26 Summer Writing Programs for High School Students in 2026
reviewed by Laila A. Lico
Updated on July 7, 2026
Key Points:
- The best summer writing programs for high school students in 2026 range from free online mentorships to residential university programs costing $9,000+.
- Most competitive programs like the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, the Kenyon Review, and Adroit Journal select students based on their writing samples.
- Most programs run from June to August. Application deadlines usually fall between January and April.
- Creative writing summer programs cover fiction writing, poetry, creative nonfiction, journalism, screenwriting, and speculative fiction.
- Online summer writing programs have expanded in recent years, and they’re also the most cost-effective.
Summer writing programs for high schoolers are a great opportunity to improve writing, become a more confident communicator, and sharpen organizational skills. If you’re a parent or a student looking for summer writing programs, this guide covers the 26 best writing programs in 2026 and breaks down the application processes, program dates, deadlines, and fees.
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How to Choose the Right Summer Writing Program
Choosing the right summer writing program involves defining your writing style, budget, grades, deadline, and whether you prefer a residential or online program.
Five questions to filter the possibilities.
- What genre are you interested in?
If your teen wants to get better at writing, any general literacy program will do. If they focus on a specific genre, look for a writing camp that provides targeted, genre-oriented feedback on their skills.
- What’s your budget?
The list below is tuition only. Factor in the associated expenses: room and board, food, and incidentals. Some programs offer generous support, so families may want to explore what financial aid is available.
- What grade is your teen in?
Some programs accept students in grade 9, others welcome 10th graders and above. Check grades and age cutoffs before investing time in an application.
- Residential or online?
Residential programs offer a college-like experience — living on campus, meeting and collaborating with peers, and attending evening readings. Online courses can’t recreate the on-campus experience, but offer more flexibility and lower cost.
- When is the deadline?
Most 2026 applications closed between January and April 2026. For them, bookmark and apply in 2027. Some programs, like Brighterly writing summer camp and Kenyon online sessions, still have open applications.
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Brighterly Writing Summer Camp
Brighterly is an online math and reading platform for K–12 students, with sessions starting from $17.70/lesson (12-month plan, 2 lessons/week, 20% discount applied), aligned with US state standards.
For high school students looking for a summer writing program from home, we offer live 1:1 sessions with a certified writing tutor. We tailor our program to each student, based on their current level, genre, and goals. Unlike fixed programs with set curricula, our sessions allow your teen to work on specific writing strategies and gaps, and build on their voice, structure, and writing confidence.
Our lessons cover the full range of writing skills (narrative text structure, voice, revision, essay writing, composition, and creative nonfiction), with experoenced tutors providing personalized writing feedback in real time. Large programs often can’t provide this level of teacher involvement. This support is especially important for students preparing a writing sample for a competitive program application or strong writing examples for a college portfolio.
Note: 1:1 online tutoring is highly effective. A 2024 meta-analysis published in the American Educational Research Journal (Nickow, Oreopoulos & Quan) found that one-on-one support helps students stay highly engaged and achieve better learning outcomes.
| Format | Online 1:1 sessions |
| Grades | K–12 |
| Cost | From $17.70/lesson (12-month plan, 2 lessons/week, 20% discount applied) |
| Application materials | No application – free trial session |
| Genre focus | All genres |
| Deadline | No deadline |
Brighterly is best for K–12 students with no specific genre focus. Affordable creative writing summer program; flexible scheduling, no travel, or competitive application commitment.
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JCamp
JCamp is a summer journalism camp focused on hands-on experience in reporting, writing, and multimedia storytelling. Students learn the foundations of news writing, interviewing, and editorial judgment. Young writers practice skills they can use right away — in school journalism, college applications, public communications, and English.
