10 Leadership Programs for High School Students in Canada
- Stephen Turban
- 20 hours ago
- 8 min read
For high school students, learning leadership and building a skillset as a leader is important whether you're interested in STEM, social justice, or entrepreneurship. Colleges value students who show initiative and the ability to take on challenges, skills that are also crucial for future research and career success.
If you're a high school student in Canada, joining a leadership program in the country can help you build these skills in an accessible and affordable manner, as opposed to leadership programs for international students in the US. These programs focus on problem-solving, communication, and decision-making. You’ll face complex situations, work alongside your peers, and gain hands-on experience while learning from people who are already leaders in their fields.
To help you find the best fit, we’ve put together a list of 10 leadership programs for high school students in Canada!Â
10 Leadership Programs for High School Students in Canada
If you want to build real-world skills and explore leadership through public service, the Government of Canada runs several programs that can help.These programs are open to high school students and are focused on civic responsibility, teamwork, and community involvement.
In the Cadet Program or Junior Canadian Rangers, you will train in survival skills, lead group activities, and learn how to work as part of a team. With Youth Exchanges Canada, you can travel to a different part of the country, live with a host group, and take part in a cultural exchange that builds your communication and planning skills.Â
Cost: Most programs are fully funded or low-cost, covering travel and accommodation
Location: Nationwide (virtual, in schools, or on-site in communities, parks, or national institutions)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by program; some are open-access, while others are competitive (e.g., Prime Minister’s Youth Council)
Dates: Programs run year-round with seasonal cohorts or rolling participation
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by program
Eligibility: Open to Canadian youth aged 12–18; specific age and grade requirements vary by program.
The Lang High School Leadership Academy is a business-focused program for high school students interested in how business ideas can address real-world problems. You will take part in virtual workshops and classroom modules that cover topics like sustainability, ethical decision-making, and digital commerce.
Guided by Lang Commerce students, you will work on challenges such as Building a Greener Future, Ethics in Action, and Mastering the Digital Marketplace. You’ll also create and submit a team video for the Business Case Challenge. Top teams are selected for the Lang Business Pentathlon, a one-day in-person event where you’ll compete in team-based business tasks that test your problem-solving, strategy, and collaboration skills.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual (across Canada); Business Pentathlon held at the University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open to all eligible students for virtual workshops; Business Pentathlon participants selected based on performance
Dates: Workshops are available throughout the school year via high schools; Business Pentathlon is a one-day event in spring
Application Deadline: Rolling basis, coordinated through participating schools
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 across Canada; no prior business experience required
The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program gives high school students the chance to build public speaking and leadership skills through real practice. Over eight sessions, each lasting one to two hours, you will learn how to prepare speeches, speak without notes, give feedback, and lead group activities.
Each session follows a formal agenda similar to a Toastmasters club meeting. You will take on different roles, including presiding officer and timekeeper, and learn procedures used in organized meetings. Programs are hosted by local Toastmasters clubs and run in partnership with schools or community groups.Â
Cost: Generally free or low-cost, depending on the sponsoring club or school
Location: Varies by program; offered at local schools, community centers, or Toastmasters clubs across Canada
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited to 25 participants per workshop
Dates: Flexible; programs are held during or after school, or on weekends, based on availability of host clubs and partners
Application Deadline: No central deadline; coordinated through local Toastmasters clubs or school partners
Eligibility: Open to students aged 14–18
The LEAP workshops are offered by the University of Toronto to help high school students build leadership skills through discussion and practice. You will work on skills like critical thinking, structured communication, debate, and cross-cultural understanding.
Sessions cover topics such as academic integrity, group decision-making, and teamwork in debate. You will learn how to evaluate arguments, challenge assumptions, and speak with clarity in group settings. The workshops are available in 1-day, 3-day, or 5-day formats, depending on your school or organization. All sessions are run by trained facilitators from the University of Toronto.
Cost: Varies depending on group size and workshop duration; quotes available upon request
Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, or on-site at participating schools/agencies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; workshops coordinated by request through schools or agencies.
Dates: Available year-round; dates arranged in consultation with the group
Application Deadline: RollingÂ
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18; strong English proficiency preferred.
The Global Leadership Program is a three-week residential summer course offered by CISS at campuses in Toronto and Vancouver. You will study core leadership topics like critical thinking, decision-making, and communication during morning sessions.
In the afternoons and evenings, you’ll take part in group activities and city excursions that help you apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings. By the end of the program, you’ll create and present a personal action plan for a community project you plan to work on after the program ends.Â
Cost:Â $7075 CAD for 3 weeks; additional fees apply for extra services (e.g., early arrival, transfers, custodianship).
Location:Â CISS Toronto Campus, Toronto, ON & CISS Vancouver Campus, North Vancouver, BC.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Medium selectivity; specific information on acceptance rate or cohort size is not available.
