15 Maryland Summer Programs for High School Students

If you’re a high school student trying to figure out what you might want to study in college, a summer program can help you explore your interests. Summer programs for high schoolers let you focus on one subject at a time and see what learning looks like beyond your normal classes. These programs also give you experiences that can strengthen your college applications and resumes because you’re learning in structured environments and credible institutions.

What summer programs are available for high school students in Maryland?

Maryland is home to several universities, research centers, and public institutions that run summer programs for high school students. You may attend classes, work on guided projects, or learn from instructors with experience in their fields. These programs help you understand expectations, workload, and the kind of thinking required in more advanced settings. Choosing a local program can be a practical decision. Staying closer to home means lower costs, less travel, and fewer logistics to manage during the summer.  

To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down 15 Maryland summer programs for high school students!

1. National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) 

Location: NIST campuses in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective

Dates: June 22 - August 7

Application Deadline: January 26

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA | Must be U.S. citizens 

The NIST Summer High School Internship Program is a seven-week experience where you work inside a U.S. government research lab on a focused project. You will be placed in a NIST laboratory based on your interests, such as engineering, materials measurement, neutron research, or communications technology. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on topics like human-computer interaction, net-zero building design, advanced materials, or applied programming. Throughout the internship, you spend your time learning how research is planned, tested, and refined in a professional lab setting. The program ends with you creating a research poster and presenting it at NIST’s summer poster session, where you explain your work to other interns and researchers. You can read more about past students’ projects here. 

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here. 

3. UMB CURE Scholars Program

Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

Cost: Free (school-year) plus paid summer internship 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: Sessions take place year-round 

Application Deadline: September 22 for Fall

Eligibility: Grades 6-10 | Students must be residents of West Baltimore 

UMB’s CURE Scholars Program is a long-term STEM program for middle and high school students in West Baltimore who are interested in health, medicine, and research. During the school year, you will attend weekly Saturday sessions where you learn about biomedical research, public health, epidemiology, and the different roles people play in medicine and healthcare. Each summer, you join a paid internship where you work on a research project connected to cancer, healthcare, or related biomedical fields, and present your work at a STEM Expo followed by a White Coat or Pinning Ceremony. The program runs across multiple years, offers college scholarship support after completion, and allows students to join as early as sixth grade or later in ninth or tenth grade.

4. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available. 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.

Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 

Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here. 

5. Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) 

Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, and remote

Cost: None. Stipend provided

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 29 - July 24

Application Deadline: February 28 (Priority) or April 30 (General)

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, or incoming freshmen at Morgan State University 

Morgan State University’s SAAMS program is designed for high school students interested in mathematics, actuarial science, or computer science, especially if you are considering MSU. You will take college-level courses in math and actuarial science, covering topics like statistics, economics, and financial theory, and see how these ideas are used in business and analytical settings. The program also includes field trips around Baltimore that connect what you study to professional environments, along with sessions that explain college majors and career paths in these fields.

6. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs 

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, or Remote | Some programs are also offered in Laurel, MD, Frederick, MD, Fremont, CA, and Washington, DC

Cost: Varies by program and format; ranges from $1,330 to $10,190 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Less selective

Dates: Varies by program; 4-6 weeks during the summer | Some programs also offer Fall and Spring cohorts

Application Deadline: Early Action: January 20 | Final deadline: May 27 | International students/Visa applicants have earlier deadlines

Eligibility: Current high school students | Residential students must be aged 15-17 throughout the program duration | Students must have all As and Bs in high school STEM courses and have completed Algebra II; some programs require coursework in trigonometry, Physics, and/or at least one science class with a lab

Johns Hopkins’ Engineering Innovation hosts Pre-College Programs in Biomedical Engineering (BMEI), Explore Engineering (EEI), Intro to Python, and Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) for high school students. Each program provides hands-on projects, experiments, and research, and instruction under JHU professors.  In EEI, you’ll pursue a more wide-ranging curriculum across mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineering, with projects including using computer programming to create a circuit-based memory game. In BMEI, you’ll complete projects like testing an electrical model of the cardiovascular system and analyzing the functionality of a dynamic biomechanical arm. In SEE, you’ll explore the intersections of chemistry, economics, biology, and physics for sustainability-focused projects. Intro to Python focuses on a comprehensive programming curriculum across lectures, practice problems, and coding projects. For residential students, you’ll also attend weekend field trips, social events, and extracurricular activities. 

