In high school, communicating clearly and confidently to an audience can be a handy skill to develop for the future. Whether you are presenting a class project, taking part in a debate, or sharing your ideas with others, strong communication skills can help you stand out. This is where structured programs come in. Public speaking programs offer an organized way to practice these skills and become more comfortable expressing their thoughts.

Imagine preparing a speech on an issue you care about, debating real-world topics with students from different places, or learning how to turn a simple idea into a strong presentation! Public speaking programs can give you the chance to present arguments, deliver talks, take part in mock and real debates, or present research projects on a social topic or a theme of your choice. 

Even if you are just getting started in the world of speech and debate, these programs can still be helpful. With guidance from mentors and instructors, you can improve your speaking skills, learn how to build strong arguments, and gain the confidence to share your ideas in public settings.

How to choose the right public speaking program?

Finding the right public speaking program can be tricky with the number of options available. Some programs focus mainly on debate and argumentation, while others emphasize storytelling, presentations, or general communication skills. The learning experience you get can vary depending on the program, so it is important to find an opportunity that aligns with your goals. 

Additionally, a variety of universities, debate institutes, and educational organizations offer programs that help students develop public speaking skills. Depending on the host’s focus, you might practice different debate formats, deliver speeches, work on research presentations, or receive feedback from experienced instructors.

To make your search easier, we have made a list of 15 public speaking programs for high school students. This selection focuses on options with strong learning opportunities, mentorship, and an emphasis on developing strong communication skills.

For adjacent opportunities, you can consider leadership summer schools. 

15 Public Speaking Programs for High School Students

1. TED Summer School 

Location: Online or in London, New York, or Singapore
Cost: Varies by format; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer program (multiple two-week sessions across locations and formats)
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; spots are limited
Eligibility: Students worldwide, ages 15- 18 (14-18 for the virtual programme); strong English proficiency is recommended.

TED Summer School is a two-week public speaking, communication, and leadership opportunity developed as a 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, you will learn core frameworks for idea development, storytelling, and presentation. The experience 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 learn more about the TED Summer School and access full guidance regarding eligibility, application steps, and deadlines on the application page.

Why it stands out: It helps you develop and deliver your own TED-style talk through expert coaching in storytelling and public speaking, building confidence, communication skills, and a strong portfolio output

2. Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops Public Forum Debate

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Residential: $4,149 | Commuter: $3,049
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28th – July 10th | July 12-24
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students around the world

Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops’ Public Forum Debate track offers in-person learning experiences to high school students at all levels. You will learn in small lab settings with a student-to-instructor ratio of 6:1, attend faculty lectures on debate concepts, and adopt public forum debate techniques and strategies.

You will learn how to analyze research topics, construct cases, develop winning argumentative and rhetorical strategies, and interact with peers from around the world. During the final two days, you will engage in tournament practice where you will be guided by the staff to refine your debating skills with each new round. 

Why it stands out: You will train in Public Forum debate through hands-on opportunities at the Harvard campus alongside a cohort of peers from diverse backgrounds.

3. Cornell International Debate Camp

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Residential: $3,750 | Commuter: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Residential: July 25th – August 3rd | Commuter: July 26th – August 2nd
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school and middle school students worldwide, ages 12 and up

Cornell International Debate Camp is an in-person opportunity to practice your debate skills. You will participate in adjacent tournament debates and practice exercises to refine your communication and reasoning skills. You will learn from experts, including the Cornell faculty and debate coaches, dive into the latest contemporary political topics, and learn debate techniques.

You will participate in debate challenges on impromptu and prepared topics. The program concludes with Cornell’s Debate Camp Tournament, which uses the World Schools Debate (WSD) format, to help you practice everything you learned at camp.

Why it stands out: It prepares you for competitive debates through tournaments, impromptu and prepared debates, and coaching from experts.

4. High School Public Speaking and Argumentation @ University of Miami

Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: $550 for one week | $1,000 for two weeks | $1,500 for three weeks + a non-refundable $75 application fee; 5% early bird discount if deposit paid by May 8th, and discounts for UM employees and siblings available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week 1: June 8-12 | Week 2: June 15-19 | Week 3: June 22-26
Application deadline: Not specified; full payment is due the Friday before each week’s program begins
Eligibility: Students of all ages from around the world, but recommended for rising 9th-12th graders

This day program, run by the University of Miami’s Hurricane Debate Institute, focuses on helping you build public speaking and argumentation skills through a mix of lectures, drills, group activities, and debates. You will practice a range of speech types, from informative and narrative speeches to poetry readings and impromptu talks, and explore formal debate formats including Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, and Policy Debate.

Group projects like mock Shark Tank pitches and simulated college and job interviews will give you a chance to apply your skills in real-world scenarios. You can register for one, two, or all three weeks, with each week covering different material. At the end of the program, you will receive a skills assessment and a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: The flexible one-, two-, or three-week structure lets you choose how much time you want to invest, and each week covers distinct content, so attending multiple weeks builds on what you have already learned rather than repeating it.

