15 Summer Programs for 9th Graders

Summer programs for 9th graders are a great way to explore new interests, develop practical skills, and experience learning beyond the classroom. Whether you’re interested in engineering, medicine, business, journalism, artificial intelligence, finance, or scientific research, these programs can help you build knowledge, meet like-minded peers, and gain exposure to subjects that may shape your future academic journey.

Many of them also provide opportunities to work with university faculty, industry professionals, and mentors while participating in hands-on projects, workshops, research, and collaborative activities. These experiences can help you strengthen your academic profile, develop transferable skills, and gain a better understanding of potential college majors and career paths.

They can also act as a foundation for your college journey, giving you a taste of what university life is like at a top institution, in person.

What types of summer programs are available for 9th graders?

Summer programs for 9th graders cover a wide range of academic disciplines and learning formats. Some focus on STEM subjects through laboratory research, coding, engineering design, or data science, while others emphasize business, entrepreneurship, finance, journalism, leadership, or the social sciences. Depending on the program, you may attend lectures, participate in team projects, conduct research, or complete independent assignments.

With so many options available, choosing the right program depends on your interests, goals, and preferred learning style. Some programs are fully funded, while others are residential, commuter, virtual, or hybrid. Identifying the type of experience you’re looking for can help you make the most of your summer while exploring subjects that genuinely interest you.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer programs for 9th graders. I selected these programs based on factors such as academic quality, hands-on learning opportunities, mentorship, skill development, and the overall value they offer to students looking to make the most of their summer.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online research program.

Key takeaways

The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is completely free but restricted to students residing in specific Los Angeles communities surrounding USC’s campuses.
Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme spans eight locations, including Boston, Cambridge, and Singapore, with small classes of seven to 10 students open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.
Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs offer residential, commuter, and online formats ranging from $2,868 to $12,838, with younger 9th graders limited to commuter or online options until they turn 16.
NYU’s Summer Program on Machine Learning costs $3,180 and requires completed precalculus coursework along with prior programming experience.
UCLA’s Introduction to Investments costs approximately $3,156 and offers the rare opportunity for 9th graders to earn actual college credit within a top-ranked economics department.
Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy costs $10,050 plus a $100 application fee, though scholarships are reserved exclusively for students attending Philadelphia public or charter high schools.
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship costs $2,400 plus a $45 application fee and restricts eligibility to students currently attending a US high school.
Program costs for 9th grade summer programs range from free options like the Annenberg Youth Academy and NYU Tandon’s ieSoSC to over $10,050 for Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy.

15 Summer Programs for 9th Graders

1. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement

Location: USC Annenberg, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Dates: June 15th – July 2nd
Application Deadline: April 19th
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors residing in and attending schools in specific Los Angeles communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science Campuses; not open to international students

Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement offers a three-week intensive learning opportunity to 9th graders. You’ll gain knowledge through first-year university-level courses and understand the important role of journalism and media communications in forming innovative thought leaders with a civic mindset.

You’ll develop valuable 21st-century skills such as multimedia production, critical thought, ethnography, writing, interviewing, debate, and public speech. The program will allow you to interact with practitioners and scholars involved in interdisciplinary problem-solving while exploring undergraduate programs, careers, and services in the field of media and communications.

Why it stands out: You will explore media, journalism, and civic engagement through university-level coursework while developing skills in multimedia production, communication, critical thinking, and public speaking.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

A group of high school students sitting around a table with laptops and water bottles on it, listening to someone speaking.

Location: Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students across the globe aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from eminent top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning.

You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll get an early start at university life and academics because the program includes an independent project, discussion-based classes, and living at a college campus.

3. Albers Summer Business Institute (SBI) – Seattle University

Location: Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA (residential)
Cost: $1,500 + $50 nonrefundable registration deposit; scholarships are available
Dates: July 19-25
Application Deadline: April 25th (priority deadline)
Eligibility: Current 9th – 11th grade students interested in business; international student eligibility not specified

Albers Summer Business Institute (SBI) – Seattle University allows 9th and 11th-grade high school students to explore their interest in business. You’ll attend classes led by professors at Seattle University, work on team projects, and go on company visits. The program offers a residential, credit-based learning experience and allows you to gain knowledge about different business disciplines.

You’ll engage with coursework, enjoy excursions, and also get to participate in co-curricular activities. Along with gaining knowledge in business, you’ll also gain access to valuable resources, receive guidance in career development, financial literacy, and college planning.