7. Johns Hopkins Summer Undergraduate Courses 

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, or Remote

Cost: Varies by course length/credit numbers; ranges from $2,550 - $8,925 | Residential attendance requires an additional $5,250 fee 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: Varies by course | In-person courses are 5 weeks; Online courses are 5-10 weeks

Application Deadline: In-Person – Early Action: February 3 | Regular Decision: March 10 | Applications considered if space remains after deadline | Online – Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; individual courses may have additional prerequisites

Johns Hopkins’ Summer Undergraduate Courses let you enroll in real undergraduate classes alongside current JHU students. You can choose to study in person or online and pick from courses across STEM, humanities, social sciences, and languages, with options ranging from financial mathematics to literature and foreign languages. Classes are taught by JHU professors and follow the same structure as the regular academic year, including lectures, discussions, assignments, and workshops where you work with college students. You complete the same work as undergraduates, which can include exams, research papers, presentations, or longer projects, depending on the course. 

8. University of Maryland Terp Young Scholars 

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, or Remote

Cost: $1,791 (In-person) or $1420 (Online) 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: July 13-31

Application Deadline: June 1

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduating seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA | U.S. students must be at least 13; International students must be aged 16-19 

The Terp Young Scholars program at the University of Maryland hosts high school students for an accelerated learning experience culminating in transferable college credits. You’ll select a course from a range of specialized fields, including Architecture, Environmental Health Sciences, Medieval Studies, and Dance, and join a classroom composed of both peers and current UMD undergraduates. Though your work will substantially vary based on your chosen course, you’ll complete college-level assignments that may include research projects, exams, academic papers, lab work, and group discussions. If you attend in person, you’ll also have access to the same campus resources and opportunities as UMD students, including six campus libraries, recreation centers, and a pool.  

9. University of Maryland Povich Sports Journalism Summer Camp 

Location: UMD Philip Merrill College of Journalism, College Park, MD

Cost: $125

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: July 7-11

Application Deadline: Rolling; registration opens in March

Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12

If you’re interested in athletics and journalism, the Povich Sports Journalism Summer Camp at the University of Maryland is an opportunity to explore their intersections through academic work and career exploration. You’ll learn journalistic writing styles and reporting skills, then apply them to varied media in sports journalism, including play-by-play broadcasting, eSports production, and managing social media accounts for sports teams. You’ll also meet with members of UMD’s undergraduate admissions team, learning about the broader application process as well as opportunities to focus on sports reporting specialization within UMD’s Journalism major. Past guests include the social media manager for the Washington Commanders, the Ravens reporter at The Baltimore Banner, and ESPN producers. 

10. Johns Hopkins Pre-College Summer Program

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, or Remote

Cost: $6,140

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: Three two-week sessions are offered in late June - early August 

Application Deadline: Early Action: February 3 | Regular Decision: March 10 | Applications considered if space remains after deadline

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA 

Johns Hopkins’ Pre-College Summer Program is built specifically for high school students who want to study a focused subject in depth without jumping into full undergraduate coursework. You will choose one course per two-week session and spend your time exploring topics like Big Data and Advertising, space science, digital society, or health and medicine. Classes are designed for high school learners but taught at a serious academic level, with discussion, projects, and applied work. Outside of class, you take part in weekend trips around Baltimore and Washington, DC, and spend time exploring JHU’s campus.

11. Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) Pre-College Summer Intensive

Location: Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD

Cost: Residential: $3,850 (2-week) or $7,700 (4-week) | Commuter: $2,725 (2-week) or $5,450 (4-week)  

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: July 13-24, July 27-August 7, or July 13-August 7

Application Deadline: Early: January 5 | Final: April 30

Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17 

If you’re planning to attend art school or have a strong interest in visual art and design, MICA’s Pre-College Summer Intensive gives you the chance to develop your skills and portfolio. You’ll focus on your primary art medium throughout the program, working under MICA faculty in studio classes and hands-on workshops. Traditional art fields offered include photography, painting, and illustration. If you’re interested in digital art, intensives in 2D Digital Animation, Graphic Design, or Game Development and Design are also available. One special element of the program is MICA’s options to pursue art fields rarely offered in high school classes; you can additionally specialize in areas like Textile and Fashion Fundamentals, Product Design, or Screen Printing. You’ll additionally gain career guidance, networking opportunities, and industry knowledge through a series of lectures and discussions with professional artists. Upon completion of the program, you’ll earn transferable college credits. You can see examples of previous students’ work here.

