Youth Organizations/Programs and College Programs Not Affiliated with DeMatha
Disclaimer: All of the following youth organizations and programs are Not Affiliated with DeMatha Catholic High School. It is the parents’ and students’ responsibility to perform their due diligence when looking into any of the following programs.
The purpose of this page is to inform parents and students of programs in the DC and Maryland Area that they may want to explore.
More organizations will continually be added to this site as the site moderator comes across them. If you are aware of any good programs please email Mr. Sicko at ssicko@dematha.org.
College Programs
College Programs
University Of Maryland
The High School Hub compiles GEOG’s programs that are designed to ignite students' passion for geographical sciences and cultivate a deeper understanding of geographers’ role in mitigating climate change, tracking deforestation and biodiversity loss, addressing food security, combating natural disasters and other important issues for Earth and humanity.
Through a series of engaging and interactive activities, our programs offer high school students and beyond the opportunity to explore the multifaceted aspects of geographical sciences.
Telluride Association Summer Seminars (TASS) are free, five-week residential summer programs for high school sophomores and juniors (“rising juniors” and “rising seniors”) that investigate how power and privilege shape social structures through courses in humanities and social sciences. We are seeking intellectually curious, community-minded, and self-motivated students with diverse perspectives who are looking for opportunities to grow academically and socially.
TASS students live in a residence on or near a university campus (in 2026, the programs will be held at Cornell University and University of Maryland College Park) and participate in a seminar led by two professors. Our professors ask students to read carefully, to consider challenging ideas from many perspectives, and to express their ideas in class and in other creative and critical forms of expression. Instead of grades, students receive extensive feedback from their professors and other mentors.
Applications are open October 15-December 3, 2025
High School Discernment Opportunities
Still in high school, but sensing God’s call?
Our high school programs and retreats offer juniors and seniors a chance to visit Old College, Holy Cross’ undergraduate seminary at the University of Notre Dame.
Wharton Business School
Summer 2026 Applications Are Open
Register for Our Summer Program Info Session on November 12
Join us in summer 2026 for a full lineup of learning opportunities on Wharton’s Philadelphia and San Francisco campuses and in Cambridge, UK, as well as online with weeks of simulation-powered virtual programs. This is an exceptional chance for high school students to explore business, entrepreneurship, data science, AI, innovation, leadership and finance – and to meet some motivating educators and peers along the way. Wharton Global Youth will be hosting an online information webinar at 7 p.m.. ET on November 12. Explore the opportunities and hit submit!
Register for the November 12 Global Youth Webinar
Explore On-campus Programs
Explore Online Programs
Explore Location-based Programs
Wake Forest
Online Immersion Programs for High School Students
Explore your interests before college
Are there subjects you’re thinking about taking in college but would like to know more about? The Online Immersion Program, designed for high school students ages 13 and up, has been created for this purpose. It offers exciting topics, covered in-depth, through online coursework led by Wake Forest University professors. The program is available year-round, and the online format allows you to study anywhere, anytime, while working at your own pace. This flexibility enables you to take multiple courses and explore a variety of academic areas of interest.
Encourage Students to Start Planning for Summer
Summer is an ideal time for students to explore their interests, strengthen academic skills, and prepare for future college coursework. The Northwestern Pre-College Online Program offers engaging online courses in business, law, medicine, and STEM that help them do just that.
Courses are led by Northwestern University faculty and supported by mentors who guide students throughout the experience. The program’s flexible schedule allows students to learn at their own pace—making it a great fit alongside school, jobs, or internships.
Please share this opportunity with students ready to make their summer meaningful. We’d appreciate you sharing this email and our program flyer(available to print or send digitally) with students and parents in your network.
The National Precollege & Summer Program Fairs are the premier events where high school families can meet program representatives in-person, explore the most diverse array of summer opportunities, and find the endless possibilities for their summer.
We are running five large fairs in January 2026: NYC, Northern NJ, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Miami. Join us as we continue to help families nationwide connect with the perfect summer opportunity!
