Best Spring Break Programs for High School Students

Deciding how to spend spring break can feel overwhelming. Especially when you consider that you only have a week or two off from school. It’s a lot of planning for a short amount of time — which is why planning ahead is so important! While many students use their spring break to catch up on school work and relax, more ambitious students may opt for something a bit more challenging and out of the ordinary, i.e. participate in a spring break program.

Summer Programs for High School Students are incredibly popular, but spring break trips can be just as rewarding. Since you only have a week or two off from school, finding suitable spring break programs for high schoolers may require a bit more planning and research, but we promise, it’ll be worth the effort! To start off, there are lots of different spring break options. For instance, are you interested in taking a spring break trip with family? Or a spring break road trip? Or maybe you want to gain a bit more independence by participating in a spring break program on your own. 

Regardless of your preferences, you likely have many questions about spring break programs. This is why we’ve put together this comprehensive spring break guide to help you get started. 

Why Choose a Spring Break Program?

So, why is spring break important? Spring break is a great opportunity for students to seek out new experiences through travel, volunteer opportunities, and academic enrichment programs. Not only do spring break programs look great on college applications, but they can also broaden student perspectives and help students gain valuable skills, such as confidence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate meaningfully with others. 

Benefits of Educational Spring Breaks

Educational spring breaks are a great way to challenge yourself, gain new skills, and bolster your college applications. In addition to providing Career Shadowing Opportunities for Students, educational spring breaks can help students discover new passions while making new friends and finding new mentors. 

Overview of Popular Spring Break Programs

Looking for spring break trip ideas? In this section, we’ll explore three different types of spring break programs for high schoolers: Academic Enrichment Programs, Adventure and Travel Programs, and Community Service and Volunteer Programs. So don’t worry, regardless of whether you’re looking for a Law Internship for High School Students or a way to combine your love of travel with community service, there’s something for everyone when it comes to spring break!

Academic Enrichment Programs

Academic enrichment programs often expose students to new ideas and new academic subjects, as well as allow them to explore subjects they’ve already encountered in greater depth. Through these spring break programs, students may gain a greater understanding of their passions, interests, and goals. In turn, students may use these personal insights to make more informed decisions about potential college majors and future careers. This is why ambitious students looking for clarity around their goals for the future may be interested in participating in an academic spring break program. If these reasons sound appealing, consider the 15 spring break programs listed below: 

1. Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships Abroad

2. Pre-Physician Assistant Internships Abroad

3. Lawrenceville School Programs

4. NYU Tisch’s The Future Artists Program

5. UPenn’s Young Scholars High School Program

6. Horizon Academic

7. Project Ignite at Carnegie Mellon University

8. The New York Academy of Sciences’ Junior Academy Innovation Challenges

9. Ladder Internship Program

10. Dartmouth College’s Community High School Program

11. Whitehead Institute’s Spring Lecture Series for High School Students

12. Medical Immersion Summer & Spring Academy

13. University of Michigan’s Spring & Summer Pre-College Programs

14. John Hopkins University’s Biomedical Engineering Innovation

15. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Adventure and Travel Programs

Spring break study abroad programs encourage students to challenge themselves by immersing themselves in new cultures and experiencing new ways of life. Not only do these programs broaden student perspectives, but they also help cultivate a more global mindset. Spring break adventure trips teach students valuable life skills, such as teamwork, resiliency, the ability to problem-solve, and confidence. Students interested in adventure and travel programs should consider the 12 programs listed below:

1. Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center – Costa Rica

2. Learn Chinese in China with GAC: 

3. High School Program in Spain with Seville Abroad

4. Tropical Field Research

5. AP® Spanish Summer Program in Spain

6. Rustic Pathways: Programs in Costa Rica

7. Projects Abroad

8. Volunteer in Belize, Conservation Volunteer Work

9. Community Outreach Volunteering in Cordoba - Argentina

10. Bali Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer Program

11. American Hiking Society - Alternative Spring Break 

12. Sports Volunteering in India

Community Service and Volunteer Opportunities

Spring break mission trips, service trips, and other volunteer opportunities enable students to gain valuable skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership. They also foster empathy, collaboration, and a sense of civic duty. Additionally, volunteering contributes significantly to community development, creating a positive impact on local communities. Students interested in community service and spring break volunteer opportunities should consider the 15 spring break programs listed below:

