15 Summer Programs for High School Students in San Jose
Summer programs are a practical and accessible way for high school students to explore their interests while building real-world skills that go beyond the classroom.
Why should I do a summer program in high school?
Spending part of your summer in a high school program is one of the best ways to explore your interests and give your college applications a serious competitive edge. Many of these programs offer hands-on learning, exposure to industry professionals, and opportunities to collaborate with like-minded peers, helping students better understand potential career paths. They also provide valuable networking opportunities and mentorship, which can be especially useful when applying to colleges or internships later on.
What does San Jose, CA, have to offer for high school students?
Attending a summer program in San Jose is an incredible opportunity because it puts you right in the heart of Silicon Valley, where some of the world's biggest innovations happen, and gives you a firsthand look at future careers in technology, business, or the arts. Beyond the classroom, it's a perfect chance to experience independent life, learn from great instructors, and make friends with other motivated students from diverse backgrounds.
P.S. If you're also exploring tech-focused opportunities in California, our roundups of 15 Internships for Undergraduates in California and 14 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in California are worth a look too — useful if you're planning ahead for college.
1. Mineta Summer Transportation Academy (MiSTA)
Location: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Cost: None
Dates: July 6–17
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students from the Bay Area who have a minimum 2.0 GPA and have completed Algebra 1 and (Freshman) Science 1
The Mineta Summer Transportation Academy (MiSTA) is a free program for high school students interested in learning about careers in the transportation sector. During the program, you are introduced to different aspects of the industry through lectures, group projects, and site visits to local businesses and transit agencies. These experiences help you understand how transportation systems operate and how different roles contribute to them. You will also spend time on a university campus, which gives you a sense of college life. The program covers topics such as construction, business management, transportation planning, intermodal systems, technology, and environmental considerations related to the field.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a program for high school students interested in gaining experience with early-stage companies. Through the program, you are placed with a startup and contribute to projects in areas such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting. Over the course of the internship, you work with a supervisor from the company and take on tasks that reflect real business needs. The internship is typically conducted virtually and runs for about eight weeks. At the end of the program, you present your work and summarize your contributions to the team.Apply now!
3. KP LAUNCH High School Internship
Location: San Jose
Cost/Stipend: No program cost / $24/hour stipend
Dates: June 15–31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Ages 16 to 19 by June 1; current high school student or graduating senior; permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area; proof of eligibility to legally work in the U.S.; dependents of Kaiser Permanente employees and physicians are not eligible
In this program, you will actively engage with the administrative, financial, and technological operations that keep a major healthcare network running. You will work directly alongside finance and business experts to analyze departmental budgets, review financial reports, and support technology-driven solutions for healthcare delivery. Daily responsibilities include assisting in healthcare quality assurance initiatives, conducting market research, and supporting media plans using digital communication tools. You will also participate in professional development workshops that build your presentation, networking, and corporate communication skills. By the end of the seven-week program, you will have gained practical workplace experience in non-clinical healthcare administration and built a robust professional network.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November); you can apply here
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 is a fully online initiative where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university to create an independent, college-level research paper. You can choose to explore almost any academic topic, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, business, and the arts. During the 12-week program, you will meet regularly with your mentor, identify a specific research question, draft your manuscript, and present your findings at a research symposium. Through this process, you learn valuable skills like critical thinking, complex problem-solving, data analysis, and advanced academic writing. Ultimately, it gives you a realistic taste of university-level research while helping you build a strong project for your college applications.
5. SJSU – CyberAI: Navigating the AI-Empowered Future
Location: San Jose State University, CA
Cost: None
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Local high school students; completing grades 9–12
During the five-day CyberAI summer camp at San Jose State University, you explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity through intensive, hands-on lab sessions. You engage in practical exercises involving network security analysis, threat detection, and ethical hacking using university-provided computing devices. By utilizing dedicated Nvidia Jetson hardware and local AI models, you analyze digital patterns to identify and mitigate simulated cyber risks. You develop foundational skills in machine learning deployment for intrusion detection and system vulnerability management. Throughout the week, you collaborate with peers, university mentors, and industry experts while connecting your technical work to real-world defense strategies.
