Skip to content
Nichable

Free Programs for High School Students in San Diego

Nichable lists 21 programs, internships, research programs, competitions and volunteer opportunities for high school students based in San Diego, La Jolla, Chula Vista, Carlsbad and the rest of San Diego County. None of them lists a cost to take part, and 1 states outright that it's free. Each one is checked against the organization's own page.

Junior District Attorney Academy

San Diego County District Attorney's Office
Program· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

LJIdea Summer Internship

La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Research· Paid· La Jolla, CA
Opening soon

Sanford Burnham Prebys SPARK Regenerative Medicine Internship

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
Research· Paid· La Jolla, CA
Opening soon
Internship· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

Student Research Internship

Scripps Research Translational Institute
Internship· La Jolla, CA
Opens Nov 23, 2026 · Due Mar 30, 2027

Teens at Mingei

Mingei International Museum
Internship· Paid· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

Teen Council

La Jolla Playhouse
Program· La Jolla, CA
DeadlineRolling

Teen Partners

Oceanside Public Library
Volunteer· Oceanside, CA
DeadlineRolling

Volunteer Program

Living Coast Discovery Center
Volunteer· Chula Vista, CA
DeadlineRolling

Volunteer Program

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Volunteer· La Jolla, CA
DeadlineRolling
Volunteer· San Diego, CA
DeadlineRolling

City of San Diego Junior Lifeguard Intern Program

City of San Diego Lifeguard Services
Program· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

Teen Advisory Board

Escondido Public Library
Volunteer· Escondido, CA
DeadlineRolling

Teen Volunteer Program

Fleet Science Center
Volunteer· San Diego, CA
DeadlineRolling

Conservation Corps

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Program· Escondido, CA
Opening soon

Teen Team Program Assistant

San Diego Public Library
Volunteer· San Diego, CA
DeadlineRolling
Research· Paid· La Jolla, CA
Opening soon

Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program

Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Research· Paid· La Jolla, CA
Opens Dec 1, 2026 · Due Feb 15, 2027

Volunteer Program

Scripps Health
Volunteer· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

Junior Volunteers

Palomar Health
Volunteer· Escondido, CA
DeadlineRolling

Northrop Grumman High School Internship Program

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems
Internship· Paid· San Diego, CA
Opening soon

Common questions

Are these programs really free for high school students in San Diego?

None of these 21 listings names tuition or a required fee. Listings that charge say so in a cost line and are labeled "Costs money", so they aren't on this page. Smaller costs such as travel or materials can still apply, so confirm on the organization's page before you apply.

How do high school students apply to free programs in San Diego?

Each listing is run by its own organization and you apply on that organization's site. A free Nichable account shows each listing's deadline and how to apply, and lets you save and track them.