8 Enrichment Programs for High School Students
8 Enrichment Programs for High School Students
Written by
Written by
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
Published on
Published on
Enrichment programs give high school students the opportunity to explore advanced subjects, gain real-world experience, and prepare for university life in a low-pressure environment. From virtual courses and internships to immersive residential programs and real university campuses, these experiences help students build skills, confidence, and direction for their future studies and careers.
Here are 8 enrichment programs for high school students across fields like STEM, business, humanities, and more.
Every summer, Stanford University offers its Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute for high school students who want to study university-level subjects online before college. There are 75 courses to choose from, including subjects like business strategy, capital markets and investments, climate change, and discrete mathematics. Classes are small and live, allowing for enriching discussions with your expert instructors and peers from around the world.
You won’t receive a grade or credit for the course, so you can explore your passions in a low-pressure environment. Although the courses are online, you’ll still have plenty of access to your professors as there are daily office hours you can attend for additional assistance. You can only take one course per summer, but you can rank your top 3 choices when you apply.
Cost: $3,200
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 15 to June 26
Session 2: July 6 to July 17
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 to 11 who will be older than 13 and younger than 19 during the program
Delta Careers is a high school enrichment program designed to give students early access to professional-level learning, real-world projects, and mentorship from industry experts. It includes four core programs:
Discover: A progrma that helps students explore different career paths and identify their interests through advanced career coaching.
Delve: A work-experience program that allows students to gain real-world, project-based experience with companies like AWS, Ferrari, Adobe, NHS, and more.
Deepen: A personalized 1-1 mentorship program that allows students to work on an industry-relevant, specialized project in their chosen field and build portfolio-ready projects.
Delta Founders Academy: A pre-incubator program designed for students interested in entrepreneurship, where they build and develop their own startups.
Cost: Discover - $2,000 | Delve - $4,900 | Deepen - $6,500 | Delta Founders Academy - $5,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline) | June 28 (final summer deadline)
Program Dates: Varies by program (you can check all upcoming dates here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
The Research Science Institute is one of the most competitive enrichment programs for high school students interested in STEM. Hosted by MIT, the program combines advanced coursework with hands-on scientific research. You’ll spend the first part of the program attending intensive STEM lectures taught by MIT professors and industry leaders, like technology entrepreneurs or Nobel laureates.
The next 5 weeks will be spent completing a full-time research internship, where you’ll work alongside scientists on original research projects in fields like biology, physics, computer science, and engineering. During the final week of the program, you’ll present a written and oral presentation on your findings, which could be selected for honors by a panel of experts. The program also includes field trips to nearby cultural attractions and science and technology facilities, giving you the chance to connect with peers and enjoy a well-rounded, social enriching experience outside the classroom.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
Delta Launch is a high school enrichment platform designed to help students build meaningful, real-world projects that strengthen university applications and help students develop practical skills. It’s structured into two main pathways: Delta AI and Delta Code, both with an intensive and immersive option. Delta AI introduces students of all backgrounds to artificial intelligence through masterclasses, workshops, and mentorship from AI professionals. Students collaborate on real-world problem-solving and develop an AI-based solution by the end of the program.
Delta Code focuses on building technical skills through programming. Students can choose pathways such as web development, app development, data science, or game development. Both pathways help students gain practical experience and build portfolio-ready work to enhance college applications and resumes.
Cost: $2,200 to $4,800 (based on program selected)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline) | June 28 (final summer deadline) | You can apply here
Program Dates: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students globally
Originally launched through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Online Flagship Entrepreneurship program is now led independently by LaunchX. The program is designed to teach high school students how to turn innovative ideas into real startup ventures through hands-on learning and collaboration. Throughout the experience, you’ll work in teams to identify market problems, conduct customer and competitor research and develop a business model for your company.
As you work, you’ll learn about product development, marketing, finance, and pitching strategies through workshops and guest lectures. At the end of the 5 weeks, you’ll present your startup idea at Demo Day and actually launch it. LaunchX also has other enrichment programs available, like Online Innovation, Online BootCamp, and Online Startup Experience if your interests lie elsewhere.
Cost: $6,495
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July 13 to August 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 to 18
John Hopkins University gives academically advanced high school students the chance to experience college-level learning in a low-pressure environment. You can choose from over 20 pre-college programs offered either online or on campus in Baltimore. Programs run in three two-week sessions between late June and early August and cover subjects like medicine, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, biology, and public health.
