15 Summer Internships for High School Students in Northern Virginia
If you’re a high school student in Northern Virginia, a local summer can be the perfect time to explore your interests and gain real-world experience. Internships give you a chance to step outside the classroom and learn what different careers are actually like. They help you develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, all while connecting with mentors and professionals who can guide your future goals.
What does Northern Virginia have to offer?
Northern Virginia is home to a wide range of organizations, from technology start-ups and research labs to nonprofits and community-based initiatives, offering meaningful opportunities for motivated students. Whether you’re passionate about STEM, public service, business, or the arts, there’s a program here for you.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer internships for high school students in Northern Virginia.
P.S. If you're in the DMV area and want to see what else is out there, 14 Summer Internships for High School Students in Charlotte, NC covers a similar vibe in a neighboring region, and 14 Summer Internships for Rising High School Juniors is worth bookmarking if you want a broader national list.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Various U.S. locations
Cost/Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8-week summer program
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders program is a paid 8-week internship where you will work with nonprofits such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. You will gain practical business experience during internships. You will also learn how nonprofits, government, and businesses come together to solve local problems by participating in the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program that connects ambitious high school students with fast-growing start-ups around the world. During this 8-week virtual internship, you’ll work directly with a company and a dedicated Ladder Coach on real-world projects — gaining hands-on experience in how start-ups operate and grow. Partner start-ups span a wide range of industries, including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Interns end the program by presenting their work to the company, building both confidence and a professional portfolio.
3. NASA OSTEM Internship Program
Location: Various NASA centers in the U.S. + remote options available
Stipend: Paid federal internship; amount varies
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks; late May/early June – August
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16; must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0)
NASA gives you the chance to explore STEM through a wide variety of paid internships offered throughout the year, including in summer. With just one base application, you can apply to up to 15 internship opportunities each cycle, across different disciplines and NASA research centers throughout the country. As a high school intern, you will work directly on NASA missions under the guidance of expert mentors. You will gain technical skills, career experience, and insights into how major space and science projects are executed. You can choose opportunities that offer hands-on engineering experience.
4. Internships with a Purpose – Goodwin Living
Location: Northern Virginia & Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (non-clinical internships)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students interested in non-clinical fields (specific criteria not listed).
Goodwin Living offers meaningful internship opportunities where students can contribute to high-quality care for older adults in senior living communities and private homes. These are non-clinical, paid internships in areas like Life Enrichment, Brain Health, Finance, and Marketing & Communications. Interns gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields while supporting the mission of improving the lives of older adults.
5. STEM Summer Camp Internship – Youth Development Initiative (Science Center)
Location: Science Center (exact location not specified)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 16+ with an interest in STEM education.
As a STEM Camp Intern, you’ll work directly with elementary school students to guide them through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities. You’ll also get the chance to design and lead your own STEM programming, making this an exciting opportunity to practice teaching and leadership skills. As part of the Youth Development Initiative, this program combines mentoring, project-based learning, and real-world STEM experiences. It’s a great way to explore your interest in STEM education while gaining valuable skills for future internships and jobs.
6. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) Internship
Location: Northern Virginia (placements with cyber-related organizations)
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided at successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising first-year college students, ages 17+.
If you’re curious about cybersecurity and want to test the waters of this fast-growing field, the CCI Internship is a great fit. Over 7 weeks, you’ll receive professional skills training and get placed with real cyber-related organizations across Northern Virginia. You’ll work on projects that expose you to the essentials of cyber defense, technology, and workforce readiness. This program not only helps you build technical knowledge but also boosts your confidence and career preparation. Plus, you’ll earn a stipend once you successfully complete the program!
7. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, New York
Cost/Stipend: Free; students receive a stipend
Cohort Size / Acceptance Rate: Highly selective (exact numbers vary per year)
Dates: June 29 – August 7, 2026
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Students must be current 11th graders, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, at least 16 by the program start, and strongly interested in science and hands-on research.
The Simons Summer Research Program is a prestigious science research opportunity where high-achieving high school juniors work directly with Stony Brook University faculty. You will join active research labs in fields like biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, math, and more, gaining hands-on experience using real scientific tools and techniques. Throughout the summer, you get to attend weekly research talks, skill-building workshops, campus tours, and special events that deepen their understanding of the scientific process. Each student contributes to a real project and ends the program with both a written research abstract and a formal research poster. The program also includes a closing symposium where students present their work and receive a stipend award. It’s a highly competitive, nationally recognized opportunity for students serious about STEM exploration.
8. Prince William Living Internships
Location: Prince William County or Greater Manassas, Virginia (some remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: Some internships may become paid after a successful evaluation period
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions offered
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors (16+) and college students. Must be based in Prince William County/Greater Manassas, VA during internship.
