15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Memphis, Tennessee
- Stephen Turban
- 7 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student looking for ways to spend your summer, summer programs can be a smart option. These programs give you time to focus on subjects that matter to you, work on projects, and learn in settings that aren’t just about tests and grades. Whether you want to explore science, technology, leadership, writing, or community issues, a summer program lets you try things out and see what you enjoy most.
What summer programs are available for high school students in Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis has a variety of summer programs for high schoolers hosted by universities, cultural organizations, and community groups. Many programs include practical work, guided discussions, or opportunities to connect with mentors. Taking part in a summer program can give you concrete experiences in your field to discuss in your college applications.Â
With that in mind, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Memphis, Tennessee!
Location: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
Stipend: $4,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 30 students per cohort
Dates: June 1 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+) with a 3.0+ GPA from Memphis-Shelby County or nearby counties
St. Jude’s High School Research Immersion Program places you in an active research environment for eight weeks, working in pairs under the guidance of a research mentor. You will contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as laboratory science, psychology, epidemiology, or data science, depending on your placement. Your work may involve handling data, assisting with experiments, reviewing research literature, or supporting study design, all while learning how research teams operate day to day. You also attend sessions on scientific methods and spend time developing a college application personal statement with structured guidance. The program ends with a formal poster presentation where you explain your project and findings to researchers and peers.
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.Â
Location: Office of Youth Services, Memphis, TNÂ
Stipend: Up to $3,600–$4,400/year, depending on grade level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 400 - 500
Dates: Year-round durationÂ
Application Deadline: No information availableÂ
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12, residing in Memphis, with a GPA of 3.0+
The Memphis Ambassadors Program is a year-long civic program where you work on community projects while building leadership and workplace skills. You will work with other students on projects tied to local issues, such as neighborhood improvement, youth outreach, or city initiatives. The program includes regular meetings, training sessions, and mentorship that focus on communication, planning, and public presentation. You are expected to take responsibility for tasks and follow through on group goals.Â
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: Government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits in Shelby County (including Memphis), TN
Stipend: Participants aged 14–15 are paid $10/hour; Participants aged 16+ earn $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: not availableÂ
Dates: June 1 - July 24
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: U.S. citizen students aged 14 and above living in Shelby County, Tennessee, who are currently enrolled in school
The Shelby County Summer Youth Program places you in paid roles across government offices, nonprofits, and partner organizations within the county. You will be assigned to a worksite where you will support ongoing projects and daily operations, gaining experience with professional schedules and expectations. Tasks vary by placement but often involve assisting staff, organizing materials, supporting outreach, or helping with basic administrative work. Supervision and mentorship are built into the program, giving you regular feedback on workplace skills such as communication and reliability.
Location: Various law firms, courts, and legal organizations in Memphis, TN
Stipend: $500Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: not available
Dates: June 1 – June 26
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising sophomore, junior, or senior in August, reside in or attend school in Shelby County, TN, and have not previously participated in the program.
The Memphis Bar Association’s Summer Law Internship Program introduces you to legal work by placing you with law firms, courts, or legal organizations in the Memphis area. Over the course of the program, you will observe legal proceedings, assist with basic research, and become familiar with legal documents and office procedures. You spend time seeing how attorneys prepare cases, interact with clients, and manage court-related work. The structure emphasizes learning through observation and limited hands-on tasks rather than classroom instruction.
Location: Office of Youth Services, Memphis, TNÂ
Stipend: Paid hourly ratesÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: 6 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: February 9
Eligibility: Memphis students aged 14–22; must be city residents and meet document requirements
The MPLOY Youth Summer Experience places you in a paid work setting with supervision and structured support. You will work in a city department or partner organization, completing assigned tasks and learning how workplaces function. Alongside the job placement, the program includes training on communication, time management, and workplace expectations. Supervisors provide feedback on performance and reliability throughout the program. The experience is designed to help you build early job skills while gaining exposure to real work environments.
Location: Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU), Memphis, TN
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: Opens in March
Eligibility: 6th-12th graders
Baptist Health Sciences University runs the HealthCORE Summer Camp as a short, hands-on introduction to health and medical fields. Over five days, you will rotate through lab activities, demonstrations, and campus sessions that show you how different health professions work in practice. Experiences include CPR training, basic biomedical device activities, and physiology demonstrations that connect classroom science to clinical settings. You also attend seminars that introduce fields such as nursing, public health, sonography, and biomedical sciences, helping you see how these areas differ in training and daily work.
