High school gives you flexibility that’s hard to find later on, and you can explore interests without major long-term pressure. Summer breaks amplify this even more by giving you dedicated time outside your regular curriculum. If improving your writing skills, communication abilities, or English confidence is something you’re interested in, summer schools offer a structured way to work on these goals.

Imagine attending writing workshops, discussing literature with students from around the world, or working on your own stories with guidance from experienced mentors. You might find yourself analysing texts, experimenting with new writing styles, or even exploring journalism and media. Beyond the classroom, these programs often include cultural activities, campus experiences, and interactions that help you grow both academically and personally.

Even if you’re already comfortable with English, these programs go beyond the basics. They help you refine your writing, think critically, and communicate more effectively. Whether it’s academic writing, storytelling, or media-focused learning, you’ll gain skills that are valuable for both school and future career paths.

What are English summer schools for high school students?

English summer schools are designed to help you strengthen your language and communication skills through structured, immersive learning experiences. These programs are offered by universities, institutes, and organisations, and often cover areas like creative writing, academic English, literature, and journalism.

You’ll attend lectures, participate in workshops, and work on writing projects that allow you to apply what you learn. Many programs also include peer discussions, feedback sessions, and opportunities to collaborate with students from different backgrounds.

All programs do not offer the same level of learning experience. That’s why choosing the right program is important. To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 English summer schools for high school students, selected for their academic rigor, mentorship opportunities, and overall learning experience.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online English program and the creative writing program.

15 English Summer Schools for High School Students

1. Fordham University Summer English Courses

Location: Fordham University, New York City, NY
Cost: Varies by program credits
Dates: Multiple 5-week summer sessions
Application Deadline: Registration opens in January (Tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; Open to international students

Fordham University Summer English Courses offers high school students the chance to engage in college-level language learning. You’ll receive intensive training and explore a range of concepts, including persuasive rhetoric, grammar, expository writing, and logic.

You’ll write and engage in discussions on weekly papers while gaining knowledge about research techniques such as source analysis, documentation principles, ethical principles in scholarly research, and the use of libraries. The program is a great opportunity to develop and sharpen your skills in the English language, gain expert feedback, and learn in a supportive, culturally immersive environment.

Why it stands out: You’ll study persuasive writing, rhetoric, and research methods while writing weekly papers and building strong academic English skills.

2. Immerse Education’s English Literature Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, and Online
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18; Open to students worldwide

Immerse Education’s English Literature Summer School allows you to explore the world of literature before joining a university. The program will help you develop an understanding of the fundamentals of storytelling, along with exploring important concepts like literary and feminist theories and contemporary works.

You’ll develop analytical and critical thinking skills through participation in writing workshops, working on research projects, and engaging in critical analysis and discussions based on literary texts. You’ll receive guidance from experienced literary scholars, explore a range of genres and literary periods, all while experiencing life at a world-renowned Institute.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore storytelling, literary theories, and different genres while developing critical analysis skills through writing workshops and discussions.

3. Los Angeles Times HS Insider Summer Internship

Location: Los Angeles Times office, El Segundo, CA
Cost: Free; Paid opportunity
Dates: June 22nd – Aug 1st
Application Deadline: April 16th
Eligibility: Southern California students who are eligible to work on-site in El Segundo

The Los Angeles Times HS Insider Summer Internship offers an immersive, paid learning opportunity to high school students. For seven weeks, you’ll gain knowledge about the fundamental concepts in journalism, receive mentorship, and gain knowledge about multimedia skills. You’ll manage a range of responsibilities while gaining real-world experience in journalism through breaking news coverage, developing feature enterprise stories, and engaging with multimedia storytelling.

The program is sponsored by the Jack and Denny Smith Memorial Fund for Literacy and allows you to sharpen your knowledge and skills in English by working on podcasts, producing videos, and more.

Why it stands out: You’ll cover breaking news, produce feature stories, and create podcasts and videos while building real-world journalism skills over seven weeks.

4. The School of The New York Times Summer Academy

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Commuter: $6,195; Residential: $7,695; Limited need-based scholarships available; $50 non-refundable Application fee
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions across June to August
Application Deadline: Varies. More information here
Eligibility: Rising grade 10th-12th high school students or graduating seniors ages 15-18; Open to students worldwide

The School of The New York Times Summer Academy offers high school students the opportunity to gain journalism knowledge in a real-world learning environment. You’ll get to explore a range of areas based on your interest, including business, law, culture, fashion, sports, and media. You’ll receive valuable guidance from industry experts such as editors, experienced journalists, and media professionals.

Some of the courses offered through the program include reporting and writing: journalism essentials, narrative writing, photojournalism, how to be an editor and more. You’ll learn English through exposure to newsrooms, engaging conversations, ns and interactive communities.