On-campus students study at the university’s Homewood Campus, attend lectures led by Hopkins instructors and participate in guest speaker events and social activities. Online classes are primarily asynchronous, so you can complete coursework in your own time, but instructors may schedule live interactions for virtual discussions and activities with your peers. You’ll receive course credit when you complete the program, so you can use this enrichment experience to strengthen your college applications.
Cost: Varies by program
Location: Baltimore, Maryland or Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Program Dates: Between late June and early August
Eligibility: Academically advanced high school students
Yale Young Global Scholars is an enrichment program that brings students from around the world together to study advanced topics across STEM, humanities, and social sciences. This year, you can choose from three residential tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges, depending on where your interests lie. In each track, you’ll attend lectures and seminars, participate in breakout discussions with your peers, and complete a capstone project under the guidance of a dedicated mentor.
You’ll also have the chance to get to know your instructors better through college experience panels and themed conversations over shared meals. You’ll get an electronic certificate of completion when you complete the program, but no course credit so you can just focus on exploring subjects you’re passionate about while experiencing living on a real university campus.
Cost: $7,000
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates:
Session I: June 21 to July 3
Session II: July 5 to July 17
Session III: July 19 to July 31
Eligibility: High school students globally between the ages of 16 and 18 by the program start date
The Summer Science Program is one of the longest-running residential STEM enrichment programs for high school students, offering an immersive research experience in astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and cell biology. Hosted on university campuses across the United States, the program runs for 5 weeks and places students in small, collaborative teams to work on authentic scientific research projects. You’ll use professional-grade equipment, analyze real data, and contribute to studies that reflect current scientific methods and questions.
Throughout the program, you’ll be mentored by scientists, graduate students and teaching assistants, who can help you with any complex research challenges you face. Outside of the lab, you’ll participate in social activities like field trips, talent shows, scenic hikes, and professional dinner experiences to get to know your peers and instructors better and foster lasting friendships. The program also includes guest lectures from leading STEM experts, giving you insight into academic and research careers.
Cost: Up to $11,800 (based on previous years)
Location: University campuses across the United States
Application Deadline: January to February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 15 years old during the program
Enrichment programs give high school students the opportunity to explore advanced subjects, gain real-world experience, and prepare for university life in a low-pressure environment. From virtual courses and internships to immersive residential programs and real university campuses, these experiences help students build skills, confidence, and direction for their future studies and careers.
Here are 8 enrichment programs for high school students across fields like STEM, business, humanities, and more.
Every summer, Stanford University offers its Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute for high school students who want to study university-level subjects online before college. There are 75 courses to choose from, including subjects like business strategy, capital markets and investments, climate change, and discrete mathematics. Classes are small and live, allowing for enriching discussions with your expert instructors and peers from around the world.
You won’t receive a grade or credit for the course, so you can explore your passions in a low-pressure environment. Although the courses are online, you’ll still have plenty of access to your professors as there are daily office hours you can attend for additional assistance. You can only take one course per summer, but you can rank your top 3 choices when you apply.
Cost: $3,200
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 15 to June 26
Session 2: July 6 to July 17
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 to 11 who will be older than 13 and younger than 19 during the program
Delta Careers is a high school enrichment program designed to give students early access to professional-level learning, real-world projects, and mentorship from industry experts. It includes four core programs:
Discover: A progrma that helps students explore different career paths and identify their interests through advanced career coaching.
Delve: A work-experience program that allows students to gain real-world, project-based experience with companies like AWS, Ferrari, Adobe, NHS, and more.
Deepen: A personalized 1-1 mentorship program that allows students to work on an industry-relevant, specialized project in their chosen field and build portfolio-ready projects.
Delta Founders Academy: A pre-incubator program designed for students interested in entrepreneurship, where they build and develop their own startups.
Cost: Discover - $2,000 | Delve - $4,900 | Deepen - $6,500 | Delta Founders Academy - $5,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline) | June 28 (final summer deadline)
Program Dates: Varies by program (you can check all upcoming dates here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
The Research Science Institute is one of the most competitive enrichment programs for high school students interested in STEM. Hosted by MIT, the program combines advanced coursework with hands-on scientific research. You’ll spend the first part of the program attending intensive STEM lectures taught by MIT professors and industry leaders, like technology entrepreneurs or Nobel laureates.
The next 5 weeks will be spent completing a full-time research internship, where you’ll work alongside scientists on original research projects in fields like biology, physics, computer science, and engineering. During the final week of the program, you’ll present a written and oral presentation on your findings, which could be selected for honors by a panel of experts. The program also includes field trips to nearby cultural attractions and science and technology facilities, giving you the chance to connect with peers and enjoy a well-rounded, social enriching experience outside the classroom.
