14 Spring Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
- Lydia Park
- 3 minutes ago
- 9 min read
For high school students, spring programs are one of the easiest ways to explore academic interests, learn new skills, and experience more independent learning. These programs introduce you to college-style classes and advanced subject matter.
Why attend a spring program in New Jersey?
Spring programs for high schoolers in New Jersey are run by nearby universities and local organizations. You can learn in academic or professional settings. This experience helps clarify what you want to study in college and eventually pursue as a career. Participating in a selective spring program can also boost your college applications by demonstrating initiative and the ability to handle undergraduate-level coursework.
To help you get started, here are 14 spring programs for high school students in New Jersey! (Note: Dates, deadlines, and application fees vary year to year; always confirm on official pages for the current cycle)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: April 19
Application Deadline: Not stated
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in engineering
At Princeton’s High School Engineering Colloquium, you spend a full day exploring different branches of engineering through hands-on activities, presentations, and conversations with current Princeton engineering students. You will engage in workshops, demonstrations, and design challenges that give you a clearer sense of what engineering study involves. Faculty speakers and student volunteers provide insight into academic pathways and campus life within Princeton’s engineering community. The event typically includes a tour of the Engineering Quadrangle, allowing you to see research spaces and laboratories firsthand.
Location: Remote
Cost: Full financial aid is 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 research-focused opportunity designed for high school students who want to explore academic topics in depth. You work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent project in a subject area you choose. Over the course of twelve weeks, you learn how to form a research question, gather information, and develop your ideas into a full research paper. You can select from fields such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and several others. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); You can apply to the program here.
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 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.
Location: New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Spring term runs January 25–May 17
Application Deadline: Determined through the interest form and interview process
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who attend designated Jersey City target schools must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and an interest in attending college
The GEAR UP College Bound Program supports you through yearlong academic enrichment and college-preparation experiences. During the school year, you will participate in Saturday classes, mentoring sessions, counseling, tutoring, and test-preparation activities designed to strengthen your readiness for college-level work. The program also incorporates parent workshops and group activities that help build a supportive academic environment. In the summer, you join a six-week schedule that includes academic classes, field trips, recreational programming, and college exploration.
Location: Rutgers Business School, Newark and New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free ($25 application fee)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: January–May
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; strong interest in business; must identify as an underrepresented minority student from a historically underserved background
The Pre-College Enrichment Program (PREP) at Rutgers Business School lets you take a college-level business course alongside undergraduates. Classes meet on Saturday mornings and follow the academic structure used in Rutgers Business School courses. Afternoons are set aside for enrichment sessions focused on mentoring, teamwork, presentations, and exposure to business pathways. You also receive guidance on college preparation and learn about different areas within business. After completing the program, you earn three college credits and gain access to follow-on opportunities through Rutgers’ Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.
Location: Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Six-month commitment (volunteer shifts available during school year and summer)
Application Deadline: Summer and winter intake periods
Eligibility: Students ages 16–18 (typically high school students)
Through the Junior Volunteer Program at Holy Name Medical Center, you contribute to hospital operations while gaining firsthand exposure to a variety of healthcare settings. Depending on your placement, you may assist with patient transport, clerical duties, childcare support, fitness center operations, or hospitality roles. Each area provides structured guidance from staff so you can build communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. You choose from different shift options during the school year and summer, allowing you to fit volunteering into your schedule.
Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: Standard Drew University tuition and fees for part-time enrollment; $40 application fee
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Spring semester courses follow Drew’s academic calendar
Application Deadline: January 1 for spring
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the top 20% of their class with school approval and strong academic/extracurricular records
Through Drew’s High School Enrichment Program, you enroll directly in introductory or intermediate college courses and take classes alongside undergraduates. You can explore subjects such as mathematics, classics, psychology, English literature, and history while earning transferable college credit. Classes during the spring semester are typically held in person, giving you a full campus experience. You gain access to university facilities, including the library, athletic center, and a wide range of student events. Throughout the term, the Office of Continuing Education supports you with advising, registration assistance, and guidance as you navigate college-level expectations.