Dates: Toronto: June 29–July 19, July 20–August 9; Vancouver: July 13–August 2
Application Deadline:Â Applications open until seats are filled; early application recommended.
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged approximately 14–18; IELTS 4.0+ or equivalent English level required.
The Future Global Leaders Program is a summer experience for high school students offered by the University of British Columbia. You can join the program in person at the Vancouver campus or attend online. In both formats, you will take university-level courses taught by UBC faculty and instructors.
Courses cover fields like business, international relations, science, and technology. You will also join workshops and group activities that focus on leadership, communication, and working with people from different backgrounds. The program is designed to help you understand what academic life at a university is like and prepare for future studies. At the end, you will receive a letter of completion from UBC.
Cost: Varies by course and format; approx. $2,250–$3,300 CAD for on-campus sessions.
Location:Â University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC or online.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Medium selectivity; specific information on acceptance rate or cohort size is not available.
Dates: On-campus: July–August (3-week sessions); Online: Available year-round
Application Deadline: No formal deadline – registration remains open until sessions are full.
Eligibility: Ages 15–18, completed Grade 10, with a recommended 78% average or equivalent; IELTS/TOEFL scores suggested for non-native English speakers.
The YMCA Youth Leadership Programs are open to high school students who want to build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through real experiences. You will take part in community service projects, volunteer work, and guided workshops.
These programs help you develop practical skills such as public speaking, goal setting, and resume writing. You’ll also work with mentors and peers on social action projects that address local needs. In Ontario, your volunteer hours count toward the high school graduation requirement.
Cost:Â Free
Location:Â YMCA of Greater Toronto, ON (multiple locations across the GTA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Open access; space may be limited by region or site; specific information on acceptance rate or cohort size is not available.
Dates:Â Programs run throughout the school year and often during the summer months.
Application Deadline:Â Rolling admissions; contact your local YMCA branch to register.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (ages 13–19), especially newcomer youth to Canada; no experience required.
The ME to WE Leadership Programs give high school students the chance to develop leadership skills with a focus on social impact. These workshops are customizable and can be delivered in schools, communities, or virtually. You’ll explore social justice issues, improve your communication and problem-solving skills, and take action on causes that matter to you.Â
Key programs include WE Are Canada, a 3-day workshop on Canadian identity and leadership, 21st Century Leadership Skills, which focuses on adapting to today’s world, and Indigenous Leadership and Education, where you’ll learn from Elders and explore Indigenous cultures. Each program follows a three-step structure: Issues Education, Skill Development, and Action Planning.
Cost:Â Varies by program and group size; quotes provided on request.
Location:Â Flexible; programs may be held in schools, community settings, or online across Canada.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Programs are group-based and run by request through schools, boards, or community groups.
Dates:Â Flexible; workshops are scheduled year-round and customized per group.
Application Deadline:Â No fixed deadline; contact the organization to book a program.
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students (ages 13–18), for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
The Leadership Camp by Dale Carnegie is an online program that helps high school students build leadership and communication skills. The course focuses on five key areas: self-confidence, interpersonal communication, teamwork, leadership, and attitude management.
Using real-life scenarios and role-playing, the program allows students to apply what they learn right away. It’s interactive and designed based on feedback from students, with a focus on personal transformation. By the end, you’ll gain clarity on your goals, improve decision-making, and learn how to manage stress and complex relationships.
Cost: Varies by location; contact here for current pricing.
Location: Online (live sessions); check for local availability through Dale Carnegie offices.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Open enrollment; space-limited per session to maintain interactivity.
Dates:Â Offered during the summer, with rolling sessions; exact dates vary by region and availability.
Application Deadline:Â First-come, first-served until spots are filled.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (ages 14–18); no prior leadership experience required; comfort with spoken English recommended.
The Leader in Training (LIT) Program at WILDE School Blue Mountains helps high school students develop leadership skills through outdoor experiences. The program combines skill development (LIT Prep) with real-world application in a summer camp setting.
During a minimum two-week volunteer placement (with options to extend), you’ll work alongside seasoned professionals, leading activities, managing risks, and building resilience. You’ll gain hands-on experience in canoeing, water rescue techniques, wilderness survival, group dynamics, and teaching. Plus, you’ll earn volunteer hours that count toward your high school graduation requirements.
Cost: $175/week for year 1 (Save 25% for 4-week commitment and 50% for 8-week commitment); Year 2 of the program is free!
Location:Â WILDE School Blue Mountains, Ontario
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; limited space available and admission is based on an interview process.
Dates: Summer program; minimum 2-week commitment; For more details, visit the WILDE School Blue Mountains website.
Application Deadline:Â Rolling applications until spots are filled.
Eligibility: Open to high school students (ages 15–17) with an interest in outdoor leadership and experiential learning; interview required.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in leadership, 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!
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.
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