12 Online Winter Programs for High School Students

Participating in a program during high school can be a great way to develop new skills, network with peers and professionals, and gain exposure to potential career paths. Programs can help you apply classroom concepts to projects, often with guidance from experienced mentors. 

Online winter programs for high schoolers provide a shorter, more focused learning experience during a quieter part of the school year without the need for travel or extra living costs. They introduce you to professional tools, research methods, and industry insights while fitting around your school schedule. Many are hosted by leading universities and organizations, giving you a chance to learn from experts. Online winter programs can also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating your intellectual ability to admissions officers.

We’ve narrowed this list down to the top 12 online winter programs for high school students.

12 Online Winter Programs for High School Students

1. Internships at the American Psychological Association

Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid and academic credit (unpaid) options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by department
Dates: Year-round, including winter cohorts (December – March)
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted through APA’s Internship Portal
Eligibility: Eligible to work in the U.S. and reside in a state where APA is registered as an employer | Enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution | Students under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit with their application

APA offers remote internships across departments such as research, policy, communications, publishing, and education, giving you exposure to psychology beyond traditional clinical roles. As an intern, you will assist supervisors with projects, attend workshops and discussions, and apply psychological concepts to real-world initiatives within a major nonprofit association. Positions are available for both paid and academic credit, depending on placement. This program is especially suited for students interested in psychology, education, and advocacy. You will gain practical insights and professional guidance from experienced mentors.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual (remote, worldwide)
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective 
Dates: Cohorts run year-round, including winter which starts on December 8
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter: November 16
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships offers selective, remote placements with high-growth start-ups across various industries, including tech, health, AI/ML, consulting, marketing, and journalism. As a participant, you will take on meaningful projects, collaborate with start-up teams, and present your work directly to company leaders. You will be paired with a dedicated Ladder Coach who provides mentorship and ensures your work aligns with professional expectations. The program emphasizes real-world experience, industry exposure, and professional networking in a virtual environment. By the end, you’ll have concrete project outcomes and firsthand insight into how fast-growing companies operate.

3. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) 

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort of motivated students
Dates: January 14 – May 27 (didactic course); optional summer research internship June – August
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the Portland metro/Oregon area | Must be at least 16 years old for the optional summer internship

The PSI program introduces high school students to the biomedical research process through a semester-long online course led by OHSU scientists. Each week, you will attend lectures, participate in journal club discussions, and work with a research mentor to design your own research proposal. The program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific writing, and presentation skills, culminating in a virtual symposium. You will complete the winter course and may continue into the summer internship, where you spend over 250 hours conducting research in labs or clinical settings at OHSU. This program is especially focused on providing equitable access to research opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program 

Location: Virtual 
Cost: Varies according to program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohorts per mentor
Dates: Multiple cohorts, including winter starting December 8
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; winter: November 16
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides a structured way for high school students to pursue independent research under the mentorship of Ph.D. scholars. Over 12 weeks, you will work one-on-one with your mentor to develop a project and produce a formal research paper by the program’s end. Research areas include psychology, economics, physics, computer science, engineering, data science, chemistry, and international relations, among others. The program emphasizes building research methodology, critical thinking, and academic writing skills. By participating, you not only gain exposure to advanced concepts but also create original work that can strengthen your college applications. You may also be eligible for a UCSD credit.

5. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment 

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course and credit load + $100 application fee; financial aid is available varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year; winter session runs January 5 – March 12
Application Deadline: Applications typically due in the preceding fall (exact deadlines vary)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older

SCAD Joint Enrollment allows high school students to earn college credits while exploring creative fields in a fully online format. You may take up to two courses per quarter, with five credits awarded for each completed course. Subjects span across art, design, business, and liberal arts, including options like advertising, psychology, digital communications, photography, and design foundations. Courses are taught by SCAD faculty and provide access to the university’s academic resources, while interactive Zoom sessions connect you with classmates. This program is particularly suited for students interested in creative majors, as credits earned can be applied toward a future SCAD degree.

6. Burke Neurological Institute Introduction to Neuroscience 

Location: Virtual 
Cost/Stipend: $500 tuition; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February 4 – March 27
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until course fills
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a biology course (e.g., NYS Regents Living Environment or equivalent)

This course offers high school students an introduction to neuroscience with a focus on mammalian nervous system structure and function. You will explore how the brain controls movement, processes sensory input, and supports memory and learning, while also examining neurological conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Classes are held twice a week in the evenings, allowing you to balance participation with school schedules. Instruction is delivered through live webinars with faculty mentors from the Burke Neurological Institute. By completing the course, you will gain foundational knowledge in neuroscience and prepare for potential research opportunities in the field.

