Additional Enrichment Opportunities

I keep this list updated throughout the year with opportunities that come through my office.

Mark your calendars: Fall Advanced Academics Information Night: Nov. 20, 2025, 6-7 pm, Wakefield Room A-134

• APS Advanced Academics Enrichment Opportunities Brochure  (Spanish Version/versión en español 25-26 update coming soon)
• APS Office of Advanced Academics & Talent Development List of Summer Enrichment Opportunities
• Virginia Association for the Gifted list of Enrichment Programs and Opportunities in Virginia
• Arlingteens – a one-stop shop for teen employment, volunteer, recreation, and health resources
  • Volunteer Opportunities in Arlington
    • More ways to volunteer with teens from Arlington Magazine
• SchooLinks Opportunity Board
  • The new APS SchooLinks Platform (go to myaccess.apsva.us) has many planning tools for college and careers.
  • Login > Click “Engage” on the lefthand toolbar > click “Opportunities” to see current internships & job postings.
    • Or “Opportunities” > click “events” to  find scholarships and colleges that are visiting Wakefield.
• Governor’s School Summer Residential Program Applications – now open for summer 2026!
  • While this is a highly competitive process, our students rave about it.
  • Open to current 10th & 11th grade students
  • APS Covers tuition, Additional fees are approximately $200-$350.
  • Programs are approximately 3 weeks
  • Students live on a college campus in Virginia for the duration of the program
  • Students should read the applications, website information, and student handbook to see if they’re interested in applying.
  • Please fill out this Google form for Canvas course / application support & submission access.
  • VPA Program Audition & Application Deadlines:
    • Subject areas in VPA: dance, instrumental, theater, visual arts, vocal
      • 1st Round Auditions: Preliminary ARTS auditions (Arlington Public Schools Round): on or before Tuesday, November 12, 2025 (recorded audition uploaded to Canvas course)
        • Decisions announced by November 25, 2025
      • 2nd Round Auditions: Virginia State-level ARTS auditions: on or before Wednesday, January 14, 2026 (recorded audition uploaded to Opus Event)
      • Final ARTS application deadline, including teacher recommendations: on or before Friday, January 16, 2026 (uploaded to Canvas course)
        • Decisions announced April 15, 2026
  • Academic Program Application Deadline: January 16, 2026
    • Subject areas: agriculture, humanities, math/science/technology
    • Internship/mentorship/small program areas: engineering, marine science, medicine & health sciences (these programs are very small and extremely competitive)
      • Decisions announced April 15, 2026
• PTA Reflections Contest — Calling all artists & writers!
  • Virginia PTA invites high school students to showcase their creativity in the Reflections Arts Contest. This year’s theme is “I Belong”, and entries are accepted in categories like visual arts, music, literature, film, photography, and dance.Winners can earn scholarships and recognition at the school, state, and national levels. Submit your entry to your school’s PTA this fall. First-place winners move on to regional judging in January 2026.
  • Explore guidelines, deadlines, and entry forms on the Virginia PTA Reflections page.
  • Deadline: December 8, 2025
  • Email Charles Wilson, Wakefield PTSA Vice President: [email protected]
• Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America
  • 5-Week Free Summer Program for current juniors
  • Dedicated to supporting students from first-generation and low income backgrounds pursuing their academic and leadership goals through comprehensive college access programming, mentorship, and career readiness resources.
  • Eligibility Requirements
    • Be a Junior attending a public high school in the U.S., graduating in 2027
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or have DACA Status
    • Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above
    • Have a total annual household income of $90,000 or below (assets will also be considered)

    Successful applicant traits:

    • A desire to be challenged academically
    • A strong commitment to their studies
    • A desire to be a leader in their families, schools, and communities
    • A connection to LEDA’s Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, Compassion, and Community

