Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a summer experience program for 300 juniors and seniors in high school. Students will participate in an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit/charitable organization. Students will receive leadership training while enriching their local community and participating in Washington DC’s leadership summit.
During the internship, students work with a non-profit organization to address a community issue, such as education, the environment, or economic development. They also participate in leadership development activities and have the opportunity to network with business and community leaders.
The leadership summit brings together Student Leaders from across the country for a week of professional development, networking, and skill-building. The summit includes workshops, panel discussions, and community service projects, and provides students with the opportunity to learn from business and community leaders and build lasting relationships with their peers.
Eligibility: Current junior or senior in high school must live in eligible areas, be in good standing, and be legally authorized to work in the U.S without sponsorship
Date: 8 weeks
Location: Multiple
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
National Student Leadership Conference invites 6th-12th grade students to participate in the National Leadership Conference. Through the leadership program, students receive leadership training, hands-on simulations about career scenarios, sharing from guest speakers, and experience life on college campuses.
In addition to the leadership program, students can also participate in summer programs in business, STEM, government and law, art and design, and more.
Date: One week
Cost: Starting from $3,795
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Leadership Seminar is a competitive, 10-day high school leadership program designed for current high school juniors with a desire to improve their high school leadership skills. 120 admitted students will learn about global issues concerning different fields. Admitted students typically rank in the top 10% of their class and have taken the most challenging courses available in high school. The mid-range SAT score is 1300-1500, or 31+ for the ACT. Though standardized test scores are optional, they are preferred to strengthen an application. Applicants should demonstrate leadership in school, community, or organizations
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 16 years old.
Program Date: July 19 – 30, 2025
Location: South Bend, IN
Cost: $60 application fee and $150 non-refundable enrollment fee
Application deadline: January 22, 2025
Leadership in the Business World (LBW) is an intensive summer high school leadership program for rising seniors. Students will receive business education and opportunities to hone leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. In addition, students will conduct research about the business and speak with successful leaders across industries. Upon program completion, all participants will receive a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grade 11. They have to demonstrate leadership experience and have a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher. International applicants are welcome.
Dates: Jun 8 – Jun 28, 2025
Jun 29 – Jul 19, 2025
Jul 20 – Aug 9, 2025
Location: Philadelphia, PA (on campus)
Cost: $11,399
Application deadline: Priority deadline: January 29, 2025 / Final deadline: April 2, 2025
Tufts University invites high school students to participate in an experience, where students will have the opportunity to impact local and global social issues. The program will equip students with leadership skills and civic knowledge for connection-building and collaboration. Leadership for Social Change (LSC) introduces rising high school sophomores to seniors to the myriad of ways social change and civic leaders respond to ruptures in society, with the focal point this year being the systemic disturbances stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These issues will include education inequities, community health disparities, food justice, public policy, and more. The objective of the program will be to equip students with the skills and knowledge to lead and emerge as change agents capable of navigating societal challenges.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12, must be at least 15 years old at the program start
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville Campus
Dates: Session 1: Jul 6 – 18, 2025 / Session 2: Jul 20 – Aug 1, 2025
Cost: $5,750
Application deadline: Dec 2, 2024 – May 1, 2025
Ronald Reagan Summer Leadership Experience offers a unique opportunity for students and families to develop leadership skills inspired by Ronald Reagan’s legacy. Hosted at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, and featuring exclusive access to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the program includes expert-led sessions, engaging workshops, and all-inclusive accommodations.
Program Highlights:
- Middle School Program (July 10-13): Focuses on leadership fundamentals, teamwork, and reflective discussions for rising 7th–8th graders.
- High School Program (July 13-17): Explores advanced leadership strategies, decision-making, and real-world applications for rising 9th–12th graders.
- Family Program: A shared experience for families to cultivate leadership values together.
Cost:
- Middle School & High School Program: $1,950
- Family Program: $2,450
Application deadline: Rolling Admission
Students interested in engineering and technology will participate in an engaging virtual year-round program. They will build self-confidence and opportunities to network and receive training in STEM fields and soft skills such as leadership. The program has five content tracks: Leadership development, College preparation, STEM pathway opportunities, Self-development, and Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Location: Virtual
Cost: N/A
Application deadline: Rolling deadline
Students in grades 9-12 can participate in the two-week on-campus or four-week virtual experience to learn about a wide variety of global issues while honing problem-solving, public speaking, active listening, and collaborative model of leadership skills. Students will choose one course from different options, each focusing on current issues.
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18
Dates:
- On Campus: June 29 to July 11, 2025, and July 13 to July 25, 2025
- Online: June 23 to July 18, 2025
Location: Brown University campus in Providence, Rhode Island / Online through Canvas, Brown’s Learning Management System
Cost: $5,788 (On-campus) and $4,540 (Online)
Application deadline: May 9, 2025
Students from over 150 countries are invited to participate in the two-week virtual high school leadership program. Students will choose from a vast array of options, such as Innovations in Science & Technology; Literature, Philosophy, & Culture; Politics, Law & Economics; and Solving Global Challenges, etc. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program is an intensive academic and leadership development program, as it offers a variety of academic seminars and leadership development activities. It is designed to challenge students academically and help them develop their leadership skills.
