15 Summer English Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 48 minutes ago
- 11 min read
If you're thinking about studying English literature, journalism, or the humanities in college, a summer English program is a smart choice to start with! These programs give you an early look at the kinds of reading, writing, and discussion you'll encounter at university. You'll read texts more closely than you usually do in school, debate different interpretations, write multiple drafts, and receive feedback that pushes your ideas further. By the end of the program, you'll have a much clearer understanding of what studying English actually involves.
Why should you participate in a summer English program?
Participating in a summer English program allows you to move beyond standard classroom reading and actively practice the skills real writers and critics rely on. You gain firsthand experience with drafting, revising, and defending your own arguments, skills that are genuinely useful whether you're heading toward a humanities major or not.
From a college admissions perspective, a strong writing sample or a completed program shows real intellectual curiosity and initiative, especially in more selective or workshop-based programs. In many cases, these programs also leave you with a strong letter of recommendation, a polished writing portfolio, or even a piece of work worth submitting for publication, all of which strengthen your academic profile.
With that, here are 15 summer English programs for high school students!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span journalism, creative writing, literary studies, and speculative fiction, so students interested in any area of English or the humanities can find a relevant summer option.
Several programs are free, including LA Times HS Insider (with a stipend), the Princeton Summer Journalism Program, and Lumiere with financial aid, while others, such as Carnegie Mellon and CSSSA, charge tuition of up to $5,000.
Many workshop-based programs, including Iowa Young Writers' Studio, Kenyon Review, and Juniper Institute, are led by published authors or MFA instructors and emphasize small-group critique and revision.
Application deadlines range from late January (LA Times, PSJP) to as late as June (92NY Young Writers Workshop), so students should check individual program timelines closely since they vary widely.
Location: Los Angeles Times, LA
Cost: Free; A stipend is paid
Dates: 7 weeks (June to August)
Application deadline: Application opens in late January
Eligibility: High school students residing in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California
LA Times HS Insider Summer Internship offers a paid immersive learning experience to high school students. You will explore fundamental journalism concepts, develop multimedia skills, and receive professional mentorship. The program will allow you to experience life as a professional in journalism and engage in a range of activities, including multimedia storytelling, breaking news coverage, and feature enterprise stories. The program spans seven weeks and allows you to write stories, produce videos, and work on podcasts.
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: Varies 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. 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 English, Psychology, Physics, Economics, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Chemistry, International Relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Hybrid; Virtual + Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost: Free
Dates: Multi-week hybrid summer intensive typically from late June through early August
Application Deadline: Typically around the end of January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from a low-income background with strong academic credentials must reside in the United States or Puerto Rico, intending to attend college in the U.S.
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a fully funded college preparation and journalism program for high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. During the summer, you will attend journalism workshops, lectures, and discussions that examine how news connects with politics, public policy, and major social issues. Professional journalists, Princeton faculty, and alumni lead many of the sessions and share how reporting works in practice. Every student is also matched with a college adviser who guides essays, applications, and the college admissions process. The program combines journalism with college preparation throughout the summer.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. Participants can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Creative Writing, Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies.
Location: Iowa City, IA
Cost: $2,500 upon acceptance; $10 reading fee for applying to the Summer Residential Program
Dates: Session One: June 14 – 27; Session Two: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th grade students
Between the Lines brings together young writers from the U.S. and around the world for two weeks of creative writing at the University of Iowa. You will spend two to four hours each day in creative writing workshops led by award-winning American and international writers while also attending world literature seminars, literary readings, and question-and-answer sessions with visiting authors. Outside class, you will work on both individual and group writing assignments, discuss literature with students from different countries, and take part in cultural activities throughout the program. All sessions are conducted in English, creating a shared space where writing and conversation remain at the centre of the experience.
Location: Amherst, MA
Cost: Residential: $5,200; Commuter: $2,330
Dates: Session 1: July 12 – 25; Session 2: July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students and the high school class of the program year
Juniper Institute for Young Writers is built around the daily routine of a working writer. For two weeks, you will spend your mornings and afternoons in Writing Labs, Craft Sessions, Write Ins, Participant Readings, and Writer's Life Talks led by published authors, professional teachers, and MFA instructors from UMass Amherst. You will receive one-on-one guidance from your writing instructor while working on poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Outside the classroom, you will live on the UMass campus, visit literary sites across Western Massachusetts, and become part of a community that spends most of the day reading, discussing, and writing together.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Cost: Residential: $9,636; Commuter: $7,284; Application Fee: $50; Enrollment Deposit: $800
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: Early (for scholarships and international applications): February 1; Final: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (minimum age: 16 years)
Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture is an intensive program for high school students. The program will allow you to explore different ways of storytelling, engage in short-film writing, film development, and production, and learn to interpret written and visual stories. You will receive personal mentorship from experienced faculty at Carnegie Mellon, including cultural and literary studies scholars, creative writers, rhetoricians, program directors, and more. You will engage in small-group analysis sessions and readings, and create written work while also receiving guidance and feedback.
Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH; Virtual options available
Cost: Residential: $2,575; Online: $995. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Residential: June 21 – July 4; July 12 – 25 | Online: June 14 – 19
Application Deadline: Residential: March 1; Online: April 13
Eligibility: High school students ages 16-18
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops bring together high school students for two weeks of intensive creative writing on the Kenyon College campus or online. You will write poetry, short stories, and personal essays while discussing your work in small workshops led by experienced writers. Each session focuses on revision, close reading, and developing your own writing style instead of following fixed formulas. Residential students also stay in college dorms and experience daily campus life between workshops. The program encourages you to experiment with different genres while receiving detailed feedback on every piece you write.