5. Northwestern University National High School Institute’s 4-Week Policy Debate Program

Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $3,500 + $60 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28th – July 25th
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students around the world entering 9th, 10th,11th, or 12th grade who rank academically close to the top 30% of their high school class

Northwester’s 4-Week Policy Debate Program is an intensive public speaking summer learning experience for high school students. You will learn the fundamentals of debate, attend lectures led by college and high school coaches, and participate in practice debates and speeches. You will also have the opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a specific annual debate topic, along with receiving guidance from experienced lab instructors.

The program is offered at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, allowing you to find an experience that aligns with your skills. You will engage in a range of learning activities every day, including line-by-line drills, clash drills, rebuttal redo, and full debates. You will also listen to guest speakers, receive direct feedback, and develop habits to build public speaking skills.

Why it stands out: It allows you to practice policy debate through drills, rebuttal exercises, and full debates while researching an annual debate topic with guidance from experienced coaches.

6. Baylor University Summer High School Debate Workshop

Location: Baylor University, Waco, TX
Cost: $1,025
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19-25
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students around the globe

Baylor University Summer High School Debate Workshop offers a one-week skills-development and learning experience for high school students interested in policy and public speaking. You can apply to the Policy Debate Workshop or the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Workshop. In the policy-debate workshop, you will attend lectures led by experienced workshop staff, engage in in-depth research and paperless debate practice through AirBear, and sharpen your debating skills.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debate Workshop follows a skill-specific format. You’ll attend theory lectures, participate in practice debates, and learn from experienced theorists whose works are published in scholarly journals.The program offers different levels of instruction, including novice, intermediate, and championship.

Why it stands out: It offers exposure to Policy and Lincoln–Douglas debate at novice, intermediate, or championship levels, as well as one-on-one interaction with the Baylor teaching staff.

7. Stanford National Forensic Institute (SNFI) Policy Debate Programs

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary by program
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students around the world

Stanford National Forensic Institute (SNFI) Policy Debate Programs offers multi-length debate-focused learning opportunities for high school students. You will engage in mock debates and rebuttals, develop critical thinking and debate strategies, and receive extensive feedback in any track you choose.

You will learn debate techniques from expert high school coaches through small lab sessions and develop skills in preparing case negatives, developing affirmatives, testing argument interactions, and engaging in tournament simulations. Some of the upcoming camps include a one-week policy Debate workout, a two-week core beginners policy program, and a three-week beginners policy experience.

Why it stands out: It offers multiple opportunities to engage in policy debate and learn how to build affirmative and negative cases in simulated tournament scenarios.

8. Richmond Debate Institute High School Camp @ Virginia Commonwealth University

Location: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business, Richmond, VA
Cost: $450 (day camp) | $1,495 (overnight)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27-31 (day camp) | July 26th – August 1st (overnight)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 13 and up

Richmond Debate Institute High School Camp is a one-week program focused on competitive speech and debate.The curriculum is designed to help you build self-confidence and develop critical thinking and communication skills. You will build skills in formats like Lincoln–Douglas Debate and Public Forum Debate, and explore key aspects across speech categories, including platform events, interpretation events, and extemporaneous events.

Social activities and opportunities to connect with peers are part of the experience. Social activities and opportunities to connect with peers are part of the experience. You will also prepare for a professionally judged tournament and celebrate your progress at a formal awards ceremony.

Why it stands out: It offers a focused introduction to speech and debate through classes, mock debates, speaking drills, and guest presentations, highlighting various speech categories and debate formats.

9. University of Washington Summer Stretch: Speech & Debate

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,400 tuition + $50 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30th – July 23rd
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from all nationalities in grades 7-10 

This four-week summer course is part of the University of Washington Robinson Center’s Summer Stretch program and is designed to introduce you to the competitive high school speech and debate world. As a participant, you will build skills in critical thinking, argumentation, persuasive writing, and public speaking through a mix of direct instruction, video analysis, group work, and performance feedback.

Each week has a different focus, starting with communication fundamentals, moving through various speech styles, then research-based debate formats, and finishing with a public performance. You will explore formats including Congressional Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum, and several speech styles like Humorous Interpretation and Impromptu. 

Why it stands out: It covers a wide range of competitive speech and debate formats, giving you a broad foundation that prepares you to participate in multiple events.

10. Emory University High School Debate Camps

Location: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: Resident: $2,200 | Commuter: $1,850
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31st – June 13th
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students around the globe

Emory University High School Debate Camps offer a two-week, hands-on debate-focused public speaking experience to high school students. You will learn from full-time debate coaches and nationally competitive college debaters, attend sessions based on your experience level, and engage in debates on policy resolution.

You will interact with peers who share your interests, engage in a fun learning environment, and experience life on the Emory campus. The lab discussions will allow you to develop strategic and technical debate skills. Sessions are led by Emory debate coaches and instructors from competitive debate programs across the U.S.

