15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Minneapolis, MN

Summer programs help you explore advanced topics and learn independently without the pressure of a full school schedule. This makes summer an ideal time to test your interests before college.

Why should you consider a summer program in Minneapolis, MN?

Minneapolis offers access to a variety of summer programs through universities and local organizations. You can explore subjects you are interested in, see how they are taught at a higher level, and decide whether they fit your strengths. College admissions officers notice students who use their summers thoughtfully, and these programs give you experiences you can reflect on in your essays and interviews. 

15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Minneapolis, MN

1. Step Up Minneapolis

Location: Various placement sites across Minneapolis, MN

Cost: Free. A stipend is paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year, serves hundreds of students

Dates: June 22 – August 21

Application Deadline: March 1

Eligibility: Minneapolis residents ages 14–21

Step Up is a well-known youth employment program in the Twin Cities that connects Minneapolis students with paid internships. You will be placed with local companies, nonprofits, or public agencies to gain experience in fields such as healthcare, marketing, finance, and government. Internship sites have included organizations like Tree Trust, Pillsbury United Communities, the American Institute of Architects, Boston Scientific, General Mills, and city or county government offices. Before you start working, you complete job-readiness training that helps you understand workplace expectations, communication, and professional behavior.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Varies by the program. Full financial aid is available.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

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.

3. M-ASCEND High School Internship at the University of Minnesota

Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Cost: None. A stipend is paid 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Summer internship followed by a service learning program during the academic year

Application Deadline: The application form for the internship is provided to M-ASCEND High School Scholars in the fall

Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ who have participated in the M-ASCEND High School Scholars Program in the fall

This program, hosted by the Masonic Cancer Center, supports high school students interested in research and clinical careers. You begin with a paid summer internship at the University of Minnesota, where you work on an individual research project with guidance from university faculty and staff. During the summer, you will attend workshops on college preparation and career planning, tour research labs, and meet professional scientists. You present your research at the University of Minnesota Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, practicing how to explain scientific work clearly. After the summer, you continue with an academic-year service learning program.

4. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by the program. Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here. 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 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).

Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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 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. 

5. Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) Paid Youth Apprenticeships

Location: North Minneapolis, MN

Cost: No cost, apprentices are paid at least $16/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Visual Arts Literacy Training (VALT) from June 23 to August 27, followed by year-round programming for the Apprenticeship

Application Deadline: Typically in the spring

Eligibility: Youth ages 14–21 living in Minneapolis. To apply for the Apprenticeships, you first need to complete the Visual Arts Literacy Training (VALT).

JXTA offers a paid apprenticeship where you work with professional artists on real projects for real clients. The program begins with the VALT summer component, where you build foundational skills in drawing and visual thinking. After that, you move into an apprenticeship focused on a specific area such as graphic design, textiles, ceramics, or environmental design. You apply what you’ve learned in a studio setting, following professional workflows and deadlines. Your work is treated as real creative labor, and you are paid for it. By the end of the program, you will leave with completed projects and a portfolio that reflects professional-level experience.

6. Cookie Cart

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Cost: No cost; youth complete a 90-day paid internship training program before moving to paid Bakery Program positions

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per session

Dates: Vary by the session 

Application Deadline: Rolling/seasonal

Eligibility: Youth ages 15–18

Cookie Cart is a paid first-job program where you work in a nonprofit bakery and learn how a small business operates. You will gain experience in baking, food preparation, and customer service. Alongside daily work, you follow a structured curriculum that builds skills like time management, teamwork, communication, and workplace responsibility. As you gain experience, you can work toward certifications and apply for leadership roles within the organization. 

7. Teen Teamworks

Location: Various parks in Minneapolis, MN

Cost: No cost, 14-15 year olds are paid $13.60/hour while 16+ year olds are paid $16/hour

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate, serves many students but fills up quickly

Dates: Dates vary by year; typically late June through August.

Application Deadline: Typically open in early spring, with variable closing based on demand

Eligibility: Minneapolis youth ages 14–18

Operated by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Teen Teamworks provides paid summer employment combined with educational and leadership sessions. You will work on green jobs such as park maintenance, gardening, and landscaping, helping to maintain the city's renowned park system. Multiple positions are available, from Park Care Crews to a Creative Entrepreneurship program. You will receive plenty of on-the-job training throughout this program, learning key soft skills useful for any workplace.

8. Lillehei Heart Institute (LHI) Summer Research Scholars Program

Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Cost: No cost, scholars receive an hourly wage

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, only 2 positions are open to high schoolers, with an acceptance rate under 3%

Dates: June 2 – July 25

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors aged 16+ who are U.S. citizens

The Lillehei Heart Institute (LHI) Summer Research Scholars Program is a selective summer research program at the University of Minnesota focused on cardiovascular science. You will work with a faculty mentor and a lab mentor while contributing to research projects related to heart health. Your work includes clinical or lab-based research and data analysis in a professional research setting. The program also includes weekly seminars led by faculty and industry researchers, along with field trips and structured learning sessions.

