If you’re a high school student who enjoys asking big questions, philosophy may feel like a natural fit. You might find yourself debating ethical dilemmas, analyzing arguments in literature or history, or wondering how we truly know what we claim to know. One of the most powerful ways to explore this discipline further is by attending a philosophy summer school.

Imagine spending your summer immersed in thought-provoking seminars, engaging in structured debates, and examining classic and contemporary texts alongside motivated peers. Picture discussing topics like ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, logic, or philosophy of mind in small-group settings that encourage close reading and rigorous analysis. Philosophy summer schools offer an environment where curiosity is taken seriously, and intellectual exploration becomes a daily practice.

How do you choose the right philosophy summer schools for high school students?

With so many programs available, it’s important to distinguish between those that offer meaningful academic engagement and those that remain at a surface level. Some focus primarily on broad introductions, while others incorporate intensive seminars. That’s why thoughtful selection matters; the strongest programs balance accessibility with intellectual challenge.

Philosophy summer schools may cover areas such as moral philosophy, political theory, epistemology, existentialism, logic, or philosophy of science. You might participate in debates, collaborative projects, or guided research exercises designed to strengthen analytical thinking and communication skills. Programs range from introductory explorations to more rigorous experiences for students eager to deepen their understanding.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Philosophy Summer Schools for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their academic rigor, engaging discussions, and ability to transform curiosity into deeper intellectual growth.

If you’re looking for a broader focus, you can look into international programs for high school students. For courses in adjacent fields, you can also check out summer programs in psychology.

15 Philosophy Summer Schools for High School Students

1. Immerse Education Philosophy Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge / Online
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 16-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Immerse Education Philosophy Summer School introduces you to core areas such as ethics, metaphysics, and logic through structured discussions, debates, and reflective writing. You study foundational thinkers, including Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud, while examining how their ideas shape philosophical inquiry.

The program emphasizes guided academic exploration, with tutors providing detailed feedback as you develop analytical reasoning, argumentation, and research skills. You complete an independent philosophy project that applies theoretical concepts through sustained inquiry and presentation. The experience is designed to simulate university-style learning through seminars, personal research, and collaborative discussion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: Combines individualized tutor feedback with a structured, independent philosophy research project.

2. Future Leaders Institute (FLI)

Location: University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH)
Cost/Stipend: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 26th – August 2nd
Application Deadline: March 27th
Eligibility: High school students; international students are eligible 

The Future Leaders Institute is a week-long residential program where you examine social and political philosophy through interdisciplinary discussions on contemporary ethical and global issues. You engage with topics such as the philosophy of artificial intelligence and debates about liberty, equality, and legal systems while developing analytical reasoning and public speaking skills. The program creates a structured pre-college environment that emphasizes collaborative inquiry, discussion-based learning, and peer engagement.

You participate in interactive sessions designed to apply philosophical frameworks to real-world problems while building communication and leadership skills. The experience is particularly aligned with interests in activities such as debate, Model United Nations, and structured philosophical dialogue.

Why it stands out: Integrates social and political philosophy with applied discussion of current issues in a residential pre-college setting focused on leadership and discourse.

3. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Location: Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21st – July 25th
Application Deadline: December 3rd
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, aged 15–17; international students are eligible 

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a free, college-level summer program where you choose between Critical Black Studies or Anti-Oppressive Studies to examine how power and privilege shape social life. You participate in small, discussion-based seminars led by faculty that emphasize close reading, analytical writing, and Socratic dialogue rather than grades.

You live in a collaborative residential community where you practice democratic decision-making, engage in public speaking workshops, and contribute to shared responsibilities. The curriculum is interdisciplinary across the humanities and social sciences, with a sustained focus on philosophical themes such as justice, power, and social responsibility. You experience an immersive academic and community environment designed to develop rigorous thinking and collective inquiry.

Why it stands out: Offers a fully funded, residential model that combines college-level seminars with democratic self-governance and community-based learning.

4. CU Intro to Philosophical Enquiry: Love, Human Excellence, & Existential Freedom

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $12,837, Commuter: $6,380; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 21st – August 7th
Application Deadline: Residential: March 2nd, Commuter: April 2nd
Eligibility: Students who are 15 years of age or older (Students who are 15 years of age must turn 16 by December 31st of the year they attend the NYC Residential Summer program)

CU Intro to Philosophical Enquiry: Love, Human Excellence, & Existential Freedom introduces you to core methods of philosophical analysis through close reading, structured debate, and application of ideas to contemporary experience. You examine classical foundations by studying Plato’s Symposium and Nicomachean Ethics to analyze theories of love, virtue, and human flourishing, with attention to argument structure and ethical reasoning.

The course then shifts to modern discussions of freedom and responsibility through texts such as Being and Nothingness, Fear and Trembling, and The Myth of Sisyphus, where you evaluate determinism, existential choice, and the meaning of an authentic life. You engage with philosophical questions through guided discussion, textual interpretation, and critique of film and art that present existential themes. 

