15 Social Justice Internships for High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in advocacy, policy, or community work, social justice internships for high school students can be a practical way to explore these fields before college. Many nonprofits, legal aid centers, and grassroots groups offer structured programs where you assist with research, communications, outreach, or campaign work tied to real-world issues.
These internships show up on college applications because they reflect sustained interest in civic engagement and direct service. If you're applying to programs in political science, law, public health, or environmental studies, social justice internships for high school students can strengthen your application by showing you’ve already worked on the ground with communities or policy issues.
To get started, here are 15 social justice internships for high school students!
15 Social Justice Internships for High School Students
1. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Advocacy Institute
Location: American University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $2,700; Financial aid and scholarships are available
Program Dates:
Session 1: July 13 – July 19
Session 2: July 20 – July 26
Session 3: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: Early decision: March 3; Regular decision: April 14; Rolling applications after April 14
Eligibility: U.S high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (ages 15-18), including graduating seniors
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) runs the National Advocacy Institute, a week-long program for high school students who care about civil rights and social justice. You will learn how to speak up for causes you care about, organize events in your community, and understand how policies are made and changed. You’ll take part in group discussions, classroom sessions, visits to important places, and talks with people who work on these issues every day. During the program, you will meet ACLU lawyers, lobbyists, community leaders, and other experts. You’ll work with them on real campaigns to help protect people's rights. You don’t need any experience to join; to apply, you just need to fill out a form and send a letter from someone who recommends you.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program designed for motivated high school students. As a participant, you will work with high-growth start-ups across a range of industries, including tech, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The companies involved in the program are typically high-growth organizations, with many having raised over a million dollars in funding. During the program, you will collaborate closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and have the opportunity to present your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. The ACS Youth Leadership Council (YLC)
Location: New York City, New York
Stipend: No stipend; It is an unpaid volunteering opportunity
Program Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: New York youth
If you care about social justice and want to help other young people, volunteering with the ACS Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a great way to do that. As a high school student, you can join a team that works to improve the lives of youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice system in New York City. You will be part of meetings where real decisions are made, and your voice will help shape plans and policies that support young people. In the YLC, you will talk about important issues like housing, education, jobs, money, and fairness. You will meet once a month, get support and coaching from staff, and take part in workshops and training. You will also learn how to work with a team, speak up for others, and help create change. This experience helps you grow as a leader while standing up for justice and making sure all youth are treated with care and respect.
4. American Red Cross Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Multiple locations; Click here for the list of locations
Stipend: This is an unpaid volunteering opportunity
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students are eligible
If you’re a high school student who wants to help others, volunteering with the American Red Cross is a great way to do that. You can learn how to plan events, organize donation drives, and support people during emergencies. The Red Cross is known for helping in many areas, like blood donations, health education, and disaster relief. You can volunteer whenever there are opportunities in your area. You can also join or start a Red Cross Club at your school, where you work on service projects and teach others about health and safety. One example is the SleevesUp Campaign, where you encourage people to donate blood. Later, when you go to college, you can apply for an internship with the Red Cross to grow your leadership skills and keep making a difference.
5. Human Rights Education Institute (HREI) Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Varies by opportunity
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students are eligible
HREI gives you a chance to volunteer and support their work of teaching human rights, respect, and equality. As a high school student, you can help in many ways. You might give tours of the exhibits, help plan and run fundraisers, or do office tasks like answering phones, writing thank-you notes, filing papers, and making copies. You can also help organize books in the resource library, sort and label important artifacts, and make sure the exhibit rooms and other areas stay clean and welcoming. You will also take part in building and running programs and events that bring people together and make the community stronger. This work helps you build skills like speaking, staying organized, and working with others.
6. The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights: High School Internship
Location: The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: 2 weeks to 2 months
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Education Fund offer an internship for high school seniors interested in learning about civil and human rights. As an intern, you will build skills in writing, teamwork, research, and communication. You will also see how laws are made and how groups work together to bring change. You will work with staff on real projects in areas like policy, outreach, office work, and public messaging. You will also take part in learning sessions, career building, and networking. This internship helps you grow as a future leader while working on issues that matter to you and your community.
7. Youth for Innocence: Online Summer Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: June 16 – August 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students and college students
Youth for Innocence is an online nonprofit that trains high school and college students to help review wrongful conviction cases. You will learn legal skills like how to read case files, take notes, look at new evidence, and write clear summaries. You will work with lawyers and help review letters from people in prison who say they are innocent. Your work gives lawyers a starting point to reopen these cases and push for justice.
