15 Writing Programs for High School Students in NYC
Writing programs are a good option for high school students who want to develop their voice, build confidence, and get serious about the craft. You'll practice different styles, get feedback from experienced mentors, and develop communication and critical thinking skills. These soft skills are valuable in college and careers in journalism, marketing, and publishing. Participating in a writing program can make you stand out in the college admissions process, especially if you’re applying for English or creative writing majors.
What writing programs are available for high school students in New York City?
New York City has a range of writing programs for high schoolers, many affiliated with institutions like Columbia, NYU, The New York Times, 92NY, and PEN America. These programs offer college-level rigor and help you build a writing portfolio that strengthens your college applications. Beyond the programs themselves, being in New York means you're surrounded by world-class libraries, a rich literary history, and a cultural environment that supports creative work.
We put together a list of 15 writing programs for high school students in New York City.
1. City Limits CLARIFY Youth Program
Location: New York City (specific meeting locations vary by cohort)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small and focused cohorts
Dates: Multiple 6-to-8-week cohorts year-round, including summer, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: NYC public high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year
The CLARIFY Youth Program is a public service journalism internship for NYC high school students interested in writing about issues affecting their community. You will receive training in the essentials of reporting and news writing, covering skills like research, interviewing, investigative techniques, and story structure. You get to work closely with professional City Limits reporters to develop and write a locally focused news story. The ultimate goal of the program is to get your stories published on the City Limits news platform. This writing internship focuses on providing real-world experience and developing professional writing and critical thinking skills in a fast-paced environment.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program that places ambitious high school students in eight-week internships at rapidly growing start-ups and nonprofits globally. It pairs you with a company manager to work on a real-world, tangible project that is of genuine use to the host company, such as a market report, a social media strategy, or developing content. The program includes professional development training sessions led by experienced founders and CEOs from top-tier backgrounds like McKinsey and Harvard Business School. You meet weekly with your manager to discuss deliverables and progress, culminating in a final project presentation. This program focuses on professional writing, practical communication, and project-based experience to build a professional network and a unique portfolio for college applications. Apply now!
3. The Bell Summer Youth Podcast Academy
Location: The Bell, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically, 12 students each summer
Dates: August 4 – 22
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: NYC public high school students, including recent graduates
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is a paid program for high school students in NYC that immerses young people in the world of audio journalism and narrative storytelling. You receive hands-on training from industry professionals to tell compelling stories. While focused on audio, the core components involve intensive writing, reporting, and structuring narratives for a listening audience. You work to create your own episodes of a podcast, learning how to research, write scripts, conduct interviews, and mix audio. The program is designed to provide access to journalism opportunities for students who haven't previously had them, and to publish their completed work.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1:1 student-mentor ratio
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a remote academic experience where high school students work one-on-one with a PhD-level researcher from a top university to complete an independent research project. The base program is structured over 12 weeks, guiding you through the entire research lifecycle, from topic exploration and research question identification to data analysis and academic writing. The writing component is rigorous, with the primary goal being the production of a college-level research paper in a field of the student's interest. The most advanced tracks also include guidance from a writing coach and publication specialist to help prepare the paper for submission to journals or symposiums. At the end, you become eligible for a UCSD Extended Studies credit. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. NYU Tisch Future Dramatic Writers Workshop
Location: NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, small class sizes
Dates: Every Saturday from January 31 to May 9
Application Deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors
This workshop is a free academic and professional writing program dedicated to dramatic storytelling for the stage and screen. You’ll be immersed in a college-level experience, exploring the fundamentals of playwriting and screenwriting. The curriculum is based on the Tisch undergraduate dramatic writing curriculum, offering a significant professional foundation. You receive instruction on story structure, character development, and dialogue, learning how to transform ideas into compelling dramatic works. The program aims to train the next generation of professional writers for theatre and television, often serving as an intensive preparation for a collegiate arts education.
6. 826NYC Teen Writers' Collective
Location: 826NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Details not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year–round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: Young writers in grades 8–12 whose families meet the income qualifications (80% of the area median income or about $113,000/year for a family of four)
The Teen Writers' Collective is a year-long writing program for high school students in NYC to explore the art of writing and literary citizenship. You will engage in workshops focused on various genres and develop your craft through consistent practice and peer feedback. The program aims to foster a strong community among young authors in the city, providing a supportive environment for experimentation and growth. You learn about the publishing process, the role of a writer, and how to engage with the broader literary world. It’s a collective experience that helps students refine their voice while reading and responding to each other's work.
7. Adelphi University Alice Hoffman Young Writers Retreat
Location: Adelphi University, Long Island, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 30 – 40 students
Dates: Weeklong sessions held typically in the last week of July
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who have just completed their junior year
The Alice Hoffman Young Writers Retreat is an annual writing program for high school students in NYC focused on creative writing and arts-based learning. This retreat focuses on several days of immersive workshops and inspirational readings. You work directly with accomplished writers, Adelphi faculty, and English education graduate students, gaining diverse perspectives on the craft. A crucial component is the opportunity to discuss, workshop, and receive detailed feedback on your poetry, fiction, or non-fiction from the instructors and your peers. The retreat concludes with a Poetry Slam or a final reading event where students get to read their polished work aloud to their peers, friends, and family.