2026 FAIRS
NYC: January 26
NJ: January 27
Philadelphia: January 28
Washington DC: January 29
Miami: February 1
UMD: Terp Young Scholars Program
College-bound students are invited to apply to Terp Young Scholars, a pre-college summer program at the University of Maryland (UMD). From July 13 to 31, 2026, high school students (rising grade 10 to graduating grade 12) enroll in an engaging college course, earn three college credits, explore an exciting new field, and take advantage of the many outstanding resources at the state’s flagship university.
New Course Topics in Summer 2026: AI, environment and sustainability, medicine and health sciences, computing and data science, architecture, design, and performing arts, business, psychology, philosophy, history, and global perspectives
Terp Young Scholars delivers a transformative academic experience at an incredible value. Students choose from two learning options, in person or online, and commute from home or participate virtually.
Emerging Journalists Program at Elon University
Year five of the Emerging Journalists Program at Elon University started this month with its first virtual workshop, but there’s still time for them to apply. High schoolers of any class year are welcome to join these virtual sessions. But better yet, we’re now starting to review applications for the free, fun and immersive summer experience that’s scheduled for June 15-25, 2026. This on-campus residential learning workshop is open to rising seniors from diverse socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. And, again, it’s completely free. EJP pays for students’ travel, lodging, meals and instructional materials, so now’s the time for your students to submit their applications.
Dartmouth Precollege Online Program
The Dartmouth Precollege Online Program invites you to explore college-level courses designed by top instructors—all from the comfort of home. Created for motivated students aged 13 and older, this program allows you to develop a holistic view that reflects Dartmouth’s liberal arts philosophy. With flexible, dynamic lessons and mentor support, you can explore multiple fields of study and find your passion. You’ll learn to think critically and creatively, positioning yourself for an impactful future.
University of Chicago
Click any of the bold and underlined words to access that specific link.
The University of Chicago’s summer pre-college programs draw from the multidisciplinary emphasis and intellectual richness of the College’s Core curriculum. We offer a variety of courses in diverse subject areas and engagement levels that match any motivated high school student. For Summer 2026, we will host both residential programs and online courses, including our 1 Week Enrichment Programs .
Whether it be leadership, civil discourse, analysis of complex problems, or engagement in the liberal arts, enrichment programs give pre-college students a window into the unique culture of inquiry and discourse at the University of Chicago. Students selected for each program have the opportunity to reside on campus and participate in discussions, workshops, and excursions off campus.
Significant financial aid is available, including funding to cover roundtrip travel expenses for students who qualify. Students whose annual household income is $125,000 or less are automatically eligible for a waiver of the $2,500 program fee, and students whose household income is $60,000 or less are also eligible for a waiver of roundtrip travel expenses. The application fee is automatically waived for students applying for aid.
Please encourage your students to complete the Summer Session application by March 12 to be considered for any of our enrichment programs.
NYU Pre-College Programs
Here's how NYU Precollege will set your students on a path to success.
-They will examine their current passions in courses aligned with their potential majors and explore new topics and areas o f interest, all while earning college credit they can apply toward their future degree.
-On our campuses in New York City's Greenwich Village and Downtown Brooklyn, where there's always something new to discover every day, they'll become part of a bold, diverse community, gaining new perspectives on themselves and others.
-With New York City at their doorstep, they'll have every opportunity to cultivate their independence and build confidence in one of the most inspiring cities in the world.
-Students who elect to study online will experience the same rigorous courses as those attending on campus, with access to virtual resources for academic success.
-Offered during the summer session, the College 101 workshop series helps students develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for the college admissions process and beyond.
NYU Precollege is offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Program application deadlines for each term are as follows:
• Spring 2026: Apply by January 5 , 2026
• Summer 2026:
• International students: Apply b y March 13, 2026
• US and online students: Apply by June 15, 2026
• Fall 2026: Apply by August 14, 2026
For more details and the most up-to-date information, please visit nyu.edu/precollege.
In addition to NYU Precollege, high school students have access to over 50 other NYU programs. Available throughout the year, these programs vary in length, from a quick weekend to an entire semester, offering flexibility to fit students' needs and schedules. Students may explore subjects like machine learning at the Tandon School of Engineering, marketing and finance at the School of Professional Studies, and constitutional law at the School of Law
Visit nyu.edu/highschool for more information.
