Summer is a time to relax, recharge, and step away from school routines. But it can be an opportunity to grow, explore new ideas, and discover what learning looks like beyond the classroom. Summer programs in San Francisco for high school students offer exactly that: meaningful experiences that combine academic challenge, independence, and inspiration in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

Imagine starting your mornings in university classrooms overlooking the Bay, spending afternoons building projects in innovation labs, and ending the day exploring lively neighbourhoods with new friends. These programmes open a window into life in a city where technology, culture, and natural beauty come together.

But what if you already call San Francisco home? Then, these programs let you see the city from the fresh perspective of curiosity, independence, and energy of university life.

What kinds of summer programs in San Francisco for high school students?

But aren’t a lot of summer programs too expensive or too lacking in academic depth? True, some programs can be nothing but generic add-ons. That’s why the right guidance is important, so you can pick the programs that offer meaningful experiences.

Across San Francisco, renowned institutions offer summer opportunities in STEM, business, medicine, engineering, computer science, and the arts. Whether you’re diving into a new subject or deepening an existing passion, these programmes offer insight into future paths.

You’ll learn from exceptional professors and industry experts, engage in hands-on projects, and collaborate with motivated peers worldwide. These experiences will help you build confidence, independence, and teamwork skills.

You’ll need to put in effort once the program begins, but we’ll save you some work now. To help you pick, we’ve composed a list of 15 Summer Programs in San Francisco for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their academic rigor, mentorship opportunities, and strong reputations.

15 Summer Programs in San Francisco for High School Students

1. LINC Summer High School Program

Location: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants will receive an education award of $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12
Dates: June 17th – August 1st (Tuesdays to Fridays); break on June 30th – July 4th
Application Deadline: March 18th
Eligibility: Students who are Bay Area residents attending a public high school; special preference is given to 12th graders

In this six-week summer programme, you’ll take part in activities focused on community building, service learning, and local exploration. The program will require you to contribute to hands-on projects like habitat restoration, community cleanups, and more.

Simultaneously, you’ll develop skills like CV writing, interview readiness, and public speaking that prepare you for future careers. Joining other Bay Area students, you will also participate in fun activities like cooking, kayaking, or field games.

Why it stands out: It gives you immersive environmental science opportunities in one of America’s largest urban parks, helping you connect ecology with real-world conservation work.

2. Immerse Education’s San Francisco Summer School

Location: UC Berkeley, San Francisco
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average of 7 students per class
Dates: 5th Jul – 18th Jul, and 19th Jul – 1st Aug
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 15-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

Immerse Education’s Career Insights programme in San Francisco helps students aged 15–18 explore future careers in a leading innovation hub. Based at UC Berkeley, students live and learn on campus while studying entrepreneurship, software development, AI, marketing, and sustainability.

Teaching is led by industry experts, with small class sizes, practical workshops, and weekly one-to-one career coaching. Beyond academic learning, students take part in industry visits to places like the Volvo Innovation Hub, the Computer History Museum, and INSEAD’s Business Hub, alongside carefully curated city excursions.

Experiences such as visiting the Golden Gate Bridge or exploring neighbourhoods shaped by creativity and innovation help connect classroom learning to the real world. The programme concludes with a real-world project, detailed professional feedback, and a certificate, leaving students with clarity, confidence, and direction for future study and careers.

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. Norman Mineta High School Summer Academy

Location: Online and Bay Area Metro Center, San Francisco, CA, for the capstone project
Cost/Stipend: Stipends provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited slots
Dates: Required online sessions are held on Thursdays in July, and the capstone project is held on August 1st
Application Deadline: April 27th (tentatively)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade, are at least 15 years old, and live and attend a high school in the Bay Area

This summer academy programme suits high school students, particularly from the Bay Area, exploring career options in the public sector. Your schedule will include engaging activities that will help you learn about transportation planning, housing, environmental justice, and air quality management from partner agencies.

You will learn from one of the following government agencies: the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the Bay Area Air District (Air District). At the end of the programme, you’re eligible to receive a completion certificate and participate in a capstone competition.

Why it stands out: It introduces you to public transportation and civil-infrastructure careers early, helping you explore engineering and urban planning pathways.

4. Pacific Summer High School Institute

Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost/Stipend: $3800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by subject track
Dates: June 1st – 11th for Session 1 and June 16 – 26 for Session 2
Application Deadline: November – May (exact dates vary by subject track)
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders worldwide (including high school students from San Francisco)

This two-week residential programme lets you experience college life, including both academic study and extracurricular activities. As part of the curriculum, you’ll attend lectures on cutting-edge topics and work in the university’s labs and studios.

While applying, you can choose one of the many subject tracks available that all fall under one of the five disciplines: Arts and Humanities, Business and Society, Engineering and Technology, Health and Science, and Athletics. Note: your session depends on your selected track, as some subjects are only offered in one session.