| Format | Residential, online |
| Grades | Grades 9–12 |
| Cost | Free (as of June 2026) |
| Application materials | A mix of written essays, short answers and a short video |
| Genre focus | Journalism |
| Deadline | Applications for the 2026 JCamp cohort are closed, usually open November – January |
Iowa Young Writers’ Studio 2-Week Residential Program
Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is one of the most prestigious summer writing programs in the US, taught by the graduates of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio focuses on fiction writing, poetry writing, or creative writing (core courses in TV writing and playwriting available) and has a competitive admission, with 10%-20% acceptance rate (according to the official website); based entirely on writing samples.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | Grades 10–12 |
| Financial aid | No |
| Cost as of June 2026 | $2,500 (includes room, board, instruction, and all activities) |
| Application fee | $10 |
| Application materials | Writing sample, letter of recommendation, statement of purpose |
| Genre focus | Fiction writing, poetry writing, or creative writing, with core courses in TV writing and playwriting |
| Deadline | Applications for the 2026 Young Writers Studio are closed, usually open January 19 – February 1 |
Available: 6-week online writing program for 9th grades and above; $475; GPA 3.0+. Summer 2026 online applications closed April 10, 2026.
Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week
Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week is a five-day writing program, offering small-group writing workshops (15-18 students). Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week focuses on creative writing (like RAFT writing) and performance arts with 2 teaching artists per workshop. Students have the option to earn transferable college credits. The program combines online and in-person sessions (one online workshop and 2 on-campus workshops (non-residential).
| Format | Online and offline |
| Grades | Grades 9–12, students must be 14+ |
| Financial aid | No |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
Online session: $1,195 On-Campus Session: $1,950 and includes daily lunch and snacks |
| Registration fee | $250 deposit due at registration |
| Application materials | None; non-selective process |
| Genre focus | Creative writing and performance arts |
| Deadline | Applicant must pay the balance in full no later than 3 weeks before the dates of the workshop to participate |
Juniper Institute for Young Writers
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers at UMass Amherst is one of the creative writing summer camps for high school students, focusing on fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. The Juniper Institute for Young Writers is led by professional authors, published writers, and graduate students. The program prioritizes experimentation rather than the traditional writing process. Students attend workshops, craft sessions, readings, morning write-ins, and open mics, and find their voice in writing.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Financial aid | Scholarship available |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
Residential tuition is $5,200 and commuter tuition is $2,330. |
| Application materials | Writing sample, letter of recommendation, statement of purpose |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed |
Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement (AYA)
Annenberg Youth Academy is a free summer writing program from the USC Annenberg School for 26 selected high school students from the Los Angeles area. Participants of the AYA practice hands-on journalism, producing writing, video, and multimedia reporting on civic issues. This is one of the rare writing camps for high schoolers where students work with real issues.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9-12 (communities surrounding USC) |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
100% free |
| Application materials | Application form, two essays, a letter of recommendation, a high school resume, an official high school transcript, and a smartphone headshot |
| Genre focus | Journalism, multimedia storytelling, civic writing |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed |
Reynolds Young Writers Workshop
The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop at Denison University is a residential workshop for 48 selected high school students. Led by Denison’s creative writing faculty and visiting writers, the Reynolds Young Writers Workshop involves intimate workshops and a laid-back atmosphere to work on text structure skills without being too competitive.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$1,700 for the 10-day program, including housing and meals |
| Financial aid | Scholarship available |
| Application materials | Application form, one essay, and a letter of recommendation from an English teacher |
| Genre focus | Multi-genre: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed |
Camp Cronkite | Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Camp Cronkite at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite is a high school writing program that puts students in the world of professional journalism. Participants report, pitch, write, edit, and produce portfolio-quality content. Students may choose digital journalism, broadcast journalism, and sports media.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$899 (meals, housing, camp T-shirt, night at the movies, technology access and supervision included) |
| Financial aid | Scholarship available |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Digital journalism, broadcast journalism, and sports media. |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
Alpha Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers
Alpha Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Workshop for Young Writers is a writing program dedicated to speculative fiction. 25 selected students come to Pittsburgh to write science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Alpha continues for a week and involves workshopping, craft talks, and direct contact with published authors in the genre.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9-12; ages 14–19 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$1,950 |
| Financial aid | Scholarships, financial aid, and loaner laptops |
| Application materials | Application form + original story |
| Genre focus | Science fiction, fantasy, and horror |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Apr |
Start your creative writing program today — free first lesson, no card required.
