15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Montreal
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
Summer programs are a great way for high school students to gain exposure to advanced academics and prepare for college-level work. These programs help you develop practical skills and gain industry experience. They feature career development opportunities like networking events, career guidance, or discussions with industry professionals, which help you build valuable connections. Participating in a summer program can strengthen your college applications by showing admissions officers you’ve explored your interests outside of school.
Due to the number of program options, it can be challenging to begin your search. Narrowing down your options by criteria like subject area or location can be a helpful way to develop your list. In this blog, we’ve developed a list of 15 great summer programs for high school students in Montreal, Quebec. We’ve selected the strongest programs based on prestige, rigor of academic training, participation in research or professional work, and networking opportunities. We’ve provided options for US, Canadian, and other international students, so whether you’re interested in finding strong academic opportunities near you or looking to study abroad for the summer, this list will be a great place to start planning.
Location: Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre (Montreal/Laval, QC), Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre (Quebec City, QC), Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre (Montreal or Varennes, QC)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7–11, July 14–18, July 21–25, August 4–8
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: High school students who are Quebec residents
Quebec’s National Institute of Scientific Research hosts a fully-funded scientific research summer program for high school students at three research centers in Quebec, including Montreal. You’ll join a research team in your preferred scientific field and institute, where you’ll serve as a lab intern under the mentorship of a graduate student researcher. Available research fields include 12 specialized focus areas, including infectious disease, microbiology, photonics, and electrochemistry. Over the course of the week-long program, you’ll contribute hands-on work to a real-world project supporting innovative biotechnology, biosciences, and telecommunications research. The program focuses on both professional and academic development, so you’ll also learn about professional paths in scientific research, receive one-on-one guidance from your mentor on planning for college and future careers, and network with nationally-recognized researchers.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program 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.
Location: McDonald Institute, Montreal, QC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 8 – August 14, 12 sessions (3/week)
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, including graduating seniors
Hosted by the McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute, the Summer of Science provides a fully-funded experience for students interested in conducting hands-on research in physics and other physical sciences. You’ll work under the supervision of a professional researcher to conduct research and experiments in fields like astronomy, particle physics, neutrinos, microelectronics, and more. Throughout the program, you’ll be trained in topics relevant to your research and the McDonald Institute’s work across chemistry, physics, electronics, and medical applications. You’ll also learn skills in conducting successful research, with a focus on hypothesis forming, literature reviews, experimentation, data analysis, programming, and presentation. You may have the opportunity to contribute directly to your mentor’s ongoing research projects, which can lead to recognition in an academic paper or conference presentation.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: 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, students are 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, students 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: Multiple research and industry sites across Canada; final event at the University of Alberta
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications open in November; check website for updates
Eligibility: Canadian Black youth, ages 15–22, currently in high school, college, graduate studies, or transitioning from high school to post-secondary training
The ELITE Program for Black Youth provides Black students in Canada with paid internships and professional development opportunities. You’ll specify your top project interests in fields across robotics, automation, tissue engineering, and manufacturing, then be placed with a host at a university research institute, industry or company site, or government agency. Your work will vary based on your host site’s needs, but all internships entail advanced STEM projects using professional research or industry equipment and skills. You’ll also attend training in entrepreneurship and leadership skills, receive personalized coaching on exploring future careers and managing intensive professional work, and participate in networking events. At the end of the program, you’ll write a professional project report on your internship accomplishments, which you’ll present in an oral or poster presentation at an ELITE Program workshop.
