If you’re a high school student who enjoys taking initiative, you may already be building the foundations of leadership, and leadership programs in NYC for high school students can help you develop those skills with real structure and support. But true leadership goes beyond holding a title. It involves communication, resilience, ethical decision-making, collaboration, and the ability to inspire others toward a shared vision, and New York City is a powerful place to strengthen that mindset.

Imagine spending your summer or school year in NYC, participating in interactive workshops, analysing real-world case studies, and engaging with mentors who work in business, public service, nonprofit leadership, media, or entrepreneurship. Picture collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds, tackling team challenges, and learning how leaders navigate complex environments in one of the world’s fastest-paced cities. These programmes combine structured learning with exposure to dynamic industries and communities.

How do you choose the right leadership programs in NYC for high school students?

With many programs available, it’s important to identify those that offer meaningful structure rather than surface-level inspiration. Some emphasize motivational sessions, while others incorporate mentorship, collaborative projects, simulations, and networking opportunities. Thoughtful research ensures you select a program that challenges you, supports your growth, and aligns with your goals.

Across NYC, leadership programs may focus on areas such as entrepreneurship, civic engagement, global affairs, business leadership, or social innovation. You might work in teams to design solutions to community issues, participate in mock negotiations, or present strategic proposals.

You’ll learn from experienced mentors, engage in thoughtful discussions with motivated peers, and gain confidence in high-level communication. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your ability to think strategically, adapt to challenges, and lead with integrity.

To help you take the next step, we’ve curated a list of 15 Leadership Programs in NYC for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their structured learning environments, mentorship quality, and ability to empower you with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

In addition to leadership, you can also consider business programs for high school students. For a global exposure, you can look at business programs in Europe.

15 Leadership Programs in NYC for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s TED Summer School

Location: London, New York, Singapore, or Online
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Dates: Summer 2026 (multiple two-week sessions across locations and formats)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; places are limited
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 (14-18 for the virtual programme); strong English proficiency recommended.

TED Summer School is a two-week public speaking, communication, and leadership programme developed in partnership between Immerse Education and TED. Designed for motivated high school students, the programme helps participants discover meaningful ideas, develop them through structured reflection and practice, and communicate them with clarity and confidence.

Across small-group sessions guided by expert tutors trained by the TED team, students learn core frameworks for idea development, storytelling, and presentation. The programme culminates in each student delivering a TED-style talk, which is recorded and shared as part of a personal portfolio, alongside a formal certificate and individual feedback. TED Summer School is ideal for students looking to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, and develop communication skills valued by universities and future careers.

You can explore the TED Summer School programme and check full guidance on eligibility, application steps, and deadlines on the application page.

Why it stands out: The programme combines structured academic mentorship, small-group learning, and a final portfolio-based outcome, allowing you to develop transferable skills in communication, critical thinking, and idea development within an international university-style environment.

2. Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) — Coro New York Leadership Center

Location: Coro New York Leadership Center, New York City, NY
Cost: Participants receive a stipend
Dates: Begins with a two-week summer intensive followed by five YLA Days during the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade at a New York City public high school (primarily for NYC students; not open to international applicants)

The Youth Leadership Academy at Coro New York introduces you to leadership through the lens of civic engagement and education policy within New York City’s public school system. You begin with a two-week summer intensive focused on self-reflection, collaboration, systems thinking, and understanding how large public institutions operate.

During the school year, continued YLA sessions allow you to apply these skills through public speaking exercises, group facilitation, and real policy conversations connected to the NYC Department of Education. The program emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging you to evaluate problems affecting students and design solutions grounded in leadership practice. By participating, you gain exposure to civic leadership pathways and a clearer understanding of how leadership and public policy studies may translate into future college majors or careers.

Why it stands out: It combines a funded summer leadership intensive with year-long mentorship and direct engagement in real education policy discussions.

3. NYU Stern School of Business – Summer @ Stern (through NYU Precollege)

Location: NYU Campus, New York, NY
Cost: Tuition is equivalent to 4 college credits (approximately $8,000+)
Dates: July 5th – August 11th
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA); open to international students

Summer @ Stern is not a separate program but a track within the NYU Precollege Program where you enroll in an actual 4-credit undergraduate business course taught by Stern faculty. Course options may include an Introduction to Business, Marketing, or Finance. You will attend regular college classes, complete university-level assignments, and take exams alongside current NYU students.

You earn transferable college credit upon successful completion of the course, providing the clearest possible demonstration of readiness for college business studies. This program simulates the full academic and social experience of an NYU undergraduate.

Why it stands out: You’ll be exposed to an urban, globally-connected business school, giving you a sense of business dynamics in a real-world, high-profile environment.

4. Fordham University Summer Leaders Academy

Location: Fordham University (Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses), New York, NY
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Multiple 1-week & 2-week sessions
Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (entering 11th or 12th grade); open to international students

The Summer Leaders Academy is designed to provide you with a brief but intense exposure to specific university majors and college life. The curriculum is divided into focused academic tracks, such as Pre-Health, Pre-Law, Finance, and Global Business, with courses taught by Fordham faculty. You can pick from 1-or 2-week sessions with credit and non-credit tracks. You engage in seminar-style classes, collaborative group discussions, and persuasive presentations.

