Business management summer programs in Toronto for high school students are designed to move beyond surface-level exposure and show you how business actually works in practice. Through them, you engage with tools and skills that reflect real academic and professional environments, from building pitch decks and conducting market research to working with financial data and presenting structured ideas using platforms like Excel and PowerPoint.

Many of these programmes are taught in small, discussion-driven settings, which means you are expected to think critically, collaborate with peers, and communicate your ideas clearly. At the same time, living and studying on a university campus gives you a closer look at academic life, helping you understand expectations, independence, and the pace of university-level work.

These experiences can act as a strong foundation for your university journey, offering a realistic preview of what it feels like to study at a leading institution in person while developing skills that carry directly into future business courses.

Why is Toronto a good place for high school students to learn business management?

What makes Toronto especially compelling is the environment in which you are learning. As Canada’s financial and business capital, the city is home to major banks, consulting firms, startups, and global companies, all operating within a highly diverse and international setting. 

The city is also surrounded by some of the country’s most respected research centers, creating a clear, world-class pathway for students who want to take their education to the next level after graduation. Toronto’s biggest advantage is its cultural diversity; this rich mix of people and ideas gives young learners a natural understanding of global markets, consumer habits, and international networking.

To help you, we’ve curated a list of 15 business management summer programs in Toronto for high school students. They’ve been selected for their intellectual rigor, faculty mentorship, and strong reputations.

For more options, check business summer programs in Canada. For more subject options, consider summer programs in Toronto.

15 Business Management Summer Programs in Toronto for High School Students

1. University of Toronto Pre-University Programs (World Economics and Global Leadership Tracks)

Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Cost: $6,275 CAD: all inclusive; $4,850 CAD: domestic students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 20-25 students per class
Dates: Session 1: June 14th – July 4th; Session 2: July 5th – July 25th; Session 3: July 26th – August 15th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; advanced English proficiency; open to international students

In this program, you choose between academically rigorous tracks such as World Economics or leadership-focused courses that explore global systems like food supply chains and sustainable urban development, both of which connect directly to business management. Across all tracks, you engage in university-style learning through lectures, discussions, research, and a final project where you apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

The economics stream helps you understand how markets, trade-offs, and productivity shape business environments, while leadership courses introduce areas such as supply chain management, policy analysis, and strategic decision making. You also build core management skills, including critical thinking, structured communication, teamwork, and presenting solutions in a collaborative setting.

Why it stands out: It links global challenges with real business decision-making, giving you an early and applied understanding of management in complex systems.

2. Immerse Education’s Toronto Summer School

Location: University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: July (2-week programme)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; open to international students

Among the more academically focused business management summer programs in Toronto for high school students, this programme lets you study core areas such as entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, and leadership in small, discussion-driven classes that mirror a seminar-style environment. Alongside classes, you complete a personal research project that allows you to explore a specific area of interest in business, supported by one-to-one tutoring and feedback.

The teaching draws from real industry experience in fields like finance, consulting, and marketing, giving you practical insight into how business decisions are made. Living and studying in a university setting adds to the experience, helping you build independence while engaging with peers from different backgrounds.

Why it stands out: The combination of small cohort teaching, individual research, and direct mentorship creates a more personalised and academically rigorous business learning experience than most summer programmes.

3. CISS Global Leadership Programme

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (CISS Toronto Campus – University of Toronto, Trinity Campus)
Cost: $7,325 CAD (~$5,316) + extra fees applicable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically limited to 15 students per class
Dates: June 28th – July 18th; July 19th – August 8th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-18; intermediate to advanced English (IELTS ~4.0+); open to international students

In the CISS Global Leadership Programme, you build the management skills required to lead diverse teams and navigate organizational challenges. You will explore core topics like leadership styles, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, media impact, and innovative problem-solving. To apply these concepts, you will engage in team-based strategic discussions on global issues.

Additionally, you will participate in specialized development workshops, design an actionable project plan, and deliver a formal presentation pitching your vision. The program uniquely immerses you in a multicultural environment, requiring you to practice adaptability alongside international peers. You will leave with transferable business competencies, mastering critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork, and decision-making.