Why it stands out: You will explore the fundamentals of business through college-level classes, team projects, and company visits while developing leadership, financial literacy, and career readiness skills.

4. University of South Florida’s Bulls Finance Camp

Location: University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL
Cost: $750
Dates: June 22-26; July 14-18
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders; international students are welcome

University of South Florida’s Bulls Finance Camp offers a hands-on learning experience to 9th-grade high school students. You’ll explore fintech, investing, and finance while learning from experts at USF. You’ll gain knowledge about a range of concepts, including personal finance, investments, corporate finance, financial planning, and more.

You’ll be taught by experts at USF Federal Credit Union, along with the experienced USF faculty. The program allows you to engage in real-world learning and gain practical and valuable insights into the field of finance.

Why it stands out: You will explore investing, personal finance, corporate finance, and fintech through hands-on activities while learning from university faculty and industry professionals.

5. NeuroCamp Summer High School Program by UCLA

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Dates: Week 1: June 16-18; Week 2: June 22-26
Application Deadline: April 19th
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 who reside in Los Angeles County; U.S. citizens and permanent residents; not open to international students

The NeuroCamp Summer High School Program by UCLA offers a no-cost learning experience to high school students. You’ll have the opportunity to explore neuroscience fundamentals and gain knowledge about different laboratory techniques in Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, and Molecular Neurobiology.

The program aims to introduce you to neuroscience research and to develop your interest in exploring careers and educational pathways across different areas of science. Past participants have explored topics such as neuroplasticity while interacting with like-minded peers and learning in a supportive environment.

Why it stands out: You will gain hands-on experience in neuroscience by learning laboratory techniques, exploring topics such as neuroplasticity, and developing foundational research skills.

6. Columbia University – Pre-College Programs

Location: Columbia University Morningside Campus, New York City, New York
Cost: Residential: $12,838; Commuter: $2,883 – $6,381; Online: $2,868 – $4018 + $80 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: Summer residential sessions: Session A, June 29th – July 17th; Session B, July 21st – August 7th; Session AB (6 weeks), June 29th – August 7th; one-week and two-week commuter and online sessions also run between June 22nd and August 7th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 9th through current 12th grade students; residential option limited to students 15 or older who turn 16 by December 31st of the program year (younger 9th graders may choose commuter or online formats); open to international students

In this program, you join a community of motivated high school students from around the world for an Ivy League academic immersion. You choose one in-depth course from over 70 options across a dozen subject areas, spending about four hours in class each weekday with a two-hour midday break, in fields ranging from engineering and computer programming to creative writing, business, and law.

Expert instructors challenge you to think independently, critically, and creatively through discussion-driven, non-credit coursework that emphasizes learning over grades. Outside class, you attend faculty lectures, college prep workshops, and community-building activities across Columbia’s 36-acre campus. Successful completion earns you a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an instructor evaluation letter.

Why it stands out: It gives high school students an authentic, residential-optional Ivy League experience in New York City, combining a single intensive course from a catalog of 70+ subjects with daily campus life and college preparation workshops.

7. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) – NYU Tandon

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY (in-person)
Cost: None
Dates: Session 1: July 6th – August 7th; Session 2: July 13th – August 7th
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Current 9th – 11th grade students residing in New York City or Nassau County; not open to international students

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) – NYU Tandon offers a no-cost learning experience to high school students, including 9th graders. You’ll learn through a combination of technology, science, and entrepreneurship. You’ll work on hands-on projects in tech, receive expert training in entrepreneurship, and while also participating in theatre-based workshops.

The program will help you develop technical skills and engage in the ideation and prototyping of your service or product. You’ll learn to deliver an effective business pitch, understand the concept of company branding, and gain in-depth knowledge in coding and electronics.

Why it stands out: You will combine technology, entrepreneurship, and design through hands-on projects while developing skills in coding, electronics, prototyping, branding, and business pitching.

8. Stanford EXPLORE: A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research

An instructor explaining math concepts on a chalkboard as students listen

Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, or Virtual
Cost: In-person: $3,200 ($800/week); Virtual: $2,400 ($600/week)
Dates: July 6-31
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served until full
Eligibility: Grades 9th – 12th students; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students

Stanford EXPLORE offers an immersive, lecture-based learning experience to high school students. You’ll explore the latest research in a particular area while also learning about different research techniques applied. You’ll gain knowledge about many different research areas, including immunology, bioinformatics, bioengineering, regenerative and stem cell medicine, cancer biology, and neuroscience.

The program offers lectures led by experienced University faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. You’ll have the opportunity to learn in person or virtually, depending on your preference.

