15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Connecticut

If you are in high school and looking for a productive way to spend your school break, Connecticut has some great summer programs to offer. Whether you are interested in STEM fields, arts, business, writing, or college prep, these summer programs can help you explore your interests and get to build real skills. As a participant, you will get a sneak peek into college life while working with mentors, completing hands-on projects, and learning in small groups.

These summer programs may also let you try your hand at college-level classes or research, which can be helpful if you are trying to figure out which major to choose. The programs can also connect you with students and professors at top schools in Connecticut, which can make applying to college seem easier. Since many of these programs come fully funded or with generous scholarships, you won’t have to worry about high participation costs.

To help you find the right fit, we have picked 15 summer programs for high school students in Connecticut. These programs stand out for the credibility, academic rigor, mentorship, and real-world experience they offer. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Summer Cohort: June – August | Spring, Winter, and Fall cohorts are also available

Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer Cohort II: June 23

Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher; no prior research experience needed

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual research opportunity where you get to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and complete your own independent research project. You can choose from subjects like psychology, biomedical science, engineering, chemistry, or computer science, and meet with your mentor regularly to dive deep into your field of choice and pick a relevant topic. Based on the program format you choose, over 12 or more weeks, you will learn how to frame a question, gather and analyze data, and discuss your results in an academic paper. Many Lumiere Research Scholars submit their work to journals or competitions at the end of or following the program. This program is worth considering if you are looking for a serious research experience that’s flexible and tailored to your interests.

2. Yale Summer Session

Location: Online and in-person at Yale University, New Haven, CT

Program dates: Session A: May 26 – June 27 | Session B: June 30 – August 1

Application deadline: Session A: March 31 (in-person) and May 2 (online) | Session B: May 5 (in-person) and June 6 (online)

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old

Cost: $80 application + $5,270/course credit + other optional costs for accommodation, specific courses, and insurance. Check details here.  

Yale University offers various summer programs to high school students, including credit-bearing on-campus and online courses. You can choose from various college-level courses, including chemistry, macroeconomics, writing, physics, music theory, and linear algebra. You can choose courses worth a total of two credits each session. During the program, you will learn from Yale faculty through live classes, discussions, assignments, and other activities. For instance, if you enroll in the Introduction to Creative Nonfiction course, you will learn how to write features, profiles, and essays through readings and projects. The program also offers tutoring to help you prepare for exams, work on a paper, and/or understand complex concepts.

3. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Program dates: Multiple cohorts, including a summer cohort that lasts 10 to 15 weeks

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines; Summer deadline: May 25

Eligibility: High school students worldwide | AI Fellowship applicants need some background in AI or Python, or should have completed the AI Scholars program

Veritas AI offers online programs for high school students who want to explore artificial intelligence and its applications in fields of healthcare, finance, and sustainability. If you are just getting started with the field, the AI Scholars program walks you through basic AI concepts using hands-on projects. 

If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship lets you work one-on-one with a mentor on a real-world AI project. The program allows you to work with real datasets, code with Python, and build something you can showcase. The program also offers insights into how coding and data science intersect with real-world problems. You will also get assistance in preparing your work for conferences or publications. 

4. University of Connecticut’s Pre-College Summer Biomedical Engineering 

Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Program dates: July 20 – 26

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Cost: $45 application fee + $2,050 to $2,150/course; limited scholarships available

This Biomedical Engineering course is part of UConn’s Pre-College Summer Program, designed to give you a snapshot of college-level learning without committing to a lengthy session. Over the course of a week, you will get to explore topics like prosthetics, medical imaging, and device design while building your own functional medical prototype. You will also work with CAD software to model physical structures and learn how engineering is applied in the healthcare industry. You will also get to share your data and technical results with others through an oral presentation and a written report. 

If you are interested in tech and medicine, you can explore the Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering course offered by the University of Connecticut.

