Top Liberal Arts Programs for Students in 3-12th Grade (Summer 2023)

Participating in a liberal arts summer program provides students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects. These programs offer courses in a wide range of subjects including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts, allowing students to explore their interests and develop new ones. Additionally, students are able to engage in hands-on learning experiences that are not typically available in a traditional classroom setting. This can include field trips, group projects, and interactive lectures.

By participating in a liberal arts summer program, students can demonstrate their commitment to their education and their drive to continue learning even during the summer months. This shows colleges that the student is dedicated to their personal and academic growth, which is an attractive characteristic for college admissions committees. Furthermore, the summer program can provide students with the opportunity to make new connections and network with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

In addition to the benefits of participating in a summer program, students can also benefit from the college-level coursework and experienced instructors. The curriculum is designed to challenge students and help them develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. This prepares students for the rigorous coursework they will face in college and helps them build a strong foundation for their future academic and professional pursuits.

Here is a list of our top summer Liberal Arts programs for students in 3-12th grade

(Note: you  can sort the table by cost, grade…etc. to find the program that best fits your needs)

Program NameStudent GradeCostDeadlineProgram TypeMonthProgram Website
21st Century Leadership Institute10, 11, 12Free1-Mar-23In PersonJuneLearn More
American University: Community of Scholars- Global Affairs9, 10, 11, 12$3,465 tuition; $1,980 room & board1-May-23Multiple OptionsJulyLearn More
Auburn: World Affairs Youth Seminar10, 11, 12$880 Rolling admissionIn PersonJulyLearn More
Broyhill Leadership Conference for High Schoolers10, 11, 12$350-$400Learn More
Center for American Archaeology: High School Field School9, 10, 11, 12$850-$3,300Rolling admissionIn PersonJune, JulyLearn More
EF International Language Campuses: Learn Abroad9, 10, 11, 12$500-$1,499; pricing quotations are personalizedRolling admissionIn PersonMarch, April, May, June, July, August, OtherLearn More
Exploring Joara Foundation: Archaeology Adventures Institute3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12$1,500-$2,000Rolling admissionIn PersonJulyLearn More
Genius Olympiad9, 10, 11, 12$50 per project1-Mar-23HybridJuneLearn More
Georgetown University: HOYA Summer9, 10, 11, 12$2,500 - $6,950Early Bird Deadline: Jan 31, 2023; Regular/Final Deadline: May 15, 2023In PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
Georgetown University: Hoya Summer High School Sessions: US Campaigns & Elections Academy9, 10, 11, 12$3,115 Early Bird: January 31; Final Due Date: May 15, 2022July, AugustLearn More
Gettysburg College: Civil War Institute Summer ConferenceAll Ages$319 - $1,98515-Mar-23In PersonJuneLearn More
GIRL'S LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT CENTER$3,100 Learn More
Gordon College: Heritage 202310, 11, 12$1,150 31-Mar-23In PersonJulyLearn More
High School Diplomats10, 1115-Jan-23In PersonJulyLearn More
Hoosier Debate Camp$950-$1,900In PersonJuneLearn More
Jane Austen Summer Program6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Post GradTo Be AnnouncedRolling admissionIn PersonJuneLearn More
Japan Society Junior Fellows ProgramLearn More
Junior State of America Summer Programs9, 10, 11, 12$1,495 - $5,295Rolling admissionIn PersonJuly, August, JuneLearn More
Kaleidoscope Fellowships9, 10, 11, 12$1,000 Rolling admissionOnlineJune, July, AugustLearn More
Lehigh: Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive11, 12$4,400 19-Feb-23In PersonJune, JulyLearn More
Library of Congress: High School Summer Internship10, 11, 12Free28-Apr-23Multiple OptionsJune, JulyLearn More
Lita Spanish Immersion10, 11, 12$6,725 - $9,650Rolling admissionIn PersonJune, JulyLearn More
Middlebury Language Immersion ProgramsUndergraduate and Graduate Students$3,605 First Round: February 1, 2023; Second Round: March 15, 2023; Final Round: May 15, 2023In PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
National Conference of State Legislatures11, 12, Post GradFreeVaries by StateIn PersonLearn More
National History Academy10, 11, 12$9,995 15-Jun-23In PersonJulyLearn More
New York University: Urban Journalism Workshop11, 12FreeJulyLearn More
North Carolina State University: Red Hat Shelton Challenge9, 10, 11, 12$800 Rolling admissionIn PersonJune, JulyLearn More
Ole Miss: Multimedia Content Creation Through the World of Jane Austin9, 10, 11, 12$360-$6601-May-23In PersonJuneLearn More
Operation Understanding - DCLearn More
Policy Pathways: The Summer Academy Online10, 11, 12$1,600 1-May-23OnlineJune, JulyLearn More
SAI Study Abroad Summer Programs10, 11, 12$5,500 - $13,000 (does not include travel)Varies by Selected ProgramIn PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
Stanford University: Neurodiversity Project's Research, Education, and Advocacy Camp for High Schoolers (SNP-REACH)9, 10, 11, 12$2,250 17-Apr-23In PersonJuly, AugustLearn More
Stanford: Summer Humanities Institute9, 10, 11, 12$8,250 1-Feb-23In PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
Syracuse University: Summer College – On Location11, 12$985 Rolling admissionIn PersonJulyLearn More
Telluride Association Summer Seminar10, 11Free4-Jan-23In PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
The Lukeion Project (Classics)6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12$75-$375Learn More
Tulane University: Pre-College Program- Newcomb Summer Session on Gender Equity10, 11, 12$695-$4,895Priority Deadline: February 10, 2023; Final Deadline: April 28, 2023Multiple OptionsJune, JulyLearn More
UMass Amherst: Question Everything: A Summer Philosophy Program10, 11, 12Free9-Apr-23In PersonJulyLearn More
UN Association of Greater Boston: Global Leadership6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12$645-$745Rolling admissionIn PersonJune, July, AugustLearn More
United States Senator for California: Senate Intern Program11, 1221-May-23In PersonJuly, AugustLearn More
University of Chicago: Justice, The State, and the Individual10, 11, 12$7,775 Multiple OptionsLearn More
University of New Haven: Crime Scene Investigation Academy10, 11, 12In PersonJulyLearn More
University of Texas-Austin: The Texas Politics Project InternshipsVaries by Internship OpportunityVaries by Internship OpportunityIn PersonLearn More
Wake Forest University: Leadership Institute9, 10, 11, 12$2,800 Rolling admissionIn PersonJulyLearn More
William & Mary: Pre-College Program in American History10, 11, 12Virtual: $2,500; Residential: $4,800Session 1: May 31, 2023; Session 2: June 10, 2023Multiple OptionsJune, JulyLearn More
Yale University: Daily News JournalismFreeLearn More