15 Leadership Programs for High School Students
What’s the smartest way for a high schooler to test out an interest without committing to an expensive, year-long course? Short, structured experiences have quickly become that ideal middle ground—practical programs that offer real skills, industry exposure, and meaningful connections without the high cost or long-term commitment. Colleges, nonprofits, and established organizations now provide accessible pathways that combine academic learning with hands-on challenges, giving students a clearer picture of how different fields actually work.
What do leadership programs for high school students look like?
For those curious about leadership, whether in business, policy, community work, or team settings, leadership programs for high school students create environments where you can practice communication, decision-making, and collaboration with intention. These settings connect you with peers and mentors who share similar goals and help you explore future pathways. To help streamline the search, we’ve put together a curated list of the top 15 leadership programs for high school students.
P.S. If you want to pair leadership experience with something more field-specific, 14 Prestigious STEM Internships for High School Students and 15 Prestigious Engineering Internships for High School Students both have programs that emphasize mentorship and initiative alongside technical skills.
15 Leadership Programs for High School Students
1. FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 62 students annually
Dates: July 9 – 17
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 14-16 as of the program start date)
The FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is an 8-day residential experience that introduces you to leadership through the lens of law enforcement training. Throughout the week, you participate in classroom sessions on ethics, situational decision-making, crisis management, and values-based leadership, and you learn from public safety professionals every day. Physical conditioning, structured drills, and supervised safety demonstrations give you a clearer understanding of how discipline and teamwork operate in real-world scenarios. The leadership program for high school students also covers sessions on time management, resiliency, and navigating modern challenges such as online safety and social media use. You’ll explore how leaders manage errors, stay calm under pressure, and adapt to complex situations—field excursions to Washington, D.C., major civic landmarks, and historical sites round out the program.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: 100% financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program pairs you with a high-growth startup for an 8-week remote internship built around completing real project work under the guidance of a Startup Manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Depending on your host company, you may work in areas such as consulting, media, artificial intelligence, finance, or marketing, giving you a chance to see how early-stage teams handle day-to-day challenges. The program integrates skill-building sessions on communication, project ownership, and time management, helping you understand workplace expectations while receiving consistent feedback. Weekly check-ins and peer discussions give you space to reflect on your progress and learn from other interns’ experiences. The experience concludes with a formal presentation to company mentors.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: Provided; all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit, where you assist with budgeting, community outreach, fundraising, program planning, and other operational tasks that support local initiatives. By working alongside nonprofit staff, you observe how organizations address issues such as economic mobility, youth development, and resource distribution. Midway through the leadership program for high school students, you attend a week-long national Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where discussions focus on civic engagement, public policy, and the role of community institutions.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: $2900; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Program dates: Summer I: Individual program: May 18; Group program: May 18-June 6 | Summer II: Individual program: June 8; Group program: June 8-27 | Summer III: Individual program: July 6; Group program: July 6-25
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual startup incubator created by Harvard-affiliated entrepreneurs that guides you through the process of building a revenue-generating product or service from the ground up. Throughout the program, you work with a small team to conduct market research, test ideas, design a minimum viable product, and refine your concept based on user feedback. Mentors from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X lead workshops on entrepreneurship fundamentals, helping you understand how early-stage ventures identify problems, validate solutions, and plan for growth. Case studies and interactive exercises show you how real founders navigate setbacks and make decisions in uncertain times. By the end, you deliver a pitch presentation that summarizes your research, prototype, and business approach.
5. Norwich University’s Future Leader Camp
Location: Norwich University, Northfield, VT
Cost: Typically includes uniforms, room and meals, and all activities + $300 non-refundable deposit.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year
Dates: Three nine-day sessions in June, July, and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; high school graduates can apply if they have been accepted at and committed to attending Norwich University.
Norwich University’s Future Leader Camp is a 9-day, military-structured experience that includes physical training, outdoor challenges, and leadership workshops designed to build resilience and teamwork. Days are filled with field exercises such as land navigation, rappelling, and group problem-solving tasks that require you to apply communication and coordination skills under pressure. Evenings shift to discussions on leadership principles, decision-making, and accountability. The program is led by Norwich cadets and professional mentors who coach you through the routines and expectations of a disciplined training environment. The final competitions and graduation ceremony highlight your progress and give you a sense of how leadership develops through shared challenges and consistent effort.
6. CU Boulder Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current high school juniors living in Colorado and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (starting the Fall semester)
The Business Leadership Program at CU Boulder is a week-long, team-based case competition in which you work with peers to develop a marketing solution for a real corporate partner, such as Deloitte or KeyBank. Guided by Leeds School of Business faculty and business professionals, you analyze the case, research the company’s needs, and design a campaign supported by strategic reasoning and clear communication. Workshops throughout the week introduce you to business concepts related to leadership, teamwork, market analysis, and presentation skills. Mentorship sessions allow you to speak directly with industry representatives about career paths and workplace expectations. The leadership program for high school students culminates in a formal pitch to a panel of judges, with the top team earning a scholarship to the Leeds School of Business.
7. 21st Century Leaders EarthCare
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~85 students/year
Dates: June 7 – 12
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Georgia
EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century is a week-long residential program that focuses on environmental science, sustainability, and leadership development. Before arriving, you attend an April orientation where you meet fellow participants and learn about the broader 21st Century Leaders network. During the summer session, you participate in workshops on environmental challenges, engineering applications, and STEM concepts, and complete team projects related to sustainability issues. Industry site visits and roundtable discussions with Georgia Power professionals give you exposure to how companies approach environmental responsibility and resource management.