Why it stands out: It bridges the gap between theoretical management and practical application, challenging you to design a tangible action plan that you can directly implement back home.

4. Ivey John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program

Location: Ivey Business School, Western University (London, Ontario, Canada)
Cost: $450 CAD (~$326.50); need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; 150 students
Dates: August 3-7
Application Deadline: May 25th
Eligibility: High school students currently in Grades 9, 10, or 11; open to international students

The John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program is a multi-day experience that introduces you to the core fundamentals of business management and innovation. Throughout the week, you will explore diverse topics such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and global leadership. You will actively participate in analyzing real-world business cases, tackling team-based problem-solving challenges, experiencing university residence life, and pitching a capstone project focused on a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

The program relies on Ivey’s famous case method, allowing you to learn directly from the university faculty. By completing these hands-on challenges, you will build essential skills in critical thinking, collaborative teamwork, and professional communication.

Why it stands out: It provides an authentic introduction to the renowned case-based learning method at one of Canada’s most prestigious business schools while you live directly on campus.

5. St. Clement’s School Summer Business Credit Program

Location: St. Clement’s School, Toronto, Canada
Cost: $1,950 CAD (~$1,415)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 15-20 students per class
Dates: June 22nd – July 17th
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-10; open to international students

In this program, you can enroll in Ontario Secondary School Diploma credit courses focused on entrepreneurship and business fundamentals, including options like Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset and Launching and Leading a Business. The programme is structured as a full academic course, meaning you complete a high school credit while developing practical business knowledge in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, and operations.

You work on hands-on projects where you develop business ideas, use relevant software tools, and present your concepts to a target audience. Alongside technical knowledge, the course emphasizes management skills such as goal setting, time management, communication, and networking. 

Why it stands out: It offers a rare combination of academic credit and practical business training, allowing you to build management skills while advancing your high school coursework.

6. University of Waterloo Catalyst Summer Program: Early Entrepreneurs Stream

Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Cost: $732 + HST CAD (~$531); bursaries are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 25 students per session
Dates: Session I – July 6-17; Session II – July 20-31; Session III – August 10-21
Application Deadline: February 13th
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 10, 11, or 12 in the following September; open to international students

The Catalyst Summer Program: Early Entrepreneurs Stream is a two-week immersive experience that introduces you to the fast-paced world of startup creation. On the University of Waterloo campus, you will explore essential topics like design thinking, product development, and the core mechanics of launching a new venture.

You will spend your days participating in interactive idea-generation workshops, collaborating with peers to build a viable business model, and networking directly with real founders. A unique feature of this program is its direct partnership with the renowned Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, allowing you to learn from experts in a top-tier tech hub.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in Canada’s premier startup ecosystem, giving you the practical tools and entrepreneurial mindset needed to scale ambitious business ideas from the ground up.

7. Schulich Business Excellence Academy (SBEA)

Location: York University (Schulich School of Business), Toronto, Canada
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 80 students
Dates: July 6-23
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 who self-identify as members of equity-deserving groups (Black, Indigenous, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, or people with disabilities); not open to international students

The Schulich Business Excellence Academy stands out among business management summer programs in Toronto for high school students because it combines virtual learning with an in-person case competition and graduation experience at Schulich. The curriculum covers a wide range of management topics, including strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and leadership. Sessions are led by faculty and guest speakers, while small group pods with undergraduate mentors allow for more personalised discussion and skill development.

You work through interactive activities and collaborative tasks that build communication, teamwork, and analytical thinking, all of which are central to business management. The programme culminates in a case competition where you apply what you have learned to solve a real business problem and present your solution.

Why it stands out: It combines mentorship, comprehensive business modules, and a final case competition, offering a well-rounded and accessible introduction to business school-level learning.

8. Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) – DMZ Sandbox Basecamp

Location: In-person at DMZ Sandbox,Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with virtual/hybrid participation available for global cohorts
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective; approximately 50-60 startups (~100 students)
Dates: July – August (8-week intensive program)
Application Deadline: April 20th
Eligibility: High school students (typically Grade 9-12), university/college students, and recent graduates (within 8 months of graduation); open to international students

The TMU DMZ Sandbox Basecamp is an intensive summer program where you learn to build a tech startup from the ground up. You will dive into core business topics like design thinking, customer discovery, and financial modeling. Your daily activities involve conducting real-world interviews with potential customers, designing a minimum viable product, collaborating with active startup founders, and pitching your business to expert judges.