Why it stands out: The program helps you prepare for competitive debates by practicing flowing (taking notes), studying the coming year’s debate topic, and understanding the unique rules and arguments of debate.

11. University of Notre Dame Summer Scholars: Public Speaking and Debate 

Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $5,200 (includes application and enrollment fees, tuition, and room and board charge); need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: June 6-20 | Session II: June 27th – July 11th
Application deadline: February (exact date not specified)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (rising juniors and seniors) who are at least 16 years old by August 1 and in strong academic standing with extracurricular involvement; international applicants from non-English-speaking schools must submit English proficiency test scores.

This two-week residential course at the University of Notre Dame introduces you to public speaking and policy debate through a structured, two-stage format. In the first half, you will practice delivering short, informative, and persuasive speeches, with class activities drawing on examples from film and television to illustrate key communication concepts. The second half shifts toward research and debate, where you will use Notre Dame’s university library and electronic databases to build arguments.

You will also work in teams of three or four students and, on the final day, argue for or against a resolution that you and your team members will have developed together. The program caters to both complete beginners and students who have debated before.

Why it stands out: It offers you access to Notre Dame’s university library and research databases, helping you connect public speaking to academic research skills you will use in college.

12. Minnesota Urban Debate League Summer Speech & Debate Camps @ Augsburg University

Location: Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Varies by program format, type, and duration, but starts at $425; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August; dates vary by camp
Application deadline: Rolling; early bird discount deadline: March 29th; scholarship priority: March 1st
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; open to all backgrounds

Minnesota Urban Debate League Summer Speech & Debate Camp offers structured learning opportunities to high school students interested in exploring one or more debate formats. Camp offerings span various areas, including Policy camp, the Lincoln Douglas camp, Congress and public forum camps, speech, and argumentation and advocacy.

You will learn about case construction, speaking drills, connect with debate coaches and instructors, and receive personalized feedback. You will also understand the research workflow, participate in practice rounds, and interact with peers sharing similar interests. 

Why it stands out: It offers training in multiple debate formats and focused sessions on case construction, speaking drills, and debate rounds with guidance and personalized feedback from coaches.

13. University of Oxford’s Public Speaking Masterclass

Location: Rewley House, Oxford, UK
Cost: $913.5 (£685)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 8th
Application deadline: April 24th or when the program is full
Eligibility: Open to all 

This is a one-day, in-person workshop held at Rewley House focused on helping you build public speaking skills. You will learn how to structure and deliver a short speech, write a clear script, and present it with confidence. The program draws on auditory neuroscience, using techniques like rhythm, vocal variety, and repetition, to help you make your message more engaging and memorable for your audience.

You will take part in interactive exercises and receive real-time feedback on your delivery. By the end of the day, you will present a refined five-minute speech using everything you have practiced. On attending the full day, you will receive a University of Oxford digital certificate.

Why it stands out: The program applies auditory science principles to public speaking, an approach not commonly found in standard communication workshops.

14. Kansas State University Debate Summer Camp

Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Commuter (no meals): $700 | Commuter (with meals): $900 | Residential (with meals): $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20-27
Application deadline: June 30th
Eligibility: High school students worldwide

Kansas State University Debate Summer Camp is a college-level debate learning experience designed for high school students. You will engage in discussions on complex political and social issues, drills, argumentation, and lectures to build public speaking skills.

You will attend guest lectures led by topic experts, including Kansas State professors and practitioners, and receive valuable feedback. The program offers both commuter and residential options to help you engage in hands-on skills building on a college campus.

Why it stands out: The program offers expert instruction as well as one-on-one feedback from K-State professors, debaters, and debate coaches.

15. University of the Pacific’s Debate Camp

Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,800 (all-inclusive, two-week residential program; discounts available for Pacific alumni families and siblings)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1-11
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; no specific grade or age requirements listed

This two-week residential program, a part of the University of the Pacific’s Summer High School Institute, is designed to teach you the skills and strategies of competitive debate. You will learn from coaches and college students who lead Pacific’s speech and debate team, which has finished in the Top 10 nationally for seven consecutive years. You will also find opportunities to build soft skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and oral and written communication.

As a residential participant, you will live in the same dorms as Pacific’s college students, have access to campus dining, the fitness center, and evening activities ranging from movies and arts and crafts to swimming and basketball. The program ends with presentations on the final day of the session.

Why it stands out: You will learn directly from coaches and team members of a nationally top-ranked collegiate speech and debate program, gaining access to competitive-level instruction that is rare at the high school summer program level.

Unlocking Your Leadership Potential With Strong Vocal Presence

By joining any of the 15 public speaking programs mentioned here, you trade nervous habits for a clear, strong voice that people trust. 

These camps work like a lab for your personality where you learn to use body language and tone to grab attention and inspire others. 

This fast-paced training builds the exact communication and leadership habits you will find in our expert guides to help you reach your future goals. 

Check out our Personal Development blogs to build life skills with expert tips on communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence right now for your future!