7. Cornell Winter Precollege Online Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,940 per credit; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: January 2 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until courses fill
Eligibility: Rising or current high school juniors and seniors, ages 15–19

This program lets you take official Cornell University courses online during the winter, earning credits and a Cornell transcript. You will study alongside undergraduates and work closely with Cornell faculty while gaining exposure to subjects such as business, international relations, science, humanities, and the arts. Courses are condensed into a three-week format, giving you a chance to experience the rigor of college-level academics on an accelerated timeline. Instruction is delivered through Canvas and includes both synchronous and asynchronous options. The credits you earn may be transferable to other universities, making this program a practical way to build your academic profile while still in high school.

8. Marine Biodiversity: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation

Location: Virtual 
Cost/Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February 10 – March 5
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 | Must be at least 14 years old at the program start date

This course explores coral reef ecosystems, emphasizing the ecological processes that shape reef communities and the impact of environmental stressors on marine biodiversity. You will study reef formation, food web dynamics, and conservation challenges while gaining insight into global monitoring practices. The course integrates hands-on learning through citizen science projects using NOAA databases and the Allen Coral Atlas. Live online sessions are led by a subject expert and provide structured opportunities for discussion and applied learning. Students who complete this course may also use it as a prerequisite for more advanced Tier 2 courses in marine science.

9. EnergyMag Research Internship 

Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible; internships typically run 1–9 months and can align with winter schedules
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school sophomores to seniors with a GPA above 3.25 | At least one honors-level science or English class preferred (exceptions possible)

EnergyMag offers virtual research internships focused on renewable energy storage, giving students the chance to explore both technical and business aspects of the field. You will conduct research on topics such as emerging storage technologies, market developments, or company case studies. You will work on writing detailed analysis reports while building skills in sourcing credible information, market research, and technical writing. The program includes mentorship and encourages outreach to professionals in the energy sector. Although unpaid, the internship provides recognition through a Letter of Accomplishment and valuable exposure to a growing field.

10. Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)

Location: Cambridge, MA and virtual
Cost/Stipend: Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–16 students annually
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Summer
Eligibility: Exclusively for students enrolled at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)

The SRMP offers CRLS students the opportunity to pursue a year-long independent astrophysics research project with guidance from professional scientists at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Working in teams of 2–3, you will gain hands-on experience conducting research and receive mentorship through weekly meetings and monthly advisory sessions. The program culminates in a symposium where you present your findings, strengthening both research and scientific communication skills. This selective program emphasizes collaboration and provides a stipend to ensure accessibility for all participants.

11. UC San Diego BioEngineering Research Project B (BERP-B)

Location: Virtual (lab kits shipped)
Cost/Stipend: $2,600 + possible $500 lab fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; instructor approval required
Dates: January 10 – March 1
Application Deadline: December 18
Eligibility: 9th–12th grade students who have a minimum GPA 3.0 | Must be at least 14 years old for online courses | Completion of BE-BOAT, BE-ROW, and BERP-A required

The BERP-B program at UC San Diego offers high school students an advanced bioengineering experience through personalized research projects. You will conduct experiments using shipped lab kits or hybrid in-person options, supported by lectures, discussions, and lab meetings that adapt to your schedule. The program requires 6–10 hours of weekly coursework and additional independent study, culminating in a scientific abstract, research paper, and formal presentation. These deliverables are designed for submission to science fairs or academic conferences. By participating, you will deepen your knowledge of bioengineering while developing critical research and scientific communication skills.

12. Bioimaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP) - UC San Diego

Location: Virtual (Zoom, with lab kits shipped to students)
Cost/Stipend: $2,700 (3 pre-college units) + ~$50 supplies fee; international shipping costs may apply
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 10 – March 1
Application Deadline: December 18
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with a minimum 3.0 GPA | Ages 14 | 

This program provides foundational knowledge and practical hands-on skills in biomedical imaging and 3D printing technologies, which are rapidly advancing in research and clinical applications. You engage in activities such as acquiring and manipulating 2D and 3D biological images, remote 3D printing of medical models, and performing exercises using a home lab kit. You learn how these technologies are applied in biological sciences and biomedical engineering. Unique features of the program include live online lectures and discussions, office hours for personalized support, and the opportunity to earn pre-college units. You develop skills such as technical proficiency in biomedical imaging, 3D printing techniques, data handling and visualization, and applied biomedical engineering concepts.

Image Source - American Psychological Association Logo