Research Programs for High School Students with March deadlines
EC Finder currently lists 432 research programs with application deadlines in March for high school students. Of these, 313 are free to participate in and 169 offer virtual participation. Examples include A.C.T. Young Conservatory, A.C.T. Young Conservatory (San Francisco), and ACE Mentor Program - San Francisco Bay Area.
- 432
- listed
- 313
- free
- 169
- virtual
- 424
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are research programs for high school students with march deadlines?
- Research Programs for High School Students with March deadlines are curated extracurricular listings for high school students. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- When do applications for these research programs need to be submitted?
- These opportunities have application deadlines in March. Exact dates vary by program, so check each listing for specifics.
- Are any of these research programs free?
- Yes — 313 of the 432 research programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 169 of the 432 research programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
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A.C.T. Young Conservatory
Students take theater training classes (acting, musical theater, ensemble work) culminating in public performance; no audition required.
A.C.T. Young Conservatory (San Francisco)
American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory offers year-round and summer acting classes, intensives, and productions for youth, including high-school-level performance ensembles and audition-based programs.
ACE Mentor Program - San Francisco Bay Area
A free after-school mentorship program pairing Bay Area high school students (grades 9-12) with volunteer architects, engineers, and contractors. Teams work through mock building-design projects, visit real job sites and professional offices, and present their solutions at a year-end showcase.
ACEing Autism
Tennis and social skills program for children with autism where high school volunteers serve as peer mentors, helping participants develop tennis skills, social connections, and confidence in a supportive environment. Volunteers gain leadership experience and understanding of autism spectrum disorders.
ACS ChemClub
American Chemical Society's national program supporting extracurricular high school chemistry clubs, offering hands-on activities, career exploration, and scholarship eligibility.
Active Minds High School Chapter Network
A national network of 500+ peer-led mental health advocacy chapters, including high school chapters, where students raise awareness, reduce stigma, and organize campus mental health initiatives.
Adirondack Youth Climate Summit
An immersive two-day climate-leadership experience where students from Northern New York create individualized Climate Action Plans through workshops and plenary sessions, part of a growing network of youth climate summits nationwide.
Aequora Latin Program at St. Francis High School (Paideia Institute)
A Sacramento after-school program, part of the Paideia Institute's national Aequora initiative, where a high school student site coordinator and volunteers teach Latin literacy, grammar, and Roman culture to local middle schoolers. Billed as the Sacramento area's first free Latin program.
AFMS Future Rockhounds of America Badge Program
Self-paced badge-based earth science/lapidary curriculum through rock/mineral clubs.
AHLEI Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Program
A flexible high school curriculum from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute that prepares students for hospitality careers through internationally recognized industry standards, culminating in a student credential and advanced placement at participating colleges.
AI4ALL@UW Data Science Workshop
A free 20-week introductory data science and machine learning workshop from the University of Washington's AI4ALL chapter for rising high school juniors/seniors and college freshmen, emphasizing collaborative learning and disability-informed perspectives on bias and fairness in AI.
Alameda Family Services Youth Advisory Board
A youth advisory board run through Alameda Family Services' school-based health centers, where Alameda Unified School District high school students identify and address topics such as mental health, sexual health, healthy relationships, and body image.
Alamo Women's Club Hearts of Gold Scholarship
Local scholarship recognizing service-oriented students.
Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) Action Fellowship
Year-long climate advocacy training fellowship, run by Action for the Climate Emergency (formerly Alliance for Climate Education), for students ages 14-18 to build organizing and leadership skills and run carbon-cutting campaigns at their schools.
AMA Marketing Certification for High School Students
An industry-recognized credentialing program from the American Marketing Association, delivered through Stukent's simulation-based courseware, in which high school students complete coursework and exams to earn the AMA Marketing Certification or AMA Social Media Marketing Certification covering market research, strategic planning, and digital advertising.
American Red Cross Bay Area/North Bay Red Cross Clubs
Student-led Red Cross Clubs at Northern California Coastal Region high schools, where teens ages 13-18 organize service projects, blood drives, and disaster-preparedness education for their campus and community, building leadership skills with minimal adult oversight.
American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) – Bay Area Teams
Team‑based national competition; NorCal teams practice during spring and travel to ARML sites for proof/short‑answer contests.
American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS)
National honor society sponsored by the American Sign Language Teachers Association recognizing high school and college students for academic achievement in ASL studies, Deaf-community service, and leadership.
Amnesty International USA High School Student Group
Students start or join an official Amnesty International USA youth group at their high school to research human rights issues and take collective action through campaigns, petitions, letter-writing, and educational events.
AOPA High School Aviation STEM Initiative
A free national aviation membership and curriculum initiative from the AOPA Foundation, giving students ages 13-20 access to a six-course pilot/drone STEM curriculum, scholarships, and a magazine subscription, either through their school or independently.
APA TOPSS Competition for HS Psychology Students
Students create a short video applying psychological science to a real-world topic (2026 theme: AI in learning), citing research, for national recognition and scholarships.
APS (American Physical Society) High School Teacher-Student Workshops
Regional workshops where students work with physicists on current research topics and experiments.
Arapahoe Rescue Patrol
All-volunteer search and rescue organization in Arapahoe County, Colorado, composed entirely of high school students who provide free search, rescue, and emergency services since 1957. Members complete 100+ hours of basic training (including 24 classroom hours and two 48-hour weekend field sessions) followed by a 6-month probationary period, then respond to rock climbing rescues, winter and avalanche operations, wilderness first aid, and support local law enforcement and fire departments. Recruiting opens in spring.
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Online
Rigorous online courses & problem‑solving community; core resource for contest‑math and proofs (AoPS classes in algebra, NT, geo, combinatorics).
Art Students League of Denver – Teen Studio
Drop-in studio program at the Art Students League of Denver for teens ages 14-17 every Friday night. Participants get free access to high-quality art supplies and guidance from professional faculty artists across drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media.
ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
Young composers (ages 13-30) submit an original concert-music score judged by professional composers; winners receive cash awards and industry recognition.
ASCM Supply Chain STEM Educational Outreach Program
The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers a free K-12 outreach curriculum connecting core STEM concepts to real supply chain and logistics careers, delivered by volunteers or teachers in classrooms, clubs, or community organizations to build early awareness of the field.
Asian Art Museum – Volunteer Program
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco offers volunteer roles supporting exhibitions, education programs, and visitor services; teens can assist with events and family programs, gaining museum-arts experience and service hours.
Asian Liver Center – High School/Youth Volunteering (Stanford)
The Asian Liver Center offers youth volunteer roles in community outreach/events (health fairs, cultural festivals), social media, and advocacy projects around hepatitis B and liver cancer; hours can count toward service awards and you can help with future Youth Leadership Conferences.
ASME High School Scholarship
An annual scholarship from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for graduating high school seniors committed to enrolling in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program, awarding $2,000-$5,000 based on demonstrated financial need, STEM involvement, and academic standing.
ASME INSPIRE / Charles W.E. Clarke Scholarship
ASME's INSPIRE program awards twenty-five $2,000 Charles W.E. Clarke scholarships to graduating high school seniors with financial need who plan to enroll in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program.
Aviation Discovery Day (Reid-Hillview Airport)
A free annual career-exploration event at San Jose's Reid-Hillview Airport where high schoolers meet aviation professionals, tour aircraft, and learn about pilot, mechanic, air traffic control, and airport operations careers.
Bank of America Financial Skills Challenge
A free online financial simulation game, developed with Stock-Trak, in which middle and high school students progress through college and early-career life stages while learning to budget, build savings, manage credit, and file taxes.
Bay Area Arabic Academy
Fremont-based Modern Standard Arabic school offering leveled courses for 7th-12th graders, approved for high school foreign-language credit in two local districts.
Bay Area Financial Education Foundation Workshops
A San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit that sends volunteer financial professionals into schools and community organizations to lead free, interactive workshops on budgeting, investing, and credit for students, delivered on request as part of teachers' regular coursework.
Bay Area Music Project
Nonprofit music program offering ensemble-based instruction and performance opportunities for youth, focusing on orchestral and collaborative music in the Bay Area.
Bay Area Youth Leadership Corps
Free, year-long program for HS sophomores-seniors starting with a 14-day Sierra backpacking expedition, then designing/leading monthly environmental service projects across the Bay Area.
Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival (BAYOF)
Annual festival bringing together top regional youth orchestras (including SFSYO, Young People's Symphony Orchestra, etc.) for a combined concert at Davies Symphony Hall.
Bay Net Volunteer Naturalist Program – Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Trained volunteer docents (age 16+) engage the public at Monterey-area shoreline sites about marine mammals, birds, kelp forests, oceanography, and sanctuary regulations. Involves a five-week spring training (Thursday seminars plus Saturday field sessions) followed by ongoing shoreline shifts.
BBYO
A national Jewish teen movement (AZA for boys, BBG for girls) with active Bay Area/Northern California chapters. Teens explore leadership, civic engagement, Jewish identity, and service through local chapter meetings, summer programs, and international conventions.
Beloved Arise Youth Alliance
A free national community for LGBTQ+ youth of faith and allies ages 14-24 to connect through a private Discord, share personal narratives, apply to become Youth Ambassadors, and lead micro-grant-funded community projects.
Berkeley Animal Care Services Youth Volunteers
Animal shelter volunteer program where teens care for shelter animals, assist with adoptions, and support animal welfare programs. Volunteers gain hands-on experience with animal care and rescue operations.
Berkeley Coding Academy Data Science Track
After-school and summer coding program with dedicated data science curriculum covering statistics, Python, and machine learning at Berkeley location.
Berkeley Linguistics – Prospective Student Information
UC Berkeley Linguistics department resources and information for prospective undergraduate students.
Berkeley Rep Teen Council
Student leaders from the Bay Area plan Teen Night programming, host an original-works showcase, and conduct artist interviews, with free access to shows/artists.
Berkeley Senior Center Volunteer Program
A City of Berkeley program where volunteers help at the North and South Berkeley Senior Centers and Meals on Wheels office with front-desk work, meal service, groceries, and activities; teens under 18 may volunteer with adult supervision.
Berkeley Youth Commission
An 18-member city commission (nine appointed by the Berkeley School Board, one by each City Council member) requiring at least half of its members to be middle or high school students; commissioners review and recommend youth services and programs and meet monthly at the MLK Jr. Youth Center.
Best Buddies High School Friendship Program (California)
A national program with active California high school chapters that pairs students with and without intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) in one-to-one friendships. Buddy pairs commit to weekly contact and at least two in-person hangouts per month, alongside chapter-wide inclusive social events.
Bill of Rights Institute Student Fellowship
A civic-education fellowship for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors combining online discussions and readings on the Constitution with a capstone in-person week in Washington, DC or Philadelphia.
