15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Orlando, FL
- Lydia Park
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student who wants to explore new subjects, summer programs are an easy entry point. They give you a chance to learn about subjects outside a standard classroom and see how they are applied in real-world contexts.
Why attend a summer program in Orlando, FL?
Orlando offers access to programs for high schoolers run by local universities, research centers, cultural institutions, and community organizations. Many programs take place in classrooms, labs, studios, or project spaces used for academic work. Participating in a summer program gives college admissions officers a clearer picture of your interests by showing engagement beyond your regular coursework.
Below is a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Orlando, FL!
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Stipend: $1,000 stipend; lunch provided
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9–July 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
If you're curious about how materials at the atomic level can revolutionize energy, computing, or healthcare, the UCF High School Summer Internship Program offers you a hands-on introduction. Run by the PREM Center for Quantum Materials Innovation and Education Excellence, this program places rising juniors and seniors in one of ten research labs at the University of Central Florida. Over six weeks, you'll investigate quantum materials through experiments that blend physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. From creating single-atom-thick materials to contributing to real lab work, this opportunity is designed to give you a glimpse into collegiate-level research while sharpening your problem-solving and technical skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 12-week program; Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-focused opportunity designed for high school students who want to explore academic topics in depth. You work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent project in a subject area you choose. Over the course of twelve weeks, you learn how to form a research question, gather information, and develop your ideas into a full research paper. You can select from fields such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and several others. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Central Florida (various sites, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Eustis, Sanford)
Stipend: Earn up to $1,200 (Explore & Engage tracks); $15/hour for Experience track
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June–August (varies by track and location)
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19
The CareerSource Central Florida Summer Youth Program offers high school students ages 14–19 three distinct tracks tailored to their age and career readiness. In the Explore track (ages 14–15), students get introduced to careers and college life. The Engage track (ages 15–16) provides job training and the chance to build a project portfolio. The Experience track places students in paid internships with employers, where they can gain industry-specific skills. All tracks offer significant financial incentives while helping participants invest in their futures through practical, hands-on opportunities in fields like IT, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, renewable energy, and more.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly 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); You can apply to the program here.
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: Available in various counties in Florida, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and others
Stipend: Paid internship (35 hours/week) + all-expenses-paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 300 students nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks during summer (Summit held July 21–26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; must reside in an eligible county and be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Bank of America's Student Leaders® program empowers high school juniors and seniors with leadership training, community engagement, and paid nonprofit internships. Over eight weeks, you will work at a local nonprofit, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity, while developing civic, social, and business skills. One of the program’s highlights is the all-expenses-paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where students gain a broader understanding of how nonprofits, governments, and businesses collaborate to solve community challenges. With over 300 students selected nationwide each year, this program is ideal for young changemakers with a demonstrated commitment to improving their communities.
Location: UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, FL
Cost: Free to eligible students; earn up to a $350 stipend
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Space is limited; specific cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 17–28
Application Deadline: Rolling; contact VR counselor to apply
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–21 with an IEP or 504 plan residing in Orange, Lake, or Seminole counties
Hosted at the top-ranked UCF Rosen College, this immersive two-week hospitality camp introduces you to the range of careers within the industry. You’ll gain experience through site tours, interactive activities, and sessions led by professors and hospitality professionals. The curriculum covers workplace readiness, college enrollment opportunities, and work-based learning, totaling 50 hours of in-person training. You'll also receive food, transportation from employU hubs, and a stipend of up to $350 for full participation. Students who complete the camp receive a certificate during a graduation event. A virtual orientation is required before the start of the program.
Location: Internship sites across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico (placed within a 45-minute commute of the student's residence)
Cost: $3,000 stipend (paid in three installments)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified; national program
Dates: June–August (eight weeks; exact dates flexible and arranged with mentor)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen; must be 16 by June 1; must reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico
This eight-week summer internship, run by the American Fisheries Society, places you with a local mentor in fisheries science or aquatic resource management. As a Hutton Scholar, you might take part in fish tagging, water quality testing, electrofishing, habitat restoration, or data analysis, depending on your mentor’s area of focus. Internships are matched to your location, ensuring accessibility, and you’ll work around 32 hours a week. The program aims to broaden diversity in the field and is especially welcoming to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Alongside field and lab work, you’ll complete mid-summer and final reports, and you'll be supported by liability insurance and mentorship throughout the experience.
Location: University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL
Cost: $450; full scholarships available for students with demonstrated financial need
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14–18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must attend high school in Osceola OR Orange County, Florida
The Health Leaders Summer Academy is a five-day program for high school students interested in healthcare careers, especially those from underserved backgrounds. You’ll participate in clinical activities, explore different health professions, and engage with healthcare providers and UCF faculty. The program includes campus tours and sessions on academic pathways into medicine, with a focus on increasing access to college and professional school. It's designed to build your awareness of health-centered education and expose you to the range of specialties within the field.