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute
The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute invites rising high school juniors and seniors (current grades 10 and 11) to experience Stanford University's renowned excellence in the humanities and social sciences. In this immersive, three-week residential program, students engage deeply with complex texts and ideas, develop college-level writing skills, and learn to articulate nuanced arguments in both written and spoken expression. Guided by Stanford faculty and supported by graduate student teaching assistants, students will explore essential questions at the core of the humanities.
UMass Amherst Pre-College Program
Learn the ins and outs of sports broadcasting in a state-of-the-art broadcast studio this summer
Sports Broadcasting: June 28 - July 11
Deadline to apply: May 1, 2026
Are you a high school student who is thinking about a career in sports? When you sign up for our Sports Broadcasting program, you’ll learn everything you need to know about what goes into sports broadcasting, on and off the air. Students will get a chance to produce their own show, step behind the mic, work a camera and everything in between - you are the one who makes this show run.
At our Sports Broadcasting program, students will be in session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, learning from industry experts and putting together their own live sports talk show during their two weeks on campus. This program is modeled off a class that our professors teach many of our Sports Journalism majors. If you want to know whether sports broadcasting is the career for you, this is your program.
Bucknell Academy Summer Experience (BASE) program
BASE is a residential experience where students work together to tackle real-world challenges in innovative ways. Our 6-day program immerses students in Bucknell's interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts, with instruction from our top-tier professors. This year's theme: Human-Centered Communication in a Digital Era.
When: June 21-26, 2026
Who: Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school are welcome to apply
Deadline: March 14, 2026
We offer on-campus and abroad pre-college programs for high school sophomores and juniors:
Summer Scholars
Session I Program Dates: June 6 - 20, 2026 (On Campus)
Session II Program Dates: June 27 - July 11, 2026 (On Campus)
Students study from a variety of program tracks on Notre Dame's campus. They'll experience the world-class academics, community, and spirituality that make ND so unique.
Leadership Seminars
Program Dates: July 18 - 29, 2026
Students live and learn on campus with other like-minded student leaders from across the globe. They participate in one of five seminars focusing on current issues. Tuition, room, and board are funded by the University in this highly competitive program.
Study Abroad
Program Dates: June - August 2026
(Dates vary by program. Please see website for details.)
Participants travel abroad to Italy, Ireland, South Africa, or London to experience the global ND community. They'll discover a new culture, meet new friends, and make plenty of memories.
For online offerings, please visit our website: precollege.nd.edu.
International Club of DC
“We are Washington’s premier organization for internationally-minded professionals who enjoy international cultural experiences. In partnership with over 80 embassies, along with museums and other cultural organizations in Washington DC, we present a variety of private cultural and networking events for our membership in the DC area. Our events are presented with the goal of helping members share cultural experiences and meet like-minded individuals. We warmly invite you to join us as we venture out to discover your city and your world!”
DC Youth Orchestra
“DCYOP offers comprehensive group lessons and ensemble training on all orchestral instruments for students ages 4 ½ to 18. More than 600 students participate in group classes, ensemble rehearsals, and performances each semester through our main-site programming at Takoma Education Campus as well as through our school partnerships. We are the only preK-12 program in the DC area that seeks to make high quality ensemble music education available to all students, regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or ability.”
Non-DeMatha Clubs/Organizations
Catholic Youth Organization of DC
“The Archdiocesan Youth Leadership Team (AYLT) is made up of gifted young people chosen from around The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. These youth have been recognized by their parishes and the Archdiocese as evangelizers of our faith and active witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ! AYLT represents the youth of our Archdiocese on a diocesan and national level, plays key roles in the Youth Mass of Celebration & Thanksgiving, and assists in planning youth activities across the ADW, including the LITE Retreat.”
Sierra Club Youth Groups
Exelon Foundation Boys to STEM Academy
“The Youth Group of the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club brings together a passionate and empowered generation of environmental advocates in the District. The group engages in impactful activities that address pressing local environmental issues. By providing a platform for teens aged 14 to 18 to participate in advocacy work, community projects, and educational initiatives. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, members develop their skills, knowledge, and sense of responsibility towards our planet. Additionally, the group strives to foster a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming space that encourages the active participation of teens from all backgrounds, empowering them to become change-makers in their communities.”
The Exelon Foundation Boys to STEM Academy is designed to give young men in high school hands-on experience in STEM, energy, and sustainability.