You work directly inside one of the world’s top university tech incubators, surrounded by a live professional ecosystem. Through this, you will develop sharp problem-solving skills, confident public speaking abilities, and a resilient entrepreneurial mindset.

Why it stands out: It grants high schoolers unprecedented access to a globally ranked incubator, treating you like a real founder rather than just a student in a traditional classroom.

9. York University & YRDSB – Y2 LEGACY Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program

Location: Bill Hogarth S.S., Maple H.S., Newmarket H.S., and the York University campus, Ontario, Canada
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: June 30th – July 24th
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Black students in grades 11-12; not open to international students

The Y2 LEGACY program, run by York University and YRDSB, teaches you the basics of business management through an empowering, Black-centered perspective. Throughout the course, you will dive into practical topics like human resources, financial literacy, leadership styles, and strategic planning. You will get hands-on experience by studying real case studies of Black-led businesses, creating resume-building strategies, and working directly with university mentors to map out business solutions.

What makes this program unique is that it operates right on York University’s Keele Campus, giving you a true taste of university life alongside culturally supportive guidance. Ultimately, you will build strong communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills while earning a high school business credit.

Why it stands out: It combines an official high school credit with deep, identity-affirming mentorship designed to break down systemic barriers and build future leaders.

10. TDSB Continuing Education Summer School – Launching and Leading a Business

Location: Various TDSB High Schools across Toronto
Cost: Ontario Residents: None | International Visa Students: $1,500 CAD (approx. $1,095 USD) per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open Enrollment; typically 25-35 students per class
Dates: July Session: Early to late July (approximately July 2-28); August Session: Early to late August (approximately August 4-28)
Application Deadline: July Session: Early June (typically around June 2nd); August Session: Early July (typically around July 9th)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) between the ages of 14 and 20; open to international students

In the TDSB Summer School “Launching and Leading a Business” course, you will explore the essential functions of a modern company, covering topics like financial management, human resources, marketing, and economic trends. During this hands-on program, you will actively design a unique business idea, develop a strategic marketing pitch, and manage a simulated startup budget.

The course focuses on active project management, requiring you to use digital tools to build a professional business portfolio. By the end of the summer, you will have developed practical skills in financial literacy, problem-solving, and workplace communication.

Why it stands out: It bridges the gap between traditional textbook economics and real-world entrepreneurship, allowing you to test-drive the life of a business founder before finishing high school.

11. TDSB Continuing Education Summer School – International Business Fundamentals

Location: Various TDSB High Schools across Toronto
Cost: Ontario Residents: None | International Visa Students: $1,500 CAD (~$1,095) per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open Enrollment; typically 25-35 students per class
Dates: 4-week session in July (e.g., early July to late July)
Application Deadline: Mid-to-late June
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) between the ages of 14 and 20; should have completed any grade 11 University (U) or University/College (M) preparation course in Business Studies, English, or Canadian and World Studies; open to international students

In the TDSB International Business Fundamentals summer course, you explore the complexities of managing a business in a globalized economy. You will study core topics like international trade agreements, global marketing strategies, supply chain logistics, and the cultural factors that influence corporate success abroad.

During the intensive session, you will actively analyze real-world corporate case studies, draft comprehensive market entry plans for foreign countries, and present cross-cultural business profiles. By the end of the course, you will have developed practical skills in global market research, strategic planning, and cross-cultural communication that are essential for modern management.

Why it stands out: It allows you to earn an official, university-recognized Ontario high school credit (BBB4M) while rapidly building practical corporate strategy skills in a focused, diverse urban setting.