Why it stands out: Integrates classical philosophy with existentialist thought through close reading of primary texts and thematic debates.

5. CU Minds, Brains, and the Nature of Consciousness: An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $12,837, Commuter: $6,380; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 29th – July 17th
Application Deadline: Residential: March 2nd, Commuter: April 2nd
Eligibility: Students who are 15 years of age or older (Students who are 15 years of age must turn 16 by December 31st of the year they attend the NYC Residential Summer program)

Minds, Brains, and the Nature of Consciousness: An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind examines how mental states relate to physical processes through structured analysis of major theories, including substance dualism, mind–brain identity theory, and functionalism.

You evaluate foundational arguments by studying key texts such as Meditations on First Philosophy, Sensations and Brain Processes, The Nature of Mental States, and What Is It Like to Be a Bat? to understand competing explanations of consciousness and mentality. Through debates, group presentations, thought-experiment design, and critical writing, you analyze whether beliefs, sensations, and desires are physical or non-physical and how consciousness can be explained. 

Why it stands out: Provides a structured comparison of major theories of mind while connecting philosophical arguments to contemporary cognitive science questions.

6. UMass Amherst: Question Everything: A Summer Philosophy Program

Location: UMass Amherst campus, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 19th – August 8th
Application Deadline: April 6th
Eligibility: Rising seniors from Springfield and Holyoke, MA

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Question Everything summer philosophy program is a themed academic experience where you examine core debates around freedom and liberty through structured discussion and inquiry. You analyze concepts such as inalienable rights, free expression, and the limits of governmental authority while engaging with philosophical questions about incarceration, moral responsibility, and free will.

The program emphasizes close reasoning, argument evaluation, and collaborative dialogue on contemporary ethical and political issues.You investigate how ideas about liberty apply to different groups, including children and non-human animals, while developing analytical and discussion skills. 

Why it stands out: A focused, theme-driven study of freedom and liberty that connects political philosophy with questions about rights, responsibility, and social institutions. 

7. Debate Chamber’s Philosophy Summer School

Location: Woburn House, Bloomsbury, Central London
Cost/Stipend: £845 (~$1,153); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class sizes
Dates: July 27-31
Application Deadline: No official deadline
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18; Worldwide

The Debate Chamber Philosophy Summer School is a 5-day, seminar-based program where you engage in close textual analysis, thought experiments, and structured debates across core areas such as personal identity, epistemology, philosophy of mind, applied ethics, political philosophy, phenomenology, and cultural theory.

You examine foundational questions about knowledge, consciousness, morality, and reality while learning to construct and critique philosophical arguments in small-group discussions. The curriculum is organized around key fields of philosophy, with guided dialogue that connects historical ideas to contemporary issues. You work closely with tutors and peers in small classes designed for sustained discussion and analytical skill-building. The experience emphasizes reasoning, debate, and clear philosophical writing in a focused academic setting.

Why it stands out: Broad coverage of major philosophical fields in a short, discussion-intensive format centered on debate and close analysis.

8. TC Philosophy for Students: Dialogue to Save the World

Location: Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,995; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: July 6-17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17; International students can apply

The Teachers College, Columbia University Philosophy for Students: Dialogue to Save the World program centers on sustained philosophical dialogue about contemporary issues such as justice, truth, identity, and climate ethics. You participate in structured discussions that examine how philosophical ideas apply to social realities, including questions about education, collective responsibility, and the formation of values within communities.

The program also integrates philosophy with the arts through workshops in literature, poetry, film, and improvisation to explore philosophical expression across media. You develop and present an original philosophical project, which may take the form of a zine, creative writing piece, or performance. The curriculum emphasizes collaborative inquiry, reflective thinking, and the practice of philosophical discussion as a method.

Why it stands out: Emphasizes philosophy as lived dialogue and creative practice through original student projects and arts integration.

9. Philosophy Summer Camp at Portland State University

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $220; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: No information
Application Deadline: Registration ends in late July
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors worldwide

The Philosophy Summer Camp at Portland State University is a discussion-based online program where you explore political philosophy, applied ethics, and philosophy of science through guided analysis and structured dialogue. You develop critical thinking and academic writing skills while working on a major philosophical project on topics such as artificial intelligence, cancel culture, or duties toward refugees.

You collaborate closely with faculty, teaching assistants, and peers while strengthening research, argumentation, and presentation skills. The program includes guest lectures, academic resources, and opportunities to present your work in a formal setting. You may earn university-level credit while engaging in sustained philosophical inquiry.

Why it stands out: You complete a faculty-guided major research project with a formal presentation in a credit-bearing online format.

10. Summer Session at Stanford University Philosophy Courses

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $4,515; might vary based on the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 22nd – August 13th
Application Deadline: December 15th
Eligibility: Current sophomore, junior, or senior; age 16-19 years; Also open to international students

The Stanford University Summer Session philosophy courses allow you to study alongside an international cohort while earning official academic credit and a university transcript.

