15 Online Writing Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in writing, online programs can be a great way to strengthen your skills and explore different forms of storytelling.
What do writing programs include for high school students?
Writing programs often combine workshops with mentorship from authors, editors, or university instructors, giving you the chance to improve your craft while receiving personalized feedback. As a participant, you may draft new pieces, revise your work, learn how to analyze literature, and build a portfolio that reflects your voice and growth as a writer.
Why should I do an online writing program?
Online programs also offer the benefit of flexibility and accessibility. Without needing to travel, you can learn from acclaimed institutions, interact with peers from around the world, and join specialized courses in creative writing, journalism, poetry, screenwriting, or academic writing. With small class sizes and structured support, these programs provide a focused, encouraging space to build confidence in your writing and connect with a broader creative community.
P.S. If you're into writing and want to explore more options, 15 College Writing Programs for High School Students is a great resource — especially if you're thinking about university-hosted programs specifically. And 14 Free Political Science Internships for High School Students is worth a look if you want to pair your writing with policy and advocacy work!
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 online writing programs for high school students.
1. Yale University – Yale Young Writers' Workshop
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,380
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students who are between the ages of 16 and 18 and are rising high school seniors
The Yale Young Writers Workshop is a summer writing program designed to help high school students sharpen their craft across genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and playwriting. You will engage in small, seminar-style classes led by experienced instructors and published authors, where you will receive detailed feedback on your work and learn techniques to strengthen voice, structure, and style. Alongside workshop sessions, writers attend readings, craft talks, and community events that foster creative exploration and peer connection. Whether you’re drafting new pieces or refining existing ones, the program balances personalized mentorship with opportunities to share your work and build confidence as a writer. At the end of the session, many students leave with a revised portfolio, deeper insight into their creative process, and connections to a network of peers and mentors in the writing community.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships connects you with a high-growth startup where writing is a core part of the work. These companies are fast-paced and innovative, often backed by major funding and founded by teams from places like Y Combinator, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Throughout the internship, you’ll collaborate with a startup mentor and a Ladder Coach while producing real written deliverables that might range from narrative pieces and digital content to conceptual writing for campaigns or products. You’ll also work on soft skills, including communication, idea development, and revision. Weekly check-ins and peer networking sessions provide added support, and the program concludes with a final presentation of your work to startup leaders and the wider Ladder community.
3. Columbia University – Creative Writing Workshop: Multi-Genre
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,965
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, small cohorts
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Early Registration Deadline: February 2, General Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High-school students entering grades 9–12
Columbia’s Creative Writing Workshop (Multi-Genre) invites high school students to explore and strengthen their voice across multiple forms of creative writing, including fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Through virtual instruction, you will engage in a structured workshop environment where you will share your work, receive detailed feedback, and learn craft techniques such as character development, narrative structure and imagery. The small class setting encourages peer discussion and individualized mentorship from experienced instructors, helping you refine your style and experiment with new genres. By the end of the session, you will leave with a polished writing portfolio, sharper critical skills, and greater confidence in expressing your ideas in a range of creative forms.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program Writing Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program includes a Writing Track that pairs you with a PhD mentor for a 12-week, fully online independent research project. With your mentor, you’ll choose a writing-focused topic and work through each stage of the process; researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. By the end, you’ll produce a 15-page research paper. The program also features workshops on building strong arguments, evaluating sources, and refining your writing skills. You’ll present your work at the Lumiere Research Symposium and receive detailed feedback, along with guidance if you choose to submit your paper to a student journal.
5. University of Massachusetts Amherst – Juniper Young Writers Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,325
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort, competitive admission
Dates: July 3 – 7
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High-school students who are in grades 9–12
The Juniper Summer Online program gives high school writers a virtual summer experience that mirrors the creative collaboration found at the UMass Juniper Summer Writers Institute. You will choose from multi-genre and genre-specific workshops (such as fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting) and work closely with instructors who are published authors and experienced teachers. Over the course of the session, you’ll engage in peer workshops, receive detailed feedback on your writing, participate in craft discussions, and develop new pieces alongside student writers from around the world. The program emphasizes both craft and community: you’ll learn techniques for revision and storytelling while building connections with peers and mentors in an online creative environment.
6. University of Iowa – Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Location: Virtual
Cost: $475
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: January 18 – March 1
Application Deadline: October 31st (Application opens on September 8)
Eligibility: Open to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers high school students an immersive creative writing experience rooted in the University of Iowa’s renowned literary community. Through 6-week online courses, you will focus on a core genre such as fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or playwriting, and develop your craft through workshops, peer critique, and guidance from instructors trained at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. The program blends structured lessons with independent writing time, helping you experiment with new techniques, refine your voice, and produce polished work.
7. Georgetown University – Creative Writing: The Power of Storytelling
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multi-length options available year-round (1-, 2-, or 4-week formats depending on session)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
This online summer program for high school students introduces you to the craft of fiction writing, emphasizing essentials like character building, plot development, and narrative style. Through interactive exercises and peer workshops, you’ll strengthen your storytelling abilities and explore new creative approaches. By the end, you’ll produce a polished portfolio of original fiction, refined with instructor and peer feedback. The course includes a final capstone assignment and provides guided mentorship throughout. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion or may earn college credit from Georgetown University.
