14 Summer Education Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in summer education, an internship can be a worthwhile way to explore the field in great detail. Internships give high school students a practical advantage by translating academic interests into real-world experience. Summer education internships for high school students help to strengthen resumes, build workplace skills, and develop early credibility in professional environments before college begins.
If you want to check out other summer programs, here’s a list of free leadership programs & here’s a list of some STEM-specific internships!
Why should I do a summer education internship in High School?
For students interested in education, internships provide early exposure to teaching, tutoring, curriculum work, education policy, and youth-focused nonprofit initiatives. Many summer education internships for high school students place participants in roles where responsibility, mentorship, and real contribution are the core elements. With the rise of remote options and hybrid opportunities, these programs fit more easily alongside school and personal commitments.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 summer education internships for high school students that focus on hands-on learning and meaningful work over observation.
Quick Look
14 education internships total spanning literacy tutoring, K-12 policy, museum education, and remote nonprofit tutoring, hosted by organizations including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and the U.S. Department of Education
The strongest disclosed compensation is Breakthrough AmeriCorps' Summer Teaching Fellowship (up to $4,600 plus an AmeriCorps education award), while several programs like TeenTix TIPS and Teaching Tomorrow pay hourly wages closer to local minimum wage
Two museum-based programs stand out for their structured teen tracks: The Met's Internship Program and the Museum of Arts and Design's Artslife and RECESS programs, both centered in NYC
Several programs are fully remote and free, including Interns4Good, Meaningful Teams, and Changing The Present, making them accessible regardless of location
Teaching Tomorrow and the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy are the two most classroom-intensive options, placing you directly in early learning or elementary literacy instruction rather than administrative or communications support
1. Freedom Schools Literacy Academy (FSLA) Tutor Apprenticeship
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Philadelphia high school and college students interested in education and social justice
The Freedom Schools Literacy Academy Tutor Apprenticeship places you in a teaching support role focused on early literacy and cultural affirmation for rising 1st - 3rd-grade students. You’ll work in small groups to support reading development while engaging students with culturally affirming lessons focused on Black history, culture, and identity. Apprentices receive coaching and participate in professional development that includes lesson planning and instructional strategies. Opportunities such as the Future Teachers of Excellence Fellowship provide continued professional development and potential financial support for participants pursuing long-term teaching.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 - 25%; 70 - 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November)
Eligibility: High school undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is an eight-week, fully remote program that matches students with startups or nonprofit organizations, including education-focused teams. Interns are matched with a host organization and assigned a project that may involve research, content development, operations, or strategic analysis. Throughout the internship, you receive mentorship from both a host-organization manager and a ladder coach who provides ongoing feedback. The program also includes group sessions that focus on professional skills such as communication, collaboration, and time management. The internship concludes with a final presentation where you share your work and reflect on project outcomes with your host organization.
3. Teaching Tomorrow Internship Program
Location: Seattle area partner facilities
Cost/Stipend: $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: School year: January - August | summer schedule: July - August
Application Deadline: November 22
Eligibility: Students who apply must be at least 16 years old by January 1 and attend a City of Seattle public high school
Teaching Tomorrow is an eight-month paid internship for Seattle high school students interested in education and youth development that places them in local early learning classrooms to gain hands-on experience. In addition to classroom experience, you attend weekly mentorship sessions led by UW faculty and students that explore identity, educational justice, and career pathways. You also participate in field trips to research and education centers affiliated with the university. The summer education internship for high school students also includes paid training, professional development workshops, and opportunities to earn service-learning hours or academic credit.
4. Student Volunteer Trainee Program – U.S. Department of Education
Location: Washington, D.C. or virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 8 - 10 weeks (fall, winter/spring, or summer sessions)
Application deadline: Varies depending on the session; typically end of March for the summer cohort
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age | attend an accredited educational institution, including but not limited to high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or graduate school
The Student Volunteer Trainee Program at the U.S. Department of Education allows participants to gain exposure to how education policy and administration operate at the federal level. Internships are available year-round, including summer, with duration and responsibilities depending on the specific office placement. You may work in areas such as education policy, data analysis, communications, information technology, or grants management. Each placement aligns with your interests and skills as per the departmental needs. Through your work, you contribute to the department’s mission of promoting educational excellence and equal access.