8. EUREKA! Leadership Camps: Counselor in Training (CIT) Program
Location: EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum, Grand Junction, CO
Cost: $50 for camp members | $60 for non-camp members
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple two-week camps starting June 3 and August 2
Application deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 –12
The EUREKA! CIT Program is a 2-week experience that places you alongside instructors at the McConnell Science Museum to help run STEM-focused day camps for elementary-age students. Depending on your session, you may focus on communication, lesson planning, teaching methods, classroom management, or safety protocols, giving you a rotation through the core responsibilities of youth education. Under the mentorship of museum staff, you assist with preparing activities, guiding campers through experiments, and managing group dynamics, all while learning how instructors adapt lessons to different age groups. Many CIT participants use the experience as a pathway to future paid internships at EUREKA! or other youth community programs.
9. UT Austin’s Subiendo Academy
Location: McCombs School of Business at UT Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 14 – 18
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors in Texas
UT Austin’s Subiendo Academy is a 5-day summer program where you work in teams to study real policy challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability. Throughout the leadership program for high school students, you research issues, develop policy proposals, and present your recommendations to community and industry leaders who work in these fields. The schedule includes leadership workshops, communication training, and mentoring sessions with professionals from business, government, and academia. On-campus housing and activities give you a realistic sense of college life, with guidance from UT Austin students and faculty. As a participant, you also explore how competing interests and practical constraints shape policy decisions.
10. Marian University Leadership Institute
Location: Marian University, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: $295 with scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Leadership Institute at Marian University is a week-long program that introduces you to practical leadership skills through hands-on classes in communication, team building, conflict resolution, and inclusive leadership. You select workshops that match your interests, whether you serve as a peer mentor, student organization leader, arts section leader, or someone preparing for other formal or informal leadership roles. Sessions led by experienced educators and college mentors cover leadership styles, group motivation, change management, and strategies for guiding teams through challenges. You also study instructional techniques that are useful for roles involving teaching or coaching younger students.
11. University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $150 enrollment fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~150 students
Dates: July 18 – 29
Application deadline: January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who will be at least 16 years old by or on August 1, and have demonstrated leadership abilities in school, church, community, and/or social organizations.
Notre Dame’s Leadership Seminars is a 10-day residential program for intensive discussion-based learning. You enroll in one seminar led by Notre Dame faculty, exploring topics such as social inequality, global peace, financial literacy, or data innovation through readings, debates, and collaborative projects. The leadership program for high school students is focused on analytical reasoning and clear communication, giving you frequent opportunities to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives. You complete a research or writing component tied to your seminar theme, guided by faculty feedback. Students who finish the program earn one transferable college credit.
12. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Residential program: ~$2800; Virtual: ~$900 ; scholarships available Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25-40 students per site
Dates: Varies by location
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Economics for Leaders integrates economic reasoning with leadership instruction to help you analyze policy issues and practice working effectively within groups. Through simulations, discussions, and case studies, you study economic concepts such as opportunity cost, incentives, labor markets, property rights, inflation, and international trade. At the same time, the leadership curriculum uses the Leadership Pyramid Matrix to explore personal, relational, and contextual leadership skills that influence team decision-making. You apply these concepts to current national and international issues, examining how economic forces shape public policy choices. Program instructors guide you through varied exercises that link leadership strategies with economic analysis.
13. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute NextGen Latino Leadership Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20% students selected each year
Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 13 | Session 2: June 21 – 27
Application deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th graders residing in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico; preference is given to students with financial need.
The CHCI NextGen Latino Leadership Program is a fully funded, week-long experience in Washington, D.C., where you learn about civic engagement, public policy, and the legislative process. Through workshops, Capitol Hill visits, museum tours, and meetings with Members of Congress, you see firsthand how federal government institutions operate and how policy decisions affect Latino communities. This leadership program for high school students also introduces strategies for community leadership and effective advocacy, giving you opportunities to discuss issues with CHCI alumni and professionals who mentor participants throughout the week. You explore historic sites and cultural landmarks while attending structured activities that focus on making your voice heard in public decision-making. After completion, you join the CHCI Alumni Association.
14. Kansas State’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Resident campers: $500 | Non-resident campers: $325; optional non-resident camper meal card: $125
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 15
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 11
Kansas State University’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp is a 4-day summer program dedicated to leadership and performance training for students involved in the marching arts. You participate in sectional rehearsals, full ensemble practices, and workshops focused on conducting, coordination, and communication–skills essential for drum majors, section leaders, color guard members, percussionists, and dance team participants. Faculty, staff, and guest instructors from K-State guide you through daily sessions that combine musical technique with leadership development. Team-building exercises help you practice decision-making and collaboration within performance settings. The camp concludes with a final showcase that highlights each group's progress.
15. Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy
Location: Mercy University Westchester Campus, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost: $695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 46 students/session (~140 students across three sessions)
Dates: July 5 – 11 | July 19 – 25 | August 2 – 8
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors with a cumulative weighted GPA of 90 or higher and demonstrated leadership skills
Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy is a week-long program for rising seniors that centers on leadership and business through themed sessions in entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and accounting. Throughout the week, you participate in professional development workshops, communication challenges, and team-based activities, such as a Shark Tank-style competition. Scheduled events include a nature-based team-building day, career exploration sessions, and corporate visits to major companies in New York City, including organizations like Google, Disney, or Microsoft. Faculty with industry experience lead the instruction and connect business concepts to practical workplace skills. Daily activities also incorporate reflection exercises that help you identify your strengths and potential career interests. The leadership program for high school students concludes with student presentations, a leadership panel discussion, and a closing ceremony.
Image source - FBI National Academy Associates logo