If you’re a high school student thinking about college, academic enrichment, or exploring new interests, summer doesn’t have to be just a break from school; it can be a chance to stretch your intellectual muscles in meaningful ways. Summer schools in Boston offer just that: structured, purposeful learning experiences in an academically vibrant city.

Imagine spending your summer on historic campuses, attending university-level seminars, or collaborating with peers who share your curiosity. Picture yourself walking through neighborhoods like Back Bay, Fenway, or Cambridge between sessions. Boston’s unmatched array of universities, cultural institutions, and innovation hubs makes it an ideal backdrop for summer learning that goes beyond a traditional classroom.

Even if you already live nearby, joining a summer school in Boston can be transformative. You’ll be challenged to think more deeply, engage with complex material, and build confidence in environments designed to prepare students for future study.

How do you choose the right summer schools in Boston as a high school student?

Some programs can feel superficial or overly focused on busywork rather than meaningful challenge. That’s why careful selection matters. The most valuable summer schools balance academic rigor with real opportunities for growth.

Across Boston, universities and educational organizations offer summer school programs in fields such as STEM, humanities, business, writing, medicine, social sciences, and the arts. Whether you’re exploring a potential major or diving deeper into a subject you already love, these programs provide structured learning with expert instruction and opportunities for collaboration and discovery.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, take part in discussions and projects, and collaborate with motivated peers from around the world. Along the way, you’ll sharpen critical thinking, develop new skills, and gain insight into what college-level study actually feels like.

To help you start your journey, we’ve curated a list of 15 Summer Schools in Boston for High School Students.

For more options, you can consider pre-college programs in Massachusetts.

15 Summer Schools in Boston for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s Boston Summer School

Location: Suffolk University, Boston
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students 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. 

Participants 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 a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

2. RISE Internship / Practicum

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition: $5,930 + $75 application fee + other housing/dining/service fee. Check complete details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 190 students
Dates: June 28th – August 7th
Application Deadline: February 4th
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens/permanent residents entering senior year (12th grade) in the fall

The RISE Internship/Practicum at Boston University is a six-week summer research program for high school juniors that takes place in a university laboratory setting. In the Internship track, you spend approximately 40 hours per week working on mentor-guided research projects across fields such as biology, engineering, computer science, physics, or public health while developing technical and analytical research skills.

The Practicum track offers a more structured format, combining daily lectures with guided group research that mirrors university lab procedures. Across both tracks, you participate in skill-building workshops, interact with researchers, and present your work at a concluding Poster Symposium. The program emphasizes hands-on research experience, mentorship, and exposure to the scientific process within an academic environment.

Why it stands out: You gain sustained, full-time research experience in a university lab while presenting original work in a formal symposium setting, closely reflecting real academic research practice

3. Harvard’s Data Science in Action Program

Location: Countway Library, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Registration Cost: $50
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Part 1: June 29th – July 3rd, Part 2: July 6th – July 17th
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: High school students who have a basic understanding of algebra. Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply. International students can participate

This two-week summer program introduces you to machine learning, statistics, and Python through a hands-on engineering project. You learn core AI concepts such as image classification, neural networks, and data analysis while working in teams to program a self-driving toy car using a Raspberry Pi. The program begins with virtual, self-paced instruction to build coding and statistical foundations, followed by an in-person experience focused on applied machine learning.

You’ll collaborate on programming exercises, receive guidance from teaching assistants, and gain exposure to how AI is used in fields like biomedicine. The program concludes with a final demo where you train your own image-recognition model and deploy it in a working autonomous system.

Why it stands out: You experience the full machine learning pipeline, from data collection to deployment, through a tangible, real-world project.

4. Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program – Summer Only

Location: Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend will be provided; Amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 15th – August 7th
Application Deadline: February 6th
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old, reside/attend school in Massachusetts

The CURE Program is a full-time, paid summer research internship lasting 7–11 weeks for students interested in biomedical and cancer research. You are paired with a research mentor and work on authentic, hands-on projects in an academic research setting, gaining experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific inquiry. Alongside lab work, you participate in seminars, journal clubs, and training on responsible research practices to build core scientific skills.