8. Columbia University – Imaginative Fiction: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,965
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Rising high-school students in grades 9–12
Columbia’s Imaginative Fiction: Science Fiction and Fantasy online course invites high school writers to explore world-building, speculative narratives, and genre conventions in science fiction and fantasy. Over the week-long interactive virtual session, you will analyze published works from across the genre – from futuristic tales to epic fantasies – and discuss elements such as plot, character arcs, conflict, and the creation of speculative settings. Through class discussions, writing exercises, and guided feedback from experienced instructors, you will practice drafting original pieces that incorporate speculative elements while strengthening narrative technique.
9. The Kenyon Review – Young Writers Workshops
Location: Virtual
Cost: $995
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Dates: January 24 – February 28 (winter), June 14 – 19 (summer)
Application Deadline: December 15 (winter), for summer program applications open in March
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18
The Young Writers Summer Online Workshop gives you the chance to experiment with your writing, stretch your creativity, and build new skills while learning alongside others who love storytelling. You’ll explore genres like short fiction, poetry, and personal essays through guided exercises, group discussions, and craft-focused lessons with instructors. Each week features daily live Zoom sessions, independent writing time, and one-on-one meetings with your instructor. You can choose either the afternoon or evening sessions. Evening programming may include guest author readings, craft talks, student showcases, and informal community hangouts.
10. University of Washington – Writers Workshop for High School
Location: Virtual
Cost: $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
This high school summer writing program introduces you to creative writing through a workshop model, helping you strengthen your voice across genres such as poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, spoken word, multimedia work, and hybrid forms. You’ll read and discuss one another’s pieces in a supportive environment while practicing constructive feedback. Over the course of the program, you’ll build a portfolio of original writing and participate in a final class reading for family and friends. After successfully completing the workshop, you’ll receive a Youth & Teen Programs digital badge that can be added to college or job applications.
11. Young Writers Program at Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Some workshops and programs may have limited enrollment to preserve small-group interaction
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout June, July, and August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years can apply
The Young Writers Program at Lighthouse Writers Workshop helps young writers strengthen their craft while becoming part of a supportive creative community. Led by published authors, the workshops guide you in developing your unique voice. You can choose sessions in genres such as fiction, poetry, memoir, and more. Classes are offered year-round – on weekends, after school, during breaks, and through partner organizations – so you’ll have plenty of scheduling flexibility. From June to August, the program also runs half-day and full-day summer camps that emphasize imagination, collaboration, and hands-on writing activities for students of all ages.
12. Write the World – Fiction Writing Camp: The Art of Storytelling
Location: Virtual
Cost: $349
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 students
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-19 years can apply
This fiction-focused summer workshop teaches you the core craft techniques that make storytelling compelling, including character building, narrative voice, atmosphere, conflict, dialogue, setting, and perspective. You’ll complete more than ten targeted writing exercises and work toward creating a refined flash fiction piece. The program includes live discussions, peer critiques, and individualized instructor notes. Between sessions, you’ll spend 1–2 hours writing independently, guided by prompts and critique-based goals.
13. The Adroit Journal – Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 8%
Dates: June 26 – July 28
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students, including graduating seniors and gap year students
The Adroit Journal’s Summer Mentorship Program is an online, one-on-one creative writing mentorship that pairs you with an accomplished writer for individualized feedback. The mentorship covers poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and is built around flexible correspondence rather than formal classroom lessons. Poetry students send work weekly, while fiction and nonfiction students share pieces every two weeks, each submission followed by thoughtful exchanges with mentors and fellow mentees. The program centers on creative growth, constructive dialogue, and community-based feedback.
14. LMU School of Film and Television Beginning Screenwriting Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,730 + $65 (application fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment
Dates: June 22 – July 2
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Loyola Marymount University hosts a 2-week virtual screenwriting workshop for high school students, where you’ll learn directly from professional screenwriters. The program focuses on essential skills such as story structure, character creation, dialogue, and industry-standard formatting. You’ll also study classic and contemporary films to better understand how strong scripts work. Throughout the workshop, you’ll practice crafting dynamic characters, shaping effective plots, and writing engaging dialogue. The course is structured to help you build practical screenwriting abilities and gain insight into the film and television industry.
15. Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week (Online)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,195 ($250 deposit due at registration)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades
Writers Week at Sarah Lawrence College is a one-week program designed for high school students interested in creative writing and the performing arts. Each morning features writing workshops led by MFA candidates, alumni, and Writing Institute faculty, where you’ll experiment with genres like poetry, fiction, memoir, and speculative writing through prompts, peer exchanges, and craft conversations. In the afternoons, you’ll join theatre-focused sessions such as screenwriting, playwriting, and musical theatre songwriting, taught by faculty, graduate students, and visiting artists. With its emphasis on small-group learning, the program creates an intimate, collaborative environment. The week wraps up with readings by both students and faculty and a showcase celebrating participants’ work.
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