Leadership Programs for High School Students

Develop leadership skills through student government, Model UN, community organizing, and leadership development camps.

Leadership Opportunities

  • Student government and class officer positions
  • Model United Nations conferences
  • Leadership summer camps and institutes
  • Civic engagement and advocacy programs
  • Peer mentoring and tutoring leadership
  • Community organizing and social impact projects

Current leadership program listings

203 matching programs are listed in the directory right now. The most recently added:

  • White House Internship Program — The White House: Gain hands-on leadership experience with this prestigious White House internship. Perfect for building government skills and boosting college applicat
  • Nonprofit Founder (501(c)(3)) — IRS / State Government: Launch your own 501(c)(3) nonprofit and gain leadership, entrepreneurship, and hands-on experience. Boost college applications while making a real-wor
  • United States Senate Youth Program — Hearst Foundations: Explore leadership and civic skills in this prestigious high school program. Includes a week in Washington, D.C. and a $10,000 scholarship to boost co
  • Robertson Scholars Leadership Program — Duke University / UNC Chapel Hill: Full-ride leadership program for high school seniors combining hands-on experience, college application boosts, and access to Duke & UNC resources. Ap
  • Morehead-Cain Scholarship — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Earn a full-ride scholarship while developing leadership skills through the hybrid Morehead-Cain program. Perfect for college-bound high school senior
  • U.S. Presidential Scholars Program — U.S. Department of Education: Earn national recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, the highest honor for top high school seniors. Boost college applications and showcase leade
  • Telluride Association Sophomore Seminars (TASS) — Telluride Association: Explore a free summer program for rising juniors focused on Black experience, leadership, and humanities. Build critical thinking skills and strengthe
  • Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship — Jack Kent Cooke Foundation: Secure up to $55k/year with this elite, need-based scholarship for high-achieving seniors. Boost college applications and unlock opportunities for aca
  • Stamps Leadership Scholars — Stamps Foundation: Earn a full-ride scholarship plus enrichment funds at top colleges while building leadership skills. Perfect for high school seniors aiming to stand o
  • Ron Brown Scholar Program — Ron Brown Scholar Fund: Elite scholarship for Black high school seniors excelling in academics and leadership. Earn $40k to fund college while building leadership skills for
  • Boettcher Scholarship — Boettcher Foundation: Earn a full-ride scholarship to any Colorado college! This prestigious opportunity helps high school seniors stand out on college applications and bui
  • Posse Foundation Scholarship — Posse Foundation: Earn a full-tuition scholarship to top colleges through this virtual leadership program. Build skills, join a supportive cohort, and strengthen your c
  • Flinn Scholarship — Flinn Foundation: Elite full-ride scholarship for Arizona seniors to ASU, UArizona, or NAU. Boost leadership skills, gain recognition, and secure your college future at
  • Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS) — Telluride Association: Explore a free in-person summer program for high school students in grades 10-11. Build leadership skills, study humanities, and boost your college ap
  • Virginia Governor's School Programs — State of Virginia: Transform your summer with Virginia Governor's School Programs! Free in-person leadership and STEM opportunities for 10th-11th graders to boost skills
  • Young Leaders for Peace at the University for Peace — University for Peace: Young Leaders for Peace (YLP) is a two-week summer leadership programme for high school students in collaboration with the University for Peace-UN Man
  • Animal Advocacy Opportunity for Teens — Fur-Ever Friends Foundation: Hello! I'm Jemma, and I am a teen passionate about animal welfare. I am the outreach of a group called Fur-Ever Friends Foundation. We are a youth-le
  • Humanity in Action Fellowship — Humanity in Action: Prestigious international fellowship for young leaders exploring human rights, democracy, and social justice. Fellows study in European capitals and b
  • UNA-USA Global Classrooms Model UN — United Nations Association of the USA: The United Nations Association's official Model UN program bringing authentic UN perspectives into classrooms. Free curriculum resources and city-wide
  • World Affairs Councils of America - Youth Programs — World Affairs Councils of America: Network of 90+ councils across the U.S. offering students access to foreign policy speakers, global affairs workshops, Academic WorldQuest competition
  • AFS Intercultural Programs — AFS Intercultural Programs: One of the world's oldest and most respected international exchange organizations. Spend a summer, semester, or year studying abroad in 50+ countries
  • National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) - International Diplomacy — National Student Leadership Conference: Intensive summer program at prestigious university campuses focused on international diplomacy, global affairs, and negotiation. Students simulate int
  • American Legion Boys State — The American Legion: Premier week-long government simulation program where high school juniors create a mock state government. Free, highly selective, and one of the most
  • Chicago International Model United Nations (CIMUN) — Chicago International Model United Nations: Immersive MUN conference in downtown Chicago using realistic crisis simulation and continuous negotiation. Known for its innovative format that goes b

View all leadership programs in the directory

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a leadership extracurricular for college applications?

Leadership extracurriculars include formal programs (Boys/Girls State, Presidential Scholars), organization roles (student body president, club founder, team captain), service-based programs (Eagle Scout, Girl Scout Gold Award), civic engagement (Model UN, debate), and competitive scholarship programs (QuestBridge, Posse). Colleges look for demonstrated impact and initiative, not just titles—what you accomplished in the role matters more than the position itself.

How do I get selected for Boys State or Girls State?

Boys and Girls State delegates are selected by American Legion posts and American Legion Auxiliary units in each state. Selection criteria vary by state but typically emphasize citizenship, academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership. Many schools nominate one or two juniors annually. Contact your school counselor or local American Legion post to learn about your state's selection process and timeline.

What is Model UN and how do I get started?

Model United Nations (Model UN) is a simulation of the United Nations where students represent countries, debate resolutions, and build consensus. Start by joining your school's Model UN club, or reach out to start one. Many universities host conferences (Harvard MUN, NMUN, NAIMUN) that welcome high school delegations. Beginners can start at smaller local or regional conferences before advancing to national events.

Do leadership programs need to be national to impress colleges?

No. Local and regional leadership with measurable impact can be more impressive than nominal participation in national programs. What matters is evidence of real responsibility and outcomes—how many people you led, what you changed, what you built. A student who transformed their school's community service program demonstrates more leadership than one who attended a prestigious conference but played a passive role.

What are the most competitive leadership programs for high school students?

The most selective programs include Presidential Scholars Program (top ~140 students nationally), QuestBridge (merit-based, need-focused), Gates Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholars, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Boys/Girls State acceptance rates vary by state, with some accepting 1-2% of nominees. Harvard Model UN, while easier to attend, is highly competitive for leadership positions (chairs, secretariat).

Can I create my own leadership opportunity?

Founding an organization or initiative is often viewed more favorably than joining an existing one. Starting a tutoring program, civic engagement club, fundraising initiative, or awareness campaign demonstrates entrepreneurial leadership. Document your impact: number of members recruited, funds raised, people served, or changes achieved. College applications reward founders and builders, not just participants.