Why it stands out: It offers a broad academic and campus-life experience in a liberal-arts setting, helping you preview college academics and campus living.

5. Program for the Investigation and Training in Careers in Health (PITCH)

Location: UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 6th – 24th
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-graders with a minimum GPA of 2.5

PITCH supports high school students who aspire to healthcare careers but lack the financial resources to pursue them. As an applicant, you’ll receive priority if you come from a low-income household or are a first-generation student.

If selected, you will attend the program for three weeks, during which you will communicate with professionals who will give you an insight into the health career landscape. You will complete projects related to critical health topics with the assistance of UCSF professors. The program also includes college preparatory sessions. 

Why it stands out: It places you in real medical research settings, helping you explore healthcare, public health, and translational medicine firsthand.

6. CCA Pre-College

Location: California College of the Arts (CCA), San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Estimated to be $8,075 for residential participants and $5,615 for commuter students (need-based and merit-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The overall acceptance rate at CCA is 91%
Dates: July 6th – 31st
Application Deadline: September 23rd – June 10th
Eligibility: Students worldwide who have completed grades 10–12 and are aged 15–18 during the programme.

The CCA Pre-College is a summer programme that prepares you for art or design school while boosting creativity. You will spend your time in the program creating and perfecting your portfolio to submit along with your college applications. Surrounded by industry experts and passionate artists, you’ll be in an environment that encourages you to unleash artistic ideas.

In addition to working on your portfolio, you also get to take college-level classes in one of the offered subjects, like animation (3D), fashion design, communication design, and more, while earning three credits for them.

Why it stands out: It gives studio-based art and design education in a top arts school, helping you build creative skills and a strong portfolio.

7. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends are provided, but amounts vary each year.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: More than 200 students have participated since 2012
Dates: June 16th – July 25th
Application Deadline: December 1st – February 14th
Eligibility: 10th-grade students with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and residing in the following cities: East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City

This internship program gives you an inside look at the operations of a social media company like Meta. By working in one of its teams, you’ll develop soft skills including leadership, communication, self-reflection, teamwork, and networking.

During this six-week program, you will also learn to code. You will also have the opportunity to discover future career opportunities. Overall, the MSA program aims to prepare you for future college and career roles. 

Why it stands out: It offers tech- and media-driven summer learning modules, helping you build 21st-century skills in coding, design, and innovation.

8. Science and Health Education Partnership’s High School Intern Program

Location: University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free. A stipend of $3200 for 25 hours per week and $4500 for 35 hours per week (provided at the end of the internship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 positions available
Dates: June 8th – July 31st
Application Deadline: February 8th
Eligibility: Rising senior from an SFUSD high school or SF charter schools

In the eight-week Science and Health Partnership Intern Program, you’ll work under a UCSF scientist on biomedical research. This scientist will also mentor you, teaching lab techniques and how to use scientific literature in your research. Through your work, you’ll gain knowledge in topics like infectious disease, neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, cancer, and stem cell research.

Additionally, your schedule will also include you sitting with other interns and discussing your projects. You’ll also join college counselling sessions, including writing workshops, individual meetings with a counsellor, and college tours.

Why it stands out: It gives you experience in biomedical research or clinical support, helping you understand medical careers early.

9. SF YouthWorks Summer Internship

Location: Multiple San Francisco public department offices
Cost/Stipend: Free; A Stipend of $19.18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 16th – August 3rd
Application Deadline: February 14th – April 11th
Eligibility: Rising 11th to 12th graders who are enrolled in a school based in San Francisco

This paid summer internship programme is one of the most practical summer programs in San Francisco for high school students, allowing you to work directly with the city government. As an intern, you’ll join departments such as the Public Utilities Commission, Public Library, SF International Airport, or one of more than 30 other agencies.

Regardless of department, you’ll contribute to real-world projects that strengthen your communication, organization, and teamwork skills. The SF YouthWorks also has sessions where you receive mentorship, career guidance, and support for college planning. You’ll attend workshops, meet with supervisors, and get an inside look at how public service careers operate.

Why it stands out: It connects youth to community-based jobs and mentorship, helping you gain work experience and civic engagement skills before college.

10. Academy of Art University’s Pre-College Art & Design Experience (PCADE)

Location: Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the subject track
Dates: June 15th – 24th (Mondays to Thursdays); Spring and Fall cohorts are also available
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students who are below 19 years old

Whether exploring art for the first time or already sketching or designing, this programme supports both beginners and creatives. This pre-college program gives you various options to choose from, including but not limited to animation, game design, fashion, fine art, photography, and filmmaking.

An expert from your chosen field will conduct your college-level courses. During your participation, you’ll work on projects that may be showcased at the final exhibition on June 25.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in intensive art and design training at a professional art school, helping you build a competitive portfolio.

