§ Creative Writing

Creative Writing programs for high schoolers.

65 programs indexed in creative writing. 41 are free or pay a stipend. 11 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new creative writing program.

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All creative writing programs

Boston University
Academic Immersion
Spend three weeks immersing yourself in the study of psychology, business, medicine, or creative writing.
📍 Boston, MA⏱ 📅 2026-03-01🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
The Adroit Journal
Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship
Free online mentorship pairing teen writers with established poets and prose writers.
📍 Online⏱ 6 weeks📅 April🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Arkansas State University / Arkansas Department of Education
Arkansas Governor's School
A five-week residential program for high-achieving high school students in Arkansas focused on math, science, and the arts.
📍 Russellville, AR⏱ 5 weeks📅 March 1🎓 11
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington July Program
Two-week residential program for writers and visual artists in grades 10-12.
📍 Bennington, VT⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 January 12🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Bennington College
Bennington Young Writers Workshop
One-week residential writing workshop with Bennington faculty.
📍 Bennington, VT⏱ 1 week📅 April🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Blue Marble Review
Blue Marble Review
Quarterly literary journal for writers ages 13-22.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Blue Marble Review
Blue Marble Review
Online literary journal of writing and art by teens worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Creative arts contest on ocean and climate themes; visual art, film, poetry, music.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 June🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Annual creative contest for teens combining art, writing, film, and music with environmental advocacy.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Catapult
Catapult High School Writing Workshop
Multi-genre writing workshops for high school students in the creative hub of NYC.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 2 weeks📅 April 1🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Chapman University
Chapman University Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
A writing contest for high schoolers exploring the impact of the Holocaust through various creative prompts.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 March 1🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
Columbia University
Columbia Summer Immersion
Pre-college immersion across humanities and STEM.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 January🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
Eunoia Review
Eunoia Review
Open submissions literary journal accepting student poetry and prose.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Poetry Society
Foyle Young Poets of the Year
International poetry award for ages 11-17; free to enter.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 July🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Hollins University
Hollins University Hollinsummer
Two-week creative writing program for high school women writers.
📍 Roanoke, VA⏱ 2 weeks📅 May🎓 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
Interlochen
Interlochen Arts Camp
Renowned summer arts camp across music, theater, dance, visual arts, writing, film.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 1-6 weeks📅 January🎓 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen Arts Camp: Creative Writing Programs (High School)
High school creative writing summer programs.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan⏱ 📅 🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen Arts Camp: One-Week Intensives
One-week intensive arts programs for high school students in various disciplines.
📍 Interlochen, Michigan⏱ 📅 🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Interlochen Arts Camp
Interlochen Writers Retreat
Creative writing intensive at the storied Interlochen arts camp.
📍 Interlochen, MI⏱ 3-6 weeks📅 May🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
International Songwriting Competition
International Songwriting Competition (ISC)
A world-renowned songwriting competition that has launched the careers of many famous artists.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 February 1🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
University of Iowa
Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Premier creative writing program from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Need-based aid available.
📍 IA (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
University of Iowa
Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Two-week residential or online program from the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
📍 Iowa City, IA⏱ 2 weeks📅 February🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
University of Iowa
Iowa Young Writers' Studio
Two-week residential creative writing workshop for grades 10-12 at the University of Iowa.
📍 Iowa City, IA⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
UMass Amherst
Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Residential creative writing workshop in poetry and fiction.
📍 Amherst, MA⏱ 1 week📅 May🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
UMass Amherst
Juniper Institute for Young Writers
Residential creative writing program for high schoolers run by UMass MFA faculty.
📍 Amherst, MA⏱ 10 days📅 Spring🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Kenyon College
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Intensive creative writing workshop with published authors. Need-based scholarships.
📍 OH (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Kenyon College
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Two-week intensive residential writing workshop on Kenyon's campus.
📍 Gambier, OH⏱ 2 weeks📅 March🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Kenyon Review
Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Two-week intensive writing workshop at Kenyon College for ages 16-18.
📍 Gambier, OH⏱ 2 weeks📅 Spring🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
The New York Times Learning Network
New York Times Personal Narrative Contest
Free 600-word personal essay contest; published winners.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 October🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The New York Times Learning Network
New York Times Personal Narrative Contest
Annual personal narrative writing contest for teens 13-19.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Fall🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
NPR
NPR Student Podcast Challenge
Free annual podcasting contest. Submit a 3-8 minute podcast. Winning student is featured on NPR.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 April🎓 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Personal Narrative Contest
Annual short personal narrative contest for teens. 600 words. Free entry.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 October🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Student Editorial Contest
