15 Leadership Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 3
- 10 min read
This is your chance to strengthen skills like team building, public speaking, problem-solving, and civic responsibility through practical and immersive experiences hosted in your city. These programs will allow you to explore various fields, ranging from business and policy to social impact and STEM while cultivating leadership potential.
Set against the backdrop of NYC’s dynamic and diverse environment, you’ll gain exposure to real-world challenges, hands on experiences, professional mentors, and cultural resources. If you’re looking to pursue an undergraduate degree at NYC’s top institutions, attending a program there in high school can give you an excellent idea of what a college education will look like!
Here’s a curated list of 15 NYC based leadership programs for you! Some of these programs are also prestigious programs hosted a drive away from the city, but are open to high school students from NYC.
Note: We’ve also covered subject-specific offerings hosted in NYC for high school students, such as law, coding, and film!
15 Leadership Programs for High School Students in NYC
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Cost: Free! Stipend on completion
Dates: Nasher & Family orientation starts on June 28 for the summer cohort (6 – weeks)
Application Deadline: Priority, March 24 and Final deadline, April 14
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth enrolled in high school living in New York City or Newark
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project is a six-week summer program designed for young women and gender-expansive youth to delve into leadership, identity, and social change. You will engage in elective courses focused on themes such as activism, gender, and social justice, while working on personal projects tied to your interests.
The program includes your visits to college campuses and cultural institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum and NJIT and provides opportunities to connect you with activists and like-minded peers. You will receive a stipend upon successful completion.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: The City College of New York (CCNY)
Cost: No fee. No stipend! Fully sponsored by Standard Chartered
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis but encouraged to apply before March 31
Eligibility: Current high school girls and nonbinary students (9th - 12th graders)
Bossgirls is a summer program for high school girls interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. You will be working in teams, identifying a real-world problem, develop a solution, research the market, build a brand, and create a product prototype. The program culminates in a final pitch presentation, similar to Shark Tank but without the sharks.
Along the way, you’ll learn human-centered design, business strategy, and receive mentorship from professionals, including experts from sponsor Standard Chartered. This program promotes entrepreneurship as both a career path and a mindset while also strengthening college applications.
Location: London, New York, Singapore, or Online
Cost: Varies by format
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; places are limited
Programme Dates: Summer 2026 (multiple two-week sessions across locations and formats)
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 (14–18 for the virtual programme); strong English proficiency recommended.
TED Summer School is a two-week public speaking, communication, and leadership programme developed in partnership between Immerse Education and TED. Designed for motivated high school students, the programme helps participants discover meaningful ideas, develop them through structured reflection and practice, and communicate them with clarity and confidence.
Across small-group sessions guided by expert tutors trained by the TED team, students learn core frameworks for idea development, storytelling, and presentation. The programme culminates in each student delivering a TED-style talk, which is recorded and shared as part of a personal portfolio, alongside a formal certificate and individual feedback. TED Summer School is ideal for students looking to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, and develop communication skills valued by universities and future careers.
You can explore the TED Summer School programme and check full guidance on eligibility, application steps, and deadlines on the application page.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free except travel costs. Need based scholarships available!
Dates: Varies as per program
Application Deadline: March 12. Seasonal deadlines as applications accepted if space available in a program
Eligibility: 6th - 12th grade (High school program students must be between the ages of 14-18)
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offers eight summer programs in NYC for high school students, covering fields like business, fashion, forensic science, design, international finance, sports management, and theater.
Each program combines hands-on workshops, field trips, and leadership training to help you strengthen communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills while also enhancing college and career readiness.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: Barnard College, NYC
Cost: $10,171 for residential and $8,160 for commuter. Limited amount of need-based financial aid available!
Dates: June 29 - July 18 (3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis but application fee applies after priority deadline of February 10
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school
The NextGen Leadership Institute at Barnard College offers high school students a summer experience in New York City focused on leadership through a feminist lens.
You will choose from four academic tracks; STEM, writing and literature, global humanities, or art, movement, and performance while developing leadership skills with guidance from Barnard’s Athena Center for Leadership.
This program also includes opportunities to explore the city and engage with peers in a dynamic, supportive environment.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Westchester Campus located in Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost: Free tuition and board. A fee of $695 to cover the cost of food and activities
Dates: July 6 - July 12, July 13 - July 19 and July 20 - July 26 (You can choose any one session)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current High School Juniors (Rising seniors)
This immersive, week-long summer program from Business Leadership Academy at Mercy University offers rising high school seniors hands-on learning led by university faculty and executives from top global companies.
You will explore key topics like career mindset, leadership styles, personal branding, and careers in finance, accounting, and marketing. The program includes visits to Fortune 500 companies, team-building activities like Shark Tank-style challenges, and a firsthand look at university life and business leadership.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: NYC, specific sites vary
Cost: Free
Dates: April 14 – April 18 followed by in-person after-school work session and Youth Service Summit in May
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in grades 10-12
The Service in Schools (SIS) Leadership Institute is a leadership and youth service program that empowers you to build leadership skills and inspire younger peers while exploring a community issue through diverse learning sources.
In-person sessions foster collaboration and connections with fellow students from across the city. You will receive guidance from local community organization experts and feedback from the SIS team as you develop service-learning lessons. The experience culminates in a Youth Service Summit, where you will lead projects for elementary schoolers, showcasing how youth of all ages can drive community change.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 300 students connected annually
Location: NYC nonprofits that are partners of the Bank and are selected by Bank of America inclusive of the week spent at the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC.