Location: Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA
Cost: California Residents: $5,174 tuition fee + $20 application fee (need-based financial aid available); Non-California Residents: $5,174 + applicable fees
Dates: July 4 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students; A limited number of out-of-state and international students are accepted
California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA): Writing Program allows you to engage in interactive workshops. You will explore techniques in a range of areas, including academic writing, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The course spans four weeks and allows you to engage in a creative learning environment. The program includes Core classes, Focus classes, and discussions with guest artists such as editors, select panels, published writers, and agents. You will have the opportunity to explore both fundamental and advanced areas of writing techniques and genres through the program.
Location: University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg Campus, PA
Cost: $1,950; Financial aid and Scholarships available
Dates: July 15 – 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-19; Open to international students
Alpha Young Writers Workshop is built for students who enjoy science fiction, fantasy, and horror more than traditional creative writing classes. During the two-week program, you will write an original short story while studying world-building, character development, dialogue, pacing, and revision with published authors. Daily writing exercises, workshops, and lectures help you improve each draft before sharing it with the group for discussion. The program also explains how speculative fiction is published and introduces the process of submitting work to professional magazines and publishers.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Residential: $7,695; Commuter: 6,195; $50 non-refundable application fee
Dates: Multiple two-week terms across June to August. More information here
Application Deadline: Varies. More information here
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders or graduating seniors ages 15-18
The School of The New York Times Summer Academy introduces you to journalism through courses taught by editors, reporters, and media professionals. You can choose subjects such as reporting, news writing, editing, narrative writing, photojournalism, business, fashion, law, sports, or culture, depending on your interests. You will analyse real news stories, complete reporting assignments, and learn how journalists gather information before turning it into accurate and engaging articles. Since the program is based in New York City, many courses also include experiences connected to the city's media industry and newsroom culture.
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $2,500
Dates: Typically a 2-week session in Mid-July
Application Deadline: Around Mid-March
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18
Between the Lines combines creative writing with conversations between students and writers from different countries. During the two-week program, you will attend creative writing workshops, literature seminars, literary readings, and question-and-answer sessions with visiting authors. You will spend time writing your own work, discussing literature, and receiving feedback from international faculty. The schedule also includes cultural exchange activities and both individual and group assignments that encourage students to share ideas and writing styles from different backgrounds. The program is hosted at the University of Iowa, a campus well known for its long tradition of creative writing.
Location: New York City, San Francisco, Rome, and more; virtual options available
Cost: Varies by course
Dates: Multiple year-round sessions, including summer workshops and private tutorials
Application Deadline: Varies by class
Eligibility: High school students and emerging writers
The Writers Studio teaches creative writing by focusing on how published authors build stories, scenes, and memorable characters. You will study fiction and other forms of narrative writing while analyzing published works to understand the techniques behind them. The classes encourage you to develop your own material through regular writing exercises and detailed instructor feedback. Since courses are offered in different cities and online, you can choose a format that fits your schedule and experience level. Summer workshops and private tutorials are also available for students who want more focused instruction.
Location: Rose Hill, Bronx; Lincoln Center, Manhattan; Virtual options also available
Cost: Varies by credits
Dates: June 30 – August 4
Application Deadline: Registration typically opens in January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Writers Studio teaches creative writing by focusing on how published authors build stories, scenes, and memorable characters. You will study fiction and other forms of narrative writing while analyzing published works to understand the techniques behind them. The classes encourage you to develop your own material through regular writing exercises and detailed instructor feedback. Since courses are offered in different cities and online, you can choose a format that fits your schedule and experience level. Summer workshops and private tutorials are also available for students who want more focused instruction.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Early Bird: $2,050; Regular: $2,250
Dates: July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: June 26; No application required for ages 12-14
Eligibility: High school students ages 12-18; Open to international students
92NY Young Writers Workshop offers a creative and dynamic writing experience to 14-year-olds. You will have the opportunity to apply to one-week and two-week workshops. You will engage in creative storytelling through workshops, author instruction, and open mic events. The program allows you to develop critical reading skills while receiving valuable feedback from professional writers and peers. You will learn from award-winning writers while having the opportunity to perform and share your work at a stage where the likes of Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin have shared their work in the past.
Frequently asked questions
What summer English programs are available for high school students?
Options include journalism programs, such as LA Times HS Insider, Princeton Summer Journalism Program, and The School of The New York Times Summer Academy, creative writing workshops, such as Iowa Young Writers' Studio, Kenyon Review, and Juniper Institute, and broader literature and writing programs, such as Immerse Education's Creative Writing Track and Lumiere Research Scholar Program.
Are there free summer English programs for high school students?
Yes, LA Times HS Insider Summer Internship is free and pays a stipend, and Princeton Summer Journalism Program is fully funded for eligible low-income students. Lumiere charges tuition but offers full financial aid for qualifying students.
Which programs are best for students interested in journalism rather than creative writing?
Students interested in journalism might consider LA Times HS Insider for hands-on multimedia reporting experience, Princeton Summer Journalism Program for a fully funded journalism and college prep track, and The School of The New York Times Summer Academy for courses taught by professional editors and reporters.
When should I apply to summer English programs for high school students?
Deadlines vary widely. Early deadlines include LA Times HS Insider and Princeton Summer Journalism Program (late January) and Iowa Young Writers' Studio (February 1), while later deadlines include Juniper Institute (March 16) and 92NY Young Writers Workshop (June 26). Students should confirm exact dates directly with each program since they change year to year.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.