5. Breakthrough AmeriCorps Summer Teaching Fellowship
Location: Various sites nationwide
Cost/Stipend: First-time fellows: $4,600 (additional $250 for 1st-time returner, $500 additional for 2nd time returner) | education award:($1,956.3 upon completion of required service hours (450 hrs) | gas: $100-$250 (depending on distance and carpooling) | travel: $150 stipend available for out-of-state Pell-eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: Early action deadline: January 15 | early action rollover 1: February 12 | regular decision deadline: February 26 | early action rollover 2/regular decision rollover 1: March 19 | early action final rollover/regular decision rollover 2: April 9 | regular decision final rollover: April 30
Eligibility: High school and college students interested in teaching
The Breakthrough AmeriCorps Summer Teaching Fellowship places you in a middle school classroom where you teach and mentor students during a nine-week summer academic program. You’ll work with small groups of students and lead classes in subjects such as English, math, science, or social studies. Throughout the summer, you receive training, curriculum support, and guidance from experienced educators. This summer education internship for high school students combines classroom teaching with professional development focused on leadership and instructional skills. Fellows also receive financial support through AmeriCorps.
6. Kearney School District Education Internship Program
Location: Kearney School District, 425 W. Washington St., Kearney, MI
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school students
The Kearney School District Education Internship Program pairs students with a certified teacher to gain hands-on classroom experience. Depending on your interests, you can request placement in either elementary classrooms (K - 5) or secondary classrooms (6 - 9). Interns spend most of the week in a classroom and meet once every week for structured learning and reflection. The program focuses on developing skills such as communication, collaboration, leadership, and basic instructional techniques. You also learn about the responsibilities of educators and the importance of serving as a role model. Dual credit may be available depending on school participation.
7. Smithsonian Science Education Center Internships
Location: Virtual and in-person options (Washington, DC)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks between May and August, with a flexible schedule for virtual internships
Application Deadline: Typically, March-end
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Internships at the Smithsonian Science Education Center focus on supporting K-12 STEM education behind-the-scenes. As an intern, you may assist with communications, marketing, or public relations projects related to curriculum development and educator resources. Your work can include creating content, managing digital assets, and supporting outreach strategies. You collaborate with staff who design STEM learning materials and professional development programs for teachers nationwide. This internship is a strong option if you are interested in education, science communication, or nonprofit educational organizations.
8. United Planet – Virtual Internship & Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $800 - $2300 with a $300 deposit to lock your spot (depending on duration); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible (varies based on session)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are 16 years and above and professionals worldwide
United Planet offers virtual internships that connect students with international nonprofit organizations working in education and community development. Interns collaborate remotely with international partners on project-based tasks such as research, communications, or program support. Orientation and training are provided at the beginning, with ongoing guidance from program staff. Many placements focus on supporting children and youth through educational initiatives, after-school programs, or literacy efforts. In some cases, students can earn academic credit through their schools.
9. TeenTix – Teens in Public Service (TIPS)
Location: Non-profit organizations in the Greater Seattle Area
Cost/Stipend: Seattle’s minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 - 8 weeks in June - August, averaging 25 - 35 hours/week
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Youth ages 15 - 19 years with work authorization in the U.S.
The Teens in Public Service program places students in paid summer internships with nonprofit organizations across the Puget Sound area, including education-focused organizations. Roles vary depending on the placement and may involve program support, communications, or administrative tasks. You can work up to 160 hours during the summer while gaining hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector. The program includes professional development workshops that focus on job readiness and ethical leadership. After completing the program, you may continue your involvement through alumni opportunities or youth leadership initiatives.
10. The Met Internship Program for High School Students
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,100
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: School-year internships: January - June | summer internships: June - August
Application deadline: Summer internship: March | school-year internships: typically, October
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors based in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
This summer education internship for high school students introduces students to museum education and public engagement. In this paid internship, you’ll get to work alongside professionals in departments such as education, curatorial, social media, design, and imaging. The program focuses on how museums function as educational institutions that support learning for diverse audiences. You participate in hands-on tasks, receive mentorship, and attend career labs that explore museum-based careers. This experience helps you understand how art education and cultural institutions connect with teaching and learning opportunities. Internships are offered during the school year or as summer-only placements.