9. Genesys Works Twin Cities

Location: Training in Minneapolis/St. Pau: Placements in Twin Cities

Cost: No cost, the summer training is free, and the internship is paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 8 weeks of summer training followed by an after-school paid internship in the academic year

Application Deadline: Spring of junior year

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors eligible for work-study

Genesys Works Twin Cities is a career preparation program that starts with an intensive summer training and continues into a paid, year-long internship during your senior year of high school. You will begin with an eight-week summer program where you learn IT skills, basic business concepts, and workplace professionalism. The summer training prepares you for placement at major companies such as Target, 3M, and U.S. Bank. During your senior year, you work part-time at one of these companies while continuing your education.

10. Spark-Y Youth Internships

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Cost: No cost; these are paid internships

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort

Dates: Summer, exact dates vary by role

Application Deadline: Generally, in the spring, keep an eye on the website for details

Eligibility: Youth ages 14+, though specific internship roles may have additional criteria

Spark-Y Youth Internships offer hands-on work experience focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and urban agriculture. You work on practical projects based on your interests and available placements. This may include building aquaponics systems, caring for urban gardens, or taking part in construction work such as timber framing. The program is designed around real-world problem-solving. You earn a stipend while learning how environmental projects are planned and carried out. Some roles also allow you to work toward certifications in specific trades or technical skills.

11. Hennepin Healthcare Talent Garden Youth Internship

Location: Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 24 interns selected from 81 applicants

Dates: 6 weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: Usually in the spring

Eligibility: High school students

The Hennepin Healthcare Talent Garden Youth Internship is a paid program that places you inside Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis. You spend time in a Level I Trauma Center and get direct exposure to how a major hospital operates. You will shadow healthcare professionals across different departments, observe surgeries and patient rounds, and learn how care teams work in high-pressure settings. The program also includes hands-on training with EMS staff, where you practice skills such as CPR and using oxygen equipment. Throughout the internship, you are paired with mentors who help you explore careers in medicine and healthcare.

12. Dunwoody College Pathways to Careers Program (P2C)

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Cost: This is a fully funded program. A scholarship of up to $10,000 may be awarded for two years. The summer experience also provides an hourly stipend.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment

Dates: 3 weeks in the summer, as well as monthly meetings throughout the academic year

Application Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors able to demonstrate high financial need

Dunwoody College of Technology offers this program to expose students from low-income backgrounds to technical careers in fields like engineering, robotics, and automotive technology. You will attend a fully-funded summer camp focused on college preparation. You will visit job sites, network with industry partners as well as Dunwoody faculty, and complete projects. Following this summer camp, you will attend monthly development workshops and formal mentoring by professionals from the technical sector throughout the academic year. 

13. Open Arms of Minnesota

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open, shift-based

Dates: Year-round, summer shifts are available

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Youth ages 16+ (or younger with adult supervision)

Open Arms of Minnesota offers a hands-on volunteer opportunity where you help prepare and deliver medically tailored meals for people living with serious illnesses. You can work in a commercial kitchen or spend time on the organization’s urban farm. Through this work, you learn how food systems, nutrition, and community care connect in real settings. You contribute directly to meal preparation or delivery, making your service visible and practical. 

14. The Raptor Center — Ecosystems of STEM Careers High School Internship

Location: University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus (with visits to local conservation sites)

Cost: This is a fully paid internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, only 10 high school interns accepted

Dates: June 15 – July 10 (4-week intensive program)

Application Deadline: Early March 

Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12 from Minneapolis or St. Paul

The Raptor Center, supported by a grant from the Cargill Foundation, offers this intensive paid internship focused on conservation and STEM careers. You'll spend four weeks working alongside conservation professionals who specialize in animal, water, and ecosystem health. The program includes four off-site field trips to local conservation sites, with lunch provided during these excursions. You'll engage in hands-on investigations of outdoor ecosystems while developing your own conservation research project that you'll present at the program's conclusion. 

15. Augsburg Urban Debate League Summer Camps

Location: Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN

Cost: Varies by camp, though full scholarships are available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment

Dates: Multiple 1- and 2-week camps from June to July

Application Deadline: Typically in March 

Eligibility: Middle and high school students

Hosted at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, these camps are intensive workshops for students looking to sharpen their debate, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. You will work with experienced coaches to research policy topics, construct arguments, and practice delivery. Camps range across majors like public policy, Congress, public forums, and argumentation. While there is a cost, full scholarships are frequently available for students with financial need, making it an accessible option for rigorous academic enrichment.

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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