15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia

If you’re a high school student, summer is more than just a break from classes; it’s a chance to explore college-level learning, research labs, leadership programs, and even future career exploration. They offer a blend of skill-building and industry exposure in a short, intensive format. Participating in a selective summer program can also benefit your college applications by demonstrating achievement and initiative in your field. 

Virginia is home to several universities and organizations, such as the University of Virginia and NASA's Langley Research Center, that host selective opportunities in fields like engineering, history, science, liberal arts, and dentistry. Some programs are designed to prepare first-generation college students, while others introduce you to research, public leadership, or pre-college academics. These local programs also help you save on travel and housing costs. 

Below, we have listed 15 summer programs for high school students in Virginia. They also include virtual summer programs that allow students in Virginia to apply.

15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Virginia

1. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: George Mason University (Fairfax, VA). Some projects may be remote or hybrid
Cost: None; $25 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students (minimum age 15 for computer lab/remote internships, 16 for wet-lab internships)

ASSIP is an eight-week research internship that places you side by side with faculty and professional scientists on real projects spanning dozens of STEM disciplines, from neuroscience and nanoscience to cybersecurity, robotics, bioengineering, and environmental science. You’ll learn to operate advanced lab equipment, develop data analysis and communication skills, and present your work at a final poster symposium. Many past interns have had their names appear in scientific journals or conference presentations. The program is full-time and requires a strong commitment, but it provides a rare opportunity to work at the frontier of scientific discovery without cost to participants.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts offered year-round; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort: Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 12 and June 23, respectively; apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks

Through Ladder Internships, you can spend 8–12 weeks working directly with a high-growth start-up or NGO on real projects. The industries you might explore range widely, including AI, health tech, marketing, consulting, and journalism. You’ll meet regularly with both your manager and a Ladder Coach to stay on track and get guidance, while also preparing a final presentation for your host company. Because the program partners only with fast-growing organizations, the experience tends to move at a quick pace and gives you exposure to the startup world. With selective admission, you’ll join a motivated group of peers who are also balancing independence with structured mentorship

3. Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) Program

Location: Online during the school year; Summer Academy at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Online course begins in December; Summer Academy (July)
Application Deadline: October 26
Eligibility: Virginia residents who are current high school juniors or seniors | Minimum GPA of 2.7 | U.S. Citizens

VESSS combines an academic year online course with a summer capstone experience at NASA Langley. During the school year, you’ll complete seven modules and a capstone project, developing solutions to real-world Earth science problems while interacting with NASA engineers and scientists. If you perform well, you may be invited to the Summer Academy, where you’ll design a satellite mission, tour NASA facilities, and receive mentorship from NASA experts. Scholars can also earn up to five free, transferable college credits through Virginia Peninsula Community College.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote (accessible worldwide)
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round; Summer Cohorts I and II start on June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort: Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines fall on May 11 and June 23, respectively; apply here
Eligibility: Current high school students with strong academic performance (typically 3.3 GPA or higher)

Through the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and carry out your own independent research project. The program spans 12 weeks to a year, depending on the track you choose, and covers a wide variety of disciplines such as economics, computer science, psychology, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. By the end, you produce a research paper that reflects the methods, depth, and rigor of academic work at the university level. The structure emphasizes independent thinking while still giving you close guidance from an experienced researcher. You are also eligible for a USCD credit upon the program’s completion.

5. Virginia Governor’s School – Marine Science Apprenticeship Program

Location: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Gloucester Point, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / up to 6 students statewide
Dates: Four weeks (late June – late July, annually)
Application Deadline: Early spring (applications reviewed by VIMS faculty)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors nominated through Virginia’s Governor’s School selection process

At the VIMS Marine Science Apprenticeship, you step into the role of a junior researcher by assisting faculty with ongoing marine studies. Instead of a classroom environment, your days are spent in labs and field sites working directly with scientists on projects that could range from coastal ecology to fisheries science. You take on specific responsibilities assigned by your faculty mentor and report on your findings, learning both the methods and rhythms of real-world research. The program is designed not just to introduce marine science, but also to help you evaluate how your own skills and interests align with potential career paths in the field. 

6. CyberPatriot – National Youth Cyber Education Program

Location: Remote (competition and camps offered nationwide, including Virginia-based sites)
Cost: Free for the National Cyber Defense Competition; AFA CyberCamps have varying costs depending on the host organization
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Cyber Defense Competition runs annually (fall–spring); CyberCamps are held during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; AFA CyberCamps are open to all levels, with advanced camps for students who have prior experience

CyberPatriot introduces you to cybersecurity through a mix of competitions, camps, and community programs. For summer learners, AFA CyberCamps provide hands-on training that ranges from basic cybersecurity skills to advanced topics for returning participants. While the program focuses on high school and middle school students, CyberPatriot also offers pathways for alumni, outreach for elementary students, and service opportunities like becoming a Tech Caregiver to teach cybersecurity to seniors. If you’re curious about how cybersecurity works in practice, this program gives you both technical challenges and real-world community applications.

7. Summer Language Institute

Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost: Tuition based on credit hours, residency (Virginia and non-Virginia based), and program duration for non-credit variant; more details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 14 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

The Summer Language Institute at UVA gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in a new language over an intensive four- or eight-week session. You can choose from Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Spanish and spend your time strengthening speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills. The program combines structured coursework with interactive activities, so you not only study grammar and vocabulary but also engage with cultural elements of the language. If you’re planning a future study abroad, research, or an international career, this program offers a concentrated way to advance your fluency.

