15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Missouri

If you are a high school student, summer programs can be a great way for you to build new skills, experience college-level academics, and gain exposure to different fields of interest. 

These programs often combine classroom learning with practical activities, giving you both academic enrichment and real-world experience. Whether you are interested in STEM, social sciences, business, or the arts, you can find a program that aligns with your preferences. As a participant, you will connect with faculty, professionals, and peers who share similar interests, building a network that can be valuable for future academic and career opportunities.

If you’re based in or around Missouri, you’re in luck! Missouri is home to universities, research centers, and local organizations that offer learning experiences to students in the summer, allowing you to explore your interests without disrupting your schoolwork. From programs hosted in vibrant cities like St. Louis and Kansas City to opportunities in smaller communities, you’ll see how local industries and institutions shape learning in unique ways. With options ranging from engineering and medicine to creative writing and public policy, Missouri offers a diverse landscape for you to explore your interests and grow your skills.

To make your search easier, we have compiled a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Missouri that offer both insights and practical experience across fields.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts, ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year, available throughout the year

Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort

Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3 out of 4 or higher

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program gives high school students the chance to conduct independent research in a field of choice under the guidance of Ph.D. mentors. With the help of one-on-one mentorship, you will design and complete a personalized project in a subject of your choice, building skills in critical thinking, academic writing, and advanced research methods. The program emphasizes scholarly rigor and self-directed inquiry, while also supporting you in publishing or presenting your work through journals and competitions. With multiple formats available, from individual to cohort-based, Lumiere offers flexible options that can fit different schedules. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished research paper and gain meaningful experience that mirrors the kind of academic work typically reserved for undergraduates.

2. University of Missouri’s STAHR Scholars Program

Location: University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO

Cost/Stipend: No cost; need-based stipends/scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 9 – July 18

Application deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Current U.S. sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

The University of Missouri’s STAHR Scholars Program is a two-part experience that helps you explore careers in healthcare through academic, clinical, and research opportunities. During the six-week summer session, you will observe health professionals in fields like medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, conduct research alongside UMKC faculty, and contribute to community service projects. The program also emphasizes skill-development in writing, networking, and leadership, which can help you prepare for future studies in health professions. After the summer session, you will continue receiving year-round coaching and mentorship from faculty, staff, and health professionals. You may also be selected for automatic interviews for select UMKC health programs, including the BA/MD and MD pathways, making the program a potentially direct opportunity to pursue a career in healthcare.

3. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Vary by cohort

Application deadline: Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November

Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship accepts applications from those who have completed AI Scholars or have a background in coding

Veritas AI gives you the opportunity to explore artificial intelligence with guidance from mentors affiliated with institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. The AI Scholars program is a 10-week virtual bootcamp where you will build a foundation in Python, data science, and machine learning through live lessons and collaborative projects. For advanced learners, the AI Fellowship offers a 12–15 week one-on-one mentorship experience, where you will design and build your own AI project. The curriculum is hands-on, combining technical training with real-world experimentation, so you not only learn concepts but also apply them through your project. By the end, you will have a completed project to add to your portfolio and opportunities to present or publish your work. 

4. The Young Scientist Program (YSP) Summer Focus @ Washington University in St. Louis

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: No cost; $4,500 stipend offered

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15–18 students

Dates: June 2 – July 25

Application deadline: January 27

Eligibility: High school juniors in the Greater St. Louis area

YSP Summer Focus will pair you with a research mentor and tutor while you work on a biomedical research project in a university lab. During the eight-week program, you will join your Mentor as a colleague, gaining hands-on experience with real scientific investigations designed to be completed over the summer. Weekly meetings with your Tutor will help you strengthen your understanding of the project and connect it to broader scientific concepts. In addition to lab work, you will take two courses: the Writing Course, which builds skills in science communication, and the NextUp Course, which supports college preparation and professional development. The program concludes with a research presentation where you will share your findings with mentors, labmates, family, and teachers.

