8 Free Writing Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking at gaining admissions into the top universities, you should consider applying to writing programs. Strong writing skills are valuable in nearly every field (and when writing applications), and a summer program is an ideal opportunity to improve these skills in a focused, immersive setting!
Hands-on writing programs also foster creativity and collaboration, connecting you with peers who share your passion. Moreover, developing strong writing abilities boosts communication, critical thinking, and clarity of expression—tools that will serve you well in both academic and professional pursuits. Here are 8 free writing programs for high school students!
1. Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Location: Online and Princeton, NJ
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. Applications for the 2025 cohort will open on December 1, 2024.
Program Dates: Although 2025 dates are not specified, your online workshops will begin in July, and the program will culminate in the in-person 10-day program on Princeton’s campus in early August.
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and meet one of these socioeconomic requirements:
Family income must not exceed USD 60,000
Qualify for free or reduced-price lunch
Quality for SAT or ACT fee waiver
The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) invites 40 talented students from low-income backgrounds to join its esteemed initiative. Participants delve into contemporary issues, engage in workshops, and attend lectures presented by experienced journalists and Princeton faculty.
The experience concludes with the creation of a student-produced newspaper known as the Princeton Summer Journal! An added bonus is that PSJP offers a no-cost year-long college preparation program, where you will also work with a college advisor to perfect your application.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out our guide to Princeton Summer Programs or this guide that reviews PSJP!
2. JCamp
Location: 2024 cohort was held in Austin, Texas
Application Deadline: Although not specified, applications will close sometime in early March.
Program Dates: Although dates are not specified, expect it to be for 6 days during the summer months.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors.
JCamp is a complimentary six-day program organized by the Asian American Journalist Association, designed to unite a diverse group of students from across the United States. In the program, you will have the opportunity to enhance your journalistic abilities through workshops led by experienced journalists and prominent media executives. During the program, you will also gain practical experience by creating multi-platform news packages for the program's website!
Do note that this initiative is open to all students interested in journalism, not just those of Asian American descent. Whether you aspire to write for a newspaper, magazine, or other media outlets, JCamp encourages anyone with a passion for journalism to apply.
If you’re interested in JCamp, you can check out this detailed guide that covers 7 Reasons to Do JCamp!
3. Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Program Dates: June 17 - July 19, 2025 (tentative dates based on previous editions(.
Eligibility: Open to high school students who reside in and attend high school in Los Angeles County,
AYA is a no-cost, immersive program designed for exceptional high school students in the vicinity of USC. This initiative provides participants with the opportunity to delve into the undergraduate programs at USC Annenberg, offering valuable insights into careers in media and journalism.
Throughout the program, you will engage with individuals who are actively addressing issues related to race, gender, and ethnicity within the fields of communication and journalism. For example, you will get to interact with famous journalist Allan Lopez and adjunct lecturer Rogelio Lopez!
If you’re looking to apply, we encourage you to check out this guide here!
4. The Young Writers Program from National Novel Writing Month
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: New cycles occur every month
Eligibility: Open to writers under 18
The Young Writers Program is a platform where you can sign up for accounts to work on your novels. It allows you to set your own goals, such as word counts (that can range anywhere from 1,000 to even 100,000 words), and provides you with tools to track your progress. During official events like NaNoWriMo in November or Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July, participants set their own word-count goals and aim to complete them by the end of the month.
Outside of official events, you can create personal challenges with custom deadlines for new or ongoing projects. You can write directly in the YWP writing space or in a separate document and explore novel resources for inspiration!
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: All year round
Eligibility: Open to ages 13 - 19
This platform offers high school students the chance to participate in monthly writing competitions, where winners can earn cash prizes. By entering, students can practice their writing regularly while receiving feedback from a supportive community. It provides a great opportunity to develop skills in a safe, inclusive environment where peer review and collaboration are encouraged.
Explore a wide range of writing prompts across various genres, including flash fiction, memoir, poetry, and science fiction. The platform also provides valuable resources for improving writing abilities, with feedback from both experts and peers to help young writers refine their craft.
6. Coursera
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Varies by course, but courses are typically self-paced
Eligibility: Open to high school students and students of any age
Coursera provides a variety of online writing courses at no cost, allowing students to learn from prestigious universities without the need for certification. For those new to writing, it's beneficial to seek out beginner-level classes that cater to individuals just starting their journey.
These courses cover fundamental concepts and techniques essential for developing strong writing skills. By participating, learners can gain insights into different writing styles, improve their abilities, and explore various forms of writing, all from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you're interested in creative writing, academic writing, or professional communication, Coursera offers a valuable resource to enhance your skills and confidence in writing.
7. YAWP Summer Weeklong Classes
Location: In-person in Boston, MA or Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Program Dates: Mondays through Friday, 10:30 - 3:30 pm during the summer months.
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13 - 18
GrubStreet offers Teen Summer Writing Classes for aspiring writers aged 13 to 18, allowing them to explore a wide array of genres, topics, and creative writing styles alongside peers who share their passion for language—both spoken and written.
Classes are led by accomplished authors and performers who have earned fellowships, residencies, and awards at various levels, from local to national. GrubStreet fosters a supportive community that values writers of all ages and backgrounds. You will have the option of signing up for a single class or enroll in multiple sessions throughout the summer!
8. Teen Summer Writing Fellowship
Location: Boston, MA
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Program Dates: July 8 - July 26
Eligibility: Open to high school students living in Boston and Greater Boston.
Note. Although Boston residents are preferred, you will be considered if you are from Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex and Plymouth.
The Teen Summer Writing Fellowship is a rigorous three-week program designed for young writers. Through a combination of classes, workshops, and readings, you will produce new work, delve into the craft of writing, and acquire insights into the writing and publishing industry. An added bonus is that if you complete the program and meet the requirements, you will also receive a stipend of $625!
Throughout the program, you will explore techniques across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Regardless of your preferred style, you are encouraged to experiment with all writing methods presented and to blend genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, verse novels, and magical realism!
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source: Princeton Logo