12. Johns Hopkins Next Generation Scholars Academy 

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Cost: $13,500 (6 Credit) or $14,775 (7 Credit) plus $600 for the Academy Course on college admissions

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: June 27 - August 1

Application Deadline: Early Action: February 3 | Regular Decision: March 10 | Applications considered if space remains after deadline

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA 

JHU’s Next Generation Scholars Academy brings high schoolers to Baltimore, Maryland, for a month-long program of coursework and college preparation. You’ll take two for-credit undergraduate courses at JHU of your choosing, providing the opportunity to hone in on your future major or explore advanced material in two fields. Options include Introduction to Neuroplasticity and Neurology, Bridging Art & Chemistry, and Mathematics for Sustainability. In addition to academic courses, you’ll also take the Next-Gen Scholars Pathways to Personal and College Access course, which guides exploring your higher education goals, building a college list, learning about the application process from JHU Admissions representatives, and receiving personalized support on your own college essay. Other opportunities include speaking with current undergraduates about their experience at JHU, field trips to Washington, D.C., and wellness workshops on balancing academic performance with personal well-being.

13. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Summer Courses 

Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, or Remote | Other U.S. locations offered through CTD

Cost: Varies by course and session length

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July; exact dates vary by course | Sessions are also offered year-round

Application deadline: Check the site for updates

Eligibility: Courses are offered for all high school grade levels 

JHU’s CTY is a gifted and talented program offering advanced courses across STEM, social sciences, and humanities for students from elementary to high school. For high school students, you’ll have the ability to attend courses in person at JHU's Baltimore, Maryland campus, where you’ll take on hands-on projects, interactive assignments, and group discussions with peers and faculty members. Programs for high school students include specialized science courses like Advanced Topics in Physics: Special Relativity and Biotechnology. Social science classes include Cognitive Psychology and Exploring Ethics, while humanities options range from the literature- and politics-focused Persuasion and Propaganda to genre deep-dives like Mystery and Suspense in Literature and Film. Other unique courses include creative writing in Fiction or Poetry, and extracurricular-focused options like Chess Club. 

14. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience 

Location: UMD Robert H. Smith School of Business, College Park, MD

Cost: $1,791 (In-person) or $1420 (Online) 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: July 13-31

Application Deadline: June 1

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduating seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA | U.S. students must be at least 13; International students must be aged 16-19 

University of Maryland’s School of Business hosts the SELF program for high school students looking to develop their leadership, innovation, and business skills. You’ll work alongside business professionals and UMD professors to study topics in economics, marketing, strategy, and personal finance. Outside of the academic focus, you’ll also work to develop a personal leadership plan and learn how you can use creative entrepreneurial skills to solve real-world problems. You’ll work on group projects throughout the program, culminating in a final venture pitch presentation on a collaboratively developed company idea or business model.  

15. Loyola University Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy High School Summer Program 

Location: Loyola University Maryland, Sellinger School of Business, Baltimore, MD

Cost: $3,000 | Discounted rate of $2,500 offered for students who enroll by February 15 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not provided

Dates: July 6-10

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions beginning November 1

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; rising sophomores considered

Hosted by Loyola University Maryland, the Sellinger Mission-Driven Business Academy is a week-long summer program for high school students interested in social responsibility and business. You’ll start the program by learning about Loyola’s Jesuit values in the context of being an ethical leader and how entrepreneurial work can create mission-driven businesses and advance social well-being. You’ll learn skills across leadership and business through activities like analyzing business case studies, workshops on real-world issues, and group coaching from Sellinger School of Business professors. To build practical skills, you’ll undertake field experience through networking with Baltimore business owners and hearing success stories from industry entrepreneurs. You’ll finish the program by completing a capstone project focused on leadership and mission-driven entrepreneurial work.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper. 

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