11 Leadership Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 30
- 8 min read
If you are a high school student in New Jersey looking for a way to work on your leadership skills, a leadership program in the state can be a great starting point! Leadership programs can give your career a head start by helping you learn how to manage a team, become more confident, and build a positive work environment in high school. These programs can also help you get some hands-on work experience and explore career paths and diverse industries.
Many organizations and educational facilities in New Jersey conduct leadership programs for high schoolers. The experience will typically involve engaging with the community, participating in group activities, mentoring younger teens or kids, and/or organizing real events that require you to make informed decisions. These tasks can help you develop leadership qualities that will help you in your future academics and career!
To help you get started, we have listed worthwhile leadership programs in New Jersey based on factors such as academic rigor, networking possibilities, funding options, selectivity, and affiliation with prestigious organizations.
So, here are 11 leadership programs for high school students in New Jersey:
Location: Delaware Water Gap, Northern New Jersey, NJ
Cost: No cost to attend; however, a $50 application fee is charged
Application deadline: March 7
Program dates: July 6 – 19
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 who are 15 – 17 years old
The New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps (NJYLC) is a fully funded, merit-based 14-day leadership program. If selected, you get to take an Outward Bound expedition in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and experience backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing. The goal of the program is to help you develop leadership skills while you engage in challenging outdoor activities in a supportive group environment.
You will work closely with peers and, throughout the trip, push yourself to grow personally and as leaders. This opportunity can help you if you are trying to build confidence, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills in an immersive, hands-on setting. Additionally, it is a chance to try something new, as you get to experience wilderness, waterfalls, and the views from rocky summits!
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township, NJ
Cost: $450
Application deadline: Unspecified | More information regarding the registration is available here.
Program dates: Session 1 : July 8 – 10 | Session 2 : July 12 – 14
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in New Jersey
The Leadership Training Conference (LTC), held annually at The College of New Jersey, is one of the longest-running leadership programs in the U.S.. For nearly 70 years, it has brought together hundreds of student leaders from across the state to help them develop key leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills in a collaborative and engaging environment. Run by the New Jersey Association of Student Councils (NJASC), the program will offer you a chance to grow as a leader and make lasting connections through workshops, activities, and team-building games conducted in a supportive environment. You can consider this program if you enjoy engaging in clubs, sports teams, honor societies, or other activities to improve your leadership abilities.
Location: Details regarding precise sites are not available; however, the program will be held in Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students can earn a stipend of up to $450.
Application deadline: April 14; however, if the program has room, it may accept applications after the deadline
Program dates: July 7 – August 14
Eligibility: High school students
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a six-week program designed to help young women and gender-expansive youth develop their leadership skills and find a supportive community. During the program, you will engage in workshops focused on identity, social justice, and leadership to boost critical thinking abilities and develop a strong sense of belonging. The program also offers opportunities to meet accomplished leaders, including elected officials, business owners, and artists, providing valuable insights into their paths to success. Additionally, here, you will participate in field trips that enhance learning, build connections, and add an element of fun to the experience. This program can help you acquire leadership qualities as well as meet leaders and peers belonging to diverse groups.
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Cost: No cost
Application deadline: February 3
Program dates: Dates are not specified; the program runs for eight days
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors who are 14 – 16 years old and in good academic standing
The Youth Leadership Program (YLP), hosted by the FBI National Academy Associates, New Jersey Chapter, is an opportunity to boost your leadership skills and engage with important societal issues. This eight-day competitive program brings together 62 students annually from across the world, offering intensive instruction from law enforcement training professionals. Throughout the program, you will cover courses across topics like ethical leadership, time management, social media, and financial literacy, and engage in hands-on experiences like firearms training demonstrations and local field trips. The program focuses on developing well-rounded leaders who are socially conscious, resilient, and ready to make a positive impact in their communities.
Location: Somerset County, NJ
Cost: No information is available
Application deadline: TBA
Program Dates: The program year runs from September to May, and classes take place one Saturday a month. You can find all the class dates here.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12 in Somerset County, NJ
Youth Leadership Somerset is a nine-month program for high school students in Somerset County aimed at developing leadership skills and fostering community engagement. The program offers presentations from local community leaders, small group challenges, and interactive activities that focus on addressing local issues.