Location: McGill University, Montreal, QC
Cost: $5,500 CAD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~50 students per stream
Dates: Session 1: July 5–18 | Session 2: July 19–August 1
Application Deadline: Priority: February 15 | Rolling admissions until March 22
Eligibility: Quebec students: Sec IV or V | Outside Quebec: Rising 11th–12th graders
McGill Summer Academy offers specialized coursework for high school students looking to experience on-campus life, project-based learning, and college-level academics. You’ll choose from one of two “streams”: Pathways to Neuro and Health Sciences or Understanding Migration, Global Citizenship and Diasporic Resistance, each led by McGill faculty and students. In the former, you’ll study topics including how the nervous system develops in the neonatal period, how sensory information is processed, and neurological disorders. In the latter, you’ll study global migration from interdisciplinary perspectives across history, sociology, politics, philosophy, and economics. You’ll supplement lectures with projects, discussions, and experiments, so depending on your stream, your assignments might include researching how a class of drugs affects nervous system functions, analyzing a case study of migrant experiences in a specific country, or participating in an in-class debate on a complex topic in the field. Outside of class, you’ll go on field trips to cultural and historic sites across Montreal, like the Botanical Gardens, Pointe-à-Caillère Museum, or a Saint Lawrence river cruise.
Location: Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC
Cost/Stipend: Before December 31: $3,900 CAD / $2,799 USD | After December 31: $4,200 CAD / $3,013 USD | Second child: $3,900 CAD / $2,799 USD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not provided
Dates: July 11–25
Application Deadline: December 31 (Priority/Early Bird); Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14–17 | Open to Canadian and international students
The Summer Immersion Program at the Université de Montréal offers interdisciplinary academic experiences for high school students looking to experience college life and advanced coursework. You’ll participate in two week-long Profiles out of five available choices; each focuses on a primary discipline that you’ll study from multiple subject areas through a set of 5 thematic workshops. In the humanities and social sciences realm, the Arts and Culture profile explores topics like Art History and Cinema Studies. Humanities workshops include Anthropology, Psychology, and Labour Relations, and International Affairs concentrates on fields including Political Science and Law. In STEM fields, you can focus on Innovations in Health and Science and Technology, with thematic workshops including Pharmaceutical Sciences, Oncology, and Biochemistry. Outside coursework, you’ll participate in cultural activities and field trips, including a visit to Mont-Tremblant National Park, touring the Old Port, or producing a video in the Filming Workshop. Non-French speakers may also opt into French courses to begin or strengthen their knowledge of the language and participate in Montreal’s bilingual environment.
Location: McGill University, Quebec, CA
Cost/Stipend: $945 CAD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not provided
Dates: Session 1: July 6–17 | Session 2: July 20–31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+
The Panorama Explorations Program hosts high school students at McGill University for a cross-disciplinary educational experience, including exposure to professional researchers and hands-on activities. You’ll start each day with a lecture from a McGill professor or industry professional on the disciplinary focus area for the day, ranging from developments in faculty research, college admissions requirements for related majors, or career paths in the field. Your study of each topic will usually include visits to McGill research or laboratory facilities, including the Alternative Fuels Lab, Ingram School of Nursing, McGill Visual Arts Collection, and more. During your site visits, you’ll get to complete specialized hands-on projects and experiments; past activities include working with a rare book specialist to develop cyanotypes, astro-optics workshops at McGill’s Astrophysics department, and learning carpentry skills at the School of Architecture. Outside of academics, you’ll also go on a series of field trips across Montreal.
Location: Laurus Summer Camp, Montreal, QC
Cost: $750 CAD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: June 23–July 10 | July 14–August 1 | August 4–22
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 15–16
The CIT Summer Program at Laurus trains high school students in leadership, education, and counseling, and provides the opportunity to help mentor younger students at Laurus’ summer camps. You’ll attend Leadership & Skill-Building workshops, where you’ll learn how to communicate with and manage groups of young children, resolve conflicts, perform basic first aid, and plan fun activities. You’ll have an experienced counselor serve as your personal mentor, who can guide you through preparing to put your training into action, provide feedback on your work, and give suggestions on successful strategies. You’ll have substantial time working directly with young campers, completing tasks like leading events and activities, promoting teamwork and inclusivity, and addressing minor conflicts between campers. You’ll receive certification in camp counseling upon successful completion of the program.