Free annual contest for students aged 13-19 to write a 450-word evidence-based editorial. Top entries are published by the Times.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 March🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
NYT Learning Network
NYT Student Editorial Contest
Write a 450-word evidence-backed editorial on a topic that matters to you.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 March🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The New York Times
NYT Summer Academy
Journalism, filmmaking, and writing courses taught by Times journalists. Limited need-based aid.
📍 NY / Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 Rolling🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
The New York Times
NYT Summer Reading Contest
Each summer week, students pick a Times piece and write 350 words about it. Free; winners published.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 June-August🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
VFW
Patriot's Pen Essay Contest
Patriotic-themed essay contest for grades 6-8 with $5,000 top prize.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 October🎓 6, 7, 8
Selective
Polygence
Polygence Scholars (Financial Aid)
1:1 research mentorship with PhDs across any field. Full financial aid for qualifying students.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ 10-20 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Polyphony Lit
Polyphony Lit Editorial Internship
International literary magazine staffed by high school students; editors and writers worldwide.
📍 Online⏱ Academic year📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Pratt Institute
Pratt Pre-College
Four-week residential program in art, design, architecture, writing.
📍 Brooklyn, NY⏱ 4 weeks📅 April🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Pratt Institute
Pratt PreCollege Intensive Program
Live and learn on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus! Spend four weeks taking two courses, building a portfolio, and experiencing life as a college student in New York City. This immersive program pushes students creatively while preparing them with college-ready work.
📍 Brooklyn, New York⏱ 📅 N/A🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
Princeton University
Princeton Summer Journalism Program
Fully-funded journalism program for high-achieving, low-income juniors. Travel and lodging covered.
📍 NJ (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 10 days (summer)📅 February🎓 11
Selective
Princeton University
Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest
Playwriting contest for 11th graders judged by Princeton faculty.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 March🎓 11
Selective
Princeton University
Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest
Annual playwriting contest for 11th-grade students judged by Princeton's Lewis Center faculty.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 11
Selective
South Carolina Governor's School
SC Governor's School Summer Programs
Free arts and STEM intensives for top SC students.
📍 SC⏱ 3 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 9, 10, 11
Selective
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the US; 28 categories.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 December🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The longest-running recognition program for creative teens in the US — writing, visual art, photography, film.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Year-long competition📅 December-January (regional)🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
Scholastic Writing Awards
Regional and national recognition for student writers in 11 categories. Need-based fee waivers available.
📍 Regional + national⏱ Self-paced📅 Sept-Dec by region🎓 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
NYT / Hult
School of The New York Times Summer Academy
Need-based scholarships available; commuter and residential pre-college journalism courses in NYC.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 1-3 weeks📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Moderate
University of the South
Sewanee Young Writers' Conference
A rigorous two-week writing workshop where students live at Sewanee: The University of the South and work with acclaimed authors.
📍 Sewanee, TN⏱ 2 weeks📅 January 15🎓 10, 11, 12
Highly Selective
University of the South
Sewanee Young Writers' Conference
Twelve-day intensive in poetry, fiction, and playwriting for high school students.
📍 Sewanee, TN⏱ 12 days📅 Spring🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
Stone Soup
Stone Soup Magazine
Magazine of writing and art by children and teens up to age 14.
📍 Online⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Selective
Susquehanna University
Susquehanna Advanced Writers Workshop
One-week residential workshop in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, publishing.
📍 Selinsgrove, PA⏱ 1 week📅 May🎓 10, 11, 12
Moderate
The Young Authors Foundation
Teen Ink
An award-winning monthly print and online magazine by and for teens.
📍 Online / Jersey City, NJ⏱ N/A📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Amy Lowell Trust
The Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship
One of the most valuable writing scholarships for high school seniors, based on a portfolio.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 January 21🎓 12
Selective
Susquehanna University
The Apprentice Writer
Annual print magazine of student writing distributed to 3,000+ schools.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 March🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
Susquehanna University
The Apprentice Writer
National literary magazine of high school student writing published by Susquehanna.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The Daphne Review
The Daphne Review
An independent literary journal specifically for middle and high school writers and artists.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The Lumiere Review
The Lumiere Review
A highly regarded literary journal for high school aged creators of poetry, prose, and art.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
The Weight Journal
The Weight Journal
An online literary magazine that curates the best of student writing in various genres.
📍 Online⏱ N/A📅 Rolling🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
VFW
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay
Audio-essay scholarship competition with $35,000 top prize.
📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 October🎓 9, 10, 11, 12
Selective
National YoungArts Foundation
YoungArts
Free national arts competition. Winners receive cash awards, mentorship, and the chance to perform at YoungArts Week in Miami.
📍 Miami + regional⏱ 1 week📅 October🎓 10, 11, 12
Selective
National YoungArts Foundation
YoungArts Awards
National competition in writing, visual arts, design, music, theater, film for 15-18 year olds.
📍 Miami, FL⏱ Year-round📅 October🎓 10, 11, 12
Selective
National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists
YoungArts National Arts Competition
One of the nation's most prestigious honors for high school students in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
📍 Miami, FL / Nationwide⏱ N/A📅 December 1🎓 10, 11, 12
Selective

Creative Writing programs for high schoolers.

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