12. Government of Ontario – Start a Summer Company Program

Location: Delivered locally via Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) and community providers across Ontario (e.g., Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Hamilton, London, etc.)
Stipend: A grant of up to $3,000 CAD (~$2,177) to cover start-up costs and program completion rewards
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by region
Dates: July to Labour Day
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students aged 15-29 (as of April 30th); Ontario resident; Currently in school and returning to school in the fall; Starting a new, independent business; Not working another job or attending school for >12 hours/week during the program; not open to international students

The Government of Ontario’s Summer Company program empowers you to become a real entrepreneur by covering essential business topics like financial planning, marketing, and sales strategy. To launch your venture, you will draft a comprehensive business plan, pitch your startup ideas to local advisors, and actively manage your daily operations and bookkeeping.

Throughout the summer break, you will also regularly meet with local business mentors who guide you through the daily challenges of operating a company. The program provides up to $3,000 in grant funding to help cover startup costs, and you get to keep all your profits. By the end, you develop invaluable, hands-on skills in financial literacy, customer communication, and independent problem-solving.

Why it stands out: It provides a rare combination of risk-free government grant funding and dedicated professional mentorship, allowing you to practically build and profit from your own startup instead of just studying business theories.

13. UBC Future Global Leaders: Introduction to Business Foundations

Location: Online
Cost: $925 CAD (~$675); bursaries are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open / Non-Selective; maximum 35 students per class
Dates: Session 1: July 6-24; Session 2: July 27th – August 14th
Application Deadline: Registration remains open until the course reaches capacity
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 who have completed grade 10 or equivalent; open to international students

The UBC Future Global Leaders Introduction to Business Foundations is an intensive pre-university course where you learn exactly how successful companies operate behind the scenes. Throughout the program, you will explore the essential core functions of marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, and strategy.

You will actively analyze real-world case studies from major brands, collaborate in teams to solve simulated business challenges, practice making strategic corporate decisions, and develop a comprehensive business model. The course is taught directly by UBC Sauder School of Business faculty, allowing you to experience a true first-year university academic environment before even graduating high school.

Why it stands out: It seamlessly integrates university-level business education with dedicated college preparation workshops, giving you a tangible academic head start.

14. University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management) – Youth Leadership Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950 CAD (~$1,425) tuition + $75 CAD (~$55) application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not fixed
Dates: 7-week duration at different times of the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and older (some exceptions may apply for slightly younger applicants); open to international students

In this program, you explore essential business management concepts through a structured, seven-module curriculum. You will dive into topics like the leadership framework, emotional intelligence (EQ), effective communication, diverse leadership styles, cultural intelligence, and personal branding on social media.

During the program, you will complete the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire to assess your style, design a personal branding strategy, engage in cross-cultural communication exercises, and tackle problem-solving scenarios. A unique feature of this experience is its specialized virtual curriculum, crafted by a top-tier business school specifically for ambitious teenagers. By participating, you will build critical thinking, cultural awareness, and executive communication skills to succeed in future business environments.

Why it stands out: It grants high school students rare, early access to elite leadership frameworks and self-assessment tools typically reserved for MBA candidates and corporate executives.

15. Wharton Global Youth Program – Future of the Business World

Location: Online
Cost: $4,099; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 15-26; July 6-17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12; open to international students

In the Wharton Global Youth Future of the Business World program, you explore how changing global trends shape modern business management. You will study core topics like innovation, design thinking, scenario planning, market research, and leadership communication. Throughout the online course, you will brainstorm new business concepts, analyze industry data, test your ideas in live business simulations, and build a final group project predicting future market trends.

The program features mini-lectures directly from Wharton faculty while utilizing the same interactive learning tools found in their university classrooms. By working with international peers, you actively build practical skills in strategic foresight, teamwork, market analysis, and persuasive pitching.

Why it stands out: It empowers high school students to tackle global uncertainty by applying advanced Ivy League business frameworks to real-world challenges.

From Toronto Case Studies to Future Career Paths

Business starts to feel more real when you move beyond theory and begin working through strategy, leadership, finance, and problem-solving in practice.

The business management summer programs in Toronto for high school students featured here show how early business learning can build confidence, direction, and sharper career awareness.

From pitch decks and case studies to market research and leadership tasks, each experience helps you understand how business ideas connect with real future pathways.

Could one summer in Toronto shape far more than your holidays? Explore our Career Exploration blogs for fresh ideas, industry insight, and exciting paths worth discovering next.