15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Birmingham, Alabama
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
For high school students, summer can become the most useful time to explore interests without distraction. Summer programs provide a setting where you can focus on one area, try something new, or deepen an existing interest more deliberately. These programs help students return to school with clearer goals and a better sense of what they want to pursue.
What summer programs are available for high school students in Birmingham, Alabama?
Birmingham hosts summer programs across a variety of fields, including science, medicine, engineering, arts, history, and leadership. Many are run by established local institutions that emphasize hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure.
These programs allow students to build experience, gain perspective, and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom. They also provide concrete examples students can draw on when writing applications or preparing for interviews.
With that, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Birmingham, Alabama!
Note: You can also check out our blog on internship opportunities for high school students in Alabama here!
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Birmingham, AlabamaÂ
Location:Â The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Stipend: $1500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not availableÂ
Dates: June 3 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 14Â Â
Eligibility: Current high school students in their junior or senior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and a demonstrated aptitude for science
UAB-CORD Science Institute Research Internships place you inside active research labs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which is widely known for its biomedical research. You are matched with a UAB faculty mentor and work on a focused project in areas like molecular genetics, biomedical engineering, or related lab sciences. Your days revolve around lab work, data analysis, and research meetings rather than classroom lessons. Over eight weeks, you learn how real research is planned, tested, revised, and presented. The program ends with a formal poster presentation.
Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Space One Eleven Arts Center, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $310; scholarships and sliding scale fees available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 - June 18
Application Deadline: Rolling (Register by May 11 for a free t-shirt)
Eligibility: Serious high school art students planning to major in art or design in college, or younger students applying to art-focused high schools like ASFA
Space One Eleven Portfolio Development Camp is designed specifically for high school visual artists preparing for college applications. You spend an intensive week working with professional teaching artists to build or strengthen your portfolio for college submission. The program focuses on foundation skills through still-life rendering, peer critiques, and direct feedback on your developing work. Your instructor is Daisie Hoitsma Young, a painting and drawing professor at the University of Alabama with an MFA, and portfolio reviews are conducted by Darius Hill, the Chair of Visual Arts at Alabama School of Fine Arts.
4. Veritas AIÂ
Location:Â Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.Â
Application deadline:Â On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates:Â Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility:Â 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.Â
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 students have access to the in-house publication team to help them 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: UAB Collat School of Business, Birmingham, AL
Cost: Free; meals are also providedÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not availableÂ
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: February 13. Check here for the latest updates
Eligibility: Birmingham area high school studentsÂ
UAB Collat CampBIZ runs inside the Collat School of Business at UAB and gives you early exposure to how business is actually taught at the college level. You spend a full week working through topics like entrepreneurship, finance basics, and decision-making using real examples rather than theory alone. Sessions also cover communication, professional behavior, and teamwork, which are treated as core skills, not add-ons. You work closely with faculty and business professionals throughout the week.Â
Location:Â Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $400, including a $50 deposit Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: June 22 - July 26
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Students in middle and high school across AlabamaÂ
Samford University Summer Debate Institute is built for students who want serious training in debate and argumentation. You work through policy and public forum formats, focusing on research, evidence use, and responding under pressure. Practice rounds are central to the program, with direct feedback from experienced coaches after each session. You spend time learning how to track arguments, challenge assumptions, and speak clearly in competitive settings.
Location: UAB Department of Music, Hulsey Center, Birmingham, AL
Cost: Residential Tuition: $500.00 if registered before April 28. $550.00 after this date. Commuter Tuition: $375.00 if submitted before April 28, $425.00 after this date.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: June 9-15
Application Deadline: residential applications before May 12 and commuter applications after May 24
Eligibility: rising 7th-12th graders in the Birmingham area
UAB Symphonic Band Camp is hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Music and centers on ensemble performance at a college level. You rehearse daily in full band and smaller group settings while working with UAB faculty on technique, tone, and musical interpretation. The program also includes instruction in music theory, conducting basics, and jazz concepts, giving you a broader view of music beyond performance alone. The week ends with a formal concert on a professional stage.