8. Writopia Lab Creative Writing Workshop
Location: In-person workshops in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and online
Cost: Varies by program length, type (group vs. private), and location (sliding scale fee available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; up to 6 participants
Dates: School year programs and week-long half or full-day camps during breaks are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
Writopia Lab offers student-centered, author-led creative writing workshops designed to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking. You work on and share your writing in a supportive space guided by published authors and playwrights. The multi-genre approach allows you to explore fiction, poetry, personal narrative, and more, helping you set and achieve your own writing goals. Workshops often include writing games to help you develop your craft and better understand characters and narratives. Overall, this writing program for high school students in NYC helps you gain skills in writing, editing, analysis, and effective communication.
9. The School of The New York Times Summer Academy
Location: The School of The New York Times, New York, NY
Cost: $50 application fee + $7,695 (residential), $6,195 (commuter). Scholarships and discounts are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; typically, small cohort sizes
Dates: Term 1: June 7 – 19; Term 2: June 21 – July 3; Term 3: July 5 – 17; Term 4: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–12, as well as graduating seniors who are 15–18 years old
The School of The New York Times Summer Academy offers academically rigorous courses that immerse high school students in a specialized subject area while utilizing the resources of New York City. You will select one course for the session, which may include writing-focused tracks like feature writing, investigative journalism, or cultural criticism. The program is designed to provide a college-level experience without the pressure of letter grades, encouraging you to test your intellectual limits and discover your passions. You engage in fieldwork, classroom discussions, and projects that culminate in a final piece of work that may be published on the program's website.
10. 92NY's Young Writers Workshop
Location: 92nd Street Y, New York, NY
Cost: $2,600; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: July 14 – 31
Application Deadline: July 8
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
The Young Writers Workshop is a writing program that offers high school students in NYC an intensive summer experience centered around the creation and critique of original work. Mornings are dedicated to two-hour writing sessions led by faculty, focusing on the elements of craft in fiction, poetry, or non-fiction. Afternoons are spent in small, supportive roundtable workshops where you share your work and receive constructive feedback from peers and instructors. The program emphasizes both generating new material and the crucial skill of revision necessary for strong writing, along with providing a literary atmosphere for young authors to grow and connect with a community of fellow dedicated writers.
11. Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week: Summer Writing & Theatre for Teens
Location: Virtual/Sarah Lawrence College Campus, Bronxville, NY
Cost: $1,950 (on campus), $1,195 (virtual); limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 18 students/class
Dates: Virtual: July 6 – 10; On-campus Session 1: July 20 – 24; On-campus Session 2: August 3 – 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school students who are 14+
Writers Week is an immersive, week-long experience that blends intensive creative writing workshops with the exploration of performance and theatre arts. Creative writing is the core of the program, with each day beginning with a dedicated workshop designed for you to try new genres, discuss craft elements, and find your voice. The program focuses on one-on-one interaction, allowing students to meet in small groups with published prose writers, poets, and performance artists. You also explore the creative process intuitively through improvisation and group exercises, using theatrical methods to shape and give form to expression.
12. Fordham University Writing for Leadership
Location: Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost: $2,099 (residential); $1,449 (commuter); a limited number of need-based discounts are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 20 students/class
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Fordham University's Writing for Leadership is an intensive writing program for high school students in NYC seeking to sharpen their writing and professional communication skills. The curriculum moves beyond creative writing to focus on writing for real-world situations and professional impact. You will strengthen your ability to craft compelling college applications, articulate professional emails, and create career materials like a mock resume and LinkedIn profile. Working closely with current Fordham students, you also engage in workshops on networking and digital communication platforms. The program aims to empower you with the versatile writing skills necessary for academic success and future professional leadership roles.
13. Gotham Writers Workshop
Location: In person in NYC/Virtual
Cost: Varies by duration and format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; 18 students for intensives, 14 otherwise
Dates: 1-day intensives, 6-week classes, and 10-week workshops available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
Gotham Writers Workshop offers a wide variety of creative writing classes, providing a creative home for young writers to develop their craft. The classes cover diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction, teaching the craft clearly and practically. You work with expert teachers, who are all working writers themselves, to receive insightful instruction and feedback. Each class places you in a community of fellow writers, essential for peer critique and connecting with the broader literary world. The workshop model focuses on generating new material, revising thoroughly, and understanding the practical elements of different writing forms.
14. The Cooper Union Summer Writing Program
Location: 41 Cooper Square, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Varies by format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 10 students per section
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors
The Cooper Union Summer Writing Program offers an intensive three-week writing program designed to equip high school students with the writing and critical thinking skills essential for college success. The on-campus format involves daily two-hour sessions in both the morning and afternoon, focusing on developing argumentative and analytical writing. You will engage in close reading, use writing to generate ideas, and practice the skills needed to build a sophisticated analytical essay. The instruction, led by experienced college instructors, is highly focused on workshop participation and discussion of assigned readings. Optional Friday writing workshops are also available to focus on specific aspects and genres of writing, providing a comprehensive foundation in advanced academic prose.
15. Columbia Writing Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,960 + at least $50 toward course materials, such as textbooks and supplies (financial aid is available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: All high school students
Created and designed by Dr. Nancy Sommers, the Columbia Writing Academy is a two-week online intensive focused entirely on crafting a unique and impressive college admissions essay. The course guides you through every stage of the essay-writing process, including brainstorming, drafting, and detailed revision. Due to the critical nature of the essay, the program emphasizes small-group workshops and one-on-one tutorials with seminar leaders. You receive in-depth, personalized feedback throughout the process, ensuring they develop your personal voice and style. By the end of the course, you’ll be expected to have a highly polished essay that personalizes your college application and impresses admissions readers.
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