Throughout the program, you will get the chance to connect with peers from across Somerset County, learn about the region’s needs, and gain practical leadership experience. Youth Leadership Somerset is designed to inspire students to get involved in their communities while building valuable skills for the future.
Location: Monmouth County, NJ
Cost: Unspecified. To register for these programs, you can email jrountree@cymca.org
Application deadline: Unspecified
Program dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students are eligible for these leadership programs. Check the specific criteria for each program here.
YMCA’s Community Outreach program in Monmouth County, New Jersey, offers three leadership initiatives to teens. The YMCA Achievers program supports students ages 12–17 with mentorship, college preparation, and school-to-work transition guidance. It includes workshops, campus visits, and a paid internship for qualified participants. The Girls Circle program focuses on building confidence, communication, and leadership skills in girls who are 12–18 years old. The third opportunity, the Boys Council, helps boys and young men develop healthy behaviors, self-worth, and leadership through group discussions. These programs can provide you with valuable mentorship, skill-building, and opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: $350
Application deadline: Rolling
Program dates: May 30 – June 1
Eligibility: School and community-nominated high school sophomores
The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership’s State Leadership Seminars are meant for high school sophomores nominated by their schools or communities. Here, you will attend a 3–4-day seminar focused on developing leadership skills. You will also engage in workshops and group activities that help you discover your leadership strengths and values. During the program, you will go through three phases: personal leadership, group leadership, and service leadership. First, you will explore your own leadership style, then learn to collaborate with others, and finally, apply your skills to create positive change in your community. Held on a college campus, the program offers both leadership training and a taste of college life, preparing you to make a meaningful impact.
Location: Multiple locations throughout NJ. You can find more details here.
Cost: No cost
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Program dates: Varies based on projects. Details here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 and up
The 4-H Youth Development Program, offered by Rutgers University, focuses on helping K-13 students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to become responsible and engaged citizens. Through a learn-by-doing approach and working closely with caring adults, the program allows you to grow as leaders and community members.
As a teen, you can join the Teen Leadership Project, which is available to 4-H members. Here, you will collaborate with your 4-H leader or county staff to create a leadership plan, which might include activities like teaching new skills, training officers, or organizing events. The project is evaluated throughout the year and documented in a project record book, giving you hands-on experience in leadership while contributing to the 4-H community.
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $3,648.50 for in-state applicants and $4,754 for out-of-state applicants
Application deadline: May 16
Program dates: Session I: July 13 – 19 | Session II: July 27 – August 2
Eligibility: Students who are completing their sophomore and junior years and are between the ages of 16 and 18
Rutgers University’s Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy is a one-week program designed to help you explore and work on your leadership abilities. Through a combination of lectures, public speaking workshops, and interactive activities, you will identify your personal leadership strengths and improve critical thinking and communication skills. During the program, you will engage in group problem-solving challenges to analyze your behavior and gain insight into emotional, social, and cultural intelligence. You will also learn about organizational leadership, ethical dilemmas leaders face, and current leadership trends. By the end of the week, you will be prepared to make a presentation and share insights on your own leadership growth.
Location: Livingston Senior/Community Center, Hillside Avenue, Livingston, NJ
Cost: No cost
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Program dates: Meetings held throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students
The Township of Livingston’s Recreation & Senior Services Department runs a Community Leaders program. Here, you get to mentor younger students, including those with special needs, while developing leadership skills. You will undergo training to improve presentation skills and learn group facilitation and community program coordination. The program also covers topics like kindness, empathy, the dangers of social media, and drug and alcohol awareness with input from local law enforcement. It provides you with a community programming experience that can strengthen any college application. This program can help you work on leadership aspects like personal growth, community service, and social connections.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in pursuing independent research, you can consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective online high school experiences developed by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, over 4,000 students applied for just 500 spots in the program! You can learn more about the program and find the application form here.
Additionally, consider checking out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which is a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students 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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