You will also attend career-building sessions, receive college application guidance, and participate in community-building social activities. The program provides an opportunity to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and professional skills in a Jesuit-informed academic setting. Why it stands out: It’s focused on university-style classes and professional skills, so you’ll get a glimpse into university life.

5. Columbia University – Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: Starts at $3,965. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall, Spring, and Summer
Application Deadline: Rolling/varies by session
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9-12 in the fall are eligible to apply. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age or older; open to international students

Columbia University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation is a hands-on program where you build a startup from scratch. Instructors from the university and professionals from the industry guide your learning in such areas as marketing strategy, financial decision-making, negotiations, and ethical leadership.

The courses are designed to be a mix of lectures, involvement in the workshops, and real-world case ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌studies. You develop critical analytical skills and learn how to apply business theories through collaborative projects and engaging discussions. This program helps you gain insight into the academic and professional demands of a leading business school environment.

Why it stands out: You’ll experience what university-level academics involve through their independent work components and mentoring by esteemed academics.

6. Manhattan College Entrepreneurship Pre-College Camp

Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost: $1,400
Dates: Typically mid-July – mid-August (3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: 15-17-year-old high school students; open to international students

This intensive pre-college camp is designed for high school students interested in the complex process of starting and scaling a business venture. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ first three weeks are all about teamwork work where you and your teammates come up with a business idea and take it step by step to a full-fledged business plan and a final pitch.

Additionally, the program is a blend of core university business concepts such as business management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurial strategy, and the faculty is always there to ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌guide you. Students learn essential skills in financial modeling, market research, and public speaking through the process of developing and formally pitching their final venture.

Why it stands out: Its structure involves building a business venture and a pitch deck, so you’ll get an experience of how collegiate business programs work.

7. Sadie Nash Leadership Project – Summer Institute

Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens (NYC), and Newark, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: Six-week summer program
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: March 24th | Final deadline: April 14th
Eligibility: High school students who identify as young women or gender-expansive youth; primarily designed for students living in NYC or Newark (not open to international applicants)

The Sadie Nash Summer Institute explores leadership development through social justice education, identity exploration, and community engagement. Over six weeks, you participate in structured workshops examining topics such as equity, power structures, advocacy, and civic participation, helping you understand how leadership operates within real social systems.

The program emphasizes interpersonal skills, confidence-building, and critical thinking while helping you articulate your personal values and leadership goals. Through sustained mentorship and peer collaboration, you gain exposure to fields such as public policy, social sciences, and community leadership that may shape future academic and college pathways.

Why it stands out: It centers leadership training on identity, civic engagement, and real community-based learning within New York City’s social justice ecosystem.

8. YouthAction NYC Internship — Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York

Location: Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, New York City, NY
Cost: Participants earn up to $800 per year
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: Varies; typically late September
Eligibility: New York City residents aged 14-19 (not open to international students)

The YouthAction NYC Internship develops leadership skills through hands-on civic engagement and youth advocacy work across New York City. Over the course of the academic year, you attend weekly in-person workshops where you learn how to research public issues, interpret data, and understand policymaking processes affecting young people.

The program emphasizes applied leadership, allowing you to organize campaigns, host community events, collaborate with peers, and meet directly with legislators to advocate for policy change. You also work toward creating a youth-led policy or advocacy project centered on issues important to your community. The experience offers early exposure to college pathways in public policy, political science, sociology, and civic leadership fields.

Why it stands out: It combines paid leadership development with real-world advocacy experience, including direct engagement with policymakers and community campaigns.

9. New York University — Leadership and Management Development

Location: New York University, New York City, NY
Cost: $850
Dates: March 1st – May 3rd
Application Deadline: February 14th (rolling review)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 with an interest in leadership or management careers; open to domestic and international students who can attend in person

The Leadership and Management Development program at New York University introduces you to foundational leadership concepts within a university academic environment. Through lectures, case studies, and collaborative group projects, you examine how organizations are structured, managed, and guided by effective leadership strategies.

The curriculum explores leadership styles, decision-making processes, and organizational problem-solving while encouraging practical application through teamwork and discussion-based learning. Field visits and guest interactions with professionals across New York City industries provide insight into how leadership operates in real corporate and nonprofit settings. 

Why it stands out: It combines university-led instruction with industry exposure across New York City, allowing you to connect leadership theory with real organizational practice.

10. Columbia University — The Leadership Lab (Pre-College Program)

Location: Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $12,764 (need-based financial aid available)
Dates: June 30th – July 18th
Application Deadline: Early Registration: March 3rd | General Registration: March 17th
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 who are at least 15 years old; open to both U.S. and international students, able to attend in person

The Leadership Lab at Columbia University is one of the most academically structured leadership programs in NYC for high school students, combining leadership theory with applied practice. You begin by examining core leadership frameworks and reflecting on your strengths, decision-making approaches, and communication style. Through workshops, simulations, role-play, and collaborative team challenges, you practise conflict resolution, negotiation, and public speaking.