Cost: Free, paid internship
Dates: Dates vary by market and internship expects to begin at the end of the school year. It runs for 8 weeks including the summit week in July 21-26 held at DC
Application Deadline: January 15 (8-week program)
Eligibility: Currently a junior or senior in high school
The Student Leaders program supports youth employment and economic mobility by equipping high school juniors and seniors with leadership training and hands-on work experience.
Each year, the Student Leaders program selects hundreds of high schoolers for a paid eight-week internship with nonprofits like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You will gain first-hand experience in community service and attend a national summit in Washington, D.C., to learn how nonprofits, businesses, and governments work together to address local needs.
United by the dedication to service, these diverse students gain valuable professional and life skills while preparing to make a meaningful impact in communities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. Approximately 1,100 students selected using the SLE application's academic, athletic, and extracurricular information
Location: United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Cost: Cost of attendance is $625, but generous need-based scholarships are available!
Dates: May 31 - June 6 for Session 1 and June 7 - June 13 for Session 2
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Currently a high school junior
The West Point Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) is a weeklong program for high school students interested in military leadership. Led by current cadets, it offers a firsthand look at cadet life through academic challenges, athletic team-building, and military training.
You will get a chance to explore West Point’s campus, prepare for the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), and develop leadership skills, character, and discipline essential for future cadets.
10. NYU Precollege
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: NYU, NYC (in person and online)
Cost: Varies by course with an estimated tuition fee charge of $700 to $14,000. Need-based scholarships available that covers up to 50% of Precollege tuition.
Dates: July 2 - August 13
Application Deadline: June 16
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th grade high school students with a minimum of 3.0 GPA
NYU Precollege is a summer program that allows high school students to take college-level courses alongside NYU undergrads, either on campus or online. The program combines academic rigor with college prep workshops on admissions, study skills, and financial aid. You will gain leadership experience, explore a wide range of subjects, and connect with NYU’s professional networks. With access to NYU’s renowned faculty and cultural institutions, you will earn college credit while experiencing life as part of a diverse, intellectually vibrant community.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: NYC, specific sites vary
Cost: Nominal fee. (likely low-cost or free)
Dates: October - June
Application Deadline: Registration window opens between September - October
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
Cornell University Cooperative Extension – NYC offers two teen leadership programs through 4-H: the Youth Leadership Academy and the New York Life Teen Leadership Series. Open to students in grades 9–12, these programs help you develop valuable, real-world leadership skills.
You will engage in activities that promote self-awareness, respect for diversity, community engagement, and future readiness. Involvement in local, state, and national 4-H events also connects you to a broader network, providing platforms to showcase your talents and amplify youth voices.
In New York City, 4-H offers accessible, research-based programs through clubs and teen leadership groups. These programs primarily focus on STEM, healthy living, literacy, civic engagement, and leadership development.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Multiple locations including NYC for ALA Empire Girls State program
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 - July 6 for New York location
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location you choose. (You can contact your school counselor or your local American Legion Auxiliary units regarding the application process and deadline)
Eligibility: Female high school juniors
ALA Girls State is a week-long immersive program that introduces high school girls to leadership and state government through hands-on experiences. You will be exposed to create and run a mock government, campaign for office, and draft and pass legislation.
This program is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary which encourages nonpartisan collaboration, policy discussions, and mentorship, culminating in elections and legislative sessions that offer a deeper understanding of the democratic process.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Two participants from each Boys State are chosen. (Selection on merit basis and may vary slightly from state to state)
Location: Multiple locations including NYC for American Legion Boys State & Boys Nation
Cost: Free
Dates: June 28 - July 3 for New York location
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location you choose
Eligibility: Male high school juniors. (High school students must participate in Boys State to be eligible for Boys Nation)
American Legion Boys State and Boys Nation are prestigious programs for high school juniors to learn about government through hands-on civic engagement. At Boys State, you will build mock local and state governments, while two delegates from each state go on to Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., to simulate the U.S. Senate, participate in mock legislative sessions, and visit national landmarks.
This program is designed for those who have strong leadership, character, and academic excellence, selection is merit-based and typically involves school nominations and interviews by local American Legion posts.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified!
Location: Cornell University Ithaca, NY and University of Maryland
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
TASS is a six-week summer program for high schoolers that offer a deep academic experience in the humanities and social sciences. You will have a chance to explore topics such as race, democracy, and culture through discussion, debate, and critical thinking, while also developing leadership skills like public speaking.
The program offers two tracks: Critical Black Studies, which focuses on the history, literature, and art of people of African descent, and Anti-Oppressive Studies, which examines systems like patriarchy, white supremacy, and classism.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective based on application quality
Location: Various locations across NYC’s five boroughs, depending on the host or organization
Cost: Free. (Often includes stipends)
Dates: September - June but the timeline changes according to an organization’s schedule
Application Deadline: Varies, typically spring for summer programs
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school or an equivalency program (Ages between 14 and 21)
Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs) are a network of programs across NYC that empower teens to engage in local policy, advocacy, and community projects. The program is hosted by city agencies, schools, and nonprofits. Each YLC offers hands-on experiences where you collaborate with adults, develop leadership skills, earn community service hours, and contribute to real change in your communities. Programs vary by borough and focus area.
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!
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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