Bin Butler Valet Service
Local paid job moving trash/recycling bins for residents; flexible hours and high hourly wage.
Blackhawk Scholarship Fund
Local scholarship for graduating seniors based on academics, leadership, and service.
BORP Youth Sports Program
Berkeley-based Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) offers year-round competitive and recreational adaptive sports for children and teens with physical disabilities, including wheelchair basketball, power soccer, sled hockey, and goalball, with travel to regional and national tournaments.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula Youth Volunteers
Youth volunteer opportunities mentoring younger children in after-school programs, assisting with activities, and supporting club operations. Teens develop leadership while making a positive impact on youth.
Brain Explorer Academy
UC Irvine CNLM's flagship year-round neuroscience program for Southern California high schoolers, featuring interactive lectures from UCI neuroscientists, hands-on experiments, and lab tours over a 10-week structure.
Bread & Roses Presents
A Bay Area nonprofit that brings free live music, dance, and other performances to seniors and other isolated audiences at care facilities across eight counties; teen musicians and performers can apply to volunteer as performers or hosts.
Bring Change to Mind High School Program
Student-led club program reducing mental-illness stigma, with a $500 annual club grant.
BSA Learning for Life Fire & EMS Career Exploring
A national Learning for Life career-exploration program placing youth from 6th grade through age 20 into local 'Exploring' posts hosted by fire departments and EMS agencies, combining classroom training with hands-on practice in firefighting, EMT/paramedic skills, and search and rescue. Local posts operate throughout Northern California, findable via the national Council Locator.
BSA Learning for Life Health Care Career Exploring
A career-exploration club, open through age 20, where teens meet biweekly at a local Exploring post to practice basic clinical skills like taking vitals and reviewing X-rays and to shadow healthcare professionals.
BUILD: Bay Area Entrepreneurship Program
A national nonprofit founded in 1999 in East Palo Alto and expanded to Oakland in 2004, integrating a multi-year, project-based entrepreneurship curriculum into Career Technical Education pathways at Bay Area high schools, serving over 1,500 California students annually.
BUILD.org – BUILDFest LA Youth Pitch Competition
Students in BUILD's entrepreneurship pathway (FamBiz simulation, Design Challenge) launch real companies and pitch Shark-Tank-style before VIP judges; serves under-resourced Bay Area/LA students.
Cabin Leaders – John Baldwin 5th Grade Camp
HS students serve as cabin leaders and role models for 5th graders at outdoor school, supervising cabins and activities.
Cal Day at the Archaeological Research Facility (UC Berkeley)
An annual free open-house event where UC Berkeley's Archaeological Research Facility hosts lectures, panel discussions, lab tours, and hands-on activities (ceramic reconstruction, rock art painting, paleoethnobotany, career talks) for prospective students, families, and the community.
California 4-H Youth Development Program
The University of California's statewide youth development organization, active in every California county, offering hands-on projects in agriculture, animal science, STEAM, leadership, and healthy living through local community clubs. Members ages 5-18 take on individual and group agricultural projects, often exhibiting livestock and produce at county fairs.
California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program (CASSP)
A statewide volunteer program that trains members of the public to monitor and report on the condition of archaeological and historic sites. Training is a free online classroom day plus an optional in-the-field day; best suited to older, responsible teens alongside adult volunteers.
California Association of Youth Courts (CAYC)
HS volunteers serve as jurors, attorneys, bailiffs, and clerks in peer-run Youth Courts using restorative justice for young offenders.
California Association of Youth Courts (Teen Court)
70+ restorative-justice youth courts where trained teens serve as attorneys, jurors, and judges.
California DECA
State chapter of DECA preparing students for marketing, finance, hospitality, and management careers via school chapters and role-play/written competitive events.
California FFA Association
The California state association of the National FFA Organization, a school-based agricultural education and leadership organization serving over 108,000 student members across 366 chapters statewide, from urban Bay Area schools to rural Central Valley programs. Members combine classroom agricultural instruction, a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, and FFA leadership activities, competing in career development events from local to national levels.
California High School Democrats
The official high school wing of the California Young Democrats; members join or start local chapters to work on grassroots Democratic political activism at the state and local level, with access to an opportunities database and training resources.
California High School Republicans
A chartered branch of the California College Republicans/California Republican Party that recruits and trains high school students to campaign for Republican candidates and start school chapters, receiving a tabling kit and campaign-activism resources.
California Junior Classical League State Convention
California Latin/Classics students compete in academic tests, Certamen, and creative-arts contests at the annual statewide NJCL-affiliated convention.
California MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement)
A year-round college and career prep program, headquartered in Oakland since its 1970 founding at Oakland Technical High School, that serves over 350 middle and high schools statewide with engineering-focused enrichment activities that feed into MESA's community college and university tracks and the National Engineering Design Competition.
California State PTA Reflections Arts Program
Students create original work in one of six mediums (visual art, music composition, film, dance choreography, literature, photography) responding to an annual theme, advancing through school/district/state judging.
California State Thespian Festival
Inducted Thespians attend professional workshops, compete in dozens of individual performance/tech events, and audition for scholarships alongside 1,600+ CA Thespians.
California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP)
Sierra Club, Ten Strands, and UndauntedK12 program for California 9th-12th graders combining a summer retreat and monthly workshops with a mentored campaign to pass climate policy at their own school or district, plus a $500 stipend.
California Youth Symphony
Auditioned Bay Area youth orchestra program; members rehearse weekly across multiple ensembles (Senior Orchestra, Wind Symphony, etc.) and attend required summer camp.
Caltech IQIM K-12 Programs
Caltech's Institute for Quantum Information and Matter runs on-campus quantum science outreach for K-12 students, including hands-on demonstrations, quantum gaming, and classroom visits from physics researchers.
Cantor Arts Center Volunteer
Volunteers serve as ambassadors at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center, greeting visitors and providing information about exhibitions and the museum's collection and history.
Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness
A funded, year-long civic action program in which teams of five teens and young adults design and carry out a community-impact project, receiving stipends, coaching, and networking support.
CASMEC / California All-State Honor Ensembles
Top student musicians statewide, selected via regional auditions, rehearse 3 days under nationally recognized conductors and perform in All-State Band, Orchestra, or Choir.
Center for Independent Living Youth Programs (Berkeley)
Berkeley's Center for Independent Living, birthplace of the disability rights movement, offers disabled youth ages 14-30 workshops on self-advocacy, adult mentorship, and a twice-monthly Youth Social Club (one in-person, one online session) for peer connection.
Center for Land-Based Learning FARMS Leadership Program
A year-long program for Sacramento-region high schoolers combining field days on farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses with leadership training, mentoring, and a student-led community action project in sustainable agriculture.
Chabot Space & Science Center – Galaxy Explorers
A Northern California teen volunteer program at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland where high schoolers lead public astronomy and physics demonstrations, operate telescopes, and build job and public-speaking skills.
Chabot Space & Science Center — Galaxy Explorers
Year-long Oakland teen program training students to lead planetarium shows/demos.
Chabot Space & Science Center Teen Volunteers
High school volunteers assist with educational programs, planetarium shows, exhibits, and special events. Teens gain STEM communication skills while inspiring younger visitors about space and science.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program
Year-round leadership program for 9th-12th graders living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (MD, PA, VA, DC) combining field experiences, hands-on restoration service events, and legislative advocacy to protect the Bay.
Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Volunteer Program
Year-round and summer volunteer opportunities for teens 13-18 at Children's Hospital Colorado, with a six-month minimum commitment of three hours per week. Volunteers support hospital departments and family events; outstanding volunteers are recognized with two $2,500 Junior Volunteer Recognition Scholarships annually.
Chumash Indian Museum Volunteer Program
Volunteer roles in tours, gallery guides, and cultural education in Thousand Oaks, CA.
CISA Cybersecurity Career Resources
Government resources for exploring cybersecurity careers including scholarships, internships, and educational pathways.
Cisco Networking Academy - Cybersecurity Courses
Free online courses (Introduction to Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Essentials) with hands-on labs and industry-recognized certifications.
City of San Jose Youth Commission
Official advisory body to San Jose City Council representing youth voices on city policies, programs, and services. Commissioners gain government experience while advocating for youth issues.
City of San Ramon – Volunteer Opportunities
Parks & Community Services roles at events, libraries, youth and recreation programs.
Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program (California Wing)
Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force; its Cadet Program lets youth ages 12-18 train in aerospace education, leadership, and emergency services, including orientation flights in CAP aircraft. California Wing operates dozens of local squadrons across Northern California offering weekly meetings, encampments, and flight training opportunities.
Civil Air Patrol California Wing Cadet Program
Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, operates cadet squadrons throughout Northern California offering weekly aerospace education, STEM activities, orientation flights, and leadership training for youth.
Cleveland Clinic Career Exploration & Shadowing Program
Lets high schoolers age 15 and up shadow Cleveland Clinic healthcare professionals for up to 20 observational hours a year, giving them a firsthand look at different medical career paths without hands-on patient contact.
Close Up Foundation – Washington, D.C. High School Program
A six-day, five-night in-person civics travel program in which students meet policymakers, attend live congressional committee hearings, tour monuments and museums, and take part in Mock Congress debates with peers from across the country.
CoCoRaHS (Rain, Hail and Snow Network)
Nationwide citizen-science network taking daily precipitation measurements.
Code Blue Region President Program
Students start and lead local Code Blue chapters, organizing workshops and awareness campaigns on Hands-Only CPR, disaster preparedness, first aid basics, allergy response, and CPR/First Aid certification pathways; Region Presidents oversee chapter growth across their area.
Code.org Volunteer / Create CS Curriculum
Volunteer opportunity to help teach computer science to younger students or contribute to open-source CS education resources.
Coleman Advocates Youth Making a Change (YMAC)
A San Francisco youth-organizing program for middle and high schoolers who meet weekly at local schools to build leadership skills and campaign for policy change, including past wins like school Wellness Centers and SF Youth Vote.
Columbia Science Honors Program
Saturday enrichment program at Columbia University for NYC-area students; includes advanced physics courses.
Community Media Center of Marin (CMCM) Youth Media Academy
A television production training program for Marin County high school students, teaching field camera operation, studio production, and post-production editing; the summer session runs three weeks (Tuesday-Thursday afternoons) with additional courses offered in spring and fall.
Community Youth Courts (Contra Costa & Alameda)
A restorative-justice youth court run by youth, for youth, where trained teen volunteers serve as jurors, attorneys, clerks, and case managers for first-time juvenile offenders referred by schools and police in Southern Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
Concord Senior Center Youth Volunteers
Intergenerational program where teens assist with senior activities, technology help, meal service, and special events. Youth build relationships with older adults while supporting senior services.
Conservation Corps (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)
HS students in grades 10-12 attend Saturday sessions learning conservation science and communication skills, developing critical-thinking skills around wildlife issues.