Write better anytime — not just in summer.
92Y Unterberg Poetry Center Young Writers Workshop
The 92Y Unterberg Poetry Center Young Writers Workshop is a New York summer creative writing program that focuses on poetry. The Poetry Center cooperates with the top instructors from all over the country.
| Format | Online and offline, depending on the year |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$2250.00 |
| Financial aid | No |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Poetry |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Apr |
Shared Worlds
Shared Worlds is a summer writing workshop at Wofford College in South Carolina for Grades 8–12 interested in fantasy writing, science fiction, and worldbuilding. 60 students are admitted yearly.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 8–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$2,600 (instruction, supervisory personnel, program material, activities, professional evaluation, and certificates) |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Fantasy, science fiction, and worldbuilding |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
Kenyon Review Summer Residential Young Writers Workshops
Kenyon is one of the renowned summer creative writing workshops for students aged 16–18. Students participate in daily workshops, peer feedback sessions, craft discussions, and 1:1 meetings with instructors.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 10–12; ages 16–18 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$2,575 |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | Application form, personal statement, high school transcript (official or unofficial), a letter of recommendation, and financial aid information (optional) |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Apr |
Kenyon Review Summer Online Young Writers Workshop
The Kenyon Review Online Workshop is a more affordable version than a residential workshop, providing instructors and workshop processes for descriptive writing. Sessions run 3.5 hours per day.
| Format | Online |
| Grades | 10–12; ages 16–18 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$995 |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | Application form, personal statement, high school transcript (official or unofficial), a letter of recommendation, and financial aid information (optional) |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Feb |
BYU Young Authors Academy
BYU Young Authors Academy is a writing program in Provo, Utah, gathering recognized authors who provide reading and craft sessions. Students may choose from fiction, poetry, and screenwriting.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 10–12; ages 16–18 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
Tuition & Housing – $798; Tuition – $509 |
| Financial aid | No |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, and screenwriting |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
Fir Acres Writing Workshop
Lewis & Clark College’s Fir Acres Writing Workshop is a teen writing program on the Portland, Oregon campus. The Fir Acres Writing Workshop is a smaller summer camp, providing daily workshops and Portland field trips.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 19–12; ages 14–18 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$3,900 (includes food and lodging) |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form, statement of purpose, writing sample, high school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction |
| Deadline | Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
LMU Beginning Screenwriting Program
Loyola Marymount University’s Beginning Screenwriting Program is a pre-college writing program built around script format. The LMU Screenwriting Program covers story structure, dialogue, scene writing, and screenwriting.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 19–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$6,500 |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form, personal essay, additional creative essay, high school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation, phone interview |
| Genre focus | Screenwriting |
| Deadline | Application for Session II is still open |
LMU’s Beginning Screenwriting Online Program
LMU’s Beginning Screenwriting Online Program is an online version of the LMU Screenwriting Program.
| Format | Online |
| Grades | 19–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$2,730 |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form, personal essay, additional creative essay, high school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation, phone interview |
| Genre focus | Screenwriting |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Writing and Culture Program
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Writing and Culture Program is a multi-week program focusing on creative writing, cultural analysis, and academic writing. Students must be at least 16 to apply.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 10–12; must be at least 16 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$9,636 |
| Financial aid | Scholarships |
| Application materials | Application form, personal essay, portfolio, high school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation, SAT scores (optional) |
| Genre focus | Multi-genre |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Mar |
The School of The New York Times’ Summer Academy
The School of The New York Times’ Summer Academy is focused on journalism and nonfiction writing based on The New York Times’ editorial practice. Students practice reporting, editing, and multimedia storytelling.
