Journalism & Media Programs & Competitions for High School Students

Journalism programs — school-press associations, summer newsrooms, and national student-media competitions — build reporting, editing, and publication-leadership credentials.

Editor-in-chief of a real publication remains one of the most convincing leadership lines on any application.

39 verified programs match this page; 22 of the featured listings are completely free; 9 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition — Forbes Magazine: Gain national recognition as a high school entrepreneur with Forbes 30 Under 30. Boost college applications and showcase your achievements in business
• Northwestern University Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute — Northwestern University: Elevate your writing skills in this prestigious summer journalism program for high schoolers. Gain hands-on media experience and boost your college ap
• Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Awards — Columbia University: Gain national recognition in journalism and publishing! This high school competition develops writing skills, boosts college applications, and honors
• MIT Media Lab High School Program — MIT Media Lab: Work alongside MIT Media Lab researchers on creative technology projects spanning art, design, and engineering.
• JCamp High School Journalism — Asian American Journalists Association: Transform your passion for writing into real-world journalism skills at this free summer program. Gain hands-on experience and boost your college appl
• Northwestern Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute (Cherubs) - Writing & Reporting — Northwestern Medill: Develop journalism, writing, and media ethics skills in this prestigious summer program for high school juniors. Gain hands-on experience to stand out
• Northwestern National High School Institute (Cherubs) - Journalism — Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University: Immerse yourself in a free summer program at Medill School of Journalism, mastering writing, editing, and multimedia skills. Boost your college applic
• Student Press Law Center Free Press Advocacy — Student Press Law Center: Student advocacy for First Amendment rights and press freedom. Training and legal support for student journalists. Shows commitment to constitutional
• The World in 2050 Writing Competition — Brookings Institution & Financial Times: Global student essay contest on how today’s choices will shape the world in 2050, run by Brookings and the Financial Times.
• Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference — Freedom Forum: Join a free, all-expense-paid journalism conference in Washington, DC, for high school juniors and seniors. Build hands-on skills and boost your colle
• Washington Journalism and Media Conference — George Mason University: Explore a week-long summer program in Washington, D.C. for high schoolers passionate about journalism and media. Gain hands-on experience and boost co
• Dow Jones News Fund High School Journalism Workshops — Dow Jones News Fund: Intensive journalism workshops at universities nationwide. Learn from professional journalists and editors. Scholarships available.
• Journalism Education Association Writing Competitions — JEA: Showcase your writing skills in this on-site journalism competition for high school students. Build your portfolio, gain hands-on experience, and boos
• Dow Jones News Fund — Dow Jones News Fund: Gain hands-on journalism experience through a paid hybrid internship for high school juniors and seniors. Build writing skills and boost your college
• National Student Production Awards — Broadcast Education Association: Showcase your talent in broadcasting and video production with this national competition for high school students. Build creative skills and boost you
• School of The New York Times - Summer Academy — The New York Times: Explore a free summer program in journalism, writing, and media for high school students. Build hands-on skills, boost college applications, and learn
• Palm Springs International ShortFest — Palm Springs International Film Society: A premier short film festival showcasing international short films with screenings, classes, and industry networking in Palm Springs, CA.
• New York Times Student Editorial Contest — The New York Times Learning Network: Craft a compelling editorial for a national writing competition. Open to high school students, this free opportunity builds writing skills for college
• PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs — PBS NewsHour: Create video journalism for PBS NewsHour. Learn from professional journalists. Work may be broadcast nationally.
• New York Times Personal Narrative Contest — The New York Times: Share your story in this free writing competition for high school students. Build narrative skills, boost college applications, and gain recognition f
• AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows — American Association for the Advancement of Science: Science communication internships at major media outlets.
• Global Kids Online Leaders Program — Global Kids: Youth journalism and advocacy program focused on global issues. Create content on human rights, social justice. Develops voice on international affair
• Quill and Scroll International Writing, Photo Contests — Quill and Scroll: Showcase your talent in writing, photography, or multimedia through this online competition for grades 10-12. Build your portfolio and boost college a
• C-SPAN StudentCam — C-SPAN: Engage in a national documentary competition exploring public policy issues. Build media skills, boost college applications, and showcase your creativ
• AAJA Journalism Camp (JCamp) — Asian American Journalists Association: Transform your passion for journalism at this free summer program for high school students. Gain hands-on media experience, build skills, and boost yo
• New York Times Student Review Contest — The New York Times: Engage in a national writing competition for high schoolers to review books, films, and more. Build critical thinking, boost college applications, and
• Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) — Princeton University: Transform your storytelling skills in a free hybrid summer program for rising high school seniors. Gain hands-on journalism experience to boost colleg
• Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholar — Freedom Forum: 51 high school juniors (one from each state + DC) receive $1,000 and trip to Washington for journalism conference.
• Bentley Film Festival (MA High School Film Fest) — Bentley University Media and Culture Department: An annual Massachusetts high school film festival hosted by Bentley University celebrating student-produced short films.
• Poynter High School Journalism Workshops — Poynter Institute: Training from premier journalism institute. Learn ethics, fact-checking, and multimedia storytelling. Industry connections.

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