Cost: Free
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: December (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors globally
Delta Launch is a high school enrichment platform designed to help students build meaningful, real-world projects that strengthen university applications and help students develop practical skills. It’s structured into two main pathways: Delta AI and Delta Code, both with an intensive and immersive option. Delta AI introduces students of all backgrounds to artificial intelligence through masterclasses, workshops, and mentorship from AI professionals. Students collaborate on real-world problem-solving and develop an AI-based solution by the end of the program.
Delta Code focuses on building technical skills through programming. Students can choose pathways such as web development, app development, data science, or game development. Both pathways help students gain practical experience and build portfolio-ready work to enhance college applications and resumes.
Cost: $2,200 to $4,800 (based on program selected)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: May 31 (summer III deadline) | June 28 (final summer deadline) | You can apply here
Program Dates: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students globally
Originally launched through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Online Flagship Entrepreneurship program is now led independently by LaunchX. The program is designed to teach high school students how to turn innovative ideas into real startup ventures through hands-on learning and collaboration. Throughout the experience, you’ll work in teams to identify market problems, conduct customer and competitor research and develop a business model for your company.
As you work, you’ll learn about product development, marketing, finance, and pitching strategies through workshops and guest lectures. At the end of the 5 weeks, you’ll present your startup idea at Demo Day and actually launch it. LaunchX also has other enrichment programs available, like Online Innovation, Online BootCamp, and Online Startup Experience if your interests lie elsewhere.
Cost: $6,495
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July 13 to August 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 to 18
John Hopkins University gives academically advanced high school students the chance to experience college-level learning in a low-pressure environment. You can choose from over 20 pre-college programs offered either online or on campus in Baltimore. Programs run in three two-week sessions between late June and early August and cover subjects like medicine, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, biology, and public health.
On-campus students study at the university’s Homewood Campus, attend lectures led by Hopkins instructors and participate in guest speaker events and social activities. Online classes are primarily asynchronous, so you can complete coursework in your own time, but instructors may schedule live interactions for virtual discussions and activities with your peers. You’ll receive course credit when you complete the program, so you can use this enrichment experience to strengthen your college applications.
Cost: Varies by program
Location: Baltimore, Maryland or Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Program Dates: Between late June and early August
Eligibility: Academically advanced high school students
Yale Young Global Scholars is an enrichment program that brings students from around the world together to study advanced topics across STEM, humanities, and social sciences. This year, you can choose from three residential tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges, depending on where your interests lie. In each track, you’ll attend lectures and seminars, participate in breakout discussions with your peers, and complete a capstone project under the guidance of a dedicated mentor.
You’ll also have the chance to get to know your instructors better through college experience panels and themed conversations over shared meals. You’ll get an electronic certificate of completion when you complete the program, but no course credit so you can just focus on exploring subjects you’re passionate about while experiencing living on a real university campus.
Cost: $7,000
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates:
Session I: June 21 to July 3
Session II: July 5 to July 17
Session III: July 19 to July 31
Eligibility: High school students globally between the ages of 16 and 18 by the program start date
The Summer Science Program is one of the longest-running residential STEM enrichment programs for high school students, offering an immersive research experience in astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, and cell biology. Hosted on university campuses across the United States, the program runs for 5 weeks and places students in small, collaborative teams to work on authentic scientific research projects. You’ll use professional-grade equipment, analyze real data, and contribute to studies that reflect current scientific methods and questions.
Throughout the program, you’ll be mentored by scientists, graduate students and teaching assistants, who can help you with any complex research challenges you face. Outside of the lab, you’ll participate in social activities like field trips, talent shows, scenic hikes, and professional dinner experiences to get to know your peers and instructors better and foster lasting friendships. The program also includes guest lectures from leading STEM experts, giving you insight into academic and research careers.
Cost: Up to $11,800 (based on previous years)
Location: University campuses across the United States
Application Deadline: January to February (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June to August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 15 years old during the program
About the Author
George Gatsios holds a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge and is the founder of Delta Institute. He leads the organisation’s global strategy, overseeing programme design, partnerships, operations, and product innovation across education, career development, and technology. His work centers on building scalable, hands-on learning experiences that connect students with real-world industry exposure and future-ready skills. Alongside his leadership at Delta Institute, George serves as a Research Assistant in Economics at the University of Cambridge and London Business School, contributing to research at the intersection of economic theory, empirical analysis, and policy. He is an active member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and a strong advocate for lifelong learning and internationally minded education.
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