15 Leadership Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
If you’re a student living in and around New Jersey, looking for leadership programs for high school students locally, you’ll find several short-term institutes, workshops, and internships that help you build real skills without the overwhelming cost of traditional pre-college options. These opportunities give you hands-on exposure to professional environments, practical challenges, and industry mentors–letting you test your interests while gaining valuable experience.
These leadership programs help you grow your confidence, communication, and problem-solving abilities while forming strong connections with peers and professionals. They can help you understand your strengths and the impact you want to make. To guide your search, we’ve gathered 15 standout leadership programs for high school students in New Jersey, each offering a unique path to becoming a stronger, more capable leader.
P.S. If you're in NJ and want to explore other opportunities nearby, 13 Summer Internships for High School Students in Maine covers a different region but has strong structured programs worth comparing. And 14 Summer Internships for Rising High School Juniors is a useful national list if you're open to traveling for the right opportunity.
1. New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps (NJYLC)
Location: Philadelphia Outward Bound School, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Cost: $50
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive and merit-based
Dates: July 5 - 18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and juniors (entering grades 10-12) in the Northern New Jersey area
Through the New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps, you spend 14 days immersed in the Delaware Water Gap as you push yourself both physically and mentally in an Outward Bound experience. You move through more than 40 miles of wilderness by backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing, learning how to work with your group in unpredictable outdoor settings. Each challenge in this leadership program for high school students in New Jersey, like climbing along the Kittatinny Ridge or navigating river currents, forces you to practice resilience and quick decision-making. You spend your nights camping under the stars, reflecting on your strengths and the ways your team relies on you.
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
In the Ladder Internship Program, you take on an 8-week remote internship where you contribute directly to a high-growth startup’s real projects, guided by a Startup Manager and your own Ladder Coach. Depending on the company you’re matched with, you might explore consulting, media, AI, finance, marketing, or another emerging field, giving you a firsthand look at how early-stage teams operate. You’ll join skill-building sessions that break down communication, time management, and professional responsibility, all while receiving feedback that helps you adjust and grow. Weekly check-ins give you space to reflect on what you’re learning, compare experiences with other interns, and troubleshoot challenges. The internship wraps up with a final presentation to company mentors, where you demonstrate your contributions and progress.
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: Highly competitive; 300 spots
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors authorized to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before
As a Bank of America Student Leader, you spend 8 weeks working with a local nonprofit, such as a Boys and Girls Club or Habitat for Humanity, contributing directly to community-focused initiatives. You join a national cohort committed to civic engagement and youth leadership, taking on meaningful tasks, learning how nonprofit organizations function, and building skills in teamwork, communication, and service. Midway through the program, you travel to Washington, D.C., for a week-long Student Leadership Summit, where you explore public policy and social impact with students from across the country. This combination of on-the-ground service and national dialogue is designed to help you better understand how communities, businesses, and governments work together.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type
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
In the Young Founders Lab, you join a virtual incubator run by Harvard-affiliated entrepreneurs who guide you through building a functional, revenue-focused startup. You and your team research your market, test ideas, create an MVP, and refine your concept based on user feedback. Workshops led by mentors from Microsoft, Google, X, and other companies break down the core steps of entrepreneurship from problem identification to customer validation to growth planning. You also get to analyze case studies that reveal how real founders adapt to uncertainty and overcome setbacks. You conclude the program with a formal pitch that showcases your product, research, and business strategy.
5. Youth Leadership Somerset
Location: Somerset County, Somerville
Cost: $450, covering participation in all seminars, meals, and materials
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: September - May
Application deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 - 12 who live in Somerset County
In this 9-month leadership program for high school students in New Jersey, you dive into how your county functions and how leadership shapes local systems. Meeting once a month, you participate in workshops, small-group discussions, site visits, and hands-on projects. You explore topics like local government, emergency response, healthcare, sustainability, and community development, learning directly from the officials and professionals who manage these areas. You’re encouraged to examine real problems your community faces, think critically about solutions, and collaborate with peers on meaningful initiatives.
6. Sadie Nash Leadership Project : Summer Institute
Location: Newark
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling till March 13
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in Newark
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute invites young women and gender-expansive students into 6 weeks of leadership development centered on identity, social justice, and personal empowerment. You engage in workshops that challenge you to reflect on your lived experiences and how they shape your perspective as a leader. Throughout the program, you meet women and gender-expansive professionals, such as activists, artists, and public officials, who share their stories of advocacy and community impact. Field trips to local organizations, cultural institutions, and community groups help you understand how social issues play out in real settings. In discussions and collaborative activities, you sharpen your critical thinking skills and strengthen your voice.
7. FBI National Academy Associates New Jersey Chapter’s Youth Leadership Program
Location: Ocean City
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 62 participants
Dates: Not specified; 8-day program
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores or juniors between 14-16 years old at the start date of the program; Must demonstrate high academic standards and good citizenship.
The Youth Leadership Program connects you with law enforcement training professionals who introduce you to high-level leadership principles used across policing and public service. You participate in classroom sessions on ethical leadership, time management, resilience, financial literacy, and personal discipline. At the same time, you take part in field experiences such as police facility tours and firearms training demonstrations that help you understand the realities of law enforcement. You’ll meet peers from around the U.S. and internationally, giving you a chance to compare perspectives and develop global awareness. At its core, you’re encouraged to think about responsibility, decision-making, and how leaders maintain integrity under pressure.
