16 Online Summer Language Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 7
- 11 min read
If you're a high school student looking to strengthen your language skills while gaining real-world experience, online summer language programs for high school students offer a flexible, accessible, and intellectually engaging option. These programs allow you to explore global cultures, communication theory, and linguistics from your own home while also providing college-level instruction, mentorship, and hands-on experiences. Compared to residential programs, they are more affordable and easier to fit around summer jobs or other commitments.
These programs can also sharpen your academic writing, boost your confidence in a second language, and connect you with peers and faculty from around the world. Whether you’re interested in linguistics research, translation studies, or mastering a new language, a structured summer program can provide the kind of rigorous, immersive experience that sets you apart.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 16 online summer language programs for high school students that stand out for their selectivity, structure, and opportunities.
16 Online Summer Language Programs for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective (~15%)
Cost: Cost varies by program
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school; students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4); no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; admissions based on academic merit and maturity
Cost: $4,050 for one 4-credit online course (7-week); financial aid available; $75 application fee
Dates: June 21–August 9
Application Deadline: Early deadline: January 8; Regular deadline: February 12; Late deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Must be 16 years old by June 21
Harvard’s Secondary School Program gives high school students the opportunity to experience college-level academics by enrolling in real Harvard courses for credit. In the 7-week online option, you can take intensive courses in fields such as linguistics, Latin, creative writing, international relations, or translation studies, taught by Harvard faculty and visiting scholars.
You’ll participate in rigorous virtual seminars, discussion-based learning, and graded assignments, similar to a college class. The program also offers optional activities to connect with peers around shared interests. Both competitive and academically challenging, the virtual format allows you to study from home while earning Harvard credit.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Approximately $475; financial aid available
Dates: June 15 – July 27
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12; must be proficient in English and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers a series of asynchronous 6-week creative writing courses designed for high school students with a strong interest in writing and storytelling. You can choose from specialized tracks such as nonfiction, poetry, fiction, speculative writing, or mixed-genre exploration, all taught by graduates of the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Each course includes asynchronous weekly readings, writing assignments, peer critiques, and forum-based discussions, allowing you to build your skills at your own pace.
You’ll examine how language shapes identity, culture, and perception, and experiment with voice, narrative, and structure across genres. While these courses don’t offer college credit, students receive a Letter of Completion and benefit from deep literary engagement and constructive feedback.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; space-limited, and credit-bearing
Cost: $7,664 tuition; college credit included
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12; strong writing background recommended
This for-credit online summer screenwriting course from NYU Tisch is designed for high school students eager to explore the art and craft of storytelling for film and television. Through pre-recorded lectures, weekly assignments, and one-on-one video meetings with Tisch faculty, you’ll engage in an intensive writing process that includes character development, plot structure, dialogue, and visual storytelling.
You'll write a short screenplay, film, and TV synopses, and participate in virtual critiques and rewrites, gaining professional insight and personalized feedback. The course runs asynchronously, with daily deliverables and optional synchronous sessions to accommodate diverse schedules. This program is one of the few online summer language programs for high school students that offers college credit while developing creative and industry-relevant writing skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, ~8% acceptance rate
Cost: $575
Dates: June 26 – July 28
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 and gap year students
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program is a prestigious, fully virtual writing mentorship for high school students interested in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. You’ll be paired one-on-one with accomplished mentors like established writers, MFA candidates, or journal editors who provide feedback and guidance throughout the five-week program. You’ll write original work, participate in peer critiques, and build a portfolio, while developing your voice.
This program emphasizes authentic storytelling, literary community, and rigorous feedback, offering the opportunity to learn from working writers. Though asynchronous, it demands consistent engagement and time for drafting and collaboration.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; classes capped at 18 students
Cost: $1,095; $250 non-refundable deposit required
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12; must be age 14+ at start of program
Offered by the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, Writers Week is a week-long virtual program that combines creative writing and performance arts in an immersive, collaborative setting. Each day begins with a small-group writing workshop led by MFA graduate students, where you’ll explore genres like poetry, memoir, speculative fiction, flash fiction, and novel writing through generative prompts and peer feedback.
You’ll also engage in The Writer’s Theatre, a performance-based component that explores storytelling, improvisation, and dramatic writing in formats like screenwriting or sketch comedy. No prior theatre experience is required. Writers Week is a solid option if you’re looking for some support with writing samples, new techniques to use and coming up with ideas to explore.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; space is limited per track
Cost: $999; financial aid available through Greenman Leadership Grants
Dates: Choose from July 7–11, July 14–18, or July 21–28
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: Open to high school students enrolled in U.S. or American-style international schools
Hosted by Columbia University, the CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop offers three distinct week-long virtual sessions focusing on news reporting and writing, editorial leadership, digital media, and publication design. You’ll attend live and asynchronous sessions led by seasoned journalists, educators, and editors, gaining a strong foundation in journalistic language, ethics, and production.
The workshopcombines instruction, collaborative projects, and portfolio-building assignments, allowing you to explore the role of language in news, storytelling, and leadership. You’ll also receive feedback on your work and leave with tangible pieces for your school publication or personal writing portfolio.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; each section capped for small-group instruction
Cost: $3965
Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until sections are full
Eligibility: Open to high school students preparing to apply to college
Offered by Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, this two-week online summer program focuses on the college admissions essay, helping you develop your personal narrative voice in a structured, feedback-driven environment. Through evening synchronous sessions and independent work, you’ll brainstorm topics, draft, revise, and finalize a compelling personal statement that communicates your story and values beyond test scores or GPA.