Why it stands out: You’ll choose courses like reporting, narrative writing, or photojournalism and learn journalism through newsroom-style classes and expert guidance.

5. Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Residential Workshop

Location: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH; virtual options available
Cost: Residential: $2575; Online: $995
Dates: Session One: June 21st – July 4th; Session Two: July 12-25
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: High school students worldwide

Kenyon Review Young Writers Summer Residential Workshop offers a two-week intensive learning experience to high school students. The program will allow you to sharpen your creative writing and thinking skills. You’ll work on different ideas and explore various genres, including essays, poems, and short stories.

You’ll develop a unique voice as a writer through guidance from expert instructors and engaging discussions with peers. Along with developing writing skills, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience college life at the beautiful Kenyon College campus and explore the Village of Gambier and the Lowry Athletic Center.

Why it stands out: You’ll write poems, essays, or short stories, develop your unique voice, and refine your work through workshops and peer discussions.

6. University of St Andrews Sutton Trust Summer School – English and Humanities Courses 

Location: University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
Cost: Free
Dates: July 5-10
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in S5, Year 12 (England and Wales), or Year 13 (Northern Ireland)

The Sutton Trust Summer School at the University of St Andrews gives UK state-school students the chance to study English literature in a residential university setting over one intensive week. Through seminars and discussion-based classes, you explore how literature is analyzed at the university level rather than through exam-focused school instruction.

The sessions are taught by St Andrews academics and focus heavily on close reading, interpretation, and critical discussion across different literary texts and themes. Since the program follows a seminar format, most classes revolve around conversation, argument, and textual analysis instead of lectures alone. 

Why it stands out: The program combines fully funded residential university life with subject-specific academic study inside one of the UK’s most selective universities.

7. Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)

Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey +Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Late June through early August
Application Deadline: Typically late January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. More information: Must reside in the United States or Puerto Rico, and intend to attend college in the U.S.

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) offers you the opportunity to learn through virtual workshops along with a 10-day residential learning experience. You’ll gain knowledge from Princeton professors and experienced journalists. You’ll participate in discussion groups, explore current events, and receive guidance for college applications.

You’ll learn to write news pieces, develop interviewing skills, and explore a range of topics, including social class, race, environment, economics, and business. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage in networking workshops and trips and interact with professors and professional journalists.

Why it stands out: You’ll learn news writing and interviewing, explore topics like politics and society, and receive college guidance through workshops and discussions.

8. California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA): Writing Program

Location: Valencia, CA
Cost: Varies. More information here
Dates: July 4th – August 1st
Application Deadline: February 28th
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students; A limited number of out-of-state and international students are accepted

California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA): Writing Program offers interactive writing workshops for high school students. You’ll explore your interest in writing through the core class and focus class offered by the program. The core class will allow you to learn from expert faculty members and gain exposure to different genres, including prose fiction, dramatic writing, and poetry.

You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of specific genres through the focus class. You’ll learn and interact with guest artists such as editors, published writers, and select panels, while sharing your weekly works through Colloquium, conducted on Saturdays. 

Why it stands out: You’ll study fiction, poetry, or dramatic writing through core and focus classes, learn from guest writers, and present your work in weekly colloquium sessions.

9. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Cost: Residential – $9,636; Commuter – $7,284; Application Fee: $50; Enrollment Deposit: $800
Dates: June 20th – July 18th
Application Deadline: Early: February 1st; Final: March 1st
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors across the world (minimum age: 16 years)

Among the many english summer schools for high school students, Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program stands out for connecting writing with culture, film, and visual storytelling. You’ll attend classes, participate in meetings, and engage in enrichment activities while exploring writing through historical, traditional, and contemporary perspectives.

You’ll engage in short-form writing, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and create your unique work focused on written and visual formats. The final body of work produced by you during the program will be a short film. 

Why it stands out: You’ll explore writing, culture, and film, create short-form pieces, and create a short film as your final project.

10. 92NY Young Writers Workshop

Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Early Bird: $2,050; Regular: $2,250
Dates: July 13-24
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students ages 12-18; Open to students worldwide

92NY Young Writers Workshop offers a supportive learning experience focused on creative writing for high school students. The program offers age-specific writing studios led by renowned literary artists and award-winning authors. You’ll develop your unique voice as a writer through guided workshop sessions.

You’ll explore a range of genres, including flash fiction and micro memoir, performance poetry and spoken word, and remix and found writing. The program will allow you to learn through peer feedback sessions, develop critical reading skills, and participate in an open mic session as the program concludes.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore genres like flash fiction and spoken word, develop your voice through workshops, and share your work in peer sessions and an open mic.