Location: Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC
Stipend: 500 CAD/week
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Flexible; 3–4 months over the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating CEGEP students entering a physics undergraduate program the following year
For Quebec students about to begin their Physics degree, Université de Montréal’s Marie Curie Scholarship provides an early start on college-level research through a three-to-four-month funded internship opportunity. You’ll work with one of the university’s Physics Department research groups, which include specializations in exoplanets, plasma physics, astrophysics, medical physics, and more. While research experiences will differ substantially based on your research area, your work might include merging astrophysics and AI to study galaxy clusters, tracking exoplanet movement through transit spectroscopy, or using spectral imaging to improve medical diagnostics.
Location: Concordia University, Montreal, QC
Cost: TBA; check the website for updates
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 25–30 students
Dates: TBA; check the website for updates
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–15
At the STEAMpunks summer program, high school students will attend daily sessions at Concordia’s Engineering and Visual Arts center in Montreal to complete hands-on experiments, workshops, and field trips. You’ll work across a series of specialized areas in science, design, and engineering with the guidance of college professors and engagement with industry professionals. Prior projects have included programming online games, conducting experiments and visiting Concordia labs, and learning to apply skills in math and science to sustainable engineering. You’ll also be coached in developing confidence and leadership skills, participate in sports activities, and go on STEM-related field trips in the Montreal area.
Location: McGill University, Montreal, QC
Cost: $310 (Early Bird, ends February 15); $340 Regular Rate
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 20 students per sport
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Check the website for updates
Eligibility: Ages 6–15
For students looking to improve their sports skills and/or considering joining college athletic teams after high school, McGill’s Summer Sports Camp provides training in both athletics and personal wellness through a series of week-long programs. You’ll focus on a single sport out of 15 options across Sports, Aquatics, and Creative activities, including Basketball, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, and Rugby, and train under McGill Varsity athletes in your chosen sport. Each day, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a free swim at McGill’s pool. Outside of athletics, you’ll additionally receive broader training in physical and mental well-being focused on healthy lifestyles, confidence building, responsibility, and teamwork skills.
Location: Concordia University, Montreal, QC
Cost: $100
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not provided
Dates: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school girls aged 14–17
Concordia University’s GirlSET summer program for high schoolers aims to motivate young women to pursue higher education in engineering and computer science. You’ll work with students and professors from Concordia’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science to explore computer science fields in game design and artificial intelligence, as well as chemical, structural, and software engineering. You’ll participate in hands-on activities like programming computer games, conducting lab experiments, and working on small-group engineering projects.
Location: FLAP Campus, Montreal, QC | Also offered in Quebec City, QC
Cost: $935–$14,115 CAD
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 18 students per class
Dates: Multiple 2–8 week programs, June 21 – August 15
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 5–17
FLAP’s Montreal program provides language training and cultural immersion for students. Both French and English focus are offered; U.S. students and other English-speaking students can hone their French skills, while students from non-English-speaking countries can choose from either language. You’ll focus on language classes throughout the morning each day in a small skill-matched class; lessons will be thematically-based to provide linguistic competence in topics including art, technology, culture, and science. In the afternoon, you’ll work alongside your classmates on collaborative projects and prepare for in-class presentations. In addition to commuter options for local students and a program residence hall, FLAP offers homestay housing, where you’ll live with a Montreal family and can practice French immersion. Other program features include visits to cultural sites across Montreal and field trips to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Quebec City.
Location: Montreal, QC | Optional Boston, MA extension
Cost: $5,995 (2 weeks) or $7,495 (3 weeks); Boston add-on $2,195; some electives have extra fees
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not selective
Dates: July 5–17 or June 28–July 17 | Boston extension: July 17–22
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: US high school students
ACA provides specialized academic programming, French language education, and city exploration to high school students through its Montreal Summer Program. You’ll choose to take two elective courses out of 12 choices, primarily focused on the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Options include French Language, Digital Marketing and Social Media, International Business & World Financial Markets, and Fashion Design. You also have the option of choosing to complete community service in Montreal in lieu of a second elective, for which you’ll receive certification of 30 service hours. After classes end for the day, you’ll participate in field trips and cultural activities, including hiking at the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, going to summer festivals, and visiting Montreal’s Old Town; weekend trips include a trip to Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant National Park.
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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