8. Summer Honors Institute

Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Cost: $1,500; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

At JMU’s Summer Honors Institute, you’ll spend a week exploring what it’s like to be part of a university honors community. Instead of just sitting in lectures, you take interactive classes with faculty, try out majors across the sciences, arts, business, and humanities, and attend workshops on how to strengthen your future college applications. You’ll live in the residence halls, join field trips into the Shenandoah Valley, and get a feel for campus life alongside other motivated students. The program is selective, with only about 30 students chosen each year, giving you the chance to work closely with peers and professors in a smaller, focused setting.

9. Pre-College Program in American History – National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD)

Location: Williamsburg, Virginia (College of William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg)
Cost: $6,200; an additional $300 for international students (financial assistance available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 11; Session 2: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15 (Session 1), June 6 (Session 2)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

In this program, you’ll study American history where it actually unfolded. Classes are taught on the William & Mary campus but extend far beyond the classroom. You’ll find yourself in archives, museums, and historic sites throughout Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. You can choose courses focused on the American Revolution, the Civil War, or the broader fight for independence, with each one incorporating fieldwork, site visits, and hands-on projects. The program blends seminar-style learning with direct engagement in historical settings, giving you a taste of both academic study and public history practice.

10. NOVA Engineering Technology Career Scholars Programs

Location: Northern Virginia Community College (multiple campuses)
Cost/Stipend: Funding up to $14,250 covering tuition fees and stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; spots vary by track and campus
Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who must be residents of Northern Virginia or attend a high school in the NOVA service area

This program covers topics such as semiconductor manufacturing and data center operations, focusing on practical skills in electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems relevant to these industries. You participate in a summer bridge program that introduces you to the college environment and industry careers. During the academic year, you complete a Career Studies Certificate in either Data Center Operations or Engineering Technology with hands-on courses like Electric Motor Control and Programmable Logic Controller Systems. You develop technical skills, professional readiness, and industry certifications, setting them up for well-paying technology careers after just one year at NOVA.

11. Virginia Board for People with Disabilities’ Youth Leadership Academy

Location: Virginia (hosted on a university campus; specific campus TBA)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25 students chosen statewide
Dates: July 14 – 17
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Virginia residents who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school and have a disability as defined by the ADA

The Youth Leadership Academy, hosted by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD), offers students with disabilities the chance to grow as leaders while living on a college campus. Delegates participate in workshops on communication, advocacy, and career exploration, and engage in activities designed to strengthen leadership and social skills. The program includes opportunities to learn from peers and adult mentors with disabilities, create personal leadership plans, and meet policymakers during Capitol Day, which features a mock legislative hearing. Participation is highly selective, with only about 25 students accepted each cycle, and all costs are fully covered!

12. VCU’s Dental Careers Exploration

Location: VCU School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; competitive application process
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 10–12th graders from Richmond area high schools | Minimum 3.0 GPA | U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents

The Dental Careers Exploration program at VCU allows you to test-drive dentistry as a career through workshops and lab-based activities. Over the five-day experience, you’ll explore the roles of dental hygienists, general dentists, and specialists while practicing skills like tooth carving, dental impressions, suturing, and even digital dentistry. The program also includes an orientation and closing event, and requires full participation. Though competitive, it’s free to attend and a strong option if you’re curious about pursuing dental school or another health sciences path.

13. Hollins Summer Scholars Program

Location: Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 students
Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising female high school juniors and seniors

The Hollins Summer Scholars Program offers female high school students the chance to step into college life while exploring the liberal arts. Over two weeks, you’ll live on campus, take part in classes, and connect with faculty and peers in an environment centered on intellectual growth and empowerment. The program also supports you in navigating the college admissions process through mentorship, application guidance, and FAFSA workshops. You also receive a faculty recommendation letter to strengthen your college applications. With only about 20 spots available, this fully funded program is highly competitive.

14. UVA Advance

Location: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost: $7,097 for Virginia residents, $14,975 for non-residents + additional course materials; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 - 65 students
Dates: July 11 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | Minimum 3.5 GPA | At least 15 years of age by the program’s start date

UVA Advance is a four-week residential program where you’ll take two undergraduate courses: one core class designed specifically for UVA Advance students and one elective open to all Summer Session students. In addition to earning six transferable college credits, you’ll live on campus, participate in team-building and social activities, and explore Charlottesville through organized excursions. Small class sizes allow you to work closely with UVA faculty while also accessing full university resources, from libraries and labs to dining halls and recreation facilities.

15. Pathways for Future Engineers Program (Virginia Tech)

Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Cost: $1,050 + $100 for supplies; Virtual camp: $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Rising seniors: June 15 – 28; rising sophomores & juniors: June 23 – 28
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Virginia high school students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year degree program

This program is designed for first-generation college-bound students in Virginia who are curious about pursuing engineering. Accepted participants join year-round virtual enrichment, occasional campus visits, and a two-week summer residential camp at Virginia Tech. Through workshops, mentorship, and exposure to engineering disciplines, you’ll explore what it means to be an engineer while building community with peers and faculty. The summer camp combines academic sessions with collaborative projects, giving you a chance to develop both technical skills and confidence in navigating the path toward college and STEM careers.

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