5. Missouri University of Science and Technology’s CyberMiner Camp

Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO

Cost: $600

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 students

Dates: July 20 – 24

Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full

Eligibility: Students ages 16–18

At Missouri S&T’s CyberMiner Camp, you will explore computer engineering, computer science, and information science and technology through hands-on projects and guided instruction. Over the course of a week, you will build and program robots, take apart and reassemble computers, and experiment with microcontrollers. You will also join an AI forum and learn how algorithms, systems, and software are designed to solve complex problems. Faculty and mentors will guide you through both the technical and applied aspects of computing while you refine practical skills for pursuing a career in technology. The camp activities can also help you sharpen your problem-solving abilities.

6. University of Missouri’s Mini Medical School

Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Cost: $650 per session; scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 11 | Session 2: June 14 – 18

Application deadline: March

Eligibility: Missouri high school juniors (rising seniors)

The University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Mini Medical School offers high schoolers a glimpse into the life of a medical student. During the program, you will attend hands-on labs in anatomy, microbiology, and clinical skills while also participating in patient-based learning sessions. You will have opportunities to connect with current medical students, faculty, and staff, as well as hear from clinical and research specialists. Workshops on college and medical school applications will offer practical guidance to help you plan your next steps. You will live in residence halls, eat in dining halls, and engage in social activities such as pool parties, trivia nights, and movie nights to get an inside look at the med school experience.

7. BESt Healthcare Institute

Location: WashU’s Danforth Campus, St. Louis, MO

Stipend: Up to $400–$500 based on merit, attitude, and performance

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 23 – July 18

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Full-time freshmen, sophomores, and juniors enrolled in a St. Louis regional high school

The BESt Healthcare Institute is a four-week residential program designed to prepare you for future careers in healthcare through a mix of academics, professional development, and exposure to medical environments. Here, you will strengthen your foundation in math, science, and test preparation. Site visits and lectures with healthcare professionals will offer firsthand insight into the field and different career paths. Beyond academics, the program focuses on personal branding and professional growth, helping you develop the skills needed for success in college and beyond. 

8. Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Innovations in STEM (iSTEM)

Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO

Cost: $700

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students

Dates: July 20 – 23

Application deadline: Rolling until full

Eligibility: Students, ages 15–18

iSTEM offers you access to hands-on challenges, where you will design, build, and think creatively about real-world problems. You will work in teams on STEM activities and compete with peers on engineering design challenges, building collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. You will also get experiment with 3D scanning and printing, participate in construction projects, and tour academic departments to see STEM fields in action. You also learn about in-demand STEM careers and learn how your interests connect to future opportunities. The program also gives you a taste of campus life, preparing you for the transition to college.

9. WashU Rural Scholars Academy

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 13 – 19

Application deadline: March 1

Eligibility: High school sophomores who are at least 15 years old and enrolled in a rural or small-town high school within the U.S.

The WashU Rural Scholars Academy is a week-long program that focuses on helping high schoolers leadership, interpersonal, and academic skills while connecting with peers from rural and small-town communities. You will take part in workshops, design activities, and discussions with WashU students, faculty, and staff who are from small-town/rural Heartland communities. During the program, WashU admissions officers will offer direct guidance on navigating applications to selective universities. You will also explore the professional and cultural opportunities of St. Louis through group activities and social events. The program focuses on helping you build lasting connections with the WashU community.

10. Missouri University Journalism Workshop

Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Cost/Stipend: Not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 21 – 26

Application deadline: Typically in April

Eligibility: High school students

The Missouri University Journalism Workshop is a weeklong opportunity to learn directly from faculty and professional journalists while developing skills in reporting and storytelling. As a participant, you will practice writing, interviewing, and investigative techniques while also exploring audio, podcasting, and video production. Coaching sessions and guided exercises can help you refine your story ideas, strengthen your writing, and build confidence as a reporter. You will also explore the Missouri Method of journalism, which is a hands-on learning approach designed to help you engage in experiences that mirror real newsroom settings. By the end of the program, you will have original reporting samples and a foundation in covering diverse communities with accuracy and depth.