8. Leadership Training Conference (LTC)
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing Township
Cost: $450
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1 : July 7 – 9 | Session 2 : July 11 – 13
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in New Jersey
The Leadership Training Conference, hosted by NJASC, brings together hundreds of New Jersey high school students for a dynamic summer program at The College of New Jersey. Over several days, you engage in team-based workshops that strengthen your communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. Whether you come from the student council, athletics, honor societies, or clubs, you get the chance to learn how different leaders approach common challenges. Activities focus on understanding group dynamics, stepping into leadership roles, and thinking creatively when guiding a team. Even after the end of this leadership program for high school students in New Jersey, NJASC keeps you involved through seasonal events, guest speakers, and student-led presentations.
9. YMCA of Greater Monmouth County ’s Leadership Programs
Location: Monmouth County
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 12-17
The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County provides several teen leadership pathways that help you grow through mentorship, community involvement, and guided self-development. In the Y Achievers program, you receive support around college readiness, career exploration, and personal goal-setting through workshops, mentoring, and college tours. Girls Circle gives girls a space to build confidence and communication skills through structured conversations and group reflection. Boys Council creates a supportive setting for boys and young men to explore healthy masculinity, teamwork, and emotional awareness. Across all programs, the YMCA emphasizes positive role models, peer support, and real-world skill-building.
10. Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy
Location: Rutgers–New Brunswick campus
Cost: $3,648.50 - $4,754
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week I: July 12 - 18 | Week II: July 19 - 25
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students completing their sophomore and junior year, ages 16 to 18 by summer; Minimum 3.0 grade point average
In the Building Leadership Strategies Summer Academy, you spend one intensive week strengthening your communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities while earning 1.5 college credits. Through interactive lectures and workshops, you examine different leadership styles and explore the emotional and cultural intelligence required to guide others effectively. You practice solving group challenges, weighing ethical dilemmas, and navigating complex organizational situations. Public speaking and critical thinking exercises help you become more confident and articulate in professional settings. The leadership program for high school students in New Jersey concludes with a formal presentation where you demonstrate your growth and reflect on what you’ve learned.
11. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership State Leadership Seminars
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing
Cost: $350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: July 12-14
Application deadline: Participants are nominated by peers; Rolling until full
Eligibility: School and community-nominated high school sophomores
At a HOBY State Leadership Seminar, you explore what leadership means on a personal, group, and community level. As a nominated high school sophomore, you join peers in workshops that encourage self-reflection, teamwork, and critical thinking. You participate in discussions about social issues, learn how values inform decisions, and practice working collaboratively to address community challenges. You also examine civic responsibility and consider how service can be part of your leadership style.
12. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: June 8-12 | Session 2: June 29-July 3 | Session 3: July 6-10 | Session 4: July 20-24 | Session 5: August 3-7
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Economics for Leaders introduces you to fundamental economic concepts while teaching you how they shape leadership decisions in real-world situations. You examine ideas such as scarcity, opportunity cost, market incentives, and international trade, connecting these principles to public policy and organizational strategy. The program uses the Leadership Pyramid Matrix to help you understand personal, relational, and group-based leadership dynamics. Through simulations, group discussions, and collaborative projects, you practice applying economic reasoning to complex scenarios. You learn how strong leaders balance analytical thinking with ethical judgment.
13. Brown Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,528
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 23–July 18
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Open to students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
During the Brown Leadership Institute’s 4-week online program, you explore leadership and social change through courses taught by Brown University instructors. You select a topic that interests you–such as civic engagement, law, social entrepreneurship, or sports leadership–and dive into discussions, group work, and case studies. Throughout your course, you’re encouraged to examine how leadership intersects with social issues and community needs. A major component of this virtual leadership program for high school students in New Jersey is developing an Action Plan, which allows you to design a project that applies your learning to your school or neighborhood. When you finish, you receive a digital certificate and a detailed performance assessment that reflects your growth.
14. United Nations Young Leaders Training Programme
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session (see UNITAR website)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 participants
Dates: January Edition: January 12–February 6; April Edition: April 13–May 8; June Edition: June 8-July 3; August Edition: July 27–August 21
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to high school and university students, young professionals, and aspiring leaders interested in international affairs
The UNITAR Young Leaders Training Programme gives you 4 weeks to explore global governance, diplomacy, and the work of the United Nations through self-paced modules and live expert-led sessions. You learn about the UN system, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the basics of international cooperation while participating in webinars with UN professionals. Group discussions and interactive activities help you practice negotiation, cross-cultural communication, and collaborative problem-solving with peers from around the world. You also develop practical skills such as public speaking and policy analysis, gaining confidence in presenting ideas on global issues. Once completed, you receive a certificate from UNITAR.
15. Wharton Global Youth Program - Essentials of Leadership
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 15 - 26 | July 6 - 17
Application deadline: January 28 (Priority deadline) | Rolling (Final deadline)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9-12 with demonstrated leadership ability
Wharton’s Essentials of Leadership is a 2-week online program where you explore the foundations of leadership and business through interactive lectures, recitations, and hands-on simulations. You study emotional intelligence, negotiation, teamwork, and ethical leadership, learning how these ideas guide effective decision-making. This online leadership program for high school students in New Jersey includes case studies and crisis-management activities that challenge you to apply your skills in realistic business scenarios. Through group work with students across the globe, you practice communicating clearly, balancing responsibilities, and leading collaboratively. You also receive insight from Wharton’s world-class instructors and teaching team.
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