Location: CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $550 early bird; $650 regular; scholarships available for students with financial need
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three one-week sessions in July (exact dates TBA)
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 with an interest in physics, engineering, or optics
At UCF’s optics and photonics center, the UCF Laser & Photonics Summer Camp uses lab work to explain how light-based technologies function. You will work with optical equipment, learn how lasers are applied across fields like medicine and communications, and see how physics and engineering overlap in systems. Lectures are short and tied directly to experiments, so concepts like wavelength or signal transmission show up immediately in practice rather than staying abstract.
10. UCF Camp Connect
Location: L3Harris Engineering Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $200 for Camp Connect I & II; $300 for Camp Connect Advanced; scholarships available for students with financial need
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Camp Connect Advanced: June 8–12; Camp Connect I: June 22–26; Camp Connect II: July 13–17
Application Deadline: Advanced: April 24; Camp I: May 1; Camp II: By invitation only
Eligibility: Camp I: Rising 8th–11th graders, minimum age 13; Camp II: Students who completed Camp I; Advanced: Rising 10th–12th graders, minimum age 15; prior participation preferred
Camp Connect offers three engineering-focused camps that expose you to various fields such as mechanical, civil, aerospace, environmental, and computer engineering. In Camp Connect I, you’ll explore different engineering disciplines daily through lab tours and hands-on projects. Camp II deepens that experience with more focused group projects and potential visits to UCF’s advanced labs. If you're ready for a deeper dive, Camp Connect Advanced places you in a team-based STEM project guided by UCF faculty, building critical skills in problem-solving and collaboration. Each camp includes structured programming from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., lunch, and supplies.
Location: L3Harris Engineering Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $1,250; scholarships available for financial need or to broaden participation
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Up to 35 students
Dates: June 1–19 (weekdays only)
Application Deadline: Early bird: March 28; Final: April 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11, minimum age 13 by program start
The UCF Summer Institute’s Computer Science program offers three levels of study: beginner programming and game design, intermediate programming with algebra, and an introduction to competitive programming. You’ll be placed into one of these tracks based on your background in programming and math, and classes run full days with lectures, lab sessions, and guest talks. The curriculum emphasizes Python or C++ depending on your level, and you’ll work on solo or team-based projects, including video game development or solving algorithmic challenges. After the program, you’ll receive an academic report outlining your progress and recommendations.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $275
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Program runs one week, Monday–Friday
Application Deadline: Opens mid-February (check website for updates)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
The Mathematical Exploration Summer Institute is a one-week program designed for high school students who want to engage with math topics beyond the standard curriculum. You’ll explore advanced mathematical ideas through lectures, group work, and problem-solving activities guided by UCF professors. The program focuses on two core themes: combinatorics (the “Art of Counting”) and applied modeling (the “Art of Modeling”). You'll also hear from guest speakers and connect with other math-minded students, making it an ideal setting to build both your skills and your community. Each day includes a blend of lectures, collaborative exercises, and networking opportunities.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: Tuition varies by course; no stipend; housing available (first-come, first-served)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Highly selective; Clinical Research course capped at 35 students
Dates: June 1–July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged due to limited spots
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12; international and out-of-state students welcome
University Medical Summer offers rigorous one-week medical courses for high school students led by board-certified physicians. Held at UCF, the program includes practical experiences in trauma care, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, dermatology, and more. Selected students participate in research and publish their work in PubMed-indexed journals. The program’s academic depth and emphasis on real-world credentials (including certifications from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association) make it especially appealing to BS/MD-bound students. Those enrolled in 3+ clinical courses may take a medical writing class; students in 4+ are eligible for the highly competitive Clinical Research track.
Location: Windermere Preparatory School, Orlando, FL
Cost: $7,050 for boarding; $5,090 for day students (per session); 15% discount for NAE students
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 28–July 11; Session 2: July 12–July 25
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Ages 12–18; minimum three years of experience in a major
This two-week performing arts program, run in collaboration with Nord Anglia Education, immerses you in intensive training in drama, dance, musical theater, piano, or voice. You’ll work with Juilliard artist faculty through a full schedule of studio classes, seminars, rehearsals, and lessons. The program blends rigorous instruction with an encouraging environment and interdisciplinary exposure to build your artistic and technical skills. You can choose to attend as a boarding or day student, and both options include access to top-tier facilities at Windermere Preparatory School. Sessions are organized by major, and you're welcome to apply to attend both for an extended experience.
Location: Valencia College East Campus, Orlando, FL
Cost: $320 per week
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 20–25 students
Dates: Four-week session, typically July
Application Deadline: Check the website in early spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
A staple at Valencia College since 2000, this intensive four-week summer program immerses you in professional dance training right in the heart of Orlando. You’ll develop technical dance skills, cooperative learning abilities, and communication competencies while working alongside dedicated peers and veteran instructors. The program culminates in a fully-produced performance where you demonstrate your skills in multiple dance styles. Every day includes technique classes, choreography workshops, and rehearsals, with opportunities to explore composition and performance. Dancers also gain insights into college dance programs and career pathways in the performing arts.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
Image Source - Lumiere Education logo