Guest speakers from business, nonprofit, and public sectors provide insight into how leadership functions across different professional environments. The program mirrors a college seminar format, encouraging discussion, peer feedback, and independent reflection within a small, highly selective cohort. 

Why it stands out: Its highly selective small cohort allows for intensive mentorship and hands-on leadership practice within a Columbia University classroom setting.

11. Barnard College — The NextGen Leadership Institute

Location: Barnard College, New York City, NY
Cost: Residential: $10,171 | Commuter: $8,160 (limited need-based financial aid available)
Dates: June 29th – July 18th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; open to domestic and international students able to attend in person

The NextGen Leadership Institute at Barnard College explores leadership development through interdisciplinary study and social impact learning. Hosted by the Athena Center for Leadership, the program combines academic coursework with experiential projects focused on areas such as global issues, STEM, writing, arts, and social change. You participate in seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects designed to strengthen critical thinking, communication, and ethical leadership skills.

The Leadership in Action series brings all participants together for shared discussions on advocacy, community engagement, and leadership practice across disciplines. Students also engage with New York City through site-based learning and conversations with professionals and changemakers working across sectors. 

Why it stands out: It frames leadership through a feminist and social-impact perspective while combining Barnard’s academic environment with experiential learning across New York City.

12. The City College of New York — Bossgirls Summer Program

Location: The City College of New York (CCNY), New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30th – July 31st
Application Deadline: March 31st (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
Eligibility: Current high school girls and nonbinary students residing in the NYC tri-state area who can commute to campus; not open to international applicants

The Bossgirls Summer Program at CCNY introduces leadership through entrepreneurship and innovation-focused problem-solving. You work in teams to identify real-world problems, conduct market research, develop branding strategies, and design a product or service solution. Workshops emphasize collaboration, leadership communication, and entrepreneurial thinking while helping you understand how ideas move from concept to execution.

Throughout the program, you engage with mentors and facilitators who introduce practical business and innovation frameworks commonly taught in university entrepreneurship programs. The experience offers early exposure to college-level innovation labs and helps you evaluate future academic pathways in business, entrepreneurship, or leadership studies.

Why it stands out: It provides fully funded access to an innovation center environment where you practice leadership through startup creation and real-world problem solving.

13. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute — Journey to Leadership Program

Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, Hunter College, New York City, NY
Cost: Free; participants receive a $500 stipend
Program Dates: Cohort 1: June 31st – July 11th | Cohort 2: July 14th – July 25th | Cohort 3: July 28th – August 8th
Application Deadline: May 5th
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-21 residing in or from the NYC metropolitan area; not open to international applicants 

The Journey to Leadership Program at the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute focuses on developing civic leadership skills grounded in public service, advocacy, and community engagement. Through seminars, debate labs, and interactive workshops, you explore leadership across political, corporate, and nonprofit contexts while strengthening communication and critical thinking abilities.

You actively practice debate, public speaking, and leadership decision-making, gaining practical insight into how leadership operates beyond the classroom. The program provides early exposure to fields such as political science, public leadership, and social advocacy, helping you better understand potential college and career pathways.

Why it stands out: It combines paid leadership training with debate-based civic education focused on real-world political and community leadership.

14. Babson Summer Study for High School Students

Location: Online
Cost: $6,295
Program Dates: July 8th – July 28th
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16+)

Renowned for its focus on entrepreneurship, Babson College offers an online immersive experience that challenges you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. You will take a course titled “Entrepreneurial Development Experience,” where you identify opportunities and develop a venture concept with guidance from faculty.

The program encourages you to view social and economic problems as opportunities for innovation. By the end of the course, you will understand the practical steps required to launch a business, directly mirroring the undergraduate methodology at Babson.

Why it stands out: It throws you into Babson’s unique “Entrepreneurial Thought & Action” methodology-a gold standard for the prospective student founder.

15. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)

Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Program Dates: April 22nd and 29th in spring, sessions in winter and summer
Application Deadline: March 20th for spring
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5

The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute introduces high-school students to leadership and business decision-making from an equity-focused academic lens. You participate in faculty-led sessions, case discussions, and collaborative activities, analyzing leadership style, organizational dynamics, and representation in business.

You are taught the concepts of leadership from an academic point of view and how they can be applied in real-life situations in business. Through group discussions with peers, you will explore various academic and professional paths where leadership intersects.

Why it stands out: It merges business fundamentals with leadership development in a university-led program designed to close the gaps in representation and inclusion.

Build A Strong Voice In NYC Rooms

NYC teaches you fast that confidence isn’t volume. It’s clarity, calm delivery, and knowing how to listen before you speak.

The leadership programs in NYC for high school students in this list help you practise that, through workshops, mentors, and real team challenges.

You’ll learn to speak with purpose, handle disagreement without panic, and lead discussions that move people forward.

To keep building those skills long after summer ends, visit our Personal Development blogs for practical guidance on communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.