Contra Costa County Youth Mental Health Coalition
A countywide coalition coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education's Wellness In Schools Program, active since 2022, where high school students engage in mental health advocacy, peer-to-peer support, community events, and youth-led presentations.
Contra Costa Crisis Center Youth Volunteers
Crisis intervention and mental health support volunteer opportunities including hotline support, outreach, and suicide prevention programs. Extensive training provided for sensitive crisis work.
Contra Costa Library – Volunteer Opportunities
Library volunteering (shelving, children's programs, homework help, events) across county branches.
Cooper Union Saturday Program
A free, long-running Saturday visual arts and architecture program for New York City public high school students, taught by Cooper Union undergraduates and including field trips and portfolio prep.
Coursera / edX - High School CS Courses
University-level CS courses from Stanford, MIT, Harvard available for free online. Topics include algorithms, AI, web development, and cybersecurity.
Coursera / edX Physics MOOCs (e.g., MIT 8.01x)
Online university-level physics courses from top institutions; free to audit, fee for certificate.
CREW Careers
A one-day (or multi-session) hands-on event hosted by local CREW Network chapters, including Bay Area chapters, that introduces high school girls to commercial real estate careers through property tours and a team redevelopment pitch judged by industry professionals.
CU Pre-Health Scholars Program (CUPS) – High School Track
Free pathway program at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus that exposes 9th-12th grade scholars to research, STEAM, and health-care careers through workshops, mentoring, and campus visits.
CuriOdyssey Leader in Training / Leadership Development Program
Entry-level and advanced volunteer tracks where teens build leadership, science-communication, and environmental-stewardship skills facilitating exhibits at this nature/science center.
CWS Kits: Welcome Backpacks for Refugees
A Church World Service national program where school clubs, youth groups, or classes host a "Kits Party" to assemble Welcome Backpacks of food, hygiene items, and blankets for newly arrived refugee families.
Cyber.org High School Pathways
Comprehensive curriculum with hands-on labs, assessments, and teacher support. Covers cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
CyberDefenders
Blue team focused platform with digital forensics and incident response challenges. Practice defending networks using real-world attack scenarios.
Cyberjutsu Girls Academy
Monthly hands-on STEM/cybersecurity workshops from the Women's Society of Cyberjutsu for middle- and high-school-aged girls, covering web design, mobile app development, and programming, with CyberPatriot and CTF teams.
Cybersecurity Mentorship Programs (CyberAcademy by CyberWarrior Foundation)
Free mentorship connecting high school students with cybersecurity professionals for career guidance and skill development.
CyberStart America
A free national online program delivered by the SANS Institute with 200+ gamified challenges covering cryptography, web exploitation, Python, forensics, and code-breaking, serving as the qualifying platform for the National Cyber Scholarship.
CybHER - Arcade Hack CTF
A cybersecurity outreach initiative based at Dakota State University focused on engaging girls in cyber, including the Arcade Hack capture-the-flag challenge and related events/workshops.
Danville Youth Council (DYC)
Official youth advisory body to the Danville Town Council where high school representatives attend Town Council meetings, advise on youth‑related policies, organize community events, and gain hands‑on experience in local government and civic engagement.
Davis Media Access Teen Media Nights
A free, drop-in Friday-evening program at Davis Media Access, run with the Future Development Youth Center, offering teens ages 12-19 mentored instruction in video production, DJing, and music production/mixing.
Delta Epsilon Phi (National German Honor Society)
National honor society for high school students of German, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German, recognizing students who complete at least three semesters of German with a high GPA.
DoSomething.org Human Rights & Social Justice Campaigns
A free national platform where teens join ongoing social-action campaigns on causes such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and community wellbeing, completing self-directed "actions" that build a record of civic engagement.
EAA Chapter 20 Young Eagles Program (San Carlos Airport)
EAA Chapter 20 hosts the national Young Eagles program at San Carlos Airport, giving youth ages 8-17 a free introductory airplane ride with a volunteer pilot to spark interest in aviation. The chapter has provided over 10,000 free flights since 1992 and supports pathways into further flight training and scholarships.
East Bay Mineral & Lapidary Club Youth Membership
An East Bay (Oakland-area) nonprofit rock and mineral club offering a discounted youth membership for students 17 and under. Youth members get full access to lapidary workshops, cutting/polishing classes, field trips to geological sites, and the club's annual gem and mineral show, alongside an accompanying adult member.
East Bay Regional Park District Volunteers
Volunteer program offering trail work, habitat restoration, interpretive programs, and park maintenance across 73 parks in the East Bay. Youth gain outdoor leadership and environmental stewardship skills.
Eastbay Astronomical Society
A nonprofit amateur astronomy club founded in 1924 and based at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, offering a discounted student membership with a telescope loaner program, a Telescope Makers' Workshop, and members-only viewing nights on Chabot's historic telescopes.
El Camino Health Junior Auxiliary
Year-long hospital volunteer program at El Camino Health where teens support hospital departments and patient-facing services in Mountain View and Los Gatos.
EmersonWRITES
A free creative writing workshop run by Emerson College for students in grades 8-12 from the Boston area, meeting each fall on campus and online to develop original fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Empowering Children Foundation San José Volunteers
Youth volunteer program supporting children in foster care through tutoring, mentoring, activity coordination, and donation drives in San José.
EmpowerSTEM Chapter Leader Program
High schoolers start or lead a local EmpowerSTEM chapter, organizing free hands-on STEM workshops for younger students, recruiting volunteers, and expanding STEM access in their school or community.
Encode Justice / Encode AI
A youth-led national advocacy movement, founded by a California high schooler, that mobilizes over 1,000 high school and college students across 40+ states in chapters to shape AI policy, having sponsored laws like California's SB 53 AI safety act.
Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital (William & Mary Pre-College Online)
A fully online William & Mary pre-college course, taught by a clinical professor and executive director at the Mason School of Business, in which students ages 13 and up study how startups raise capital and the venture-capital ecosystem, culminating in a recorded pitch deck for seed-stage funding and a Certificate of Completion.
EPICS High
A national engineering-design service-learning program in which high school teams partner with schools or nonprofit organizations to identify community needs and design and deliver real engineering solutions, applying human-centered design across themes of community development, education, health, and sustainability.
EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School
A free, standards-aligned digital course series covering saving, credit, investing, and digital banking through scenario-based learning modules. Funded by community business partners and used by schools nationwide, including in California, as a self-paced classroom or homework resource.
FEE Seminar Series
Seminars held throughout the year by the Foundation for Economic Education that introduce high school and college students to free-market economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship principles, with programming and travel typically covered for accepted students.
Finance NYC: An Insider's View (NYU High School Academy)
An NYU School of Professional Studies High School Academy course that gives students an insider's look at New York City's finance industry, covering markets, careers, and financial decision-making.
Financial Football (Visa / Practical Money Skills)
Free, NFL-themed interactive game teaching budgeting, credit, saving, and investing through fast-paced football-trivia gameplay.
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Teen Programs
Teen programs with events, leadership, and job opportunities (e.g., paid teen guides, Youth Programs Teen Advisory Board) tied to the de Young and Legion of Honor museums.
Fine Arts Museums Volunteers
Volunteers support the de Young and Legion of Honor museums with visitor services, events, and education programs that often highlight art and historical collections.
Folger Secondary School Shakespeare Festival
A decades-running festival at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, where middle and high school students edit, direct, and perform a 15-minute scene from a Shakespeare play using the playwright's original language.
Foothill College Astronomy Program (Dual Enrollment)
High school students in grades 9-12 can dual-enroll tuition-free in Foothill College's transferable astronomy sequence (General Astronomy: Solar System; Stars, Galaxies & Cosmology; and the Astronomy Laboratory), which includes hands-on observational and data-analysis projects using real astronomical equipment.
Fort Ross Conservancy Volunteer Program
Volunteer program at Fort Ross and Salt Point State Historic Parks on the Sonoma Coast, the site of the historic Russian-American Company settlement. Teens assist with cultural history interpretation and site stewardship, earn community service hours, and can receive a California State Parks pass after 40+ hours.
FreeCodeCamp Certifications
Self-paced online platform offering free certifications in web development, data analysis, machine learning, and more. Great for building portfolio projects.
Freelance Jobs for Students – Sparrow
Online platform for HS/college students to find paid freelance work (tutoring, design, tech, writing, etc.).
Fremont Peak Observatory Association
A volunteer-run nonprofit that operates a public observatory at Fremont Peak State Park near San Juan Bautista, offering free astronomy programs, telescope viewing, and multimedia presentations most Saturday evenings. The association also welcomes school, scout, and youth group visits by advance arrangement and offers observer memberships for continued involvement.
Fremont Police Explorers
A Fremont Police Department program for teens ages 14-18 currently enrolled in high school, offering hands-on exposure to law enforcement through ride-alongs, traffic control, community events, building tours, and a week-long Explorer Academy in San Diego.
Fresno County Health Youth Corps
A two-semester public health leadership program launched by UCSF Fresno, Fresno County Public Health, and the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools that trains historically marginalized high schoolers to become community health champions, culminating in a community health initiative and annual showcase.
Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Teen Volunteers
Library volunteer program where teens assist with programs, shelving, community events, and literacy initiatives. Volunteers support public library services and promote reading in the community.
From the Top
Nonprofit known for its NPR/PBS programs showcasing pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8-18, including instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers, who perform and share their stories to a national radio audience along with scholarships.
Genentech Foundation Futurelab Scholarship
The Genentech Foundation's Futurelab Scholarship awards ten scholarships (totaling over $100,000 per year) to graduating seniors from the South San Francisco Unified School District who plan to pursue STEM degrees, including biotechnology and biomedical engineering; past recipients have gone on to intern or work at Genentech.
GENup – Student-Led Education Advocacy
California-based, student-led education advocacy organization that forms school- and district-level chapters to push for policy change at school boards, in Sacramento, and nationally. Chapters work on campaigns like student bills of rights, funding, and equity legislation.
Girl Up
Students start/join a club organizing advocacy campaigns and fundraising on gender equity and global girls' policy issues; can apply as Teen Advisors.
Girls Garage
A nonprofit design and construction school in Berkeley serving girls and gender-expansive youth ages 9-18, offering free after-school and summer instruction in carpentry, welding, architecture, and activist art/design-build projects. High schoolers (ages 14-18) can join multi-month after-school cohorts such as Advanced Design/Build and Design/Build fundamentals, culminating in real community-facing structures.
Girls Learn International
School-based clubs studying gender equity, human rights, and social justice.
Girls Who Code - Clubs & Pathways
Free, project-based programs including a cybersecurity track alongside web development, game design, and data science. Clubs meet after school/weekends; the self-paced Pathways program is virtual for high schoolers.
