In this blog, we’ve rounded up some of the most well-known and enriching summer writing programs for high school students in the United States. Ranging from fiction to journalism, these programs cater to a variety of interests. Let’s explore what each one has to offer!
1. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is hosted by the University of Iowa, home to the world-famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop. This highly respected program offers 6-week online courses and a 2-week Summer Residential Program where students can specialize in fiction writing, poetry, or creative writing. Participants engage in daily workshops, seminars, and discussions led by published writers and university instructors.
Deadline: January 20 – February 2, 2025 (residential) and March 1 – April 18, 2025 (online).
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Program Timeline: 6-week online or 2-week residential sessions during the summer. For 2025, the residential program has two sessions: June 15-28, 2025 (Session 1) and July 13-26, 2025 (Session 2).
Cost: $2,500 (residential) and $475 (online); financial aid is available.
Fun fact: Iowa City is designated a UNESCO City of Literature, making it an inspiring and literary-rich location for young writers to learn and grow.
Read more about the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio on Aralia’s blog!
2. Interlochen Center for the Arts - Creative Writing Programs
Founded in 1928, Interlochen is a world-renowned arts camp located in Michigan. The Creative Writing program offers intensive workshops in poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and playwriting, tailored to middle and high school students. Students participate in daily writing sessions, peer critiques, public readings, and visits from professional writers. Moreover, they are immersed in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment alongside artists, musicians, and dancers.
Interlochen offers a variety of writing-focused tracks, designed for different ages and interests:
- Creative Writing (Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12): Traditional workshop-style classes covering various genres through daily classes, peer workshops and attend readings with award-winning authors.
- Novel Writing Intensive (Grades 9-12): Dedicated young writers will workshop their novel excerpts, refine their craft through expert-led sessions, and leave with a personalized plan to complete their manuscript.
- Performance and Spoken Word Poetry (Grades 9-12): This track welcomes both slam teams and solo performers to create original spoken word pieces, blending poetic tradition with modern performance styles such as rap, freestyle, and storytelling while honing powerful voice and body expression.
- Comics and Graphic Narratives Intensive (Grades 9-12): Aspiring artists and writers explore the intersection of visual storytelling and narrative craft through hands-on projects, workshops, and professional guidance in comics and graphic narratives.
- Playwriting Intensive (Grades 9-12): Students will craft one-act plays, from dialogue and stage directions to character development, culminating in a performance of their work.
Deadline: January 15 (priority application deadline); applications received after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis, pending availability.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, with placement based on grade level.
Program Timeline: Sessions vary in length, offering 3-week and 6-week programs for students in grades 6-12, as well as a 1-week intensive course for grades 9-12.
Cost: Varies by session length; financial aid and scholarships are available.
More details about the program can be found on Sharpen Your Writing Skills This Summer With Interlochen Creative Writing Summer Camp.
3. The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program
This fully online program is run by the acclaimed literary publication The Adroit Journal. It pairs passionate high school writers with established authors for one-on-one mentorship in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid genres. Activities include receiving feedback on drafts, reading assignments, and participating in virtual discussions.
Deadline: March 1, 2025
Eligibility: High school students (ages 13-19) from anywhere in the world.
Program Timeline: Six weeks during the summer.
Cost: $575, financial aid is available.
This is a rare opportunity for students to receive personalized, in-depth guidance from working writers and gain insight into the publishing world. Over 65% of mentorship graduates have matriculated at Ivy League universities and other top-tier institutions worldwide. You can learn about Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program’s talented and considerate mentors here.
Get into Your Dream Summer Writing Program
4. Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Founded by one of the nation’s most prestigious literary magazines, the Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop is known for its rigorous and inspiring curriculum. Kenyon’s workshop structure is truly collaborative, with students meeting in small groups for five hours each day. Everyone, including instructors, writes and shares work daily. There are no grades; instead, students focus on discovering their strengths and developing their unique voice through peer discussions and one-on-one conferences. Genre sessions enable students to explore specific craft elements in depth. The program is taught by experienced writers, many of whom are Kenyon alumni or contributors to the Kenyon Review.
The program offers three types of workshops:
- 6-week Winter Online Workshop: January 25-March 1, 2025
- 1-week Summer Online Workshop: June 15-20, 2025
- 2-week Summer Residential Workshop: June 22-July 5, 2025 (Session 1) or July 13-26, 2025 (Session 2)
Deadline: April 13 (Summer Online Workshops) and March 1 (Residential Workshops).
Eligibility: Students between 16 and 18 years old at the time of the program.
Cost: $655 (Winter Online), $995 (Summer Online) $2,575 (Summer Residential); financial aid is available.
5. AAJA’s JCamp
JCamp is a competitive, all-expenses-paid journalism camp that empowers students from diverse backgrounds to explore careers in media. Sponsored by the Asian American Journalists Association, the camp includes hands-on reporting projects, newsroom simulations, and mentorship from leading journalists.
Deadline: January 31, 2025.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply.
Program Timeline: 6-day program in the summer.
Cost: Free (travel and lodging also covered).
JCamp goes beyond reporting—it helps students grow into thoughtful, ethical communicators. The curriculum emphasizes cross-cultural communication, leadership, and the importance of diversity in media. Students gain practical experience with newsroom projects while developing skills such as persuasive writing, professionalism, and networking. With guidance from renowned journalists, JCamp also builds students’ confidence and understanding of journalism ethics.