Why it stands out: You will explore current biomedical research through expert-led lectures while gaining an understanding of modern research methods and emerging scientific fields.

9. PWFEC Wealth Management Camp

Location: North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Cost: $50
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: June 1st
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students; not open to international students

PWFEC Wealth Management Camp offers a one-week learning opportunity to high school students, including 9th graders. You’ll explore the fundamentals of wealth management and personal finance while developing real-world skills in the field. You’ll participate in interactive lessons, engage in group-based challenges, and participate in other hands-on activities.

You’ll have the chance to compete with peers and win prizes both individually and in teams. By the end of the program, along with the competition prizes, you’ll also receive a camp t-shirt and a certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: You will learn the basics of wealth management and personal finance while participating in hands-on activities, financial challenges, and collaborative learning experiences.

10. NYU’s Summer Program on Machine Learning

A group of students sitting at the edge of a table and looking at something on a laptop.

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,180
Dates: Session 1: June 15-27; Session 2: July 6-17; Session 3: July 20-31
Application Deadline: Session 1: April 17th; Session 2 & 3: May 1st
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th grade students who have completed precalculus and have programming experience; open to international students

NYU’s Summer Program on Machine Learning allows high school students to explore the basics of machine learning. It covers several topics, including artificial intelligence, computer science, data analysis, and mathematical techniques. You’ll explore real-world machine learning applications and learn about ML programming.

Some of the concepts covered through the program include real-time traffic control and monitoring, the latest medical technologies helpful in diagnostics, interactive voice controls from homes, image and video recognition, and more technologies applied in daily life. The program spans two weeks and allows you to gain knowledge from experienced faculty and graduate researchers.

Why it stands out: You will explore the fundamentals of machine learning through programming and real-world applications while developing skills in artificial intelligence, data analysis, and computational problem-solving.

11. UCLA’s Pre-College Summer Institutes – Introduction to Investments

Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA (commuter program) and Virtual
Cost: $3,156 (estimated); financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: July 13-31 (Commuter); Session B: July 13-31 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: July 3rd
Eligibility: 9th – 12th graders ages 15 and above; minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA; open to international students

UCLA Summer Pre-College Focus Series – Introduction to Investments is a 10-day program for 9th graders. The program includes lectures, discussion sessions, and allows you to participate in analyzing case studies. You’ll gain knowledge about different concepts, including venture capital, money, banking and cycles, careers in finance, personal investments, international investing, stock ownership, bonds, commodities, private equity and hedge funds, and more.

A unique feature of this institute is the rare opportunity to earn actual college credit while studying within one of the world’s top-ranked economics departments. You’ll gain fundamental knowledge in financial literacy and learn from experienced faculty and economics majors at UCLA.

Why it stands out: You will learn the basics of investing through case studies and discussions while gaining an understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and personal finance.

12. Brown University Pre-College Online

Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,364 – $6,520 (varies by course length); scholarships are available
Dates: June 15th – July 24th (Multiple sessions)
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students worldwide; ages 14-18 by June 14th

Brown University Pre-College Online offers multi-length learning sessions to high school students. You’ll participate in virtual workshops and other activities while having the opportunity to interact with other students.

The program allows you to explore a range of study areas based on your interest, including business, economics and legal studies, engineering and technology, psychology and social sciences, medical and health studies, literature, writing and communications, and more. You’ll be taught by expert instructors, attend classes, and engage in college-level learning without formal grading pressure.

Why it stands out: You will explore college-level academics through interactive online classes and workshops while learning from expert instructors and engaging with peers from around the world.

13. NYU IDEA Program

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Costs depend upon the Partnership Package
Dates: Typically a two-week summer program
Application Deadline: Not publicly specified; enrollment is coordinated directly through partner organizations
Eligibility: Current 9th through 12th-grade high school students, ages 15 and older; open to international students

THE NYU IDEA Program offers a two-week learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge in AI fundamentals, work on research projects, and engage in the analysis of business case studies. You’ll explore product development from ideation to implementation, and learn about AI theories, research advancements, and applications.

The program helps you develop entrepreneurial thinking and work on real-world solutions for problems in public sector industries. Along with academic and practical learning, the program also includes college tours to specific Northeast universities.

Why it stands out: You will explore artificial intelligence through research, business case studies, and product development while building entrepreneurial thinking and developing AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges.