Girls With Impact
Free live-online 10-week entrepreneurship academy where young women build a business plan through weekly classes covering marketing, finance, and leadership.
Girls Write Now
A New York City nonprofit that pairs high school girls and gender-expansive youth from underserved communities with professional women writers for a year of one-on-one mentorship, culminating in a published anthology.
Global Minds Initiative
A youth-led national nonprofit where students start an after-school chapter pairing native English speakers with immigrant and refugee English-language learners to build cross-cultural friendships and practice English together.
Global Mythologies: Greece and Rome (Johns Hopkins CTY Online)
An online Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth course in which academically advanced students read classical mythology and examine its enduring influence on modern literature and culture through reading, discussion, and writing.
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Recognizes youth ages 8-18 who have led significant environmental or humanitarian service projects; top winners receive cash awards to further their work or education.
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Youth Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities in Golden Gate National Recreation Area including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, visitor services, and park programs. Teens connect with nature while serving their community.
Google Code-in / Code Next
Google's programs for high school students to contribute to open-source projects and learn computer science fundamentals.
GoPhysics! Online Workshops
Free online physics workshops from Perimeter Institute where high schoolers dive into modern topics like gravity and black holes, or exoplanets and cosmology, guided by working physicists.
GSA Network TRUTH Collective
A storytelling and media-advocacy program run by GSA Network (Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network) for trans and gender-nonconforming teens to build public understanding of trans experiences and organize for safer schools.
Habitat for Humanity East Bay Youth Build
Youth volunteer program building affordable housing for low-income families. Students learn construction skills while addressing housing insecurity and participating in community development.
Habitat for Humanity Global Village
Weeklong international home-building service trips across dozens of countries, organized for school groups with a teacher leader, giving teens hands-on experience supporting affordable-housing construction abroad.
Hack Club
Global nonprofit network of 1,000+ high school computer programming clubs (100,000+ students) plus a Slack community active 24/7. Hack Club also funds teen builders directly: Hack Grant ($50-$200 for any project), Highway/Hardware Grant (up to $350), and $500 grants for in-person high school hackathons.
HackTheBox Academy
Industry-leading penetration testing platform with comprehensive learning paths. Free tier provides access to retired machines and foundational courses.
HandsOn Bay Area
Volunteer matching platform connecting Bay Area youth with local nonprofits and community organizations. Students can find one-time or ongoing volunteer opportunities across education, environment, social services, and more.
Harvard Linguistics – Resources & Problem Sets
Harvard Linguistics department resources including problem sets and introductory materials for prospective students.
Health Profession Recruitment/Exposure Program (HPREP)
A ten-week Friday-afternoon program, now run nationally through Student National Medical Association chapters at medical schools including Weill Cornell, that pairs 10th-11th graders with medical students for workshops on research papers, personal statements, and healthcare careers.
Heart of Sonoma Valley Youth Ambassadors
Year-long youth ambassador program where teens promote community service, organize events, and advocate for youth issues in Sonoma Valley.
Heartsaver CPR AED Course (American Heart Association)
An instructor-led or blended certification course teaching adult, child, and infant CPR, AED use, and choking relief, open to anyone including teens with no medical background; completion yields an AHA card valid for two years.
High School Marine Biology Course (Marine Science Institute, Redwood City)
A hands-on, a-g approved semester-long marine biology course for grades 9-12 held weekly at the Marine Science Institute in Redwood City. Students study ocean environments, waves and tides, and marine organisms through labs and a field trip to a local creek and rocky shore.
History San Jose Programs
History San Jose runs interactive "History Detectives" programs and other public-history events using 19th-century San Jose artifacts.
Hope Squad
A school-based peer-to-peer suicide prevention program in which students nominated by classmates are trained in QPR and warning-sign recognition to identify and support at-risk peers; active in over 1,600 U.S. and Canadian schools.
Human Rights Watch Student Task Force
A youth leadership and human rights advocacy training program, founded in 1999, that trains high school students to run cross-campus advocacy campaigns on issues like children's rights, housing justice, and climate education, alongside public-speaking and project-coordination training. Chapters operate at high schools in several cities, with students able to join via an online interest form even without an existing chapter at their school.
Hương Việt Vietnamese Language School
Long-running Oakland-based Saturday language school teaching Vietnamese language and culture to Bay Area youth.
IBM SkillsBuild for High School – Artificial Intelligence
A free, self-paced online platform from IBM offering high school students courses and digital credentials in AI fundamentals, covering machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, chatbots, neural networks, and AI ethics.
ICA SF Teen Program
Teens explore contemporary art via dialogue, hands-on activities, and public speaking across five sessions, linking art to community issues and creative careers.
iCivics
Free game-based civic/legal education platform (founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor).
IGNITE National – High School Chapters
IGNITE is a nonpartisan nonprofit, founded via a 2010 Bay Area pilot, that builds young women's political ambition through student-led High School Chapters and Clubs where members learn to run voter registration drives, advocate on bills, and consider running for office. Chapters are hosted at school sites and must re-enroll with IGNITE annually.
Inspiring Future Women in Science
An annual half-day conference at Perimeter Institute connecting high schoolers with women scientists to discuss careers, challenges, and opportunities in physics and science; recordings available online.
Inspirit AI - AI + Neuroscience Track
Project-based. You build a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) model using EEG data.
Interns4Good – Remote Internships
Interns4Good is a nonprofit that matches high-school students with virtual volunteer internships at charities and community organizations in roles like social media, tutoring, research, and design.
Invest in Girls - Financial Foundations
A free financial education program that partners with high schools nationwide to teach girls and gender-expansive students personal finance and investing through live online courses, culminating in an optional mentorship program with women in finance.
Invest It Forward (SIFMA Foundation)
Program pairing finance-industry volunteers with classrooms running The Stock Market Game, giving students direct mentorship and career exposure.
JA Company Program
A Junior Achievement program in which high school students conceptualize, finance, and run their own student-led startup company over a semester or school year, guided by volunteer business mentors and covering sales, finance, marketing, and supply-chain fundamentals.
JA Finance Park (Junior Achievement of Northern California)
Hands-on personal finance simulation in which high schoolers choose a career and lifestyle, then build and defend a real-world household budget covering income, credit, saving, and risk.
JA Finance Park Advanced
Junior Achievement's capstone personal-finance simulation for high schoolers, in which students take on an adult persona with a randomized career and life scenario and build a monthly budget at an on-site or virtual Finance Park, following teacher-led classroom lessons.
JA Social Innovation Camp
A Junior Achievement of Northern California learning experience, delivered virtually or in person by community volunteers, that applies entrepreneurial thinking to sustainability and social problems to build high schoolers' leadership and innovation skills.
JA Take Stock in Your Future
A Junior Achievement of Northern California course spanning five sessions that introduces high schoolers to stock market fundamentals, current market analysis, and practical trading experience, with an optional stock market competition component.
Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
Prestigious national award for pre-college classical musicians, providing up to $10,000 for music education and a chance to appear on From the Top.
Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots
Free, flexible youth action network active in all 50 states where students form chapters and design their own community projects addressing environmental, animal, or human-welfare issues using a simple four-step action model.
Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots
A global youth-led service-learning movement with local chapters/groups tackling projects that benefit people, animals, and the environment, providing curriculum, tools, and a project framework for student-led environmental action.
Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS)
National honor society administered by AATJ that recognizes high schoolers for sustained excellence in Japanese language study.
JCNC Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program
South Bay youth program coordinating service projects and certifying qualifying students for the U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award with certificate and medallion.
JFCS East Bay Youth Ambassadors
A Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay volunteer program for youth ages 12 and up who organize collection drives and community projects supporting East Bay refugee and immigrant families.
John Muir Health CLIMB Near Peer Mentorship Program
A virtual, multi-tier mentorship program connecting high school students interested in medicine with medical students and Family Medicine residents through weekly meetings from July through December, aimed at developing community-engaged future physicians.
Johns Hopkins CTY – Linguistics: The Science of Language
An online Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth course analyzing language as both biological instinct and cultural artifact, covering phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics along with subfields like psycholinguistics and computational semantics.
Johns Hopkins CTY Online Physics
Rigorous online physics courses (AP Physics, intro to quantum) for gifted students.
Juilliard Pre-College
A Saturday conservatory-style program at the Juilliard School for musicians ages 8-18, combining private lessons, chamber music, theory, and large ensembles with faculty who also teach in Juilliard's college division.
Jump$tart Reality Check
Free interactive online tool helping students calculate the income and career path needed to support the adult lifestyle they envision.
Jump$tart Student Honor Society
National recognition program honoring high schoolers who demonstrate strong personal finance knowledge and have taught financial literacy to peers.
Junior NAD
A national youth-led organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 7-12 that runs school-based chapters and a national conference to build leadership, self-advocacy, and citizenship skills.
Junior Paleontologist Program (National Park Service)
A National Park Service badge program in which students complete a free downloadable Junior Paleontologist activity booklet covering how paleontologists work, Earth's history, and ancient life, then mail it in to receive an official badge. It is part of the wider NPS Junior Ranger system and can be completed independently or after visiting a national park with fossil resources.
Kaiser Permanente – Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit (Las Positas College)
Kaiser Permanente Northern California partners with Black Men in White Coats to host a one-day Youth Summit at Las Positas College, giving middle-school through college students exposure to medical careers through speakers, physician panels, CPR and simulation activities, and grade-level breakout workshops. The 2026 summit runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on April 11 in Livermore, CA.
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Hospital Volunteers
Volunteer programs at Kaiser hospitals across the Bay Area where teens support patient services, wayfinding, and hospital departments with orientation and training.
Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Teen Volunteer Program
Teen volunteers support hospital staff, assist patients and families, and gain exposure to healthcare careers. Program includes training and opportunities across various hospital departments.
Kala Art Institute Teen Studio Art Program
Skill-based, academic-year visual arts studio program in Berkeley covering drawing, watercolor, and mixed media with professional teaching artists.
Khan Academy Physics
Free online physics courses (AP Physics 1, 2, C) with videos, practice, and mastery tracking.
Korean American Center – King Sejong Institute Korean Classes
Live one-to-one and group Korean language classes for K-12 students offered nationally (online or in-person) by the Korean American Center, a King Sejong Institute. Builds reading, writing, speaking, and cultural fluency from beginner through advanced levels with credentialed Korean instructors.
Korean Honor Society (KHS)
National honor society jointly sponsored by AATK and KLTA-USA, recognizing high schoolers for excellence in Korean language study.
KQED Youth Media Challenge
CA public-media program for original audio/video/narrative pieces published on KQED's Youth Media Showcase.
LA Times High School Insider
A Los Angeles Times journalism platform where high school students nationwide can publish news, opinion, and feature writing under the Times banner and receive editorial feedback to develop their craft.
