13 Winter Programs for High School Students in New York
Participating in academic programs during high school can be a solid way to gain skills and experiences that go beyond the classroom. These programs often provide mentorship and exposure to industries you may want to explore in the future. They allow you to build valuable connections with university faculty, peers, and professionals. Whether it’s through research, workshops, or presentations, programs like these can help you strengthen both your academic and personal skills in meaningful ways.
In New York, universities, cultural institutions, and organizations across the state host opportunities for high schoolers in STEM, humanities, the arts, and more. You can contribute to research in a Columbia lab, take winter classes at Cornell, or work at Vogue’s office in the city. To make it easier, we’ve put together a list of 13 winter programs for high school students in New York across different fields and formats.
1. Student Historian Internship Program
Location: On-site at The New York Historical, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; $700 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 29 - June 24
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live and attend school in the New York City metro area
During this internship, you’ll serve as a Student Historian, using the museum and library collections to research American history. You’ll work closely with museum professionals to learn about historical research, digital humanities, and museum practice, while also collaborating with peers to build your writing, research, and digital media skills. The program is structured around hands-on projects, asking you to create digital resources the public can use to learn about history. Along the way, you’ll practice communicating your ideas clearly and presenting your work in ways that connect with different audiences.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: Multiple (cohorts in Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; can commit 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships places you with high-growth start-ups where you can contribute to real projects over 8–12 weeks. You’ll work 10–20 hours per week in collaboration with both your start-up manager and a Ladder Coach, who will guide you while still allowing independence in your tasks. The start-ups represent a variety of fields such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, journalism, marketing, and consulting. Along the way, you’ll practice skills like project management, research, and communication while adapting to a professional team environment. At the end of the internship, you’ll present your work to your start-up team, providing you with both feedback and exposure to real-world workflows.
3. Met Museum High School Internships
Location: The Met Fifth Avenue or The Met Cloisters, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January-June
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 or 11 who live in or attend school in New York City (includes home-schooled students)
This school-year internship provides you with hands-on experience in museum and arts settings. You will work alongside museum professionals to gain practical skills, contribute to real-world projects, and explore careers in arts, museum work, and creative industries. The program emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities, helping you build a strong foundation for future academic and career pursuits while earning a stipend for your participation.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: Multiple cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students with good academics (average accepted GPA 3.3/4.0); no prior research experience required
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work closely with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent research project. Over 12 weeks to a year, you’ll explore a topic of your choice in areas such as psychology, economics, physics, computer science, data science, or international relations. You’ll be guided through designing experiments, conducting research, and analyzing results, gaining hands-on experience in the process. The program emphasizes mentorship and skill-building, helping you develop research, critical thinking, and academic writing abilities. By the end, you’ll produce a research paper that showcases your work and the knowledge you’ve gained.
5. Columbia University Winter Immersion Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY (in-person)
Cost: Around $2,800 (financial aid available; no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by course
Dates: Early January (two-week sessions)
Application Deadline: November 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Through the Columbia University Winter Immersion Program, you can spend two weeks exploring college-level subjects in an intensive format. Courses cover a wide range of disciplines, including science, humanities, and the arts, giving you the chance to study topics outside your regular school curriculum. The classes are small and discussion-based, so you can work closely with instructors and peers while practicing research, analysis, and presentation skills. The program is designed to help you experience the pace and expectations of college-level learning while still in high school.
6. Cornell Winter Session
Location: Cornell University / Virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: $1,940 per credit hour (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; limited spots per class
Dates: January 2–17
Application Deadline: Enrollment begins October 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and adult learners
Cornell’s Winter Session allows you to take intensive courses in just three weeks, either on campus or online. You’ll engage closely with Cornell faculty while exploring a specific subject or fulfilling academic requirements. The courses span a variety of fields, including arts, business, and sciences, and provide opportunities to deepen your knowledge or accelerate your studies. During the session, you may complete projects, participate in discussions, and focus intensively on one topic. You can expect to learn time management and independent learning skills while connecting with instructors and peers. By the end, you’ll earn official Cornell credit and gain experience in a college-level academic environment.
7. Vogue Winter Break
Location: Vogue College Of Fashion, New York City
Cost/Stipend: $3,945 (residential, includes room/board) or $3,100 (day program, includes daily lunch); financial plans available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: January 4 – 9
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 (Grades 10–12 and graduating seniors)
The Vogue Winter Break is a one-week pre-college program that introduces high school students to the business side of the fashion industry. Over five days, you’ll take part in workshops and projects covering branding, marketing, product development, and sustainability. You’ll collaborate with peers to create and pitch a fashion business concept, guided by industry professionals and Vogue staff. The program also includes site visits to Vogue HQ, designer studios, flagship stores, and exhibitions at museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art. By the end of the program, you’ll have a practical understanding of how the fashion industry operates and gain exposure to potential career paths.