    Application Timeline

    • Part I Deadline: December 10, 2025
• Virginia Space Grant Consortium
  • Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST)
    • Open to current 8th-9th grade students
    • Free program designed with hands-on STEM experiences. Over the course of three days, participants will stay in college dormitories and engage in dynamic STEM activities, with no prior experience required.
    • Access to high-quality, immersive STEM experiences
    • Applications: Open December 1 – February 1
    • Flyer with more details
• Folger Shakespeare Library Student Fellowship
  • Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the Lily McKee High School Fellowship is a joyful, deep, and rigorous experience for high school students from the greater Washington, DC area. Arom January to May 2026, McKee Fellows will engage deeply with research, scholarship, and performance to explore As You Like It, guided by the rich resources and vibrant community of the Folger Shakespeare Library.  The McKee High School Fellowship will culminate in a multidimensional project where fellows will utilize a work from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s collection as a point of departure for their own creative and intellectual endeavors.
  • Applicants should have a strong interest in at least one of the following: literature, museums, libraries, history, drama, the humanities, or Shakespeare. Prior experience with Shakespeare is not required.
  • The McKee Fellowship requires a significant investment of time and effort. Each fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their work and upon completion of the program.
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis through December 2nd, 2025.
• QuestBridge College Prep Summer Program Scholarships
  • QuestBridge partners with top colleges and universities to offer select College Prep Scholars the opportunity to take courses on their world-class campuses and immerse themselves in the college experience. Scholarships fund the full cost of travel, tuition, housing and meals, and supplies.
    • Explore a topic of interest at the college level
    • Collaborate and participate in hands-on activities with students from across the country
    • Cultivate relationships with faculty and researchers
    • Learn more about college life and the extensive resources and support available to students from low-income backgrounds
• Edu-Futuro offers a dynamic 5-week Leadership and College Readiness Program
  • We’re excited to return to Wakefield High School this year and to offer our programs once again to your amazing students. We’re pleased to announce that we will be offering both levels of our Emerging Leaders Program (ELP I & II) for the Fall 2025 session.
  • ELP I is a free, five-week Leadership and College Readiness Program open to high school students in grades 9–12. The goal is to create a fun and engaging space where students and families can explore college and career pathways together. The program includes:
    • Leadership skill-building
    • College readiness support
    • Career exploration
    • Opportunities for scholarships and college tours
    • ELP I Application
  • ELP II is a free, year-long mentorship program specifically for seniors. Each student is matched with a recent college graduate who supports them through the entire college application process—including:
    • FAFSA/VASA completion
    • Finding and applying for scholarships
    • Fulfilling volunteer hours
    • College decision-makingMeetings are virtual and scheduled based on student availability, making it flexible and accessible.
    • ELP II Application 
• Running Start A nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office. Need-based scholarships available.
• Signature Theater Signature in the Schools is a theatrical training program for students written, directed and designed by professional theater artists. The theater also offers a variety of other programs for students through the link above.
• STEM for Her Programs STEM for Her develops programs and partners with leaders, community organizations, and corporations with a strong focus on the underserved populations in the DMV to give young women a path forward in STEM careers.
• High School Diplomats, US, Summer Cultural Exchange Program
  • The High School Diplomats program is devoted to bringing students from both American and Japanese cultures the most informative and engaging cultural exchange possible. In addition to the daily activities, both groups of students attend daily language classes ranging from beginner to advanced and taught by native speakers. Every student is also given the opportunity to present a unique part of their culture. Topics assigned each year vary but often include history, leisure, social issues, and education. The HSD U.S. academic curriculum provides students with small, seminar-style learning opportunities that animate the cultural exchange.
  • Dates: July 23, 2026 – August 1, 2026
  • Location: University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
  • Number of Students: 20 American, 20 Japanese, paired as roommates in UVA dorms
  • Eligibility: All high school sophomores and juniors may apply.
  • Cost: Room, board, and all activity costs are paid in full by the program scholarship. Transportation costs to and from the program are not covered but financial assistance is available if needed.
  • Application Period: October 1, 2025 – January 19, 2026
  • Application Requirements: Students must complete an online application and also arrange for a teacher or counselor to submit a recommendation from an official school email address.
• Study Abroad in Japan
  • Study Japanese in Arlington (SJA) offers free Japanese language and cultural opportunities for residents of the DC area. Explore the world of international education opportunities in Japan. Discover appealing opportunities at innovative universities like Temple University, Japan Campus (in Tokyo) and Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) (in Kyoto), where you can study in English and earn a bachelor’s degree at an affordable tuition.
• Work-Based Learning opportunities
  • Available to students at all grade levels as part of Arlington Public Schools’ commitment to career readiness and real-world learning. These opportunities are designed to give students hands-on experiences and valuable skills that will prepare them for success in both college and future careers.
  • Externships, Internships and other Work-based Learning Opportunities available.
• The Leadership Center of Arlington Inspire Program
  • Open to current 10th & 11th grade students (rising 11/12 by summer program)
  • Draws on the Leadership Center’s deep knowledge and expertise in leadership development, civic engagement, and community building to connect a cohort of young citizens and empower them with the inspiration and tools to develop their leadership skills and make a difference in their community.
  • The Inspire Youth Leadership Program brings together a diverse group of rising 11th and 12th graders for a week-long, immersive summer experience.
  • The journey exposes each cohort to a challenge, and through skill building, exposure to established leaders, and facilitated group dynamic guidance, offers students the chance to develop their individual leadership style and create a lasting impact on their community.
  • Applications open in January 2026
• GMU Institute for Excellence A six-week academic enrichment summer bridge program at George Mason’s Fairfax Campus for rising 11th & 12th grade students in STEM or Humanities tracks for college credit. Designed to promote students’ critical thinking skills by encouraging participants to plan and act in creative and innovative ways. Free.
• Valhen Programs
  • VLA Leadership Academy A summer residential program hosted by James Madison University for rising 10th & 11th grade students to identify and apply leadership skills to a collaborative project with peers & build self-awareness and confidence. Free.
  • Valhen College Institute College readiness & self-empowerment residential program hosted on a college campus for rising 11th and 12th grade students who’ll learn to overcome both real & perceived barriers to college access. Free.
• Virginia Tech Engineering Pre-College Institute
  • Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering offers a number of programs designed to help you get ahead and experience engineering at this important time. Programs are available for middle school, high school, and incoming freshmen students.
• MITES Summer (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) MIT University’s six-week, on-campus program immerses students in STEM degrees & careers through five rigorous math, science, and humanities courses. Open to U.S. citizens & permanent residents in 11th grade. Free.
• NOVA Debate Camp A free Public Forum Summer Debate Camp