6. Notre Dame High School – Summer Programs
Location: Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA
Cost: Varies depending on the course
Dates: June 15 – July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: All students entering grades 6–12
Notre Dame offers a variety of summer programs for high school students in San Jose, with options across both academic and creative fields. You can choose from courses in areas such as public speaking, ceramics, drama, yoga, literacy, and organizational skills, depending on your interests. The program includes both STEAM and non-STEM offerings, allowing you to explore different subjects or focus on a specific area. Schedules are flexible, with full-time and part-time options available. By participating, you can develop new skills or build on your existing knowledge in a structured setting.
7. SJSU – Open University Summer Session
Location: San Jose
Cost: $397 per unit
Dates: Session 1: June 1 – August 7; Session 2: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: June 8 for Session 1; July 13 for Session 2
Eligibility: Registration as a non-matriculated student; high school student status; fulfillment of specific course prerequisites if required
The San Jose State University through the Open University Summer Session enables you to advance your college readiness without formal university admission. You will select from over 500 online, hybrid, or in-person courses to pursue specific fields of study that interest you. Your primary activities involve attending faculty-led lectures, completing rigorous collegiate coursework, and submitting assignments through the MySJSU student portal. By participating, you gain advanced technical or academic skills, adaptive study habits, and direct experience with university-level expectations. This unique platform allows you to earn up to 12 transferable credits over a compressed five-week or ten-week term.
8. Valley Water – Wonders of Water Program
Location: Valley Water Headquarters, 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA
Cost: None
Dates: Academic year program cycle
Application Deadline: Placement is coordinated through Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's Corporate Work Study Program
Eligibility: Current enrollment at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in San Jose; participation in the school's Corporate Work Study Program
You participate in the Wonders of Water program as a placed intern through Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's Corporate Work Study model, which integrates real workplace experience into students' academic calendars. At Valley Water's San Jose headquarters, you engage in structured activities including a Water Quality Lab Tour, a visit to the Silicon Valley Advanced Water Purification Center, a LinkedIn Workshop, and a College Application Workshop. These experiences introduce you to water resource management, environmental science, and the range of careers at a regional water district. The program is specifically designed to open pathways for students from underserved communities.
9. San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School’s Youth Climate Corps
Location: San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School, San Jose, CA
Stipend: $19/hour
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 1; Session 2: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or 17 years old and attending school in Santa Clara County with a minimum 2.0 GPA and an interest in environmental studies; valid work permit required
Youth Climate Corps is a summer program for high school students interested in environmental work and climate-related topics. During the program, you take part in educational sessions that focus on ecology and the natural environments found in California. You also work with other students on group activities and projects, which gives you the chance to collaborate and share ideas. As part of the experience, you engage with local organizations such as Grassroots Ecology and Veggielution, contributing to ongoing environmental efforts.The program introduces you to practical skills and helps you learn about possible career paths related to environmental stewardship.
10. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (VMC) Student Intern Program
Location: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Application is often made through school placement coordinators; check with the respective high school or program contact
Eligibility: All high school students (program-specific criteria such as age and academic standing may apply)
This internship is intended to give you exposure to the healthcare field within a hospital environment. During the program, you learn about topics such as patient care, hospital operations, and basic clinical practices. Your activities may include observing healthcare professionals, contributing to hospital-based projects, attending educational sessions, and spending time in different departments. You also have opportunities to interact with medical staff, which can help you understand how a hospital functions on a day-to-day basis. Through these experiences, you build skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, while gaining a clearer sense of potential careers in healthcare.