Structured like an academic quarter, the program emphasizes self-directed learning, discussion-based classes, and analytical writing. You engage with foundational philosophical questions while developing skills in argument analysis, critical reasoning, and clear expression.

Why it stands out: Offers academically rigorous university-level philosophy courses within a flexible summer session framework.

11. Philosophy Courses at Brown Pre-College Programs

Location: Brown University, Providence, RI, or Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on the program; check details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies based on the course
Application Deadline: May 9th
Eligibility: Some courses are open to all high school students, while some are open only to rising 9th and 10th graders. International students are eligible

Philosophy courses within the Brown Pre-College Programs offer high school students the opportunity to study focused topics such as equality, justice, and logic within a structured university learning environment. You choose from specialized seminars like Equity and Justice: The Meaning of Equality in a Time of Systemic Oppression, Justice at Work and in the Family, and Logic & Paradox, alongside more than 300 interdisciplinary course options across fields.

Courses are typically discussion-based and emphasize argument analysis, conceptual clarity, and academic writing aligned with college-level expectations. You engage with contemporary ethical and social questions while developing formal reasoning and critical thinking skills through guided instruction. 

Why it stands out: Provides a wide range of specialized philosophy topics, allowing you to choose a focused area of inquiry within a large academic catalog.

12. Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp

Location: Ohio State University main campus, Columbus, Ohio
Cost/Stipend: $500; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: Session 1: July 13-17, Session 2: July 27-31
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students from anywhere

The Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp at The Ohio State University is a week-long, in-person program where you engage with core philosophical questions through structured inquiry and discussion. You join a community of inquiry to examine issues you care about while developing skills in argument analysis, reasoning, and reflective dialogue.

The camp offers two themed sessions, Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy and Identity, explored through guest lectures, debates, media, and interactive activities. You analyze questions about AI and consciousness, algorithmic bias, responsibility for technological outcomes, and the nature of personal and social identity. 

Why it stands out: Emphasizes structured reasoning and argument analysis through skill-focused critical thinking training.

13. ASU Philosophy Summer Camp

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost/Stipend: $400; no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No specific acceptance rate
Dates: June 1-5 (based on the previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: May 1 (based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12; graduating 8th-grade students are also eligible. International students can apply

The Arizona State University Philosophy Summer Camp at Arizona State University is a one-week, campus-based program where you examine civic virtues through structured philosophical inquiry. You engage with questions about open-mindedness, humility, empathy, disagreement, and community values using frameworks from ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, and philosophy of wellbeing. The program combines faculty guest lectures with guided discussions led by graduate students, focusing on argument analysis, perspective-taking, and reflective reasoning.

You participate in daytime sessions on campus, collaborate with peers in discussion-based activities, and apply philosophical concepts to contemporary social and political issues. The experience provides exposure to college-level philosophical study while emphasizing analytical thinking and dialogue in a university setting.

Why it stands out: It centers its philosophical study on civic virtues and real-world social disagreement through guided dialogue and community engagement.

14. Dharma Realm Buddhist University’s Summer Program in Contemplative Philosophy

Location: DRBU’s Sudhana Center campus, Ukiah, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; small cohort expected
Dates: 2 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Typically opens in the spring
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18; International students can apply

The Dharma Realm Buddhist University Summer Program in Contemplative Philosophy is a two-week, college-level experience for high school students held in Ukiah. Each day centers on three core components: a Seminar focused on reading and discussing philosophical texts; a Contemplative Exercise that explores similar questions; and an Arts Workshop where you express ideas through creative mediums.

You participate in electives, community activities, and guided exploration of the surrounding natural environment, alongside structured academic sessions led by university faculty. The program integrates intellectual inquiry with reflective practice, allowing you to engage with philosophy both analytically and experientially.

Why it stands out: Combines philosophical inquiry with contemplative practices drawn from Buddhist traditions.

15. Zephyr Institute’s Philosophy Camp

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $485; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited space
Dates: June 15-19
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; International students can apply

The philosophy camp at Zephyr Institute is a week-long summer day program focused on central problems in metaphysics. You examine questions about time, space, causation, material objects, and the nature of reality through close reading of classic and contemporary philosophical texts.

You engage in guided discussions that develop your ability to analyze abstract concepts and evaluate competing explanations about how the world is structured. The program emphasizes careful reasoning, conceptual clarity, and argument-based dialogue in a structured academic setting. You experience college-style philosophical inquiry while working through foundational debates in metaphysics.

Why it stands out: Focuses specifically on metaphysics through sustained analysis of classic and contemporary texts in a short, intensive format.

The Reading List Behind Sharper Thinking

You might spend a morning pulling apart a slippery argument, then finish the day writing a tighter one in your own voice.

In a philosophy summer school, you’ll debate real dilemmas like free will, fairness, and what makes a life meaningful, using evidence from texts, not opinions.

You’ll practise building claims step by step, spotting hidden assumptions, and responding to counterarguments without losing your point.

Want to keep stretching your thinking after the seminars end? Open our Philosophy Top Books Guide for the classic and modern reads that sharpen reasoning and deepen your perspective.