8. Pratt Institute PreCollege Program
Location: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Campus (New York)
Cost/Stipend: $1,244 for 1-credit classes; $675 for noncredit classes; $170–$249 for workshops
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Winter: January 17–19 (credit classes + workshops);
Application Deadline: Winter: January 5
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
At Pratt’s PreCollege program, you can explore creative fields such as art, design, and architecture while developing portfolio pieces for college applications. The program offers credit-bearing classes modeled on Pratt’s undergraduate courses, as well as non-credit classes and short workshops in areas such as graphic design, painting, embroidery, figure drawing, and risograph printing. Credit classes let you earn one transferable college credit, while noncredit options focus on expanding your skills in a studio setting. By the end of the session, you can expect to build new technical skills, produce original work, and gain experience that connects directly to your academic and creative goals.
9. Science Alliance High School Program (Winter Session)
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York
Cost/Stipend: $500–$1,000 per course (tuition assistance available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; 50% of seats reserved for tuition aid applicants
Dates: Winter: January 17–19,(courses meet once or twice weekly, Tue/Thu, 4:30–6:30 pm)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; Winter registration typically closes in early January
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
In the Winter Science Alliance session, you can take courses at the American Museum of Natural History in fields such as anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, earth science, and evolutionary biology. The classes run after school, once or twice a week, allowing you to balance the program with your regular schedule. You’ll work with museum educators and specialists, dive into hands-on projects, and explore real-world scientific questions in depth. The program emphasizes both subject knowledge and collaboration, giving you the chance to discuss big ideas with peers who share your interests.
10. CUNY Winter Session
Location: CUNY campuses across New York City (with online, hybrid, and in-person options)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition billed per credit, ranging from $210 to 915; financial aid available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 2 – 23
Application Deadline: Varies by CUNY campus; typically late fall
Eligibility: Open to current CUNY students and visiting students from other colleges or universities
In this three-week winter session, you can complete prerequisites or take extra courses to move ahead in your studies. The classes are offered across CUNY’s five boroughs with options to study online, in-person, or in a hybrid format, giving you flexibility to fit your schedule. You can select from a wide range of courses, many of which can be applied toward your degree progress at your home institution. With its condensed format, the Winter Session is designed to help you stay on track, graduate sooner, or explore new subjects in a focused setting.
11. Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,895 (enrichment courses); $3,995 (college credit courses); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the year (multi-length courses: 1–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students ages 13+
This program allows you to explore college-level subjects while still in high school, with both enrichment and for-credit options available. Depending on the course you choose, you’ll spend anywhere from 20 hours to over 100 hours completing interactive video lessons, assignments, and a final capstone project. Topics range widely, from medicine, psychology, and surgery to international relations, marketing, and creative writing, allowing you to dive into areas that match your interests. You’ll also work with mentors or teaching assistants who provide guidance on projects and feedback on your work. At the end of your course, you’ll complete a capstone project that allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned creatively.
12. Tech Scholars – Web Design
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: February 17–21, Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–3:00 pm ET
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) living and attending school in the New York City metro area
In this week-long winter program, you’ll explore how women across different races, classes, and backgrounds have driven change in their communities. You’ll learn to use HTML and CSS to design and build your own website, sharing stories about influential women in history. Working alongside peers, you’ll develop digital skills while understanding the historical context of your projects. By the end of the program, you’ll have a fully functional website that demonstrates both your technical and research abilities. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and creative expression in digital humanities.
13. EnergyMag high school internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Quarter-time internships available year-round (1–9 months, about 8 hours/week); Half-time internships available in summer (2–8 weeks, about 20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling; submit via website
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–12) with a GPA ≥3.25; at least one honors science or English class; demonstration of passion and focus through application
EnergyMag offers virtual internships for high school students interested in energy storage and renewable energy. You will work remotely under a mentor to research and analyze technologies, companies, or markets, producing a publishable report on the EnergyMag site. The program helps you develop professional research, communication, and analysis skills, while providing hands-on experience in the fast-growing energy sector. You’ll gain mentorship, professional guidance, and a Letter of Accomplishment upon successful completion.
Image Source - The MET logo