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $399
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: March 29–May 3
Application Deadline: March 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
The Saturday Morning STEM High School Sessions at New Jersey Institute of Technology are a short, in-person program that runs across five Saturdays. You attend three-hour sessions on campus, working through hands-on STEM activities rather than lectures. Each session is built around applied problem-solving. You can work with topics such as coding, engineering concepts, robotics, or technical design through guided projects and group challenges. The focus is on learning by doing and understanding how STEM ideas are applied, not on grades or exams. The program is structured to give you early exposure to technical fields and help you decide whether you want to pursue them further in high school or college.
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $825 per 3-credit course
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Spring semester courses follow the university academic calendar
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Through the Early College Scholars Program, you take up to two university courses each term, allowing you to earn transferable college credit while studying alongside undergraduate students. You may choose from a wide range of subjects, ranging from the sciences to the humanities. Classes are offered on campus or online, giving you flexibility in how you participate. Advising support helps you navigate the application process, select appropriate courses, and stay on track academically. As a participant, you gain early exposure to college expectations while experiencing Montclair State’s learning environment and faculty instruction.
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost: $75
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: February 16–March 16
Application Deadline: September 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the greater Newark area
Rutgers Mini-Medical School introduces you to core areas of medicine through six weekly sessions taught by medical students and NJMS faculty. Each meeting covers topics such as cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases, mental health, and medical ethics, giving you a broad look at health sciences. You participate in lectures, homeroom-style discussions, and hands-on electives that allow you to practice basic clinical skills. The program ends with a graduation event where you hear from the Associate Dean of Admissions and speak with current medical students during a Q&A panel.
Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ
Cost: $700 per semester (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: January 24–May 16
Application Deadline: Not stated
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18
TD Jazz for Teens provides you with structured jazz training led by professional and GRAMMY-winning teaching artists. Throughout the spring semester, you will rehearse in ensembles, take part in masterclasses, receive individualized coaching, and explore improvisation, composition, and performance techniques. Your weekly schedule includes large and small ensemble work, theory study, and opportunities to develop your artistry through creative coaching sessions. Depending on your placement, you may join elite ensembles or focus on building foundational jazz skills.
Location: Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ
Cost: Standard tuition rates per credit
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Follows fall, spring, and summer academic calendars
Application Deadline: Not stated
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12 who are at least 16 years old; must meet course prerequisites
Through the Bergen Experience Program, you enroll in college classes and begin earning credits before finishing high school. You can explore academic interests across many disciplines while meeting the expectations of college-level work. The program allows you to take up to six credits during the fall and spring terms, with additional flexibility in the summer. Advisors support you through the application, placement, and course selection process so you can choose classes that match your goals. By completing these courses, you gain firsthand experience with college academics and build confidence as you prepare for future studies.
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: Reduced tuition (per credit)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Follow the university's fall, spring, and summer academic calendars
Application Deadline: Varies by high school partnership
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+); must attend a participating partner school and meet course prerequisites
Montclair State’s Dual Enrollment Programs let you earn college credit while completing your high school requirements through approved partner schools. You will take university-level courses, gaining a sense of the expectations and pacing of college academics. Because offerings vary by school, the specific classes available to you depend on your high school’s agreement with Montclair State. Credits earned typically transfer to many New Jersey colleges and numerous institutions outside the state. With guidance from your school and Montclair State advisors, you build early academic experience that supports your transition to college.
Location: Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not stated
Dates: Follows fall, spring, and summer academic terms
Application Deadline: Varies by high school and enrollment track
Eligibility: Primarily high school seniors; some high schools allow qualified juniors; must meet placement requirements and receive counselor and parent approval
Brookdale’s Dual Enrollment Program allows you to take up to 12 college credits during your senior year while continuing your high school coursework. Depending on your school’s partnership, you may complete classes either at your high school or on a Brookdale campus. Courses give you early exposure to the expectations of college academics while helping you reduce the time and cost required to earn a degree. Credits earned can apply toward a Brookdale degree or potentially transfer to a four-year institution, depending on your program of study. With advising support and placement guidelines, the program helps you build confidence as you move toward college-level learning.
Lydia is an alumna of Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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