11. Washington University High School Summer Institutes

Location: Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: TBA

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15–20 students per class

Dates: Varies by course (institutes)

Application deadline: April 1

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Washington University’s High School Summer Institutes offer two-week residential experiences where high school students can explore academic interests in a collaborative, noncredit setting. With small class sizes and guidance from university instructors, you will dive into subjects such as ancient studies, creative immersion, environmental studies, or research development. The focus is on exploration and inquiry, allowing you to ask questions, exchange ideas with peers, and develop your critical thinking skills. Outside the classroom, you will live in a residence hall and take part in enrichment activities to build college readiness. The program is designed to give you a taste of undergraduate learning without the pressure of grades.

12. Webster University’s Phage Summer Research Camp

Location: Webster University’s Browning Hall, Webster Groves, MO

Cost: $400

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: July 28 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Rising 9th-grade to graduated 12th-grade students, ages 14–18

The Phage Summer Research Camp introduces you to the world of bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria and have important applications in medicine. During the week-long program, you will collect environmental samples, isolate and purify phages, and study them under a transmission electron microscope to visualize molecular structures. You will engage in fieldwork and laboratory research to gain scientific experience while working alongside college professors. You will contribute to an ongoing research project, where you may even discover new viral species. By the end of the week, you will have a deeper understanding of microbiology techniques and the role of phages in scientific and medical research.

13. Maryville University’s Rawlings Sport Business Management Summer Institute

Location: Maryville University, St. Louis, MO

Cost: $750

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 9 – 14

Application deadline: May 31

Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year of high school

The Rawlings Sport Business Management Summer Institute at Maryville University is a residential program that can help you explore how to turn your passion for athletics into a career. Over two weeks, you will attend classes on campus, meet more than 30 industry professionals, and explore career paths in areas like team management, event operations, and sporting goods. The program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to apply classroom concepts to real-world projects and present your work to professionals from organizations such as the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Rawlings Sporting Goods, and the Missouri Valley Conference. Alongside coursework, you will gain insight into how the sports industry operates while building connections with leaders in the field. 

14. The Connector Machine Learning & AI Camp

Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO (in-person + virtual options)

Cost: $150 (in-person) | $100 (virtual)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: In-person: 20 students | Virtual: 30 students

Dates: Session 1: June 28 – 29 | Session 2: August 2 – 3

Application deadline: Early June

Eligibility: High school students; virtual camp is also open to K-12 teachers, graduate students, and professionals

The Mizzou Machine Learning & AI Camp is a focused, two-day introduction to data science and artificial intelligence. Through a mix of lectures and coding labs, you will explore how data is organized, how algorithms make predictions, and how machine learning is applied in fields such as healthcare and finance. Hands-on projects in Python will allow you to practice coding skills, analyze datasets, and create visualizations. The program is designed to be accessible whether you are just getting started or already have some coding background. 

15. Kansas City Art Institute Pre-College ArtLab

Location: Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO

Cost: $2,500

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 27 | Session 2: July 13 – 25

Application deadline: Rolling admission

Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12

The Kansas City Art Institute Pre-College ArtLab offers high school students the chance to work in a college-level studio environment while exploring specific artistic disciplines. You can choose from focused tracks such as animation, illustration, ceramics, painting, 2D + 3D design, or an interdisciplinary program modeled after KCAI’s Foundation curriculum. Each studio combines faculty-led instruction, independent exercises, and peer collaboration, giving you the opportunity to refine technical skills while developing your creative voice. Hands-on projects range from stop-motion animation and character design to wheel-thrown ceramics, digital modeling, and color theory exploration. You will work in dedicated studio spaces, engage with professional faculty mentors, and receive individualized feedback to sharpen your skills. You will leave the program with a portfolio of your completed work that you can add to your future college 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.

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