Location: Red Mountain Theatre, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $150.00 deposit plus 25 weekly payments of $54.00 each; aid availableÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: July 20-31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors only who are applying to a collegiate-level Musical Theatre program
Red Mountain Theatre College Prep Intensive is designed specifically for rising seniors preparing to apply to collegiate musical theatre programs. You work closely with theatre professionals on audition materials, including acting monologues, vocal selections, dance pieces, and filmed prescreen submissions. The program also walks you through how college auditions work, what schools look for, and how to present yourself during the process. Most of the time is spent refining your personal audition package rather than general training.Â
Location: Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $675; includes lodging and meals; scholarships available Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: June 21-26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Samford University Bulldog Pharmacy Camp is hosted by Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy, one of the most well-known pharmacy schools in the region. You spend a week on campus learning what pharmacy actually looks like beyond textbooks, with lab sessions on compounding, medication safety, and basic patient care simulations. Faculty walk you through how pharmacists work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, and site visits help connect class learning to real workplaces. You live on campus, follow a college-style schedule, and see how science-heavy pre-health majors function day to day.
Location: Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $65; includes boarding Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: May 26 - July 31
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: students must be between 12 and 17 years old, entering at least 8th grade, and no higher than 11th grade
Birmingham Zoo ZooTeen Program is run by one of Alabama’s largest and most respected zoos and gives you real responsibility in a public setting. You work directly with guests, help explain animal behavior and conservation issues, and learn how education plays a role in wildlife protection. As you return for additional years, you can move into deeper roles that involve behind-the-scenes learning about animal care and conservation work. The program is structured, selective, and long-running, which gives it weight beyond a typical volunteer role.
Location: Alabama Ballet, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $600/week; boarding + activities cost $660/ week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 1-5 and June 8 - July 3
Application Deadline: February 9Â
Eligibility: Students aged 12+
Alabama Ballet Summer and Pas de Deux Intensive is run by Alabama Ballet, the state’s professional ballet company. Your days follow a serious training schedule with classical technique, pointe, variations, and partnered Pas de Deux work. You also train in modern and jazz to broaden your movement range and adaptability. Instruction comes from resident faculty and visiting professionals who work with dancers aiming for advanced training or conservatory paths.
Location: Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $195 - $650Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: None
Dates: Various dates from June 1 - 19
Application Deadline: Rolling registration beginning January 15
Eligibility: Rising 5th - 12th graders
Alabama School of Fine Arts Summer Workshops are hosted by ASFA, a selective public magnet school known statewide for arts and academic rigor. You choose focused workshops in areas like creative writing, animation, visual arts, math, or science, depending on the session. Classes move quickly and expect you to work independently, produce original work, and think beyond grade-level material. The faculty are the same instructors who teach ASFA’s full-time students, which gives you a clear sense of the school’s academic culture.
Location: Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Costs: $375 till March 21, $405 afterwards
Acceptance rate/cohort size: not available
Dates: July 7 - 11
Application Deadline: Early bird deadline - March 21, later deadline TBAÂ
Eligibility: Students in grades 1- 12
Samford University Adventures in Music takes place on Samford’s campus and focuses on piano, violin, and vocal performance. You receive daily private lessons along with group rehearsals, theory classes, and music history sessions tied to your repertoire. The program expects you to memorize and perform pieces, working toward a final solo recital. You spend time with other young musicians who take practice seriously, which shapes the pace and tone of the week.
Location: Lawson State Community College, Birmingham, AL
Costs: FreeÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students per school
Dates: July 20 - 25
Application Deadline: July 11Â
Eligibility: Must be a member of the graduating class with a minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.Â
Lawson State TMCF SOAR Program is a residential summer experience that brings high school seniors to campus for a focused week on college and career planning. You live on campus with a large cohort and follow a structured daily schedule that mirrors college life. Sessions cover academics, leadership, financial aid, and career paths, with direct guidance from faculty and program staff. The program is tied to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which gives it national recognition within college-access spaces.
Location: Highlands School, Birmingham, AL
Costs: $350/ week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 2 - July 25
Application Deadline: Not specifiedÂ
Eligibility: students must be between 1st and 11th grade
Highlands School Summer Camp runs for most of the summer and offers different tracks depending on your age. Younger students spend their weeks rotating through STEM, art, and theater activities in a school-based setting. Older students can apply for the Counselor-in-Training track, where they receive leadership training and work with younger campers. The structure allows students to return year after year with increasing responsibility.Â
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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