The program also emphasizes professional development through resume workshops, career exploration sessions, and networking events with researchers and clinicians.The experience concludes with a formal research presentation where you share your findings with the CURE community.

Why it stands out: CURE combines paid, mentor-led biomedical research with structured professional training and a strong research-focused network.

5. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22nd – July 30th
Application Deadline: March 2nd
Eligibility: Students entering 12th grade in the fall (current juniors) who reside in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the University

Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program offers Massachusetts high school students early access to university-level research in engineering, science, and health sciences. You will work in active research laboratories, contributing to ongoing projects in areas such as biomedical engineering, applied physics, and human health technologies, while learning directly from faculty and graduate mentors.

The program combines lab work with structured seminars that introduce multiple engineering disciplines and emerging research areas. You will also receive college and career counseling, gaining clarity on engineering majors, cooperative education, and career pathways in STEM. Field trips to corporate and government research sites further connect academic research to real-world applications.

Why it stands out: The program is completely free and research-focused, allowing you to gain hands-on lab experience and industry exposure at a major research university while still in high school.

6. Boston Architectural College (BAC) Summer Academy

Location: Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA; Virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Not for Credit: $1,800; Credit Bearing: $2,000 for 3 credits; Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6-31
Application Deadline: June 22nd
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 and older. International students can participate

The Boston Architectural College (BAC) Summer Academy is a four-week, studio-based program designed for high school students interested in architecture and design. You work in small studios of around 8–10 students, closely mirroring how professional design studios operate. The program offers two tracks: the Exploration Track, which introduces you to multiple design disciplines and foundational skills, and the Investigation Track, which allows a deeper focus on areas such as architecture or interior design.

Throughout the program, you engage in hands-on work, including sketching, digital design, model making, fabrication, and presentations, supported by lectures, workshops, and site visits. Regular critiques from practicing architects and designers help you refine your ideas and understand professional expectations. The academy concludes with a final pin-up and a digital portfolio that documents your studio work.

Why it stands out: BAC Summer Academy replicates the structure and pace of a real architecture studio, giving you meaningful exposure to professional design workflows and critique-driven learning before you ever step into architecture school.

7. Massachusetts General Hospital’s Youth Neurology Education and Research Program

Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid opportunities
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: June 30th – August 8th
Application Deadline: January 31st (based on the previous year’s program )
Eligibility: High school seniors or recent graduates living/studying in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Neurology Education and Research Program offers Massachusetts high school students a structured introduction to neurology and neuroscience through hands-on research and mentorship. The program begins with an intensive boot camp focused on clinical and research training, professional expectations, and lab skills.

You’ll be paired with another intern and assigned to a neurology lab, where you contribute to ongoing research projects under the guidance of MGH faculty and researchers. Weekly didactic sessions led by neurologists and neuroscientists deepen your understanding of the field while exposing you to different career pathways. The program concludes with a formal research presentation shared with peers, mentors, and the MGH Neurology Department.

Why it stands out: You gain early exposure to real neuroscience research at one of the world’s leading hospitals, with direct mentorship from MGH neurologists.

8. BSA Arch/Design High School Internships

Location: Local Boston architecture firms
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6th – August 14th
Application Deadline: Application opens February 20th with no specified deadline. Check more details here
Eligibility: Boston Public School high school students

The BSA Architecture/Design High School Internship is a paid, six-week summer program that places Boston Public School students directly inside local architecture and design firms. As an intern, you contribute to real projects, explore emerging design tools and technologies, and take part in site visits that connect drawings to built spaces. You gain exposure to multiple stages of architectural practice, including early design development, drafting, internal reviews, and client-facing work.