Language Log
Popular linguistics blog covering diverse language topics, research, and current events; great for curious language learners and aspiring linguists.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Programs
San Francisco-based LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers year-round social, recreational, and educational programming for blind and low-vision children and teens to build skills and peer connections.
Lighthouse Young Authors Collective
Free weekly writers' group for teens at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver where students exchange written pieces and give and receive feedback. Drop-in academic support and writing groups are also available year-round, with a special focus on LGBTQIA+ teens and young people of color.
Lindsay Wildlife Experience Teen Programs
Service-learning programs with animal ambassadors and wildlife education.
Linguistic Society of America (LSA) – Student Resources
Official linguistics society's student page with career information, recommended reading, and links to competitions and programs.
LITA of Contra Costa (Love Is The Answer)
A Contra Costa County nonprofit that connects volunteers with seniors in care facilities through pet visits, music, gardening, and art activities to reduce isolation and loneliness.
Love For Our Elders
A national nonprofit fighting elder loneliness, where high schoolers write handwritten letters to isolated seniors and can start an official campus chapter at their school to organize letter-writing drives.
Loyola Law School Young Lawyers Program
LMU law students mentor LA-area students weekly, ending in a mock trial before a real judge.
Mandarin Language and Cultural Center (MLCC)
25+ year Bay Area Mandarin Chinese school in Milpitas and Saratoga offering Heritage, Chinese-as-Foreign-Language, and AP-track classes.
Manhattan School of Music Precollege
A Saturday pre-conservatory program in New York City for musicians ages 8-18 offering classical or jazz tracks with weekly private lessons, theory, ear training, and ensembles, admission by audition.
March For Our Lives Membership
The gun-violence-prevention movement founded by high school students. Members join campus and community chapters (or organize virtually via 'On Your Couch' toolkits) to run voter-registration drives, advocacy campaigns, and school-based organizing.
Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC)
Founded in 1969, one of the oldest youth commissions in the U.S.; 25 youth members aged 12-23 advocate for young people's interests before the Marin County Board of Supervisors, working in subcommittees on issues like immigrant justice, mental health, and racial equity, and drafting public policy proposals.
Marin Humane Teen Volunteer Program
Animal welfare volunteer opportunities including animal care, adoption support, community outreach, and humane education. Teens gain experience in animal rescue and shelter operations.
MarinHealth S.M.I.L.E. High School Volunteer Program
Competitive year-long hospital volunteer program (Students Making Illness a Little Easier) with only ~10 spots, focused on supporting patients and staff at MarinHealth Medical Center.
Marshall Medical Center Junior Volunteers
A Placerville hospital volunteer program for high schoolers ages 16-18 offering roughly 6 hours per month of patient- and staff-support experience, with training, background clearance, and a recommendation letter required.
Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project
Law-student Fellows teach a yearlong constitutional law course; top students reach the national Moot Court Competition.
Math Teachers' Circle / Bay Area Math Circle for Teachers & Students
Some Bay Area Math Teachers' Circles invite HS student observers or helpers; good for 1‑on‑1 exposure to inquiry‑based math and leadership.
Mayo Clinic Career Immersion Program (Minnesota)
A multi-day, hands-on Mayo Clinic program for Minnesota high school juniors and seniors to explore in-demand healthcare careers directly alongside Mayo experts and near-peer mentors.
Mays Days (Texas A&M Mays Business School)
A free, single-day event held multiple times each summer at Texas A&M's Mays Business School in which rising high school juniors and seniors work with a current Mays student leader on a business case study and explore academic opportunities and the college application process.
MBK Hindi Language Center
Bay Area nonprofit offering a UC-approved, four-year Hindi curriculum for high schoolers, recognized as foreign-language credit by several districts.
Meals on Wheels Volunteer Delivery
Volunteer program delivering meals to homebound seniors and disabled individuals. Youth learn about senior care, food security, and community health while providing essential services.
Menlo Park Fire District Explorer Post 109
A Learning for Life fire-service exploring post for ages 14-21 that trains participants toward Firefighter I and EMT skills through bi-monthly meetings, ride-alongs, and a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, with a scholarship available for those pursuing fire-service careers.
Mentis Napa Teens Connect
A Napa County program in which teens serve as youth mental health advocates, engaging in wellness projects, workshops, and peer support activities, including a Summer 2026 small-group series at the Mentis Wellness Campus.
MISA Health – MISA Summer Program
Virtual or hybrid program where students learn about healthcare innovation, health systems, and medical careers through case studies and projects.
Mission: Brain - Student Chapters
Start a chapter of this non-profit (founded at Stanford) to do neuro-outreach in your community.
MIT Linguistics – Resources for Prospective Students
MIT Linguistics department's page with introductory readings, puzzles, and guidance for exploring linguistics as a field.
Monterey Audubon Young Birders Club
Free youth birding club hosting monthly Monterey-area field trips for young birders to build identification and field-ecology skills in a peer community.
MVHS PTSA Scholarships
Five $1,000 awards and one $2,500 award for Monte Vista seniors based on involvement and achievement.
MyShake Citizen Seismologist Program
Free UC Berkeley app turning phones into mini seismometers contributing to earthquake research.
NAACP Youth Council
Local NAACP unit-affiliated councils providing civil-rights training and leadership development for members under 25; high school students can check whether a chapter exists at their school or work with a local adult NAACP unit to start one, engaging in advocacy and community activism.
NACLO Problems (Archive)
Complete archive of all past North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad problems; excellent for self‑study and practice.
NAfME Music Scholarships & Grants
Curated list of current music scholarships and competitions with regularly updated info for high school and college students.
NASA HUNCH
Classes design/fabricate real flight hardware flown to the International Space Station.
NASA Robotics Alliance Project (RAP)
A free NASA program that sponsors and mentors FIRST Robotics Competition and VEX teams nationwide, pairing high school students with NASA engineers and technical professionals for hands-on mentoring and, in some cases, team sponsorship funding.
National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
A national honor society for art students in grades 9-12 run by the National Art Education Association, offering leadership opportunities and access to member-exclusive scholarships from partner art colleges.
National Business Honor Society
Honor society recognizing high schoolers who excel in business coursework (3.5 business GPA, 3.2 overall) through local school chapters, offering induction and scholarship eligibility.
National Chinese Honor Society (NCHS)
National honor society sponsored by the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools recognizing high school students (grades 9-12) with high scholastic achievement after four semesters of Chinese study.
National Constitution Center Scholar Exchange
Free live virtual sessions with lawyers/judges/scholars practicing civil dialogue on constitutional topics.
National English Honor Society (NEHS)
A national honor society for high school students who excel in English language and literature, with over 600 chapters that run literary programming, book clubs, and scholarship and competition opportunities.
National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festivals
Annual noncompetitive performance festivals run by the National Federation of Music Clubs, where student musicians perform memorized pieces for a judge and earn ratings and recognition toward national awards.
National Piano Playing Auditions (Piano Guild)
Noncompetitive national piano evaluations run by the American College of Musicians at hundreds of audition centers nationwide, giving students of any level yearly performance goals, feedback, and recognition.
National Space Club and Foundation Keynote Scholarship
A prestigious national scholarship open to U.S. citizens from high school seniors through graduate students pursuing STEM fields, awarding $10,000 for education and inviting the recipient to deliver a keynote address at the National Space Club and Foundation's Goddard Memorial Dinner, a premier aerospace-industry networking event.
National Teen Age Republicans (TARS)
The official teenage auxiliary of the Republican Party, open to students ages 13-18, operating for over 60 years through school- and community-based chapters led by students with an adult advisor; members do leadership development, voter education, campaign volunteering, and public speaking, and can attend the annual TAR Leadership Conference.
National Wildlife Federation EcoLeaders
Free online community and certification program for high school juniors and seniors to plan, lead, and document sustainability projects at their school, with career-development resources and a Certified EcoLeader credential.
National Youth Poet Laureate Program (Urban Word)
A program spanning 70+ cities/states/counties that identifies and elevates exceptional youth poets who use their voice for civic change, advancing local Youth Poet Laureates toward state and national titles.
National Youth Rights Association (NYRA)
A youth-led civil and political rights organization (roughly 10,000 members) that challenges age-discriminatory laws, drafts and testifies on youth-rights legislation, and organizes through local chapters ("nodes"); students can volunteer, become members, or start a node in their community.
Naturalists in Training (Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History)
A teen volunteer program at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, near Monterey Bay, for students entering grades 9-12. Trainees attend workshops on natural history and coastal ecology, then serve volunteer shifts helping the public and leading nature activities, earning community service hours or a stipend.
NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
A national program from the National Council of Teachers of English, established in 1957, that recognizes outstanding high school sophomore and junior writers who are nominated by their teachers and respond to an annual national prompt.
Neel Somani Young Innovators Scholarship
Scholarship recognizing students who led innovative projects, often in STEM or entrepreneurship.
New England Young Writers' Conference (Bread Loaf/Middlebury)
Four-day writing conference for high school sophomores and juniors held at Middlebury's Bread Loaf campus, working directly with professional writers.
NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests
Curates "legit" contests for youth; includes many teen‑specific poetry and prose competitions.
Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (Monterey Jazz Festival)
Top HS jazz musicians nationwide, chosen via blind audition, rehearse under a GRAMMY-nominated director and perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival mainstage.
NFMC Junior Festivals
National Federation of Music Clubs annual Junior Festivals give young musicians (18 and under) a yearly performance evaluation, plus competitions/awards in voice, instrumental, and composition, awarding over $750,000 annually.
NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth)
The Reform Judaism movement's national teen network, with Bay Area synagogue chapters. Teens build leadership skills and Jewish identity through local chapter events, regional conventions, social-justice projects, and national gatherings.
NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework
Free resources mapping cybersecurity careers, skills, and learning pathways. Essential for understanding the breadth of cybersecurity roles.
NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools
A school-based program through NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in which a school commits to a conservation/stewardship project connected to its local ocean or watershed, with curriculum support and small grants.
Notre Dame Pre-College Online - Business & Finance
A self-paced online pre-college course from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business covering finance and business fundamentals for students as young as age 13, requiring no transcripts or recommendation letters to enroll.
NRF Foundation RISE Up
A free, industry-backed credentialing program from the National Retail Federation Foundation, built with more than 20 major retailers, offering courses such as Retail Industry Fundamentals, Business of Retail, and Supply Chain, Inventory & Logistics that high schoolers complete through partner schools and training organizations nationwide.
NSBE Jr. / Pre-College Initiative
NSBE Jr. is the K-12 arm of the National Society of Black Engineers, running local chapters (including one at Richmond High School in the Bay Area) that provide hands-on STEM activities, mentorship, competitions, and college/career preparation for students interested in engineering. Students without a local chapter can join as an 'At-Large' member nationally.
