explore potential careers, summer programs can also be a valuable addition to your college application profile. Getting into a selective program can help you stand out and show admissions officers your commitment to your academic interests.
Here are 13 summer programs you can opt for as a high school student in Louisiana.
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost: $2,990. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school. Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
Lumiere Education, established by Harvard and Oxford researchers, is a virtual platform for high school students to conduct advanced academic research. Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you will engage in rigorous, university-level research under the guidance of mentors from top institutions.
The program offers three distinct tracks that cater to varying research goals. The Individual Research Program is a 12-week course where students work one-on-one with a mentor to produce a 15-page research paper on a topic of their choice. For those seeking publication, the Premium Research & Publication Program spans 16-20 weeks, including additional sessions with a publication specialist and a customized publication plan, though publication is not guaranteed.
The most intensive option, the Research Fellowship, extends over 6-12 months and involves original data collection and analysis, aiming for publication in international journals or presentation at prestigious competitions like MIT’s THINK or ISEF Regeneron. Each track is designed to provide a rigorous academic experience, preparing students for university-level research and beyond. Apply here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (The 10-week bootcamp) | $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (the 12–15-week 1-1 mentorship) | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. October 20, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students from around the world with a keen interest in AI can apply. For the AI Fellowship program, applicants will either need to complete the AI Scholars program or have past experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers a suite of programs designed to introduce high school students to the foundational concepts and advanced applications of artificial intelligence and data science. Throughout the program, you will engage with key AI and data science topics such as neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, and Python coding, as well as a research project under the guidance of scholars.
The program is divided into three tracks, each catering to different levels of experience and focus areas. The AI Scholars Program provides a 25-hour introduction to AI and machine learning, covering topics like linear regression and convolutional neural networks, and culminating in a group project. For a more intensive experience, the AI Fellowship offers a 12-15 week one-on-one mentorship, guiding students through the creation of an independent AI project, from ideation to execution, with opportunities for publication and presentation. Finally, the Deep Dive Programs—AI + Medicine and AI + Finance—allow students to explore AI's impact on specific industries, focusing on specialized topics such as medical data preparation and financial risk management, with hands-on projects to apply their learning.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,490, need-based financial aid available
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships provides high school students with the chance to immerse themselves in the fast-paced world of startups through hands-on, real-world projects. In this program, you will be matched with companies that align with your specific interests, enabling you to work on projects that are impactful as well as within your interests. Over an 8-12 week period, you will be expected to dedicate 5-10 hours per week to your role, collaborating closely with managers who will guide you through the process and help set weekly goals. The program culminates in a final presentation, where you get to present your work to your company and peers, showcasing the skills and knowledge you’ve gained!
The program offers opportunities in various fields, such as health tech, environmental science, machine learning, and media. As an intern, you might contribute to launching a solar startup in Southeast Asia, support the development of a wealth management app, or help create a pitch deck for a trading app targeting the Swiss market—among other exciting projects! Each project is carefully chosen to ensure it provides substantial learning opportunities and adds value to your professional profile, making Ladder Internships a solid stepping stone for students interested in the startup ecosystem.
Location: Virtual
Program dates: December 2, 2024 onwards for the winter seminar | Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Application deadline: November 10, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Horizon Academic provides high school students with advanced research opportunities through its two main programs: Horizon Labs and Horizon Seminar. Horizon Seminar offers a structured experience where students engage in a college-level research project under the guidance of experienced professors or lecturers. The program combines individualized research topics with small group classes, ensuring that each student receives focused attention. With an average class size of just 4 to 6 students, participants benefit from personalized instruction over 14 classes led by senior instructors, as well as additional review sessions with teaching assistants.
Horizon Labs, on the other hand, is a one-on-one mentorship program tailored for students looking to delve deeply into specialized research areas. Participants work closely with leading researchers and lecturers from top universities, gaining access to cutting-edge studies and data. Over 20 hours of individualized mentorship, students can develop unique research projects, craft customized reading lists, and receive expert feedback on their paper drafts. Horizon Labs also provides guidance on publication opportunities, making it an ideal option for students aiming to produce research that could contribute to academic journals or conferences.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: $2,900. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: December 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (3 weeks)
Application deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is an immersive start-up boot camp designed for high school students by Harvard entrepreneurs. The program guides participants through the process of creating a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a real-world problem. Under the mentorship of successful entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, students gain hands-on experience in the start-up ecosystem. The curriculum includes interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation workshops, skill-building sessions, and case studies.
The program is divided into three phases, beginning with foundational business education and ideation. In the second phase, you will engage in market and user research to develop a prototype of your product or service. The final phase focuses on launching the start-up, gaining traction, and achieving revenue generation. The program concludes with a demo day, where you’ll present your start-ups to potential investors, offering a real-world experience of pitching and scaling a business.