The program partners with a wide range of firms, varying in size, focus, and design approach, so students returning for multiple summers continue to see new sides of the profession. Open to students from rising sophomores through recent high school graduates, the internship is designed to demystify the day-to-day realities of architecture and design careers.

Why it stands out: Unlike studio-based programs, BSA places you inside working architecture firms, offering paid, hands-on experience that shows how architectural ideas are developed, managed, and built in real professional settings.

9. Wolfram High School Summer Research Program

Location: Bentley University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80 students
Dates: June 24th – July 11th
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines. January 18th for the Early Decision deadline, March 22nd for the Regular Decision deadline, and the waitlist will remain open until May 5th
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17 (exceptional 13-year-olds) worldwide

The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is an intensive two-and-a-half-week experience for high school students interested in computational thinking, programming, and AI. You work on an independent, solutions-driven research project using the Wolfram Language, guided by expert mentors and supported through workshops, lectures, and hands-on coding challenges. Projects are personalized to your interests and can span topics such as machine learning, natural language processing, computational art, economics, or fundamental science.

Throughout the program, you build strong programming and analytical skills while learning how real computational research is designed and executed. By the end, you produce a polished computational essay and interactive research paper that can be submitted to STEM competitions, conferences, or further developed into academic work.

Why it stands out: This program treats high school students like real researchers—working on novel, mentor-guided projects tied directly to Wolfram’s research ecosystem, with clear pathways to publications, conferences, and even future internships at Wolfram Research.

10. Boston Leadership Institute (BLI)

Location: There are three locations: Olin College, Bentley University, and the institute’s Boston campus. The first two options are a little outside of Boston, but the distance is commutable
Cost/Stipend: Ranges from $699 – $4,597
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: Varies based on the options
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students across the globe

The Boston Leadership Institute offers summer programs for high school students interested in science, engineering, medicine, and business. You can choose between day programs and residential options, as well as one-week exploratory courses or three-week intensive tracks. Programs cover a wide range of subjects, including cybersecurity, clinical psychology, marine biology, biomedical science, and engineering.

One-week programs provide a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to a field, making them ideal if you want to explore interests without a long-time commitment. The three-week research programs are more immersive, combining classroom instruction, lab work, and mentorship to help you experience college-level academics and research.

Why it stands out: BLI’s flexible structure lets you choose between short explorations and deeper research experiences, making it easier to match the program length and intensity to your academic goals and schedule.

11. BU Summer Journalism Academy

Location: Boston University’s campus, MA / Remote
Cost/Stipend: There is a fee; amount unspecified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: On campus: 3 weeks in summer; Learn-from-Home: 2 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Application opens in December
Eligibility: On Campus: High School students, rising juniors, rising seniors, and current seniors, with journalism experience; Learn-from-Home: High School students, 14-18, with all experience levels. Welcomes international high school students

The Summer Journalism Academy at Boston University is a skills-focused program where you learn reporting through daily practice and professional guidance. You can choose a three-week residential experience or a two-week online format, both led by working journalists who teach core topics such as interviewing, research, story structure, media law, and ethics.

Through newsroom-style assignments, you pitch, report, and write original stories while receiving editorial feedback and building a portfolio. The on-campus option also includes guest talks, newsroom visits, and exposure to college-style coursework and campus life. Across formats, the program emphasizes applied journalism training grounded in real reporting work.

Why it stands out: You learn directly from practicing journalists while producing multiple publishable stories in a structured newsroom-style environment.

12. Teen Internships at New England Aquarium

Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Pays a stipend (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: One week of training followed by six weeks of work in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications typically open in March
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 or older, majority of the internships are open only to residents of Boston and Cambridge

The Teen Internships at the New England Aquarium are paid, seven-week programs that give high school students hands-on exposure to marine science, conservation, and public engagement. After an initial training week, you’ll work in roles such as Visitor Services Assistant or Aquarium Guide, interacting directly with guests and helping explain marine ecosystems, climate change, and ocean conservation.