NSBP/HGS Dream + Inspire Mentoring Program
A mentoring program pairing National Society of Black Physicists collegiate members with middle and high schoolers for weekly conversations, STEAM kit projects, and monthly seminars with professional physicists.
NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute – Self-Paced Courses
Free and paid self-paced online courses from NVIDIA's Deep Learning Institute covering generative AI, deep learning, and data science fundamentals, with hands-on GPU-accelerated labs and certificates of competency for select courses.
NWS Sacramento SKYWARN Weather Spotter Program
A free National Weather Service volunteer training program that teaches participants to identify and safely report severe weather (hail, wind damage, flash flooding, tornadoes) to help forecasters issue better warnings. Training is delivered via a series of online video modules plus an exam, covering the Sacramento Valley and surrounding Northern California region.
Oakland Museum of California Volunteers
OMCA's volunteer program includes roles helping with school groups, cultural celebrations, and public programs that highlight California art, history, and natural sciences.
Oakland Public Library Teen Advisory Board
Youth leadership group advising library staff on teen services, programs, and collections. Members plan events, review books, and shape library offerings for young people.
Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guide Program
Teens serve as docents and educators, leading tours, staffing exhibits, and teaching visitors about wildlife conservation. Volunteers receive extensive training in animal science and public speaking.
On Lok Volunteer Program
Volunteers at On Lok's Bay Area PACE adult day centers lead activities, teach skills like ESL or origami, write birthday cards, and provide companionship to seniors; volunteers under 18 are welcome when accompanied by an adult guardian.
Outlet Youth Advisory Board (Adolescent Counseling Services)
A free leadership and community-service board for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 14-25 in the Peninsula/Bay Area, run by Outlet (a program of Adolescent Counseling Services). Members plan events, outreach, and peer-support programming, meeting virtually every other week with optional in-person meetups.
Outset Medical – Student Opportunities (Shadowing/Intern-Style)
Outset Medical is a dialysis-technology company; HS/early-college students sometimes engage through mentored projects, job-shadowing, or outreach tied to employees. Not a standardized open program, but a potential mentorship/research connection if you network with the team.
OverTheWire Wargames
Free online cybersecurity wargames teaching fundamental to advanced security concepts through hands-on challenges. Self-paced progression through difficulty levels.
Palo Alto Art Center Teen Leadership (ACT)
Year-long teen leadership program where high schoolers plan events, make and exhibit art, and build career and leadership skills at the Palo Alto Art Center.
Peer Court - Lincoln Law School of San Jose
Teen volunteers act as jurors, attorneys, and court staff in a real San Jose courtroom to hear cases of first-time teen offenders, using motivational interviewing and trauma-informed, restorative-justice practices under the mentorship of Lincoln Law School.
Peninsula Astronomical Society – Foothill Observatory
An all-volunteer Bay Area astronomy club that operates the public Foothill Observatory on the Foothill College campus, hosting free Friday-night stargazing and Saturday-morning solar viewing through a 16-inch computer-controlled telescope, plus member talks and star parties.
Peninsula Gem & Geology Society
A Los Altos-based nonprofit club promoting geology, mineralogy, and lapidary arts through monthly meetings, guest speakers, workshops, and field trips open to the public. Students can attend meetings and field trips to learn rock and mineral identification, and use the club's lapidary shop.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Junior Volunteer Program
A shelter volunteer program in Burlingame for teens ages 13-17 (13-15 must volunteer with a parent), providing direct animal-care support experience and exposure to animal welfare work.
Peninsula Volunteers Teen Volunteer Program (Little House & Rosener House)
Peninsula Volunteers Inc. in Menlo Park runs Little House (a senior activity center) and Rosener House (adult day services), which welcome teen and school-group volunteers for arts and crafts with seniors, meal service at the Little House Cafe, grounds/gardening help, and making seasonal cards for isolated older adults. Group volunteering must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Perry Initiative Outreach Program
A free, one-day hands-on workshop held at sites nationwide where high school students perform mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanical engineering activities while networking with surgeon and engineer mentors, aimed at increasing diversity in orthopedics and engineering.
Physics by Inquiry - Coursera / University Partners
Inquiry-based physics learning programs; good for self-directed study and conceptual understanding.
Pleasant Hill Recreation Teen Volunteer Program
City recreation department volunteer opportunities assisting with youth sports, camps, special events, and community programs. Teens gain experience in recreation leadership and event management.
Poets & Writers – Contests Database (Teen‑Accessible)
While not just for teens, Poets & Writers' contest database includes some competitions open to high schoolers (e.g., youth categories, general contests that accept under‑18 with permission).
Polyphony Lit
An international, student-run literary magazine in which high schoolers can submit poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for publication, or apply to join the editorial board that trains teens to review and select peer submissions.
Precision Sport Science High School Program
A Silicon Valley sports-training program offering high school athletes individualized training plans built on biomechanics, injury-history, and athletic-fitness assessments aimed at improving performance and reducing injury risk.
Project UNITY – California Chapter
National youth-led nonprofit at the intersection of public health, medicine, and digital health; California high-schoolers can join the network, work on advocacy and community health projects, and later apply for internal programs like Catalyst Academy and the Youth Public Health Innovation Coalition.
QubitxQubit – Introduction to Quantum Computing
A free, two-semester quantum computing course from The Coding School, built with Google Quantum AI, teaching linear algebra, Python/Qiskit coding, and quantum physics fundamentals with access to real quantum hardware.
r/linguistics (Reddit Community)
Active Reddit community for linguistics discussion, resources, and Q&A; good for exploring linguistics topics and connecting with others.
Ragazzi Boys Chorus (Young Men's Ensemble)
Redwood City-based boys' and young men's choral organization with a track for older/high-school-age singers, offering vocal training and performances.
Rainbow Community Center Youth Program
A drop-in peer support and leadership-development program for LGBTQIA2S+ youth ages 12-25 run by the Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County. The weekly Youth Group offers identity exploration, peer support, leadership training, workshops, and community events in a confidential, affirming space.
Raspberry Shake Schools Program
Schools purchase a low-cost Raspberry Shake seismometer package to install on campus, giving students hands-on experience collecting real-time seismic data (from footsteps to real earthquakes) and joining a global citizen-seismology station network with free data and software tools.
Reed College Linguistics Resources for High Schoolers
Overview of linguistics resources and competitions (NACLO, OnLing, ILC, IOL, etc.); includes past puzzles and problem sets.
Reel Works
A free New York City after-school program that pairs teens with professional filmmaker mentors to write, shoot, and edit their own short documentaries and narrative films, building storytelling, production, and editing skills.
Rise (Rhodes Trust / Schmidt Sciences Global Talent Program)
A global talent program that identifies promising 15-17 year olds and supports them with a fully-funded lifelong scholarship network, mentorship, need-based funding, and an in-person residential summit. Open to applicants worldwide, including US/California students.
Robbin Mackbee Firefighter/EMS Youth Academy
A nine-month youth academy in Vallejo run in partnership with the Vallejo Fire Department, Vallejo Unified School District, and Medic Ambulance, offering mentorship, CPR/First Aid/disaster-medicine training, and structured career exploration for youth interested in firefighting or EMS careers.
Robert Ferguson Observatory – Young Astronomers Program
A free monthly astronomy club for students from 4th grade through high school, meeting virtually on the first Friday of each month to review the current sky, rocket launch updates, and a rotating astronomy topic, with occasional in-person gatherings at the Observatory and Sonoma County libraries.
Rockd Citizen Science Geology App
A free mobile app from the University of Wisconsin's Macrostrat project that lets users pull up geologic maps anywhere on Earth and log field observations, such as rock and fossil IDs and strike-and-dip measurements, contributing to an open geoscience database.
Ronald McDonald House Bay Area Teen Volunteers
Hospital hospitality volunteer program supporting families with seriously ill children. Teens prepare meals, organize activities, and provide comfort to families during difficult times.
Roseville Rising Student Entrepreneurs
Free 12-week program for Sacramento-area teens to design a business solution using Lean Canvas, meet local entrepreneurs, and pitch to community "investors" for cash prizes.
Ross Valley Fire Explorer Post
A Boy Scouts of America Explorer post run by the Ross Valley Fire Department in Marin County, giving teens hands-on exposure to firefighting: hose and ladder drills, rope rescue, wildland fire training, vehicle extrication, and ride-alongs on engine company emergency calls. Explorers attend weekly Sunday drills and an intensive April academy.
RPS Collective – Youth Programs (Richmond, CA)
RPS (Richmond Art Center / RPS Collective) youth programs offer art workshops, printmaking, and community-oriented creative projects for local teens, emphasizing social justice and youth leadership.
Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) – Bay Area
After‑school math school with proof‑oriented curriculum and optional contest tracks; multiple NorCal branches plus online.
Sacramento Firefighter Youth Academy (SFYA)
A mentorship and youth-development program run with the Sacramento Fire Department and community partner SFARY at McClellan Park, pairing Sacramento teens with firefighter mentors for academic support, community service, and self-discipline coaching toward high school completion and beyond.
Sacramento Mineral Society Junior Rockhound Program
A monthly youth-focused meeting series run by the Sacramento Mineral Society to engage students in rockhounding, mineral identification, and earth science through hands-on activities and a badge/achievement system. Meetings are held alongside the society's main educational meetings at the Sacramento County Cooperative Building.
Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society (SVAS)
A Sacramento-area nonprofit astronomy club, founded in 1945, that runs School Star Parties bringing filtered telescopes to schools within 30 miles of Sacramento for daytime solar viewing and evening presentations, plus monthly member star parties and a community-college astronomy/physics scholarship.
Sacramento Valley Young Birders Club
Free youth birding club offering monthly field trips and museum visits across Sacramento-area counties, building ecology and species-ID skills through an Audubon-affiliated community.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
The nation's premier youth health and safety organization, operating student-led high school chapters that run peer education and advocacy programming on substance use prevention, traffic safety, and personal health decision-making.
San Bernardino County Museum Earth Sciences Volunteer Program
San Bernardino County Museum's Earth Sciences volunteer program lets students age 15 and up assist in the museum's active fossil prep lab, digitize and inventory the paleontology collection, and interact with visitors about fossils. It is a free, ongoing volunteer opportunity requiring at least 6 hours per month after a background check and orientation.
San Diego Archaeological Center Volunteer Program
Docent-style volunteer positions at the San Diego Archaeological Center in which volunteers greet visitors, answer questions, and help interpret the museum's archaeological collections for the public; free and unpaid, with periodic application windows.
San Diego Health Scholars – Summer Medical Academy
Two-week Summer Medical Academy in San Diego offering lectures, hands-on activities, simulations, and shadowing to expose high-school students to many healthcare careers.