1. GLA Costa Rica - Volunteer Programs for Teens

2. Youth Programs | Habitat for Humanity

3. Alternative Spring Break with United Way  

4. Construction & Renovation Volunteer Projects in Bali, Lovina

5. Environmental Education Volunteering in Bali, Ubud 

6. Volunteer to Teach English in Laos

7. Childcare Volunteering in Prabang - Laos 

8. Environmental Conservation Volunteering in the Philippines 

9. Animal Welfare Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Arusha

10. Construction and Renovation Volunteer Program in Tanzania - Arusha

11. Outdoor Volunteer Work in Thailand - Chang Rai

12. Teaching English Volunteer Program in Thailand - Chang Rai      

13. Food Outreach Volunteer Program in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City

14. Medical Volunteer Program in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City  

15. Elderly Care Volunteering in Cordoba - Argentina

Still looking for a volunteer program? Find local volunteer opportunities by visiting

www.VolunteerMatch.org. 

How to Choose the Right Program

There are countless spring break opportunities for high schoolers. So how do you choose the right program? Should you be prioritizing ​​spring break internships or spring break jobs for high school students? Or should you set your sights on participating in Music Competitions for High School Students or Engineering Competitions for High School Students? There is no right or wrong answer. But there are lots of factors to consider, which we’ll review in the section below. 

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Program

There are lots of factors you’ll need to consider when selecting a spring break program. In this section, we’ll review the 5 most important factors to consider when selecting a program.

1. Cost: First, how much does the program cost? Are there scholarships available? While everyone’s family has different finances, you’ll want to discuss whether the program is the best investment for you and your family. Remember, attending college is a huge financial commitment, so you don’t want to feel pressured to spend money your family does not have in order to bolster your college applications. 

2. Length of Program: Next, how long is the program? Do the dates correspond with your school schedule? Spring break programs can be incredibly rewarding, but you don’t want to fall behind on your regular school work in order to attend. 

3. Location: Where is the program located? What transportation options are available to you? What are the travel expenses associated with this program?

4. Prior Commitments: Do you have any other prior commitments during your spring break? Did you sign up to take the SATs or ACTs for instance?

5. Personal Goals: What are your spring break goals? Are you hoping to learn about a potential career? Or give back to your community? Travel? Take time to reflect on your personal goals and carefully consider how each spring break program you’re considering aligns with those goals. 

Tips for Matching Programs to Your Interests

There are 42 spring break programs for high schoolers listed in the sections above – that’s a lot to choose from! So how do you decide which one to attend? Start by reading the program descriptions carefully and writing a pro and con list for each program. Contact the organizers to get a better feel for the program and ask for the email address of a previous participant. Reaching out to former students is often the best way to learn about a program. 

Application Tips and Deadlines

Students who want to participate in a spring break program will need to be organized and plan ahead. Applying to a spring break program can be a lot of work, so it’s important for you to know exactly what is expected of you. After all, you don’t want to jeopardize your chances by missing a deadline or failing to meet an application requirement. 

Key Application Dates and Requirements

In addition to meeting deadlines, students may need to submit an application essay or provide the program with personal references or letters of recommendation. This is why planning ahead is so important. If you need letters of recommendation, you’ll want to give your teachers, coaches, mentors, or guidance counselors plenty of time to complete their letters.

Advice for a Successful Application

Applying for a spring break program is great practice for college applications. So take this process seriously as a learning experience. Write down important deadlines, ask for letters of recommendation well in advance, and keep track of various requirements. Participating in such programs during school holidays not only enhances your learning but also contributes to your professional development.

Making the Most of Your Spring Break Experience

Make the most of your spring break by making new friends and having fun! Spring break programs attract like-minded people, so it’s likely you’ll make lots of friends, along with lots of good memories. Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone by trying new things and exposing yourself to a variety of perspectives. 

Maximizing Learning and Fun

Educational spring breaks are a great way to learn while having fun! Remember, having fun is a great source of motivation, one that will inspire you to challenge yourself and try new things. This is why it’s important to choose a program that sounds genuinely fun and interesting.

Networking and Making New Friends

Spring break programs are great ways to gain confidence and make new friends. They also provide students with valuable mentorship opportunities. Not only can mentors provide students with valuable advice in regards to college and careers, but they can also provide students with college letters of recommendation when the time comes. All and all, spring break programs have a lot to offer a high school student. Participating in these programs can also be a great addition to your portfolio, showing colleges your initiative and commitment. For more information, check out our guide on how to put together a portfolio for your college application.