15 Free Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC

If you’re a high school student who wants to have a productive summer, you might want to explore a free program in a subject that interests you. Many of these programs are beginner-friendly and don’t require advanced coursework, making them accessible to a wide range of students. By participating, you’ll gain valuable skills, connect with peers and mentors, and strengthen your college applications. 

With world-class universities, research centers, theaters, museums, and startups, New York offers many opportunities for high schoolers. From conducting lab research, performing on stage, to exploring coding, entrepreneurship, or social impact work, you can contribute to a range of activities. To help you make an informed choice, we have compiled a list of 15 free summer programs for high school students in New York City.

1. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)

Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students are accepted each year
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors aged 16 years or above at the start of the program

The SSRP offers summer research experience where high school students become part of small, mentor-led lab teams at Rockefeller, MSK, and Weill Cornell facilities. Over the duration of 7 weeks, you will engage full-time in lab work, learning research methods, exploring scientific literature, and probing experimental design under expert guidance. The program also includes workshops, guest lectures, elective classes, networking events, and concludes with a capstone symposium where you present your project findings. 

2. Ladder Internship Program 

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid available
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: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 to 12 weeks, devoting 10-20 hours/week.

Ladder Internships is a competitive program that connects high school students with high-growth start-ups. You will get the opportunity to work as an intern across diverse fields such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Most of Ladder’s partner start-ups are rapidly scaling companies with funding exceeding a million dollars. During the internship, you will collaborate directly with Managers and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach while working on real-world projects. At the end of the program, you will present your contributions to the company, gaining both corporate experience and professional exposure.

3. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders attending NYC high schools

ARISE is a tuition-free summer research program at NYU Tandon that engages selected NYC high school juniors and seniors in hands-on, faculty-led STEM research. For the first 4  weeks, you will complete foundational training covering lab safety, research methods, and scientific writing, before moving on to 6 weeks of research in over 80 university laboratories. In addition to working in cutting-edge labs across fields like biomedical engineering, computer science, environmental science, and more, you will develop skills in public speaking, research presentation, and professional networking. The program concludes with presentations at an NYU colloquium and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. 

4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded 
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Not Available
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort, multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college during the fall, and must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement

The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is equivalent to Lumiere Education’s flagship of the Individual Research Scholar track. In this program, you will collaborate 1-on-1 with renowned Ph.D. mentors to design and complete an independent research project. Over the course of 12 weeks, you will create a full-length research paper while gaining exposure to advanced methods of inquiry. You can select from a wide range of domains such as psychology, economics, physics, computer science, data science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.

5. Summer Shakespeare

Location: 65 Broadway, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 22 students are chosen every summer
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: June 20
Eligibility: Current high school students enrolled in NYC schools

Summer Shakespeare is a free, five-week intensive acting program offered to New York City high school students, open to those selected through a competitive application process. You will be trained 5 days a week in voice, movement, ensemble work, and scene study, with a total of around 50 hours of instruction before staging an abridged Shakespeare performance. The program starts with orientation and master classes, followed by a rehearsal period that culminates in a live production.

6. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program

Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (typically $15–$21/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Work period spans across 6 to 8 weeks during summer (typically starts after school ends and ends before Labor Day)
Application Deadline: Generally in January
Eligibility: Students attending New York City public schools

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) is a free summer opportunity in New York City that introduces high school students to the legal profession. You will be placed in law firms, nonprofits, government agencies, or corporations where you assist with day-to-day tasks such as filing, organizing case materials, and supporting legal teams. Before the internship, you will take part in March workshops that help to build your interview and workplace skills. Once you are assigned to a placement, you will gain experience of how legal offices operate, and you can explore the wide range of careers within the field. Additionally, the program offers career panels, networking events, and guest speaker sessions throughout the summer.

7. Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP)

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: August 4 –15
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Enrolled in a NYC public high school and at least 16 years of age by the first day of the program

The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) at Rockefeller University is a two-week program designed to introduce NYC public high school students to the brain and the latest advancements in neuroscience research. Led by graduate student instructors, you will attend interactive lectures, engage in journal club sessions where you will analyze and present scientific articles, and design your own small-scale neuroscience experiments. You will also visit research labs, participate in dissections (such as brain anatomy), and connect with Rockefeller scientists.