The course includes three live sessions per week via Zoom, supplemented by tutorials and extensive individualized feedback, offering insight into how strong writing can influence admissions outcomes. By the end of the course, you’ll have a polished essay that reflects your voice.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; space-limited
Cost: $1,300; limited scholarships available
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12
Hosted by the MFA for Poets and Writers at UMass Amherst, Juniper Young Writers Online is an intensive one-week creative writing program that fosters experimentation and artistic community among high school writers. You will work with published writers and graduate students in daily Writing Labs, Craft Sessions, Write-ins, and Writer’s Life talks, immersing yourself in poetry, fiction, and cross-genre exploration.
The virtual format allows for flexible participation from anywhere, while maintaining the rigor and community of an in-person experience. You’ll write extensively, receive feedback from both instructors and peers, and participate in readings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; space-limited and workshop-based
Cost: $995; need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 15 – June 20
Application Deadline: Typically due in early spring
Eligibility: Students ages 16–18 or currently in grades 10–11; recent graduates considered
Offered by the Kenyon Review, a prestigious literary journal, Young Writers Summer Online Workshops provide a week-long, immersive writing experience for high school students interested in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. You will join a small, synchronous Zoom workshop in either the afternoon or evening, with additional one-on-one conferences, generative writing sessions, and nightly literary events.
The program emphasizes experimentation, risk-taking, and craft, encouraging students to push boundaries and find their unique voice. With readings by visiting authors, peer critique, and instructor guidance, you’ll produce new work daily and gain deep insight into your writing process.
12. University of Chicago Pre-College Summer Language Institute
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; open to high-achieving high school students
Cost: Varies by course; financial aid available
Dates: Varies by course; most run 6–8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Priority: January 22; Regular: March 5; Extended: April 15
Eligibility: High school students entering 11th or 12th grade
UChicago’s Pre-College Summer Language Institute offers a great opportunity for advanced high school students to earn college credit while completing the equivalent of a full year of language study in just 6–8 weeks. This immersive program includes over 90 contact hours per course and is designed to develop all four major language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
You can choose from modern languages like Spanish, Arabic, French, Japanese, and German, or study ancient Greek in an intensive academic environment, alongside UChicago undergraduates. Courses are rigorous and fast-paced, making this a demanding online summer language programs for high school students.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~10 students per class
Cost: Free; fully funded by the U.S. Department of State
Dates: 10-week sessions (varies by cohort)
Application Deadline: Typically in spring for summer cohorts
Eligibility: U.S. citizens ages 15–18 enrolled in high school
Virtual NSLI-Y is a government-sponsored, fully funded 10-week language immersion program that introduces high school students to critical languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian through live online classes and interactive cultural experiences. You will meet in small groups twice a week for 90-minute sessions, engaging in beginner-level speaking, listening, and reading activities. No prior language experience is required.
Beyond language instruction, you’ll participate in virtual cultural exchange projects, meet native speakers and government professionals, and explore global issues from a cross-cultural lens. Optional community-building events such as game nights and speaker panels enhance the learning experience.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; space limited by section
Cost: $1,795 for enrichment courses; $3,995 for college credit courses
Dates: Self-paced; 1–12 week options available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program offers both enrichment and college credit courses in subjects ranging from anatomy and biology to creative writing and global affairs. All courses are asynchronous and designed with high school students in mind, allowing you to study on your own schedule while accessing video lectures from Georgetown faculty, interactive assignments, and academic support.
In the Creative Writing track, you’ll explore narrative techniques, character development, and plot structure, and complete a final writing portfolio. If you are interested in earning credit you can opt for the longer, graded version of the course.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; based on CTY eligibility
Cost: LIVE courses: $550 - $1,365, Individually Paced courses: $984 - $1,499, Session-Based courses: $716 - $2,127, Clubs: $191
Dates: July 1 - June 30
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: CTY-eligible students in grades 7–12; score-based admissions
Offered by Johns Hopkins CTY, the Language Arts Online Program provides advanced writing and reading courses for high-performing students with a passion for the literary arts. Courses like Writer’s Workshop: Crafting, Revising, and Publishing and Global Mythologies: Greece and Rome focus on developing writing style, critical reading, and publication skills. You will participate in peer workshops, instructor-led seminars, and discussion forums designed to challenge and inspire.
You’ll work on original fiction, personal essays, and classical analysis, while learning to edit, revise, and submit your work for publication in a digital zine.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; registration required
Cost: $80 nonrefundable application fee + tuition fees based on course and type
Dates: Begins June 23
Application Deadline: Rolling until course start; early registration recommended
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed 8th grade by June 30; Under 18 Acknowledgment required if under 18 on start date
The University of Washington’s Summer Sessions allow high school students to earn college credit in a wide variety of subjects, including over 100 foreign languages and cultural studies courses. With offerings ranging from American Sign Language and Japanese to Swahili and Russian, you can explore new linguistic paths or advance your proficiency in preparation for college.
You can take regular college-level classes alongside UW students, gaining access to respected faculty and a rich academic community.
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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