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers
A community astronomy club based at the Randall Museum in San Francisco that hosts free public star parties, telescope viewing nights, and talks for all ages and experience levels. Students can attend events or join as members to learn observational astronomy alongside experienced amateur astronomers.
San Francisco Center for the Book – Volunteer Program
The San Francisco Center for the Book relies on volunteers to help with book-arts studios, exhibitions, and public events, giving teens exposure to letterpress, bookbinding, and the local arts community while earning service hours.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Academy
Serious young musicians take private lessons, musicianship classes, and ensemble training on Saturdays year-round, building conservatory-level skills.
San Francisco Habitat Stewards – Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Weekly drop-in coastal habitat restoration program at Fort Funston, Lands End, Baker Beach, and the Presidio of San Francisco. Volunteers remove invasive species, plant natives, and learn coastal ecology alongside Parks Conservancy staff; no experience necessary. Volunteers ages 15-17 need a signed parent/guardian approval form.
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
Bay Area HS musicians audition for a seat in this pre-professional training orchestra, rehearsing under professional conductors and performing at Davies Symphony Hall.
San Francisco Youth Chorus
San Francisco choir serving singers in grades K-12, with formal auditions for grades 3 and up, rehearsing weekly during the school year and performing publicly.
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Volunteers
Volunteer program where teens and adults sort, pack, and distribute food at warehouses and pantries, or help with home-delivered groceries to seniors and those in need.
San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA)
A San Jose-based amateur astronomy club whose Quick STARt program pairs new members, including students, with loaner Dobsonian telescopes and hands-on instruction in stargazing basics, alongside a school star party program that brings telescopes and volunteer astronomers to campuses.
San Jose Fire Explorers Post 888
A Learning for Life Explorer post run by the San Jose Fire Department that trains young people in firefighting techniques, emergency response, and leadership through classroom instruction and hands-on drills, while participants earn community service hours and direct exposure to a fire service career.
San José Public Library Teen Volunteer Program
Library volunteer program where teens assist with programs, shelving, technology help, and community outreach at San José Public Library branches.
San Jose Stage Company – Work With Us (Teens)
San Jose Stage Company lists seasonal positions and internships, including education, front-of-house, and production opportunities that sometimes accept advanced high-school students interested in professional theatre operations.
SANS Cyber Foundations
Free online cybersecurity fundamentals course covering networking, operating systems, and security concepts. Self-paced with optional certification exam.
Santa Clara Sister Cities Youth Commission
Open to all high school students living in or attending school in Santa Clara, this youth commission meets monthly to plan cultural-exchange and fundraising events with the city's sister cities in Japan, Portugal, and Ireland while gaining local government and international-relations experience.
Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society Junior Membership
A San Jose-based rock and mineral club offering junior memberships (under 18) to students interested in geology, mineralogy, and lapidary arts. Junior members attend monthly meetings, field trips, and hands-on rock/mineral activities alongside sponsoring adult members.
Save The Bay Volunteer Programs
Environmental restoration and conservation volunteer opportunities including wetland restoration, native planting, creek cleanups, and educational programs protecting San Francisco Bay.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (Bay Area Region)
Students submit original art or writing in 28 categories for regional jurying; regional Gold Key winners advance to national judging for scholarships and publication.
School Cybersecurity Club Formation Resources
Organizations like ISSA, ISC2, and (ISC)² provide free resources, speakers, and curriculum for starting high school cybersecurity clubs.
School of Rock Berkeley – Performance & Summer Camps
Band-based rock/pop performance program and summer camps where students rehearse in groups and perform live shows.
Scouts BSA (Scouting America)
Flagship outdoor leadership program of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) for youth ages 11-17 of any gender. Scouts join local troops, complete merit badges across 130+ subjects, plan and lead service projects, and progress toward the rank of Eagle Scout — a nationally recognized leadership distinction. No prior Cub Scout experience required.
SCYNA – Southern California Youth Neuroscience Association
A free, student-run high school neuroscience club through UC Irvine's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, featuring expert lectures, neuroethics debates, lab tours, and community teaching service.
SEA Team Volunteer Program (Aquarium of the Bay)
A teen volunteer program at Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco for students ages 14-15 who commit to at least six months of service. Volunteers assist with exhibit interpretation, animal husbandry support, and visitor education about San Francisco Bay marine life.
SEAONC High School Scholarship
The Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) awards $2,500 scholarships to high school students planning to pursue structural engineering, architecture, or construction-related careers, with priority given to women, underrepresented minorities, and students with disabilities.
Second Harvest Food Bank Youth Volunteers
Food bank volunteer opportunities including sorting and packing food, distribution assistance, and hunger awareness programs. Youth address food insecurity while learning about community needs.
Seed Scholars Honors Program
Year-round entrepreneurship program for Bay Area students featuring mentorship, workshops, and startup project development.
Sequoia Living Teen Volunteers
Hospital and senior living volunteer program where teens provide companionship, activity support, and assistance at Sequoia Living facilities in the Bay Area.
SFMade FlexFactor
SFMade's flagship in-classroom program where student teams identify a real-world problem, design a hardware-based solution, build a business model around it, and pitch their venture to industry professionals, exploring manufacturing and entrepreneurship career pathways.
Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series
A free public lecture series founded in 1999 at Foothill College featuring leading astronomers, including Nobel laureates and National Academy of Sciences members, presented six Wednesday evenings each academic year and co-sponsored by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, SETI Institute, and UC Observatories.
Silicon Valley Bicycle Exchange Youth Programs
Nonprofit teaching bicycle repair and safety while providing free bikes to those in need. Youth volunteers learn mechanical skills while supporting sustainable transportation and community mobility.
Silicon Valley Youth Robotics Foundation
Bay Area nonprofit offering hands-on robotics workshops in programming, electronics, and mechanical design, and sponsoring a local FRC team.
SLEWS Program (Center for Land-Based Learning)
The Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship (SLEWS) program engages cohorts of about 30 high school students in hands-on habitat restoration on working farms, ranches, and open spaces across Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Butte counties. Over three to five field days per cohort, students plant native vegetation, build irrigation systems, conduct ecological studies, and hear from natural-resource professionals about careers in agriculture and conservation.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (AATSP Spanish & Portuguese Honor Society)
A national honor society for high school students of Spanish or Portuguese, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, offering senior scholarships and junior travel awards for members with strong academic records.
Società Onoraria Italica (National Italian Honor Society)
National Italian honor society for high school students, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian, recognizing students who maintain a 90%+ average in Italian beyond their second year of study.
Société Honoraire de Français (French National Honor Society)
National French honor society sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, inducting 10th-12th graders who have completed at least four semesters of French with strong grades.
Sonoma State Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day
One-day event with workshops/activities celebrating women in math, statistics, and data science.
South San Francisco CERT Team Teen CERT Program
A disaster-preparedness and emergency-response training program sponsored by the South San Francisco Fire Department, open to teenagers alongside adult volunteers. Trainees learn to extinguish small fires, conduct light search and rescue, set up medical treatment areas, and assist emergency responders.
Special Olympics Northern California Unified Champion Schools (Schools Partnership Program)
A school-based inclusion initiative of Special Olympics Northern California that embeds students with and without intellectual disabilities together through Unified Sports teams, Inclusive Youth Leadership councils, and whole-school engagement activities. Distinct from general athlete volunteering, it trains student leaders to reduce bullying and build inclusive school climates.
Special Olympics Northern California Youth Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities at sports competitions, training sessions, and community events. Youth learn about inclusion and adaptive sports.
St. Mary's Center Sunday Dinner Program
An Oakland nonprofit serving low-income and homeless seniors, where community and school volunteer groups help prepare, serve, and share a Sunday afternoon meal, plus seasonal painting and gardening projects.
Stanford Blood Center Red Cord Program
A Bay Area high school recognition program in which students earn an exclusive graduation honor cord either by donating blood once a year through high school or by organizing a blood drive at their school, run through Stanford Blood Center's Menlo Park, Mountain View, South Bay, and Tri-Valley centers.
Stanford Blood Center Teen Volunteer Program
An in-person volunteer role for students 16 and older assisting donors as Post-Donation Canteen Hosts at Stanford Blood Center's Campbell, Dublin, Menlo Park, and Mountain View donation centers and mobile blood drives, with free orientation and training provided.
Stanford Computer Science Academy (SCSA)
Multi-week online CS courses taught by Stanford students covering Python, Java, web development, and data structures.
Stanford Linguistics – Undergraduate Resources
Stanford Linguistics department page with information about studying linguistics and available resources.
Stanford Math Circle
Year‑round evening enrichment with contest‑style, Olympiad, and proof problems for highly motivated students.
Stanford Medicine Children's Health Teen Volunteer Program
A year-round hospital volunteer program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford for students 16 and older, requiring a weekly 2-3 hour shift and a 6-month commitment after an interview and background check.
Stanford's unBox Project
Student-run initiative based at Stanford that supports student food and housing security organizers nationwide; HS/college students join campaigns, events, and storytelling projects around basic needs and anti-poverty policy.
State & Regional World Language Student Awards (Example: CLTA, FLAVA)
Many state world‑language associations (California's CLTA, Virginia's FLAVA, etc.) grant "Outstanding World Language Student" awards recognizing high achievement and future language educators.
STEMpathize Internship / Volunteer Roles
Student-run nonprofit that gives high-schoolers virtual roles (internships/volunteering) to design STEM curricula and projects, often centered on health, community challenges, and equity; roles include curriculum design, operations, outreach, etc.
Stony Brook Linguistics Outreach Programs
Collection of Stony Brook's linguistics outreach activities (SYCCL camp, guest lectures, workshops); strong presence in New York.
Street Law Legal Career Pipeline Program
Volunteer attorneys teach weekly legal-knowledge lessons in classrooms to underserved students.
Students Demand Action - California
The student wing of Everytown for Gun Safety. California high schoolers join or start a Students Demand Action group at their school to organize around gun-violence prevention through advocacy campaigns, voter registration, and community organizing, in person and virtually.
Sunrise Movement Student Hubs
A national youth climate movement organized into local Student Hubs, defined as groups of at least five students at the same school. High schoolers can join an existing hub or start a new one to organize for climate action policy.
Sutter Health Youth Volunteer Program at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
A hospital-based youth volunteer program for 16-17 year olds at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame, requiring a minimum weekly shift and exposing students to a clinical healthcare environment through non-medical support roles.
SWENext
Free year-round SWE membership connecting K-12 students to mentors and challenges.
Teen Community Emergency Response Team (Teen CERT)
A FEMA-backed, nationwide emergency-preparedness training that certifies teens in disaster-response skills like triage, fire safety, and shelter support so they can assist their school and community during emergencies and drills.
teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)
An evidence-based curriculum, adapted from Australia by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, that certifies students in grades 10-12 to recognize and respond to peers' mental health crises using a five-step action plan, delivered over 3-6 school sessions.