14. Penn’s Summer Academies: Biomedical Research Academy

Location: Penn Arts & Sciences, Market Street, PA
Cost: $10,050 + a $100 non-refundable application fee; scholarships are available exclusively to select students attending a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school
Dates: July 11th – August 1st
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: Grades 9th – 11th high school students; one year of high school biology completed before the program begins; minimum 3.5 GPA; international students are welcome

In this program, you’ll attend lectures, participate in laboratory experiments, and engage in faculty-led guest talk sessions and team-based research investigations. The program allows students to explore different topics every year. Examples of some topics covered during previous years include genome sequencing, antibiotic resistance, vaccine research, bioethics, CRISPR/Cas-9, and more.

You’ll be taught by a range of professionals, including faculty members, scientists, and clinicians. The program offers you access to wet laboratories along with computational labs. You’ll have the chance to participate in a journal club and engage in research-focused reading, analysis, and interpretation. As the program concludes, you’ll get to share the articles you’ve read with others.

Why it stands out: You will experience the biomedical research process through laboratory experiments, computational research, journal club discussions, and collaborative investigations while learning from scientists, clinicians, and Penn faculty.

15. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Session A: June 15-26; Session B: July 6-17
Application Deadline: February 20th
Eligibility: Grades 9th – 12th high school students (ages 14 and above); currently attending a US high school; not open to international students

Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship offers a two-week virtual learning experience to high school students. You’ll attend introductory and technical lectures, engage in collaborative and mentored research, and explore hands-on projects. The program will help you understand the applications of AI in research and clinical settings.

You’ll cover a range of topics including datasets, machine learning basics, model evaluation, clinical applications, responsible AI, and medical imaging AI. You’ll be paired with Stanford Student Leads and research mentors while working in teams developing problem-solving skills. The program also includes Meet the Speaker series and offers community and social engagement opportunities.

Why it stands out: You will explore the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare through mentored research, team projects, and expert-led lectures while developing skills in machine learning, medical imaging, and responsible AI.

Frequently asked questions: Summer programs for 9th graders

Are summer programs for 9th graders open to international students?

Eligibility is mixed. Several programs, including the Annenberg Youth Academy, NeuroCamp at UCLA, and NYU Tandon’s ieSoSC, restrict eligibility to US residents in specific regions. However, Columbia’s Pre-College Programs, Brown Pre-College Online, and the University of South Florida’s Bulls Finance Camp all explicitly welcome international students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is also open globally to students aged 13 to 18.

How much do summer programs for 9th graders cost?

Costs range from completely free to over $10,000. Free options include the Annenberg Youth Academy, NeuroCamp, and NYU Tandon’s ieSoSC. Mid-range programs like the PWFEC Wealth Management Camp cost just $50, while UCLA’s Introduction to Investments costs around $3,156. Premium options include Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy at $10,050 and Stanford EXPLORE’s in-person track at $3,200. Financial aid is available for many programs.

Are there programs specifically designed for 9th graders, or are most meant for older students?

Most programs in this list accept 9th graders as part of a broader grade range rather than being exclusively designed for this age group. A few, like the Albers Summer Business Institute, specifically welcome 9th through 11th graders. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme sets a broader age range starting at 13, making it accessible without excluding younger high schoolers the way some older-skewing pre-college programs implicitly do.

What subjects can a 9th grader explore in a summer program?

Subject offerings span finance, media, neuroscience, and technology. The Bulls Finance Camp and UCLA’s Introduction to Investments focus on financial literacy and investing, while NYU’s Summer Program on Machine Learning and the NYU IDEA Program cover AI and entrepreneurship. Stanford EXPLORE offers broad biomedical research exposure across multiple specialties, useful if you’re not yet sure which STEM field interests you most.

How selective are summer programs for 9th graders?

Selectivity varies considerably. Penn’s Biomedical Research Academy requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and completed high school biology, while NeuroCamp at UCLA is competitive with a small cohort size. Other programs, like the PWFEC Wealth Management Camp or Stanford EXPLORE, use more open, first-come enrollment. Regardless of selectivity, meeting prerequisite coursework, like completed precalculus for NYU’s Machine Learning program, matters as much as overall academic strength.

Is Immerse Education a good option for a 9th grader exploring academic interests?

Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Programme is well-suited to this age group, since it’s specifically designed for students aged 13 to 18 across eight global locations, including Boston, Cambridge, and Tokyo. You’ll study in small groups of seven to 10 students, working on hands-on projects like designing a robotic arm in engineering or building a creative writing portfolio. You’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and earn a certificate of completion, offering a low-pressure way to explore interests well before committing to a specific academic direction.