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Nichable

High school opportunities in Santa Cruz

10 internships, programs, scholarships and more that are open now or opening soon in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos and Capitola — each checked against the organization's own page.

Coming up

California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science

University of California Office of the President
Research· Costs money· UC Santa Cruz, CA
Opens Jan 6, 2027 · Due Feb 5, 2027

Scholar Immersion Program

University of California, Santa Cruz
Research· Costs money· Santa Cruz, CA
Opens Jan 15, 2027 · Due Feb 26, 2027

Recently added

Volunteer Program

Santa Cruz SPCA
Volunteer· Santa Cruz, CA
Opening soon

Advisory Council of Teens

Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Volunteer· Santa Cruz, CA
Opening soon

Santa Cruz County Youth Led Leadership Alliance

Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Program· Santa Cruz, CA
Opening soon
Program· Santa Cruz, CA
Opening soon

Watsonville Teen Action Council

City of Watsonville Library and Parks & Community Services
Program· Paid· Watsonville, CA
Opening soon
Volunteer· Santa Cruz, CA
Opening soon

Also open to you from anywhere

All online opportunities

Modeling the Future Challenge

Actuarial Foundation
Competition· Remote
DeadlineNov 8
Scholarship· Remote
DeadlineNov 9

College Scholarship Program

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Scholarship· Remote
DeadlineNov 11
Scholarship· Remote
DeadlineNov 12

NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
Program· Remote
Opens Nov 13, 2026 · Due Jan 3, 2027

USA Biology Olympiad

Center for Excellence in Education
Competition· Costs money· Remote
DeadlineNov 15

Common questions

What opportunities are there for high school students in Santa Cruz?

Nichable lists 10 opportunities for high school students based in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos and Capitola: 5 programs, 3 volunteer roles and 2 research programs. Each one is checked against the organization's own official page.

Are there paid jobs or internships for high school students in Santa Cruz?

Yes. 1 of the 10 local listings pay students a wage or stipend, including Watsonville Teen Action Council.

Can students in Santa Cruz also apply to remote programs?

Yes. Many programs on Nichable are remote or nationwide and accept high school students from anywhere in the U.S., in addition to the 10 based in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos and Capitola.