Political Science programs for high schoolers.

All political science programs

1. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social Sciences

   Academy for Hawaiʻi Intelligence Studies Summer Program

   Students study international security and intelligence through a university course, simulations, games, field trips and meetings with Hawaiʻi and national intelligence professionals.

   📍 HI🎓 Grades 10–12

   Highly Selective
2. Adam Smith Society

   Adam Smith Society HS Essay

   Essay contest exploring market economics and policy.

   📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12

   Selective
3. Australian National University

   ANU Extension

   University-level courses for high-achieving high school students in Canberra.

   📍 Canberra, Australia⏱ 1 year📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12

   Highly Selective
4. University of Central Arkansas

   Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp

   Fifty Arkansas students study international relations, diplomacy, the UN and Model UN before representing countries in General Assembly simulations and crisis exercises.

   📍 AR🎓 Grades 10–12

   Selective
5. City of Boston

   Boston Mayor's Youth Council

   Boston high-school students represent youth in city government, collaborate with officials, and develop projects addressing community and civic issues.

   📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12

   Selective
6. Brown University

   Brown Leadership Institute

   Pre-college leadership program at Brown. Need-based scholarships.

   📍 RI⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12

   Moderate
7. C-SPAN

   C-SPAN StudentCam

   Annual student documentary competition on public policy.

   📍 Online⏱ Annual📅 January🎓 Grades 6–12

   Selective
8. California State Board of Education

   California State Board of Education Student Member

   One California public-school senior is appointed as a full voting member of the State Board of Education, participates in state education policymaking and represents student perspectives at board and advisory meetings.

   📍 CA🎓 Grade 12

   Selective
9. George Washington University

   Caminos al Futuro

   Three-week residential program where rising seniors examine social, political and economic issues affecting Hispanic and Latino communities and develop leadership/community-impact projects.

   📍 DC🎓 Grade 12

   Selective
10. Northwestern CTD

    Civic Leadership Institute

    Service-learning summer program for civic-minded teens.

    📍 Evanston, IL⏱ 3 weeks📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12

    Moderate
11. American University School of International Service

    Community of Scholars

    Rising juniors and seniors complete a three-credit international-affairs course with two weeks on campus followed by one asynchronous online week, plus visits to government and international institutions.

    📍 DC🎓 Grades 11–12

    Moderate
12. Office of U.S. Senator John Boozman

    Congressional Youth Cabinet

    Arkansas juniors meet with peers throughout the year, learn how Congress and the legislative process work, discuss current issues and provide ideas to Senator Boozman.

    📍 AR🎓 Grade 11

    Selective
13. Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri

    Constitutional Democracy Academy

    Rising juniors and seniors spend a week studying constitutional history, political thought, the Supreme Court, federalism and related topics through discussion seminars and field trips. Only a $100 deposit is charged; housing, meals and program expenses are otherwise covered.

    📍 MO🎓 Grades 10–11

    Moderate
14. Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation

    Coolidge Connecticut Open

    High-school students compete in four rounds of structured debate, with undefeated varsity competitors earning invitations to the national Coolidge Cup.

    📍 CT🎓 Grades 9–12

    Highly Selective
15. Coolidge Scholars Foundation

    Coolidge Senators Program

    Fully-funded public policy program at the Coolidge Foundation in Vermont.

    📍 VT (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 10–11

    Selective
16. Dartmouth College

    Dartmouth Precollege Leadership Institute

    Intensive leadership program combining Dartmouth seminars on policy, institutions, social change and leadership with immersive outdoor leadership experiences in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

    📍 NH🎓 Grades 9–12

    Highly Selective
17. Davis United World College Scholars

    Davis Projects for Peace

    $10,000 grants for undergraduates worldwide to design and implement grassroots peace projects.

    📍 Various📅 January🎓 Grade 12

    Selective
18. State of Delaware / University of Delaware

    Delaware Governor's School for Excellence

    Highly selective residential program with academic and visual/performing-arts tracks. Students study subjects including humanities, government, science, economics and the arts with UD faculty.

    📍 DE🎓 Grades 10–11

    Selective
19. State of Delaware

    Delaware State Board of Education Student Member

    One high-school student serves a full one-year term as a non-voting State Board member and contributes student perspectives on curriculum, graduation requirements, equity and accountability.

    📍 DE🎓 Grades 11–12

    Selective

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