8. FORA: Educational Restorative Justice Internship
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: All internships are unpaid unless eligible for Federal Work Study through Loyola University Chicago or NEIU; Work Study interns are compensated $16.60/hr
Program Dates: September 2 – December 19 or May
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until August 1
Eligibility: Speak and write English well, be comfortable using digital tools like Google Docs and Sheets, and enjoy working with people and students from kindergarten to high school; You should be willing to learn how FORA operates and care about education and social justice, especially supporting the rights of refugee students
Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America (FORA) offers an internship where you can help refugee students through one-on-one tutoring. Many of these students have missed years of school, so your work will focus on building their reading and writing skills. You will learn how to teach in a way that supports students who have faced hard experiences, using care and understanding in your approach. You will also build skills in communication, problem-solving, and teaching. By working with FORA, you support students’ growth while helping close the gap between their current skills and grade level.
9. Teens in Public Service (TIPS) – Seattle area
Location: Greater Puget Sound region, as far South as Auburn, as far North as Woodinville, and as far East as North Bend
Stipend: Paid up to $3,300 ($20.76/hr)
Program Dates: June 16 – August 22
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged between 15-19; Proof of employment eligibility in the United States for employment authorization purposes; You must have an address in the state of Washington to be considered for an internship
Teens in Public Service (TIPS) offers paid summer internships at nonprofit groups in the Seattle area. As an intern, you will get real work experience, build leadership and teamwork skills, and learn how to make a positive impact in your community. You can work in areas like youth support, health, or the environment, with groups like the Seattle Humane Society or the Hunger Intervention Program. You will also take part in workshops to grow your job skills, meet other interns, get advice from past TIPS members, and be part of a team that supports your growth as a leader.
10. CLARIFY News Youth Program (City Limits)
Location: New York
Stipend: Summer interns receive $2,000; Fall interns receive $500
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending a public or charter school in NYC
During the CLARIFY program, you will build skills for college, work, and community life. You will get hands-on training in public service journalism and learn how to research, write news stories, speak clearly, work with a team, and meet deadlines. The program is open to students from all backgrounds, especially those who may not usually get access to paid internships. You will develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and professionalism. You will also learn more about local issues, how the media works, and how to take part in civic life.
11. DOROT Summer Teen Internship
Location: DOROT (Manhattan)
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: July 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: December to April; Rolling
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The DOROT Summer Teen Internship in Manhattan is a four-week program that involves in-person work four days each week. As an intern, you will spend time with older adults, talk with them, do activities, and help them feel less alone. You will also work with other teens, take part in group projects, and join workshops. This program helps you build skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork while making a real impact in your community.
12. Generation Human Rights (GenHR) Student Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are proactive and have excellent time management skills; Strong writing and research skills are essential
As a Generation Human Rights (GenHR) intern, you will help with research, writing, and program support. You will also help with projects like promoting the Peace Curriculum, expanding the Pandemic Curriculum used in over 30 countries, and planning stops for a school bus tour that teaches about global poverty and the Sustainable Development Goals. You will research human rights topics, suggest ideas for projects, and help update teaching materials. You will also write and plan social media posts, take notes during meetings, and support grant research. This internship helps you build skills in research, writing, communication, and project planning.
13. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Location: Manhattan
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Manhattan sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school
The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship is a five-week program where you learn how the criminal justice system works. You will take part in workshops and group talks on law and justice. You will build skills in public speaking and teamwork by joining a mock trial. You will also learn how to act professionally in an office setting. This program helps you grow your communication, thinking, and leadership skills.
14. Atlanta Bar Association High School Internship Program
Location: Atlanta
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors
Students from high schools around Atlanta take part in a six-week internship where they work in law firms, government offices, and companies. This program helps you learn about the law and think about going to college and law school. If you decide to go to law school later, you can get help paying for LSAT or Bar exam prep through the Highest Heights Forever Initiative. During the holidays, judges and lawyers from the Atlanta Bar Association visit nonprofits and children's hospitals to bring joy and support. This program helps you build skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership while learning about the legal field.
15. The Ahimsa Collective Justice Internship
Location: Berkeley, California
Cost/Stipend: None
Program Dates: 6-day internship; Dates not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school seniors
This internship is for high school seniors who care about fairness and human rights. You will learn how violence, prisons, and incarceration affect people and communities. You will practice social justice by listening to stories, researching reentry and healing, and exploring how communities can seek justice without relying on the legal system. You will work closely with people who have been harmed, formerly incarcerated individuals, justice reform leaders, and local groups. You will also visit a prison, help plan events, send books to people in prison, and learn how to support this work through donations and volunteering.
Image Source - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) National Advocacy Institute Logo