5. High School Student Research Apprentice Program @ University of Connecticut

Location: UConn Health, Farmington, CT, or Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT

Program dates: June 16 – July 18

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Students who have completed their junior year with a B average or higher, are at least 16 years old, and attend a Connecticut high school with a School-to-Career or Career-to-Work coordinator | Applicants should belong to underrepresented backgrounds in the health professions and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Cost: Free; a stipend is provided

The High School Student Research Apprentice Program is part of UConn Health’s Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative. The five-week summer program gives you the chance to conduct hands-on research in the fields of biomedical and health sciences alongside university researchers. In the process, you will learn lab techniques like cell culture and molecular biology while working on real research projects in academic or clinical settings. The program is specifically designed to support those from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them build a strong foundation for future careers in medicine, biology, or public health. This paid, lab-based experience can also help you pick up skills to build a career in medical sciences, dental medicine, or biomedical research.

6. Foundation for Teaching Economics’ Economics for Leaders (EFL)

Location: Virtual and in-person at various campuses, including Yale University, New Haven, CT

Program dates: Various one-week sessions in summer. You can check details here.

Application deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who have taken or are taking an economics course

Cost: $900 – $2,600; Scholarships are available

Economics for Leaders (EFL) is a weeklong program that can help you understand how economic principles influence real-world public policy decisions. Designed for students interested in economics, the program dives into intermediate micro- and macroeconomic concepts while helping build leadership and communication skills. Here, you will learn from economics professors and leadership instructors, participate in hands-on simulations, and engage in group decision-making challenges. EFL is selective, accepting 25–40 students per site.

7. Summer Camps for High School Students @ Albertus Magnus College 

Location: Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT

Program Dates: Nursing Camp: June 24; Esports Camp: June 26; Political Science Camp: June 30 – July 1; Application Bootcamp: July 9

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Cost: Nursing Camp: Free; Esports Camp: $50; Political Science Camp: $100 ($85 with early bird application); College & Career Application Bootcamp: $50

Albertus Magnus College offers a series of one- and two-day summer camps designed to explore interests like nursing, esports, and political science and offer assistance with college applications. If you choose the Nursing Camp, you will earn CPR certification and practice clinical skills in a real simulation lab. The Esports Camp dives into gaming careers, streaming, and content creation. If you’re curious about elections, the Political Science Camp lets you design and run a mock presidential campaign, ending with a campus-wide vote. The College and Career Application Bootcamp can help you explore majors, review your Common App, and plan a college essay.

8. Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Programs

Location: Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT

Program dates: June 29 – August 1 for the five-week program | Two- and four-week programs are also offered

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 8 – 12

Cost: Starts at $3,100; financial aid available for U.S. residents

Choate Rosemary Hall offers a range of summer programs that offer high school students opportunities to engage in academic enrichment, leadership development, and creative exploration. You can choose from various programs, including the five-week Academic Enrichment Program, which allows them to delve into subjects like science, humanities, and the arts.  Other offerings include the John F. Kennedy '35 Institute in Government, which focuses on public policy and leadership, and the Theater Arts Institute, which immerses you in performance and production. With a diverse student body from over 30 states and 34 countries, you will gain a global perspective while experiencing life on a picturesque New England campus during the program.

9. United States Coast Guard Academy’s Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) 

Location: U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT

Program dates: In-person: July 6 – 11; July 13 – 18; July 20 – 25 | Virtual: July 29 – 30

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

Cost: No cost for the virtual session; $750 for in-person sessions | Financial aid available

The Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) is a one-week intensive summer program hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for students entering their senior year of high school. Here, you will live like a cadet, waking up early, training physically, attending classes, and learning about life at a service academy. The goal is to help you decide if the Academy’s rigorous, service-focused college experience is right for you. During the program, you will engage in academic and physical activities like engineering workshops, marching practice, sailing, drill practice, college prep sessions, and intercompany athletics. You will also be able to work on your leadership and teamwork skills.