6. The New York Times Summer Academy
Offered by The School of The New York Times (NYT), this immersive summer program gives students the chance to explore storytelling, opinion writing, and journalism with professional NYT journalists. Students attend lectures, complete writing assignments, and visit media institutions across New York City.
Deadline: April 30, 2025.
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18.
Program Timeline: 2-week sessions in the summer, split into four terms:
- Term 1: June 8-20
- Term 2: June 22-July 4
- Term 3: July 6-18
- Term 4: July 20-August 1
Cost: $5,935 for day students or $7,265 for residential students; scholarships available.
This program offers an impressive variety of two-week courses, each led by NYT journalists, editors, or industry experts. Some of the outstanding offerings include:
- Writing the Big City: Explore urban narrative through field trips around New York City, experimenting with voice and capturing the city’s vibrancy.
- Investigative Journalism: Learn how to dig into public records, conduct interviews, verify sources, and present compelling findings.
- Opinion Writing and Editorial: Understand persuasive structures and hone the craft of shaping arguments with clarity and strength.
- Narrative Nonfiction and Feature Writing: Study immersive storytelling techniques through rich literary examples and real-world assignments.
Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
7. 92NY’s Young Writers Workshop
Based at a cultural hub in New York City, the 92NY’s Young Writers Workshop introduces high school students to poetry, short stories, and nonfiction through fun and collaborative workshops. Led by professional teaching artists, the program emphasizes self-expression, revision, and public sharing.
Deadline: July 8, 2025.
Eligibility: Students ages 15-18.
Program Timeline: 3-week program from July 14-31, 2025.
Cost: $2600; scholarships are available.
92NY also offers a Young Writers Workshop for students aged 12-14, which runs from July 14-24, 2025. Priced at $1,800, the program does not require an application, and students can register directly. Participants will read poems, stories, and essays, respond to writing prompts, and improve their skills in giving and receiving constructive feedback.
8. Bard College at Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop
Designed for creative students who love language, this 3-week workshop encourages participants to take bold artistic risks in poetry, fiction, and experimental writing. Activities include writing labs, peer editing, and evening readings. Students are mentored by college faculty and enjoy a supportive, college-like atmosphere.
Deadline: Rolling admissions begin January 15.
Eligibility: Students who are currently completing grades 9-11.
Program Timeline: July 6-26, 2025.
Cost: The all-inclusive price is $3,600; financial aid is available.
The Simon’s Rock Young Writers Workshop is distinctive for its non-competitive, exploratory atmosphere, designed to nurture creativity across genres in a deeply supportive community.
- Hands-on, Playful Environment: Over the course of three weeks, students write across genres— poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and experimental forms—and regularly engage in creative and collaborative activities. The emphasis is on play, risk-taking, and personal growth, rather than competition.
- Non-Judgmental, Growth-Focused Approach: The workshop is structured to foster a positive environment where feedback is constructive and supportive. Students are encouraged to write freely, experiment with form, and challenge creative boundaries.
- Multi-Genre Exploration: Participants regularly switch between genres and projects, broadening their writing range and discovering new interests through hands-on experimentation and guided prompts.
- Community-Centered Learning: The workshop fosters collaboration through peer feedback and group activities. Students form close bonds, share ideas, inspire one another, and grow together throughout the session.
9. Sarah Lawrence College Writers Week
Writers Week at Sarah Lawrence College invites students to explore poetry, fiction, and memoir through intensive workshops led by faculty and MFA graduates. The program encourages writers to take creative risks, experiment with form, and build confidence in their voice.
Deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12.
Program Timeline: July 7-11 (virtual), July 21 – 25 (on-campus session 1), and August 4-8 (on-campus session 2).
Cost: $1,095 for the virtual session ($250 deposit) or $1,750 for the on-campus session ($250 deposit).
Creative writing is at the heart of Writers Week. Each day begins with a dedicated writing workshop, creating a collaborative environment for writers to try new genres, discuss craft elements, and explore their voice on the page. Led by two MFA graduate students, workshops explore writing prompts across various genres, including speculative fiction, poetry, memoir, and flash fiction. Students are encouraged to trust their creative instincts, take risks, develop new techniques, and receive feedback in a supportive space.
Why Join a Summer Writing Program?
Whether your goal is to write the next great novel, report for a major newspaper, or improve your storytelling skills, summer writing programs can give you the tools, confidence, and connections to take your writing to the next level. They provide a supportive environment that fosters growth, exploration, and creativity, while also learning from experienced mentors and forming lasting friendships. If you’re passionate about writing, these programs are an excellent way to invest in your future and have an unforgettable summer experience!
Ready to Write Your Next Chapter?
Looking to elevate your creative writing journey? Aralia Education’s “Devising Competitive Applications for Summer Creative Writing Schools” workshop is tailored for high school students aiming to apply to prestigious programs like the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop, and Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference.
This workshop offers:
- Work one-on-one or in small groups with award-winning instructors.
- Craft compelling personal statements and refine writing samples to meet summer writing program standards.
- Gain a deep understanding of the expectations of summer writing programs.
Whether you’re aiming for a summer of literary growth or seeking to enhance your writing portfolio, this workshop provides the tools and expertise to help you succeed.
Devising Competitive Applications for Summer Creative Writing Schools
Devising Competitive Applications for Summer Creative Writing Schools is designed to help high school students craft standout applications for top-tier creative writing summer schools. With expert guidance, you’ll refine your personal statement, polish your writing samples, and gain the confidence to apply with a competitive edge.