11. San Jose Works Youth Employment Program
Location: San Jose, California
Stipend: Paid hourly wage
Dates: 6–8 weeks during the summer term
Application Deadline: Late spring
Eligibility: Ages 14–19; resident of the City of San Jose; living in priority neighborhoods or attending targeted high schools
Through the San Jose Works Youth Employment Program, you engage directly with local municipal departments, community organizations, and private businesses to build foundational workplace skills. You participate in job readiness training where you learn resume building, interview techniques, and financial literacy before beginning your placement. During your employment, you take on practical responsibilities tailored to your assigned site, such as administrative support, customer service, or community event coordination. You utilize basic workplace technologies, digital communication platforms, and standard office software to complete daily operational tasks. You also work closely with site supervisors who provide ongoing feedback on your professional development.
12. San Jose City College (SJCC) – Dual Enrollment Summer Session
Location: San Jose, California
Cost: None
Dates: Typically mid-June to late July
Application Deadline: Typically late April to early May
Eligibility: Current high school student; enrolled in a participating school district; approval from high school counselor or principal
During the San Jose City College Dual Enrollment Summer Session, you complete official college-level coursework while still in high school to accelerate your overall academic progress. You participate in rigorous instructional lectures, engage in collaborative undergraduate discussions, and complete standard collegiate assignments across your chosen disciplines. By navigating the Canvas learning management system, you submit research papers, track grading rubrics, and interact directly with college faculty in a digital academic environment. Ultimately, you earn transferable dual credit that directly applies toward both your current high school diploma and your future college degree transcripts.
13. Harker Summer Institute Upper School
Location: Harker School, San Jose, CA
Cost: Varies based on the course
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling until classes fill
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited high school entering grades 9–12 in the fall; individual courses may have other prerequisites
The Harker Summer Institute provides a range of summer programs for students in San Jose, including options like swim training, speech and debate coaching, and the Conservatory program. For high school students, the Upper School program offers both for-credit and non-credit courses, allowing you to pursue academic enrichment or explore personal interests. For-credit classes use the same materials as those taught during the school year and are kept small to support focused instruction. Subjects include areas such as geometry, algebra, economics, programming, and driver education. Non-credit enrichment courses let you explore topics beyond traditional academics, with options like creative writing, expository writing, pottery, game and simulation design, introductory philosophy, and life skills for teens.
14. Evergreen Valley College (EVC) – Dual Enrollment Summer Session
Location: San Jose
Cost: None, except material fees associated with the course(s) taken, such as textbooks, lab equipment, and school supplies
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: Rolling admission before June 15
Eligibility: Enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; requires recommendation from a high school principal or designee
As a participant in Evergreen Valley College's Dual Enrollment Summer Session, you engage directly with rigorous college-level coursework to accelerate your academic and career goals. You navigate digital learning environments by utilizing the Canvas platform for online and hybrid courses, ensuring continuous engagement with instructional materials. Throughout the term, you interact with the Student Self-Service portal to manage course enrollment, track academic progress, and utilize guided self-placement tools for mathematics and English. Your daily responsibilities involve completing independent study assignments, participating in structured classroom or virtual discussions, and developing time-management strategies essential for higher education. Ultimately, you cultivate critical self-advocacy and professional communication skills while earning dual credits that simultaneously satisfy high school requirements and build a permanent college transcript.
15. Bellarmine College Preparatory – Summer Academic Program
Location: San Jose, California
Cost: Varies by enrollment
Dates: Typically mid-June to late July
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th-grade students; open to male and female students; high school students from other schools may enroll as guest students and should confirm credit acceptance with their home institution
As a high school participant in Bellarmine's Summer Days program, you take academic courses and enrichment sessions on the Bellarmine College Preparatory campus in San Jose. Academic courses run three to six weeks, are typically credit-bearing, and many carry UC-approved A-G status that can count for one or two semesters of high school credit. Full-semester offerings include Geometry, Algebra 1 and 2, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus, alongside STEM courses in Robotics Lab, AI, Computer Science, and Maker Lab. Enrichment options in writing and public speaking are also available. Scheduling is flexible, ranging from a single enrichment session to a full course load across one to six weeks.
Dhruva Bhat is one of the co-founders of Ladder, and a Harvard College graduate. Dhruva founded Ladder Internships as a DPhil candidate and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, with a vision to bridge the gap between ambitious students and real-world startup experiences.