8. Summer Arts Institute

Location: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Astoria, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7– August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8 to 12 who are currently enrolled in or will enroll in a New York City Department of Education Public High School 

The Summer Arts Institute (SAI) is a free, four-week arts enrichment program offered by the NYC Public Schools’ Arts Office. You will train with professional artists and organizations such as American Ballet Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Ghetto Film School, New York Philharmonic, and others, depending on your focus in art. You will build your technical skills in dance, theater, music, film, or visual arts through studio work, rehearsals, and creative practice. The program concludes with a public exhibition or performance showcasing your artistic achievements.

9. BossGirls Summer Program

Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; commonly accepts between 39 to 44 students per summer
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current high school girls and non-binary students in grades 9–12 

Bossgirls is a tuition-free, five-week summer program in New York City that introduces high school students to entrepreneurship through hands-on problem-solving. You will collaborate in teams to identify a social challenge, develop a solution, conduct market research, build a prototype, and deliver your final pitch. The program emphasizes human-centered design, highlighting how businesses can address community needs. You will also receive guidance from Standard Chartered mentors and gain exposure to entrepreneurs in action. Previous cohorts have developed projects on topics related to immigration, mental health, and equitable access to education.

10. Met High School Internship Program

Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: 10th or 11th graders who reside in or attend high school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut

The Met High School Internship is a paid summer program in New York City that gives students an opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at careers in art, culture, and museum work. You will be placed in departments such as education, marketing, conservation, or scientific research, where you assist staff and see how the museum functions on a daily basis. Alongside this, you will participate in career labs, team projects, and workshops designed to strengthen skills like communication, organization, and critical thinking. The program also includes museum-wide events where you will share your experiences and reflect on your learning journey.

11. The Wooster Group Summer Institute

Location: The Performing Garage, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective that typically accepts 12 to 16 students per cohort
Dates: July 7– 26
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: NYC public middle and high school students aged 12–17 years

The Summer Institute is a free three-week theater program for NYC public middle and high school students interested in performance and creation. You will learn acting, movement, voice, and writing while also exploring stage design, including lighting, sound, costumes, and sets. You will work closely with professional teaching artists in a small group setting where you will develop your skills through collaboration and creative experimentation. The program concludes with three public performances that showcase your work. You can be a part of this program each summer during high school and can come back as paid interns after graduation.

12. NYU Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students entering 10th or 11th grade residing in NYC or Nassau County

CS4CS offers high school students a three-week immersive introduction to cybersecurity and computer science fundamentals. You will explore topics like ethical white-hat hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, steganography, privacy, and data protection, along with real-world security analysis. The program also includes theater-based communication workshops that help to refine your technical presentation skills.

13. All Star Code Summer Intensive

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 3-Week Tech Sprint: Session 1: July 7– 25; Session 2: July 28–August 15
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: High school students

All Star Code’s Summer Intensive is a free online program for high school students that comes in both 3-week and 6-week formats. You will gain experience in web development with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more, while sharpening problem-solving and teamwork skills through projects and workshops. The program also offers mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals. In the 6-week track, you will go deep into areas like APIs, databases, and software engineering, concluding with a capstone project showcased on the Demo Day. Both formats feature guest speakers and professional development sessions designed to build confidence and career readiness.

14. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohorts typically include around 12 students
Dates: Spring session: February 27 - May 22, Summer session: June 30- August 15
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in February
Eligibility: Students 16 years or above by orientation, enrolled in a NYC public or charter school

Genspace, a community biology lab in New York City, runs this program for high schoolers passionate about biotechnology and genetic engineering. As a participant, you’ll explore research in areas like DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics while working closely with experienced mentors. The program gives you access to professional-grade lab equipment and cutting-edge tools, helping you strengthen your knowledge of the life sciences. The past student projects have investigated topics such as biofilm behavior, the use of algae for water purification, and Zebrafish liver cells as potential biosensors.

15. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ years residing in New York City

ieSoSC is a free immersive five-week summer program that blends STEM learning with entrepreneurship, challenging NYC high schoolers to tackle smart city issues using real-world tech. You’ll gain hands-on experience in coding, microcontrollers, sensors, circuitry, and cloud computing while developing entrepreneurial know-how — from product ideation, project management, to pitching, branding, and understanding intellectual property. Communication workshops led by theater professionals help to sharpen your public speaking and presentation skills. 

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