Prince William Living offers a variety of internships across departments like photography, advertising, editorial, public relations, digital media, and social media. These internships give students the chance to build professional skills, gain real-world experience, and explore career paths in media, communications, writing, and community engagement. Many roles such as photography, advertising, editing, public relations, digital media etc can be done remotely, while others involve local travel and event coverage. From writing and photography to advertising and PR, this program lets you explore creative careers while building a professional portfolio and networking within your local community.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) + collaborating institutions (in-person, hybrid, or remote options)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate (unpaid). $25 application fee (waivers available for financial need).
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: For remote, in-person or hybrid internships, students must be 15 years or older and 16+ years old for wet-lab internships
ASSIP provides motivated students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty researchers utilizing cutting-edge technologies across a range of STEM fields, including astronomy, neuroscience, cybersecurity, bioengineering, robotics, and environmental science. Interns gain hands-on research experience, practice scientific writing and communication, explore career paths through forums and role model sessions, and contribute to real-world projects that may even lead to journal publications or conference presentations. Through this program, you’ll gain advanced lab skills, research experience, stronger STEM identity, and a boost for college and career pathways.
10. EDIT ML High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort size: ~91
Dates: Summer program (with prep starting Spring 2025)
Application Deadline: April 15, 2025 (early decisions by March 27, 2025)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students from diverse backgrounds; interest in AI, medicine, or biomedical research
The EDIT AI Internship, hosted by Dartmouth Health and the Dartmouth Cancer Center’s CRTEC initiative, is a virtual opportunity to explore careers at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. You will choose from three options: Skills, Advanced Research, and Peer Mentor tracks. Through project-based work, guided research, and seminars, you will explore foundational programming and machine learning techniques. Additionally, you will gain experience in applying AI to complex biomedical data such as whole slide images, pathology reports, and multi-omics data. You will also get to build soft skills like teamwork, communication, and scientific writing.
11. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Summer Internship Program
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia (Gatehouse Administration Center, Willow Oaks Administrative Center, and other FCPS facilities)
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($15.88/hour for current HS students, $17.88/hour for FCPS graduates/alumni)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited positions available (pilot program)
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Eligible applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 30, and either current FCPS high school students or recent graduates enrolled in post-secondary programs. They must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and have reliable transportation.
The FCPS Summer Internship Program is a new, 6-week paid opportunity for Fairfax County students and recent graduates to gain meaningful workplace experience. Interns will work across FCPS departments, supporting staff with real projects that help prepare the school division for the upcoming year. Additionally, participants will attend weekly professional development workshops that cover topics such as resume writing, personal finance, communication, and networking. This program gives students a chance to explore career pathways, build professional skills, and make an impact in their community while earning money over the summer.
12. NOVA Summer Bridge Program
Location: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA campuses)
Cost/Stipend: Free (transportation for field trips provided)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots available
Dates: exact dates varies
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students interested in Engineering Tech, IT, Computer Science, or Data Center Operations
The NOVA Summer Bridge Program gives students hands-on experience in engineering tech, IT, computer science, and data center operations. Along with industry site visits, you’ll also get to explore NOVA’s campuses, key offices like student services and financial aid, while learning about career pathways. Transportation is arranged between the two participating campuses and for any field trips, though students will need to arrange their own ride to and from the nearest campus each day. The programs are free to join, but spots are limited.
13. Girls Who Code’s Summer Immersion Program (SIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free participation; $300 need-based grant available for U.S. students
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Mid-June – early August
Application deadline: Early March
Eligibility: 9th–11th-grade girls and non-binary students
Girls Who Code’s SIP is a free two-week virtual opportunity to explore web development, design, coding, and computer science through a project-based curriculum. The program also offers the opportunity to learn game design in live virtual classrooms, while connecting with peers and gaining practical insights into college and career paths from industry leaders. You will virtually attend industry-led events, build real-world projects, and gain exposure to coding languages like Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in the process. The program offers access to mentorship from women in tech and a supportive alumni network.
14. JSSA High School Internship Program
Location: National Capital Region (Maryland, D.C., Northern Virginia)
Cost/Stipend: none
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Flexible, varies by department
Dates: Year-round (flexible scheduling)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to local high school students in the National Capital Region,8-10 weeks of commitment essential for the experience
JSSA’s high school internship lets you design your own path in human services and nonprofit work. Interns can explore different departments, join case consultations, help with summer camps, assist on mental health presentations, or support community programs. The internship is flexible (12–16 hrs/week), SSL-approved, and a great choice for independent students eager to learn about social impact careers.
15. Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students, ages 13–18; no previous CS experience required
Kode With Klossy offers free coding programs for high school students, including its 2-week summer program, which is an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of coding. You will learn within one of four coding tracks: data science, web development, mobile app, and machine learning. The program offers exposure to coding languages such as JavaScript and Swift and allows you to work on tech projects. By the end of the camp, you will have worked on an application, website, visual representations of data, or a chatbot, based on the assigned track.
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