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $895 – $5,595 depending on the course and experience type. Financial aid available
Program Dates: Varies according to course, various dates in June and July
Application Deadline: April 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Tulane Science Scholars Program (TSSP) allows high school juniors and seniors to take college-credit courses in STEM fields. This selective two-week program gives you a taste of college life, offering the chance to live and learn on campus. During the program, you will engage in lectures and hands-on lab work led by Tulane’s faculty and graduate students.
Additionally, the Tulane Center for K-12 STEM Education offers a paid research opportunity for a select group of TSSP applicants. This six-week internship allows participants to work in Tulane’s research laboratories alongside faculty and graduate students from the School of Science and Engineering. You will receive a stipend and be awarded a full-tuition scholarship to attend TSSP.
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: $500. Partial need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: June 2 – 6, 2025
Application Deadline: April 28, 2025
Eligibility: 10th - 12th graders
At the eXploreCS High School camp, you will get the opportunity to learn essential skills in the Python programming language and key concepts across major areas of computer science. Topics covered include algorithms, video game development, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, digital music production, and ethical hacking. The camp also offers hands-on experience programming an Arduino to create circuits, read sensors, and build a robot using a Sparkfun Kit which you get to take home by the end of the program!
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: $1,250. Limited partial scholarships available
Program Dates: June 9 – 14, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
During this one-week residential workshop hosted on the LSU campus, you will have the opportunity to explore basic design principles and techniques through a variety of hands-on activities, including building and model-making. This program is designed to provide you with an introduction to Architectural Design, giving you practical experience in applying creative and technical skills.
The workshop allows you to work closely with faculty and students from the LSU School of Architecture. The workshop includes visiting active construction sites and local architecture firms. By the end of the sessions, your work will be critiqued by both peers and professionals, giving you constructive feedback to refine your ideas and techniques. A highlight of the program is the opportunity to meet and interact with professional architects, gaining a deeper understanding of the field and the diverse career paths available within it.
Location: Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $500 – $550
Program Dates: Varies by course, typically 3 weeks in June/July
Application Deadline: May 20, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students in 7th-12th grade taking a corresponding course in the fall
The XULA Star Programs aim to help you prepare for the coming school year. The program provides an opportunity for middle and high school students to strengthen foundational academic skills while exploring a variety of subject areas. You enroll in a course based on the corresponding class you’re taking in school in the fall. For example, students taking geometry in the fall are eligible to take MATHStar II: Geometry. The program ends with an award ceremony.
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $4,495. Financial aid available
Program Dates: TBA for 2025, typically 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
This program offers an environment where students can engage with topics that influence gender dynamics and contribute to social progress. Throughout the sessions, you will participate in courses such as DIY Feminisms, Media & Reproductive Rights, Music and Gender and Women’s Advocacy. Each course helps you develop your critical thinking, encouraging you to explore and address gender inequality from multiple perspectives. The program also includes discussion-based seminars on gender-related issues, hands-on workshops, and collaborative projects.
Location: Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $450
Program Dates: June 10 – July 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: June 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Grade 7-10
Over the course of this five-week summer program, you will engage in a variety of activities that bring academic concepts to life. Through scientific demonstrations and hands-on experiments, the program encourages theoretical knowledge in practical settings, reinforcing key concepts and deepening your understanding of the natural and physical sciences. One of the highlights of the program is the opportunity to participate in science and engineering fairs, where you can showcase your projects. In addition to in-class learning, the program offers educational trips designed to expose you to various fields of science and engineering.
Location: Loyola University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $200 – $6,500 depending on number of weeks and residential or commuter
Program Dates: June 24 – July 12, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: May 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Students aged 10-21. Instrumentalists are required to have been actively involved in a music education program for at least two years
This summer program is focused on helping you develop your skills as a Jazz artist. You will concentrate on mastering a primary instrument of your choice, learning its techniques and nuances. In addition to your instrumental studies, you can choose an elective, such as Music Composition, Swing Dance, or Vocal Training to further enhance your experience.
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Funded or almost fully funded for every student
Program Dates: June 9 – 22, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors attending high school in Louisiana who either qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at school and/or will be a first-generation college student
The Louisiana Center for College Access (LCCA) Summer Program is curated to help you understand and experience college life firsthand. Over the course of two weeks, you will step into the shoes of a college student, living on campus, taking classes, and learning about the college search and application process.
The program includes visits to a diverse array of colleges and universities, from community colleges and public universities to private institutions and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to give you a well-rounded view of the different types of institutions. You will gain valuable insights into finding the college that best fits your needs and aspirations. You will also receive hands-on support with essential components of the application process, such as crafting a compelling essay, preparing for standardized tests, and navigating financial aid.
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.