10. Fairfield University Summer High School Programs 

Location: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Program dates: July 7 – 11

Application deadline: TBA; applications open in January

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Cost: $1,200

Fairfield University offers several summer opportunities for high school students, including college-credit courses, immersive nursing experiences, and college prep workshops. One of the options is the Pre-College Immersion Program in Nursing, a week-long online course that can help you explore healthcare careers. Here, you will also get the chance to visit Fairfield’s state-of-the-art simulation lab in person. If you are looking to earn credit during the summer, you can enroll in Fairfield’s credit-bearing courses and experience college-level academics. If you enroll in the credit-bearing programs, you will also get access to a Pre-College Week packed with college readiness workshops on admissions, financial aid, research skills, and more

11. University of Connecticut’s Explore Engineering (E²) 

Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Program dates: July 13 – 25

Application deadline: May 9

Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11

Cost: $2,999; financial aid available

Explore Engineering (E²) is a two-week residential program offering hands-on exposure to multiple engineering fields like electrical, mechanical, biomedical, and computer science. During the program, you will work on real-world projects such as underwater search-and-rescue robots and designing medical devices. You will also attend workshops, meet UConn faculty, and work in a team to solve technical challenges. You will also engage in social activities and get a feel for college life on campus. This program also offers opportunities to pick up skills like coding (C++), soldering, 3D printing, and design using CAD/ SolidWorks through academic learning and practical teamwork.

12. Thames Summer Jumpstart Programs @ Mitchell College

Location: Mitchell College, New London, CT

Program dates: July 13 – 25

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors, high school graduates, and incoming college freshmen

Cost: $3,000 for The Art of College | $3,500 for the Mystic Aquarium Experience

The Thames Summer Jumpstart Programs at Mitchell College are 13-day non-credit courses designed to help students get a head start on college. You can choose from two tracks: The Art of College, which focuses on academic and executive functioning skills, and the Mystic Aquarium Experience, which integrates environmental exploration with college readiness. The Art of College course is conducted through lectures, guest speakers, and trips to local art museums and installations. The Mystic Aquarium Experience involves lab and field work. Both programs focus on helping you build independence, confidence, and life skills like self-awareness, decision-making, and relationship building. During the program, you will live on campus, experience college-level expectations, and build routines that will help you in your academic and professional pursuits.

13. Segue to Education Program (STEP) 

Location: University of New Haven, West Haven, CT

Program dates: Summer and academic year (course dates vary by semester)

Application deadline: Varies; coordinated through ESUMS

Eligibility: Open to eligible high school students from the Engineering & Science University Magnet School (ESUMS); admission is application- and interview-based

Cost: Free tuition; students must cover materials, textbooks, and transportation

The STEP program at the University of New Haven gives qualified ESUMS high school students the chance to take real college courses for credit at no tuition cost. You will study alongside university students, connect with faculty, and gain early exposure to college-level academics in areas like science, technology, and engineering. Admission is competitive and includes an interview process. If selected, you can take one course per semester. Although tuition is waived, you will need to cover textbooks, lab fees, and transportation. You will attend a virtual orientation before classes begin.

14. University of New Haven’s Summer Youth Academies

Location: University of New Haven, West Haven, CT

Program dates: Typically held in July; exact dates vary by program. You can check the detailed list here.

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: High school students | Some academies may specify grade levels

Cost: Varies by program, but typically ranges from $500 – $800

The Summer Youth Academies at the University of New Haven offer a mix of hands-on, weeklong courses in fields like forensic science, cybersecurity, criminal justice, health sciences, and engineering. Each program offers interactive labs, guest lectures, and access to campus facilities. You will work directly with the University of New Haven faculty and get a preview of what studying your favorite subject in college might look like. For example, if you choose the Engineering Your Future, you will engage in experiments to learn about chemical and biomedical engineering. You can also opt for the Entrepreneurs: Social Impact & Innovation to explore topics like ethical entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, financial literacy, and pitching ideas.

15. Citizens Thinkers Writers Program

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Program dates: July 9 – 21 (residential), followed by a fellowship from September to May

Application deadline: March 15

Eligibility: High school juniors attending New Haven public schools

Cost: Free

The Citizens Thinkers Writers Program at Yale is a two-week residential summer seminar followed by a school-year fellowship, focused on philosophy, literature, and civic engagement. Through small-group discussions and guided readings, you will explore questions about justice, leadership, and democracy while building advanced reading and writing skills. You will also attend seminars led by professors on topics like Reflecting on Civic Life, Law and Justice, and The Color Line. The experience can encourage you to examine how different ideas shape society and politics. After the summer, you will continue to meet bi-monthly with Yale mentors through the school year.

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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