11. University of Southern California – Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement

Location: USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 15th – July 2nd
Application Deadline: April 19th
Eligibility: Students residing and attending high school in the communities surrounding USC

University of Southern California – Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement offers a three-week intensive learning experience to high school students. You’ll learn through first-year university-level courses and gain knowledge about the importance of journalism and media communications in shaping sensible and innovative leaders.

The program will help you develop a range of skills in critical thinking, interviewing, writing, public speech and debate, multimedia production, and ethnography. You’ll interact with industry experts and leaders making a significant impact in the field of communications, journalism, and public relations while also solving complex issues in organizations and societies. 

Why it stands out: You’ll study media and journalism through university-level classes, build skills in interviewing, writing, and multimedia, and explore how media shapes society.

12. University of Massachusetts Amherst – Juniper Institute for Young Writers

Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: Residential tuition: $5,200; Commuter tuition: $2,330
Dates: Session 1: July 12-25; Session 2: July 26th – August 8th
Application Deadline: March 16th
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through graduating seniors; Open to international students

University of Massachusetts Amherst – Juniper Institute for Young Writers offers 2-week residential learning opportunities to high school students. You’ll learn from expert creative writing instructors pursuing PhDs and Master’s at UMass Amherst, work on new drafts, and share your work with others in a supportive learning environment.

The program offers field trips to a range of significant locations, including the W.E.B. Du Bois Center and archives,  Emily Dickinson Museum, Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, walking trails, and Beneski Natural History Museum at Amherst College. You’ll gain knowledge about different subjects, creative styles, and writing forms, participate in writing exercises, and exchange feedback with peers through lab sessions hosted by the instructors.

Why it stands out: You’ll write and revise your work in workshop sessions, learn from experienced instructors, and explore creative writing through exercises, feedback, and field trips.

13. Arizona State University – Camp Cronkite

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $899 (need-based scholarships available)
Dates: Session 1: June 7-12; Session 2: June 21-26
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors; Open to international students

Arizona State University’s Camp Cronkite brings a media-focused angle to the various english summer schools for high school students, giving you a hands-on way to build communication, writing, and storytelling skills. You’ll engage in practical activities and receive guidance from experienced staff, faculty, and student guides while exploring topics such as writing, personal branding, visual storytelling, and interviewing.

You’ll explore elective topics based on your interest from a wide range of options, including podcasts, videography, social media, weather, and more. The program offers a supportive learning environment to explore your interest in the field of writing and media. 

Why it stands out: You’ll explore media and journalism through hands-on activities, learn skills like interviewing and storytelling, and choose electives like podcasts or videography.

14. Alpha – The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers

Location: University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg Campus, PA
Cost: $1,800; Financial aid and Scholarships available
Dates: July 15-26
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: High school students worldwide ages 14-19

Alpha – The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers offers a 12-day writing experience to high school students. You’ll learn idea generation and understand how ideas are converted into complete drafts. You’ll engage in the writing of an original short story exploring the themes of horror, science fiction, or fantasy. You’ll gain knowledge about working on revisions, critical analysis of stories, and submission of your work to professional markets that pay.

Past participants of the program have successfully submitted their works in professional markets such as Fantasy Magazine, Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Pseudopod, Clarke’s World, Daily Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Strange Horizons, Nature Futures, and Cicada. 

Why it stands out: You’ll write an original sci-fi, fantasy, or horror short story, revise it through workshops, and learn how to submit your work to professional markets.

15. Bard College at Simon’s Rock – Young Writers Workshop

Location: Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, MA
Cost: $3,500 to $3,600
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Grades 9th-12th high school students; international students can apply

Bard College at Simon’s Rock – Young Writers Workshop offers a residential, creative writing experience to high school students. You’ll have the opportunity to develop and sharpen your English writing and fluency through this experience modeled on the Language and Thinking Program.

You’ll get to explore a range of genres and forms in both fiction and non-fiction, including essays, poems, narratives, while improving your critical thinking and writing skills. The program is focused on curiosity, collaboration, and imagination, and offers a great opportunity to gain confidence in your writing.

Why it stands out: You’ll write essays, poetry, and narratives while improving your critical thinking, fluency, and confidence in a collaborative workshop environment.

From Literary Confidence to Stronger Applications

English study can give you more than better grammar; it helps you read closely, write with purpose, and express ideas with confidence.

The 15 english summer schools for high school students featured in this article can strengthen your skills through literature discussions, writing workshops, journalism projects, storytelling, and academic feedback.

Those experiences matter because strong applications often depend on clear communication, thoughtful reflection, and evidence of genuine intellectual curiosity.

Ready to turn stronger writing into a stronger application? Head to our University Preparation blogs for guidance on personal statements, interviews, academic writing, entry requirements, and supercurriculars.