| Format | Residential and online |
| Grades | 10–12; must be at least 15 years old |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$7,695 |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form, questionnaire, school transcript |
| Genre focus | Journalism and nonfiction |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Apr |
Georgetown University | Creative Writing Academy
Creative Writing Academy in Washington, D.C., covers multiple genres and focuses on pre-college writing programs. Students practice university-level skills and get college-like experience.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9–12; must be at least 13 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$3,995 – College credit fee |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Multi-genre |
| Deadline |
Sunday, June 28, 2026 |
Yale Young Writers’ Workshop
Yale’s summer writing program is one of the top writing programs focusing on creative writing with interdisciplinary study. This program is geared toward a globally diverse peer community.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$3085 – Residential $1380 – Online |
| Financial aid | No |
| Application materials | Application form, personal essay, high school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation, Forms for Minors Living On Campus |
| Genre focus | Creative writing |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Apr |
Great Smokies Writing Program
The Great Smokies Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville is one of the most intimate online writing programs in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students get focused feedback without the intensity of selective programs.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
5-week classes (1 credit hour): $171.75 |
| Financial aid | Scholarship |
| Application materials | Application form |
| Genre focus | Multi-genre |
| Deadline |
Registrations open on a rolling basis prior to each semester |
Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference
The 2-week Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference is held on the campus of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Led by accomplished writers, students practice writing in small workshops (max 12 participants).
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$2600.00 – including room and boards |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | Writing sample, a statement of purpose, and a recommendation letter from a teacher |
| Genre focus | Creative writing |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open Jan – Feb |
Smith College Creative Writing Workshop
Smith College’s creative writing workshop gives high school students access to an arts college’s writing faculty. Students work on fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in a small-group setting.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$4,985 |
| Financial aid | No |
| Application materials | Personal essay |
| Genre focus | Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually open December – May |
Summer Workshop for Young Writers at the Kelly Writers House
The Kelly House Summer Workshop for Young Writers at the University of Pennsylvania is focused on community, experimentation, and interdisciplinary writing. Students explore Penn’s writing community and the Philadelphia literary scene.
| Format | Residential |
| Grades | 11–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$3,000 |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | Personal essay, high school transcript, recommendation letter from a teacher, and an 8 to 10-page writing sample |
| Genre focus | Creative writing |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Usually due in March |
Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program
The Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program is a direct 1:1 mentorship. Students get paired with an accomplished writer in their chosen genre. The Adroit Journal is a highly selective program.
| Format | Online 1:1 mentorship |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Cost as of June 2026 |
$575 |
| Financial aid | Yes |
| Application materials | 3 Application Essays, a Writing Sample, an Optional Academic Transcript, and an Optional Additional Information Section. |
| Genre focus | Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction |
| Deadline |
Applications for Summer 2026 are now closed. Deadline March 1st |
Conclusion
For 2026, most programs have already closed their application windows. However, some programs still accept applications on a rolling basis, like the Great Smokies Writing Program, the LMU Beginning Screenwriting Program, and Brighterly Summer Writing Camp.
For now, students can still mark January 2027 in the calendar and prepare a strong writing sample for the next year’s admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Summer Writing Programs Worth It For College Admissions?
Yes, summer creative writing for teens is worth it for college admissions, especially selective programs, such as Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, the Kenyon Review Workshop, and the Adroit Journal mentorship. Less selective programs also produce stronger portfolios, and they boost students’ writing confidence.
How Much Do Summer Writing Programs For High School Students Cost on Average?
On average, online summer creative writing programs run $475–$995. Residential programs are more expensive, averaging at $2,500–$3,000 for two weeks with meals and boarding. Most programs offer financial aid.
Can 9th and 10th Graders Apply To Summer Writing Programs?
Yes, 9th and 10th graders can apply to summer writing programs — many programs welcome students below 11th grade, like Brighterly Summer Writing Camp, Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week, the Adroit Journal mentorship, Shared Worlds, and the Juniper Institute online program.
Are Online Summer Writing Workshops As Valuable As In-Person Ones?
Yes. Most online summer writing programs offer the same curriculum as the residential ones. What online programs can’t provide is on-campus experience, even though both build skills effectively.
How Competitive is Admission to Top Summer Writing Programs?
Most competitive summer writing programs like Iowa, Kenyon, and Adroit Journal have an approximately 10%-20% acceptance rate based on writing samples. However, students can still apply for non-selective programs like Brighterly Writing Summer Camp, Sarah Lawrence Writers’ Week, BYU Young Authors Academy, and others.
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