11. SFUSD Summer School Geometry

Location: Lowell High School, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats
Dates: June 10th – July 18th; break on June 19th and July 4th
Application Deadline: March 14th
Eligibility: SFUSD 9th graders who completed CCSS Algebra 1 with a grade of A or B and would like to take CCSS Algebra 2 in 10th grade; preference is given to students with financial needs

This summer programme teaches algebra concepts and lets you work on sums with San Francisco Unified School District students. With an academic year’s worth of syllabus packed into six weeks, this program is quite intensive.

You will finish 10 units of CCSS Geometry. For this reason, the program has a schedule-packed curriculum, and it is recommended that you attend every day without fail. Students who miss more than three days will be dismissed.  

Why it stands out: It strengthens your mathematics foundation in a focused, accelerated format, helping you be better prepared for advanced STEM coursework.

12. Foodwise Teens

Location: The Academy – San Francisco @ McAteer, San Francisco, CA (Tuesdays) and John O’Connell Technical High School, San Francisco, CA (Thursdays)
Cost/Stipend: Free to SFUSD students at participating schools
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Fall (10 weeks), Spring (10 weeks), Summer (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open six weeks before each session start date
Eligibility: 9th to 12th graders

This structured programme includes 10 weeks of after-school Seed sessions exploring the food system and local food community. In the next 10-week session, called Grow, you will contribute to projects. Then, in the Cultivate phase, you will have the opportunity to work in gardens, kitchens, and farmers’ markets, thus gaining a better understanding of the concept of food justice.

Through this, you will discover career prospects in the food community while simultaneously developing your leadership and stewardship skills. Ultimately, the program’s goal is to teach you how to bring about a sustainable, equitable, and nourishing food future. 

Why it stands out: It teaches sustainable agriculture and nutrition education, helping you develop awareness of food systems, health, and community engagement.

13. Project Pull Internship

Location: City and County of San Francisco departments
Cost/Stipend: Free; a stipend of $19.25 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department
Dates: June 9th – August 1st
Application Deadline: February 17th
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders, or first-year college students, who live or attend school in San Francisco and have a GPA of 2.75 in their latest semester

As a Project Pull intern, you’ll join a County of San Francisco department, including business, architecture, or engineering. In addition to gaining work experience, your mentor will teach key skills like leadership, teamwork, and project management.

You’ll contribute to public sector projects, learn civic pride and community service, and gain exposure to government business operations. There are also professional development workshops and opportunities to network with professionals in the public sector. 

Why it stands out: It offers youth development and mentorship opportunities, helping you build leadership, civic awareness, and community service experience.

14. Enterprise for Youth – Summer Paid Internships

Location: San Francisco, California
Cost/Stipend: Free; a stipend of $20 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available; limited spots
Dates: June 9th – July 31st
Application Deadline: April 15th
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders from an SFUSD school, and/or San Francisco residents; preference is given to participants who attended Enterprise for Youth’s Job Readiness Training

Enterprise for Youth is an eight-week internship program where you will work in one or more of the following sectors: professional services, small business, tech, healthcare, nonprofit, climate, culinary, retail, and legal/financial services, gaining real-world experience.

Simultaneously, the program also includes professional development workshops through which you will develop workplace skills, job contexts, and peer communities. This programme suits high school students seeking summer work experience while developing key soft skills.

Why it stands out: It provides career readiness training and job placement, helping you gain work experience, soft skills, and clarity on career options before college.

15. Nueva Summer Camp: Upper School Parliamentary and Public Forum Debate Camp

Location: The Nueva School | Hillsborough Campus, Hillsborough, CA
Cost/Stipend: $850/week + $50 registration fee per student.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; seats are limited
Dates: July 13th – 24th
Application Deadline: Opens March 3rd
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders from around the world

The Nueva Summer is a diverse camp that covers everything from literature, art, and debate to design and engineering. As a high school student, you can participate in the debate camp, which prepares you for competitive parliamentary debates.

The programme suits students trying debate for the first time, as well as high schoolers with prior experience. Through the camp’s training, previous participants have gone on to win in Indivitationals and CHSSA States tournaments. Note: the two-week camp is divided into two one-week sessions; you can participate in either or both sessions. 

Why it stands out: It offers academic enrichment and creative learning outside traditional school structure, helping you explore interests and build learning skills early.

Turning a San Francisco Summer Into a Launchpad

Summer in San Francisco offers more than time off. It places you among fog-lined hills, historic campuses, and waterfront classrooms where learning connects to the city.

You might code near innovation hubs, research health beside Mission Bay labs, or design in art studios.

These 15 summer programs in San Francisco for high school students turn the city into a learning space, helping you connect interests with places and purpose.

If San Francisco has sparked new career ideas, our Career Exploration blogs help you explore where that momentum could take you next.