Extracurriculars & Programs in Washington, DC for High School Students

Washington, DC offers what no other city can: congressional internships, NIH and Smithsonian research placements, and policy institutes at Georgetown and GW.

52 verified programs match this page; 23 of the featured listings are completely free; 1 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• National Japan Bowl — Japan-America Society of Washington DC: Compete in the National Japan Bowl to showcase your Japanese language and cultural knowledge. Build key skills, earn scholarships, and enhance your co
• 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
• 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
• 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
• National Student Poets Program — Institute of Museum and Library Services: Prestigious poetry competition for 10th-11th graders. Become a literary ambassador, gain recognition, and build creative writing skills for college an
• Mathematical Olympiad Program — MAA: Intensive math competition program for elite high school students. Enhance problem-solving skills, boost college applications, and train with top USAM
• Presidential Scholar in the Arts — U.S. Department of Education: 20 students selected annually via YoungArts. One of highest honors for young artists.
• 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
• We the People National Competition Champion — Center for Civic Education: Congressional hearings simulation. Test constitutional knowledge. National finals in DC.
• Close Up Washington DC Program — Close Up Foundation: Week-long government studies program in Washington DC.
• Princeton Model Congress — Princeton Model Congress: Four-day simulation where students draft and debate legislation in committee.
• U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) — The Hearst Foundations: Fully funded, weeklong Washington Week for two students per state plus a $10,000 scholarship.
• Lead America Congressional Student Leadership Conference — Lead America: Student leadership conference in Washington DC exploring government, law, and public policy with interactive simulations.
• FEMA Youth Preparedness Council — FEMA: National council advising FEMA on youth preparedness.
• Academic WorldQuest National Competition — World Affairs Councils of America: Flagship quiz-bowl on global affairs for high school teams with national finals in Washington, DC.
• NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model United Nations) — Georgetown International Relations Association: One of the nation's oldest and most prestigious high school MUN conferences.
• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in the Arts — U.S. Department of Education: Highest honor bestowed upon American arts students by the U.S. President. 20 students selected annually via YoungArts for national recognition ceremon
• Future City Competition — DiscoverE: Design city of the future. Teams create models, essays, and presentations for national finals in DC.
• American University Washington Semester for High School — American University: DC-based government and policy summer program at American University. Internships and coursework in the nation's capital.
• Georgetown International Relations Program — Georgetown University: Summer international relations program at Georgetown's top foreign service school. Study diplomacy and global policy in DC.
• Broadcom MASTERS National Finalist — Society for Science: Top STEM competition for middle schoolers. 30 finalists compete in DC.
• Smithsonian Teen Volunteer — Smithsonian Institution: Assist with museum programs, events, and visitor services at Smithsonian museums.
• Yale Model Congress (YMC) — Yale Model Congress: Join a selective government competition in Washington, DC, fostering debate, leadership, and policy-making skills. Perfect for college applications an
• North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) — Georgetown International Relations Association: Develop diplomacy, debate, and leadership skills at NAIMUN, a premier high school Model UN competition with hands-on international relations experienc
• U.S. Senate Page Program — United States Senate: Gain hands-on government experience through this prestigious in-person program in DC. Build leadership skills, boost college applications, and explore
• 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
• Jefferson Awards for Public Service — Jefferson Awards Foundation: Gain leadership skills and national recognition with this free hybrid competition for high school students creating positive change through volunteer
• DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship — Daughters of the American Revolution: Showcase your leadership and patriotism through this hybrid high school competition. Build skills, earn recognition, and strengthen your college appli
• State Department Student Programs — U.S. Department of State: Explore leadership and government through free State Department internships and exchange programs. Gain hands-on diplomacy experience to boost college
• Congressional Art Competition — U.S. House of Representatives: Showcase your talent in this national art competition for high schoolers. Winners' artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol—boost your skills and college

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