11. Museum of Arts and Design Teen Programs
Location: Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $16.50/hour (artslife) | RECESS also awards stipends (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Artslife is limited to 10 students; cohort size for RECESS is not specified.
Dates: Artslife: July - August | RECESS I: February 18 - 21 | RECESS II: April 15 - 18
Application Deadline: Artslife: April 21 | RECESS: January 12
Eligibility: Artslife: rising high school sophomores and juniors in NYC | RECESS I and II: students, aged 13 - 18 years, in NYC
The Museum of Arts and Design offers teen internship programs that connect art, design, and museum education. Artslife is a six-week program that introduces students to different museum departments such as education, curatorial, communications, and visitor services. Students participate in collaborative art projects, leadership development, and peer-to-peer educational programming. RECESS is a shorter, paid program focused on learning museum operations and designing youth-centered exhibition tours. Both programs focus on how educators and curators interpret objects for public learning.
12. Interns4Good
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Summer semester (flexible)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Interns4Good matches high school students with nonprofit organizations focused on education and community development through fully virtual internships. As an intern, you may support education-focused initiatives by assisting with tutoring operations, creating learning materials, managing educational content, or helping nonprofits strengthen their outreach efforts. Many roles involve working directly with students or supporting instructional planning behind-the-scenes. High school tutors are expected to meet with assigned students at least once per week, with additional preparation time being allocated depending on the learner’s needs. The program is free for participation and allows you to earn certified volunteer hours.
13. Meaningful Teams Teaching Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
Meaningful Teams offers remote teaching and tutoring opportunities through education-focused projects that support learners across multiple countries. Depending on the project you chose, you contribute a few hours each week by leading structured sessions in English conversation, literacy, or math. Programs include Project Speak Together, Project Diálogo, and Project Udaan, working with children and teens from under-resourced communities in Ukraine, Mexico, India, China, and Central Asia. Teaching materials and lesson frameworks are provided, allowing you to focus on instruction and student engagement. Sessions are typically conducted one-on-one or in small groups and are scheduled weekly over video platforms.
14. Changing The Present – Community Engagement Intern
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Rolling (apply through the site’s application form)
Eligibility: High school students
This online summer education internship offers flexible, fully virtual internships for high school students interested in nonprofit outreach, advocacy, and communications. As an intern, you typically commit a few hours per week to different activities such as social media engagement, email campaigns, and connecting with schools or nonprofit partners. You may choose to focus on causes such as education, environmental issues, or public health, allowing some alignment with your interests. The work focuses on increasing awareness of how daily spending can support charitable organizations. Interns receive guidance through regular check-ins and clearly defined responsibilities. Many schools accept this internship for community service hours or academic credit.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. I want direct classroom teaching experience, not just administrative support. Which programs give me that?
Teaching Tomorrow and the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy Tutor Apprenticeship both place you directly in a classroom working with young students on literacy and learning. Breakthrough AmeriCorps' Summer Teaching Fellowship goes further, having you lead lessons for middle schoolers in subjects like English, math, or science under mentor supervision.
2. Several programs are fully remote and free, like Interns4Good and Meaningful Teams. Are they still substantive experiences?
Yes. Meaningful Teams has you leading real, structured tutoring sessions in English, literacy, or math with students internationally, and Interns4Good similarly involves direct tutoring commitments alongside content creation. Both provide a genuine weekly teaching commitment rather than passive observation, making them solid options if you can't access an in-person program.
3. The Met and MAD programs are museum-based rather than classroom-based. How does that experience compare to a traditional teaching internship?
Museum education internships like The Met's program and MAD's Artslife and RECESS focus on how institutions teach the public, covering curatorial work, visitor engagement, and educational programming rather than classroom instruction. They're valuable if you're interested in informal education or arts education specifically, but if you want experience closer to a traditional classroom setting, Teaching Tomorrow or Freedom Schools Literacy Academy are better matches.