13 Best Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student looking for something to do during your breaks, summer programs are a good way to explore your interests, build skills, and prepare for life after graduation. Unlike classroom learning, these programs often place you in environments where you can collaborate on projects, conduct research, or learn from professionals in the field. They’re also a great way to meet peers who share your interests and to show colleges that you’ve taken the initiative to learn beyond your high school curriculum.
With world-class universities, research institutions, the tech industry, and nonprofits, California offers high schoolers programs that combine academic rigor with experience. Whether you’re drawn to medicine, engineering, business, law, or the arts, there’s a program designed to help you take the next step in your academic journey. To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 13 of the best summer programs for high school students in California!
1. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Internship
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A
Dates: After school and weekends, multi-year and year-round (2-3 years till graduation)
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented 9th or 10th graders in an SFUSD school with a 2.5 GPA and a grade C or higher in math and science, who can commit to 2-3 years of attendance
At the California Academy of Sciences, the CiS Internship is a long-term, paid opportunity designed specifically for high school students in San Francisco who are underrepresented in STEM. Starting as a rising sophomore or junior, you’ll engage in weekend and summer programming that combines outdoor fieldwork, public engagement at the museum, and science-based training. The internship extends through graduation and includes chances to move into leadership roles. You’ll join monthly sessions focused on college prep, financial literacy, and science communication, while also gaining exposure to professionals working in STEM fields. You’ll work in small project groups led by researchers on science or environmental action projects, and you can participate in exhibit development or the CiS Leadership Council. The program also includes college tours and presentations at conferences.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The Ladder Internship is a remote program where you’ll work with a startup while receiving guidance from both company staff and a Ladder Coach. As a California high school student, you can apply to join a team in fields like artificial intelligence, digital marketing, journalism, or consulting. Once placed, you’ll collaborate on company projects and attend regular mentorship meetings to track your progress. The internship wraps up with a final presentation of your contributions to the startup team. Throughout the program, you’ll also get insight into different industries and professional communication.
3. Experiences in Research
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Stipend: $500 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12, living in Northern California; Must have a 3.0+ GPA and be 16+; OUSD students need the ECCCO common application
Experiences in Research is a paid summer internship option at Berkeley Lab designed for high school students with interests in STEM or STEM-adjacent careers. If accepted, you’ll work about 30 hours a week for six weeks, including independent work, collaborative projects, and weekly meetings, workshops, or career talks. You can be placed in project areas such as experimental research, data science, science communication, or administration. Each internship aligns with a specific set of tasks and learning goals, which you’ll explore and select during the application process. You’ll work with lab professionals and gain experience in research design, analysis, and communication.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in high school with a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4).
In the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you’ll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete a research project on a topic that interests you. Over twelve weeks, you’ll develop a research question, conduct a literature review, and create a full-length academic paper. Subjects range from computer science to psychology to political science, and you’ll choose your focus at the start. Your mentor will meet with you regularly to give feedback, help with writing and analysis, and guide your presentation or submission of your research. You may use your completed papers as part of college applications or submit them to student journals.
5. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $40 application fee, which can be waived for students with financial need / Stipend of $500 - $2,500
Cohort Size: Around 50 students per cohort
Dates: June 8 – July 30 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years of age | Must currently be living in and attending high school in the U.S. | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a green card
In this program, you will work in a Stanford lab alongside faculty, researchers, and students. It covers immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and bioengineering. After being placed in a lab, you’ll help with ongoing projects and participate in lab meetings, seminars, and technical training. The program includes structured mentorship and ends with a presentation of your research. In addition to lab work, you’ll attend guest lectures by Stanford scientists and participate in sessions on scientific communication, research ethics, and career exploration.
6. UCSF Summer Student Research Program
Location: San Francisco and Oakland
Stipend: $3,000 to $4,300, based on your eligibility and student status.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approx 35-40 students per year
Dates: February 14
Application deadline: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors or seniors, age 16+ by June 1, with at least one year of completed math and biology
At the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, this internship program immerses high school students into nine weeks of biomedical research within clinical or lab settings. If you’re selected, you’ll be matched with a mentor and work on a research project while also attending seminars, journal clubs, and workshops. The program is structured with clear deliverables such as a research abstract, proposal, and final presentation at a symposium. Beyond the research, you’ll also attend weekly events led by scientists and clinicians, and receive support on skills like writing personal statements.
7. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Cost: Participants receive a competitive stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 - July 25
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
At the Meta Summer Academy, you’ll spend several weeks gaining a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of a tech company. This internship introduces you to both technical and business roles through project work, workshops, and mentoring. You’ll learn about career paths in coding, media, communications, and other departments at Meta, while also developing soft skills. The program focuses on workforce readiness and aims to build early career skills, especially for students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in tech. You’ll also meet and interact with Meta employees to better understand potential future pathways.
8. UCSF High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: UC San Francisco campus
Stipend: $3,000 to $4,500, depending on your weekly hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Open to current juniors attending an SFUSD school or an SF charter school
HIP at UCSF is an eight-week paid internship designed for rising seniors attending SFUSD or San Francisco charter schools. You’ll be placed in a lab and work under the daily mentorship of a UCSF scientist, conducting original research in fields such as neuroscience, immunology, or cancer biology. You’ll participate in writing workshops, college counseling, and a day-long college tour, alongside research and science communication training. HIP also fosters community through its cohort model and weekly group discussions. By the end of the program, you’ll present your research to a group of peers and professionals.
9. Met Sacramento High School’s Internship Program
Location: Met Sacramento High School, Sacramento
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled at the Met Sacramento High School and available to participate in shadow days
At Met Sacramento High School, internships are part of your weekly schedule starting in 9th grade, with Tuesdays and Thursdays set aside for shadow days or internship placements. You begin by visiting professionals in fields that interest you through one-day shadow visits, and if both sides find it a good match, you transition into a semester- or year-long internship. Each placement is personalized based on your interests and the willingness of the organization to host a student. You can earn elective credit for your time, and you’re expected to take on responsibilities depending on the project. Unlike summer-only programs, this is embedded in the school’s curriculum, so you can build a portfolio of workplace experience over multiple years.
10. Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Residential Track
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: 8-week session: $15,950 | 6-week session: $14,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – August 15 | Session 2: July 7 – August 15
Application deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Students must have completed 10th or 11th grade by summer, have a 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted), and be at least 16 years old.
For those curious about what it’s like to live and learn at a major research university, the Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Residential Track gives you that opportunity while earning college credit. You’ll spend several weeks living in campus housing with a meal plan, taking two official Berkeley Summer Session courses alongside other high school students. The program includes a series of college readiness workshops led by admissions professionals and opportunities for social connection through excursions and campus-based events run by undergraduate mentors. You’ll be supported by program staff throughout the experience, with structured orientation sessions and regular check-ins.
11. B-BAY
Location: Berkeley campus
Cost: California Resident $6,292 | Out of State Resident $7,332
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Session I: July 5 –19 | Session II: July 19–August 2
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students
B-BAY is a two-week business-focused program hosted by UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where students from around the world work in teams to develop and pitch a startup idea. You’ll attend lectures led by Haas faculty and guest speakers from the business world while also completing research, refining your business plan, and preparing a group presentation by the final session. Outside the classroom, you’ll take part in activities like college admissions workshops, campus tours, and Q&A panels with current college students. You'll also gain exposure to topics like leadership, finance, and the startup ecosystem while working closely with your peers. At the end of the session, you'll present your business plan to a panel and receive a Certificate of Completion from UC Berkeley.
12. VenturEd High School Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: 8 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The VenturEd Fellowship is an eight-week remote internship program designed to connect high school students from underrepresented backgrounds with roles at early-stage startups. Upon selection, you'll be matched to a company based on your skills and interests–whether that’s design, marketing, product research, engineering, or operations. You’ll work directly with startup teams on projects and receive one-on-one mentorship, as well as support through career development workshops, resume feedback, and networking events. You’ll be part of a cohort of other high school fellows, giving you a sense of community throughout the program. After completing your internship, you’ll continue to receive guidance through VenturEd’s alumni network.
13. UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program
Location: UCLA campus or virtual
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16–July 24
Application deadline: February 7 - March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
If you’re interested in neuroscience or brain-related health fields, you can opt for the UCLA Neuroscience High School Scholars Program, which introduces topics like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias through a six-week summer experience. You’ll participate in seminars, journal clubs, literature reviews, and brain-cutting labs, while also attending neurology grand rounds and gaining exposure to ongoing research projects. You’ll spend about nine hours per week engaging with faculty, working on a research project, and participating in group discussions. You’ll also learn about careers in neuroscience, receive mentorship, and be introduced to advocacy and outreach work in the community.
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