Eligibility: Be at least 16 years old and currently a high school sophomore or junior
Dates: June 22-July 4 / July 6 – July 18 / July 20 – Aug 1
Location: On campus
Cost: $6,500, with $75 Early Action fee or $90 Regular Decision fee
Application deadline: January 10, 2025
Summer Discovery partners with multiple colleges across U.S., England, and Singapore to provide various high school leadership programs. The Musiker Family founded Summer Discovery as Musiker Student Tours in 1966. The hands-on program will provide students with a strong understanding of leadership and networking opportunities with business leaders through workshops and off-campus visits.
Eligbility: Students grade 6-12
Date: 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies
Indiana University invites young and high-achieving female students to participate in a one-week business high school leadership experience here. Students will participate in workshops with top Kelley School of Business faculty, while building leadership and communication skills through solving case projects with like-minded female leaders.
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors
Dates: Varies from March to October
Location: On-campus
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Varies from February to May
MIT Leadership Training Institute, hosted by MIT, is a high school leadership and community service program for local high school students during the spring. Students will receive training for leadership building, conduct community service, and be mentored by various leaders. Past community service activities include addressing peer tutoring resources, wellness, and creativity.
Dates: February 9, 2025 to May 3, 2025
Location: On-campus
Cost: Free
Application deadline: January 5, 2025
A free online leadership curriculum and program for 6th-12th graders that teaches proven leadership skills for creating lasting change in your school or community. Funded by David Novak Leadership, Lead4Change offers free access to a service-learning framework to learn collaboration, problem-solving, planning, proposals, leadership, and more based on the #1 New York Times bestseller, Taking People With You. The program concludes with student service projects being pitched virtually to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win funding up to $10,000 towards their service project.
Eligibility: Student teams of 3 or more 6th-12th graders with the help of one adult educator or advisor.
Application deadline: Enrollment is always available.
The program is designed for curious and passionate students seeking leadership skills. The Institute will challenge and inspire participants to think about leadership through a feminist lens. It will allow them to take a course within one of the seven tracks and work in small groups to design and execute solutions using the skills gained in their classes and workshops. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with women in workplaces throughout the city to learn about the skills and tenacity needed to stand out in today’s workforce. The program offers four tracks, and students can choose the one that best fits their interests.
Tracks:
- STEMinist Track: develop students’ STEM skills through lecture and laboratory settings, along with exploring women inequalities in STEM field
- Writing and Literature Track: learning from Barnard writing instructors and developing a writing portfolio
- Global Humanities Track: getting a comprehensive view of global cultural, social, and political dynamics.
- Art, Movement, and Performance Track: exploring the rich history of art and the dynamic world of dance
Program Date: June 29th – July 18th, 2025
Cost: $10,171 (Residential) or $8.160 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, in partnership with the FBI National Academy Associates, hosts a week-long training event, the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), for high school students at the FBI Academy every summer. To be eligible, candidates must be 14, 15, or 16 years old, demonstrate high academic standards, and have good citizenship.
Cost: Free
Deadline: February 3, 2025
Cradles to Crayons’ Teen Leadership Corps (TLC) is a program that provides high school students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a difference in their community by serving as volunteer leaders in the organization. The program aims to empower and inspire teens to become responsible and engaged citizens by participating in various volunteer activities and leadership training sessions. TLC members are trained to lead volunteer groups, organize community service projects, and gain valuable experience in nonprofit work, community service, and leadership.
Timeline: The TLC program is run three times per year, in the Spring (March–May), Summer (June–August), and Fall (October–December).
The Leadership Academy @ Saunders provides innovative leadership development opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, alumni, and working professionals to bridge the gap between business and technology. The Academy offers a variety of experimental co-curricular programs for individuals to enhance their personal and professional leadership skills. Through these opportunities, the Academy aims to impact the business environment and global community positively. Rochester Institute of Technology offers a series of certificate programs, unique experiences like Students Leading Business Camp, and mentorship programs for students to choose from.
Programs:
- The Students Leading Business Camp at RIT’s Camp Tiger offers high school students (grades 9–12) the chance to explore various business fields and develop leadership skills through interactive activities.
- Additionally, Saunders College partners with DECA to host the DECA Region 10 Conference, where high school students present business plans to local business leaders serving as judges.
- For young women in grades 9–11, the Women Leading Business Event provides insights into business careers through discussions with successful women leaders. (Note: All programs are inclusive and open to eligible individuals regardless of sex, gender, race, or national origin.)
Application Timeline: Varies depending on the program