TeenPact California
TeenPact Leadership Schools' California program brings students to the State Capitol in Sacramento for a hands-on multi-day class in the legislative process, including a mock legislature, bill-writing, parliamentary procedure, and a public speaking workshop.
The Concord Review
Quarterly academic journal that publishes the best high school history research papers in the world (4,000-6,000 word essays). Rolling submissions across four issue deadlines: August 1 (Winter), November 1 (Spring), February 1 (Summer), May 1 (Fall). Acceptance is highly selective.
The Godwin Ogbeide Scholarship Foundation
Scholarship for Black HS seniors pursuing STEM, requiring academic achievement, community involvement, and commitment to STEM in college.
The Hidden Genius Project Immersion Program
An Oakland-founded nonprofit's flagship 15-month intensive for Black male high school students, providing 800+ hours of mentorship and training in computer science, software development, entrepreneurship, and leadership from Black technologists.
The Knowledge Society (TKS)
A 10-month innovation program for students ages 13-17 that dives deep into emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, biotech, and brain-computer interfaces through weekly mentor-led sessions and real-world problem solving, with in-person chapters in multiple cities and a virtual option.
TiE Young Entrepreneurs – Silicon Valley (TYE SV)
Students build a real startup in teams over 8 weeks, learning market research, business modeling, and investor pitching from mentors, culminating in pitch competitions.
Toastmasters International Youth Leadership Program
An eight-session workshop-style program run through local Toastmasters clubs that teaches teens ages 14-18 public speaking, impromptu speaking, and leadership skills through prepared speeches, evaluation, and parliamentary-procedure practice modeled on the standard Toastmasters meeting format.
Town of Danville – Volunteer Opportunities
City-run volunteer system for events, recreation, youth programs, and community projects.
Tri-Counties Bank Scholarship Program
Scholarships for students in Tri-Counties Bank's service area emphasizing academics, leadership, and community involvement.
Triton Museum of Art Teen Docent Program
Mentorship-based program in Santa Clara where teens study art history and appreciation with museum professionals while building skills for museum-curation careers.
TryHackMe
Gamified cybersecurity learning platform with hands-on labs and challenges. Learn penetration testing, web exploitation, and network security through interactive rooms.
UC Davis MIND Institute Child Life Volunteer Program
High school and adult volunteers at the UC Davis MIND Institute assist Child Life Specialists by providing play activities and supervision for children visiting the research and evaluation clinics, gaining exposure to a neurodevelopmental research setting.
UCLA Linguistics – Introduction & Outreach
UCLA Linguistics department resources including introductory materials and information about studying linguistics.
UCSB Yardi Scholarship for Environmental Justice
Scholarship for students committed to environmental justice and sustainability.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals Youth Advisory Council
A peer advisory council for current or former patients (and siblings) of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, where members advise hospital leadership, educate providers about the patient experience, and plan events for pediatric patients.
UCSF SEP Teen Wellness Summit on Mental Health
A free one-day mental health summit at UCSF's Mission Bay campus for about 150 Bay Area teens in grades 9-12, featuring a keynote, breakout sessions on brain science, mindfulness, and anxiety, a resource fair, and student speakers; the 2026 summit runs March 21.
UNICEF USA High School Club
A youth-led club, chartered through UNICEF USA, where high schoolers advocate for children's rights worldwide, fundraise for UNICEF programs, and run monthly awareness campaigns tied to global human rights themes.
United We Dream
The largest immigrant-youth-led network in the United States, where members, including high schoolers, advocate for immigrant rights through petitions, calls, texts, and local organizing chapters.
University of Chicago Linguistics – High School Resources
UChicago Linguistics department page with resources, puzzles, and information for high school students.
University of Michigan Linguistics Dual Enrollment
Motivated high schoolers who have exhausted their school's language offerings can dual-enroll in University of Michigan Linguistics courses for college credit.
University of Utah High School Math Modeling Workshop
A math-modeling workshop for high schoolers run by the University of Utah math department.
Urban Peace Movement - Leaders In Training (L.I.T.)
An Oakland youth leadership program (Leaders In Training) for high schoolers from neighborhoods affected by violence and mass incarceration, who organize for public-policy change to build a culture of peace in their communities.
UrbanPlan for High School (ULI San Francisco)
A project-based learning curriculum unit, created with UC Berkeley's Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics, in which student teams role-play developers, city officials, and community members to redevelop a fictional neighborhood called Elmwood. Bay Area volunteers from the Urban Land Institute's San Francisco chapter run the simulation in economics and government classrooms at schools such as Piedmont High School and Eastside College Preparatory School.
USY (United Synagogue Youth)
A national Conservative Jewish teen movement with Bay Area synagogue chapters. Members build leadership skills and Jewish identity through local chapter events, regional conventions, and optional summer travel programs.
Veritas AI – Deep Dive: AI + Medicine
10-week online program (about 25 hours total) where grades 8-12 study how AI is used in medicine, learn ML concepts like CNNs and image segmentation, and complete a mentored group project on medical data.
Veritas AI Scholars
A Palo Alto-based introductory AI bootcamp for high school students in grades 9-12 with no prerequisites, covering key AI and data science concepts through live online instructor-led sessions culminating in a small-group mentored project.
VolunTEEN Program
Structured 80-hour program (offered 3x/year) where teens ages 14-16 learn marine-life facts and staff interactive guest stations throughout the Aquarium's galleries.
Walnut Creek Community Garden Volunteers
Urban gardening volunteer program growing fresh produce for food banks and teaching sustainable agriculture. Youth learn about food systems, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
Washington Hospital Healthcare System High School Volunteer Program
A year-round hospital volunteer program in Fremont for sophomores and juniors (16+, 3.0 GPA) requiring a one-year commitment and 100 volunteer hours in departments like the gift shop, lobby, and birthing center, following a $20 application fee and mandatory information session.
Western Science Center Junior Volunteer Program
Fossil lab work cleaning/preparing Ice Age fossils in Hemet, CA.
Wharton Online: Financial Decision Making
A Wharton Global Youth Program online course that teaches high schoolers how to apply financial reasoning to real-world personal and business decisions through short, self-paced lessons.
Wharton Online: Understanding Investing
A Wharton Global Youth Program online course covering the fundamentals of investing and portfolio management for high schoolers, taught through self-paced video lessons and applied exercises.
Wharton Online: Understanding Your Money
A Wharton Global Youth Program online course introducing high schoolers to personal finance basics such as budgeting, saving, and credit, delivered through self-paced video lessons.
WiCyS (Women in Cybersecurity) Student Chapters
Student chapters that run recruitment, retention, mentorship, and skill-building activities in cybersecurity, giving students community, mentorship, and access to WiCyS resources and events.
Wikitongues Youth Language Documentation Volunteering
A volunteer opportunity with the nonprofit Wikitongues, where students help record, transcribe, and archive oral histories and interviews with speakers of endangered and minority languages for a permanent public video archive.
Women's Audio Mission - Girls on the Mic (GOTM)
A free creative-technology and audio production training program for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 11-18 in Oakland and San Francisco, teaching beatmaking, podcast production, DJing, sound design, and songwriting in WAM's professional recording studios through partner schools and after-school sites.
Woodland Fire Explorer Post 911
A Boy Scouts of America-affiliated Explorer post hosted by the Woodland (CA) Fire Department near Sacramento, teaching high-school-aged youth all aspects of the fire service through hands-on training, mentorship from active firefighters, and community service projects. Meets three times a month at Woodland Fire Station 3.
World Relief Sacramento Good Neighbor Volunteer Program
A Sacramento refugee-resettlement agency program pairing volunteer teams with newly arrived refugee and immigrant families to share life skills, friendship, and cultural exchange over several months.
WriteGirl
A free, year-round creative writing and mentoring organization for teen girls and gender-expansive youth, offering online and in-person workshops, one-on-one mentoring with professional writers, and publishing opportunities open to participants nationwide.
Y-PLAN (Youth - Plan, Learn, Act Now)
An award-winning K-12 civic youth engagement initiative run by UC Berkeley's Center for Cities + Schools, in which students research real local challenges (like sea level rise, housing displacement, or transportation) and pitch concrete redevelopment proposals to actual city officials and planners. The program has partnered with schools in Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, East Palo Alto, San Rafael, and San Jose.
Yale Linguistics – Introduction to Linguistics
Yale Linguistics department resources including introductory materials and information about the field.
YIP Institute Public Policy Fellowship
A two-month virtual fellowship for teens and young adults who collaborate on capstone projects addressing social, political, economic, or environmental problems while attending policy workshops and speaker sessions.
Young Archaeologists' Club (YAC)
A UK-wide network of over 80 local branches where members ages roughly 8-16 take part in hands-on archaeology and heritage activities such as excavation practice, fieldwalking, surveying, and conservation, led by volunteer archaeologists and educators.
Young Founders Lab
Virtual startup bootcamp founded by Harvard entrepreneurs where students build a revenue-generating startup or nonprofit with one-on-one mentorship, ending in a demo day.
Young Investors Society Dollar-A-Day Challenge
Hands-on savings and investing challenge where students open a custodial brokerage account, invest $1/day, and can earn matching scholarship grants.
Young Makers Program
Young Makers pairs youth ages 8-18 with adult mentors in small clubs to design and build a self-chosen, open-ended engineering or making project over a season, culminating in an exhibition at Bay Area Maker Faire.
Young People's Symphony Orchestra (YPSO)
Oldest independent youth orchestra in the nation, based in Berkeley, drawing Bay Area musicians ages 11-21 for weekly rehearsals, a retreat, and subscription concerts.
YoungArts National Arts Competition
Students submit work in one of 10 disciplines for national panel review; award winners receive cash prizes and top honorees are invited to National YoungArts Week for mentorship.
Youth Art Exchange (YAX) Free Art Programs
Free after-school and weekend classes for SF public high school students in animation, architecture, mural arts, printmaking, fashion, darkroom photo, etc.
Youth Communication - YCteen Magazine
A New York City nonprofit youth media organization where teen writers receive paid work experience and mentorship from professional editors as they turn personal experience into published stories for YCteen magazine.
Youth Law Academy (Centro Legal de la Raza)
The Youth Law Academy is a three-year legal pathway program at Centro Legal de la Raza for Oakland high school students, combining mentorship, legal-education workshops, and college-access support beginning in 9th grade. Students build confidence navigating the legal system while preparing for college and law-related careers.
Youth MOVE National
A youth-driven national membership organization (Motivating Others through Voices of Experience) with 40+ chapters in which young people under 30 advocate for improvements to youth mental health, juvenile justice, and education systems.
Youth of the Year Award - California-Nevada District
District and national award program recognizing youth with strong character, academic excellence, and community service, with scholarships up to $15,000 for national winners.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.