Location: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 6-June 27
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Tennessee rising juniors and seniors in high school
The Governor’s School for International Studies at the University of Memphis is a three-week academic program focused on global politics, international relations, and policy questions. You will attend seminar-style classes where you read, discuss, and write about international conflicts, economic systems, cultural exchange, and global governance. Faculty guide you through research-based assignments that require forming arguments, using sources, and presenting ideas clearly. Much of the work is discussion-driven, with an emphasis on explaining your thinking in writing and presentations. The program ends with student research presentations that reflect independent analysis rather than memorized material.Â
Location: Methodist Healthcare Volunteer Services Department, Memphis, TN
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 26
Application Deadline: April 1 – 18
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18
The Methodist University Hospital VolunTEEN Program is a four-week summer experience focused on hospital operations and patient-facing environments. After an initial orientation, you are placed in a specific department where you support staff with day-to-day tasks and observe how care teams function. Depending on the unit, you may assist with administrative work, help manage patient flow, or support non-clinical aspects of care. The program gives you regular exposure to a professional healthcare setting and shows how different departments interact within a hospital system. You complete the program with a clearer understanding of hospital workflows and expectations.
Location: Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Cost: $2,400; applying before February 15, you can receive an early bird discount of $300; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 21 - 29
Application Deadline: Early: February 15; Regular: April 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students (typically rising high school juniors and seniors).
Rhodes College’s Mock Trial Academy focuses on how trial advocacy works through sustained practice rather than lectures alone. You will work through simulated court cases that cover opening statements, direct and cross examinations, and closing arguments. Daily sessions combine instruction with repeated mock trial rounds, allowing you to apply legal reasoning and courtroom procedure in realistic settings. You work in teams, prepare case materials, and receive feedback from faculty coaches and experienced mentors after each round. By the end of the program, you will understand how evidence, questioning, and argument structure come together in a competitive mock trial.
Location: Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Cost: Early registration by March 15 costs $200; the course fee is $2900, including room and board; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 21 – July 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who will be entering grades 10 through 12 (or their international equivalents) in Fall
Rhodes Summer Academy offers short college-level courses that mirror how classes are taught at a liberal arts college. You will enroll in one course and spend the program working through readings, discussions, and assignments tied to that subject. Classes are small and discussion-based, so most learning happens through conversation, writing, and collaborative projects rather than lectures. Faculty expect you to manage deadlines, contribute to class discussions, and present ideas clearly.
Location: Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
Cost: Not specifiedÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not availableÂ
Dates: June 23-27
Application Deadline: Not specifiedÂ
Eligibility: High school students
Christian Brothers University’s Engineering Summer Camp introduces you to engineering through hands-on lab and design work. You will work on activities such as building simple circuits, testing prototypes, and solving design problems in small teams. Faculty guide you through how engineers approach problems, test ideas, and revise designs based on results. The camp focuses on applying math and science concepts to physical systems rather than theory alone. By the end of the program, you will have a clearer sense of what engineering coursework and lab work involve.
Location: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Cost: $120
Acceptance rate/cohort size: not availableÂ
Dates: June 23 - 27
Application Deadline: May 26
Eligibility: High school students
The Physics and Materials Science Summer Camp at the University of Memphis focuses on learning science through experiments and demonstrations. You will work in labs where you will explore topics such as energy, motion, material properties, and basic applied physics concepts. Activities emphasize measuring, observing, and explaining results rather than following set answers. Faculty and instructors guide you through experiments that connect classroom physics to real materials and systems. The program is structured to build comfort with lab tools and scientific reasoning.
Location: Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
Cost: Not specifiedÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 23 - 24
Application Deadline: June 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Psychology Summer Camp at Christian Brothers University offers a short introduction to how psychology is studied. You will take part in demonstrations, experiments, and discussions related to topics such as memory, perception, learning, and behavior. Activities focus on observing patterns, collecting simple data, and discussing how psychologists conclude from evidence. Faculty explain how psychological research connects to areas like health, education, and everyday decision-making. The camp helps you see how psychology moves from theory to real applications.
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.Â
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