Alongside your work shifts, you’ll take part in structured learning sessions covering marine and climate science, public speaking, advocacy, and workplace skills. The program also includes professional development workshops, mentorship from Aquarium staff, and optional behind-the-scenes tours that show how conservation research, animal care, and education come together in a real-world institution. It’s designed to build both scientific understanding and transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism.

Why it stands out: This internship uniquely combines paid work, science education, and public-facing experience, allowing you to actively contribute to conservation outreach while gaining early exposure to careers in marine science and environmental advocacy.

13. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS)

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free for families making under $80,000 per year; up to $8,000 otherwise (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~ 80 high school students
Dates: June 28th – August 8th
Application Deadline: February 27th
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students ages 14-18 who have completed 9th grade and have not enrolled in a college

The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) is a highly selective, six-week residential summer program held at Boston University for high school students deeply interested in mathematics. The program centers on number theory and proof-based problem solving, with daily lectures followed by long, collaborative problem sessions where you work through challenging proofs independently and with peers.

Rather than following a traditional classroom structure, PROMYS emphasizes sustained intellectual struggle, discussion, and original thinking. You’ll receive guidance from faculty and undergraduate counselors while being encouraged to develop mathematical maturity and independence. Optional seminars and mini-courses introduce advanced topics beyond the core curriculum, creating an immersive mathematical environment that extends beyond formal class time.

Why it stands out: PROMYS prioritizes deep, proof-driven thinking over speed or competition, making it ideal for students who want to experience what real mathematical research and exploration feel like.

14. ImpactLab – Wentworth Institute of Technology

Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,995 per session or $6,990 for both sessions
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session 1: July 5-17; Session 2: July 19-31
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Rising domestic and international 11th and 12th graders

ImpactLab is a two-week residential pre-college program at Wentworth Institute of Technology where high school students explore applied STEM fields through hands-on, project-based learning. You choose a focused track, such as engineering, architecture, computer science, biotechnology, or robotics, and spend your days working in campus labs and studios using real tools and techniques.

The program blends guided technical instruction with workshops, collaborative project time, and exposure to college-style schedules and expectations. Living on campus, you’ll also take part in evening activities and campus events that mirror student life. Faculty members and industry-connected mentors introduce practical applications and problem-solving approaches used in professional STEM environments.

Why it stands out: ImpactLab emphasizes learning by doing, giving you early exposure to how STEM concepts are applied in lab- and studio-based college programs rather than just taught in classrooms.

15. Visual Arts Summer Institute (VASI)

Location: Boston University College of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,800, $80 application fee, and $300 deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29th – July 24th
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Domestic and international students entering grades 10-12

The Visual Arts Summer Institute (VASI) is a four-week, daytime studio program at Boston University designed for high school students who want to strengthen their artistic practice and build a competitive portfolio. You work closely with faculty from BU’s School of Visual Arts on drawing, painting, and mixed-media projects that reflect the pace and expectations of a college-level art program.

Daily studio sessions focus on technical skill-building, concept development, and critique, helping you produce finished pieces suitable for college applications. The program is non-residential, with students commuting to campus each day, and concludes with the opportunity to earn three Boston University college credits.

Why it stands out: VASI closely mirrors a collegiate art school experience, combining intensive studio time, formal critiques, and credit-bearing coursework—making it especially valuable if you’re preparing a serious portfolio for art or design programs.

From Summer Seminars to College Success

Boston summers can be more than downtime. The city’s campuses, labs, and libraries make it easy to treat summer like a real academic step forward.

A summer school in Boston can sharpen how you read, write, code, research, and present. Just as importantly, you learn to manage deadlines, ask better questions, and collaborate with driven peers.

These programs don’t only add lines to your résumé; they build clarity about majors, careers, and campus life. When you return to school, you bring back stronger habits and a portfolio of real work.

Now visit our University Preparation blogs and map your next steps with clear study routes, application strategies, and practical college guidance.