Literature programs for high schoolers.
27 programs indexed in literature. 8 are free or pay a stipend. 1 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new literature program.
All literature programs
- ModerateMontclair State UniversityAbracadabra: The Magic of Creative Writing
Residential college-level creative-writing intensive.
📍 NJ🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveThe Adroit JournalAdroit Journal Summer Mentorship
Free online mentorship pairing teen writers with established poets and prose writers.
📍 Online⏱ 6 weeks📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBowling Green State UniversityAdventures in Creative Writing
One-week interdisciplinary program in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction incorporating experiences in science, theater and other campus disciplines.
📍 OH🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateSERRC – Alaska's Educational Resource CenterAlaska Academic Decathlon
High-school teams prepare across ten academic events and advance through optional online regional competition to Alaska's four-day state competition. The 2026–27 theme is "Journeys of Transformation: An Exploration of Travel and Transportation."
📍 AK🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNebraska Writers CollectiveAll Writes Reserved Youth Spoken Word Festival
Nebraska and Iowa high-school teams receive free spoken-word instruction throughout the school year and then perform in a multi-round spring youth poetry-slam festival. The 2026 festival ran from preliminary bouts in March through finals on April 28.
📍 NE🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateArizona Academic Decathlon AssociationArizona Academic Decathlon
High-school teams compete across ten academic events spanning subjects such as literature, economics, mathematics, science, social science, art, and music.
📍 AZ🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBard College at Simon's RockBard College at Simon's Rock Young Writers Workshop
A 3-week residential program where students engage in creative and analytical thinking through literature and history.
📍 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY⏱ 3 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - SelectiveBennington CollegeBennington Young Writers Awards
A prestigious creative writing competition for students to win cash prizes and publication.
📍 Online📅 January 12🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateBennington CollegeBennington Young Writers Workshop
One-week residential writing workshop with Bennington faculty.
📍 Bennington, VT⏱ 1 week📅 April🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveNCSSM-DurhamBlue Mirror
Primarily student-run art and literature journal publishing creative writing and visual work from NCSSM students multiple times each year.
📍 NC🎓 Grades 11–12 - ModerateBrown UniversityBrown Pre-College
On-campus and online courses across the liberal arts.
📍 Providence, RI⏱ 1-7 weeks📅 May🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateCalifornia Academic DecathlonCalifornia Academic Decathlon
High-school teams compete in ten academic disciplines through exams, essay, speech, interview and Super Quiz, with state champions advancing to nationals.
📍 CA🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateCatapultCatapult High School Writing Workshop
Multi-genre writing workshops for high school students in the creative hub of NYC.
📍 New York, NY⏱ 2 weeks📅 April 1🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateCO/WY Academic DecathlonColorado/Wyoming Academic Decathlon
High-school teams study and compete across multidisciplinary academic subjects in the Colorado Academic Decathlon pathway.
📍 CO🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveCommonwealth FoundationCommonwealth Short Story Prize
Global short-fiction prize open to writers from Commonwealth countries.
📍 Commonwealth countries📅 November🎓 Grades 11–12 - SelectiveHelena-West Helena School DistrictCougar Next Level Scholars Institute
Advanced interdisciplinary program combining research, STEM, literature, leadership, civic innovation, seminars and innovation labs around real-world problems.
📍 AR🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveWashington University in St. Louis Pre-College ProgramsCreative Immersion Institute
Two-week residential institute built around intensive creative, college-level work in small classes, combined with college-readiness and academic enrichment. The 2026 fee was $3,985 and need-based scholarships are available.
📍 MO🎓 Grades 9–11 - ModerateJohns Hopkins UniversityCreative Writing
Online college-level creative-writing program offered across all three 2026 sessions.
📍 MD🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModeratePurchase College, SUNYCreative Writing
Intensive fiction, poetry and other creative-writing work; 2026 tuition was approximately $1,200.
📍 NY🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateJacksonville State UniversityCreative Writing — Gamecock Arts & Sciences Program
Participants work on creative-writing forms that include poetry, fiction, play or screen writing, and story development.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of GeorgiaCreative Writing 2: Topics in Creative Writing
Students submit fiction, poetry or other literary work and receive professional-author critique, peer workshops and revision time leading to a class anthology.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12 - Highly SelectiveNorth Dakota State University Department of EnglishCreative Writing Camp
Students develop fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenwriting, songwriting and other creative work with university writers and instructors.
📍 ND🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateAuburn UniversityCreative Writing Studio
Students develop fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through writing workshops, feedback, portfolio development, and exposure to literary publishing.
📍 AL🎓 Grades 10–12 - ModerateSmith CollegeCreative Writing Workshop
Students spend two weeks developing creative writing through an iterative workshop process across multiple forms and genres.
📍 MA🎓 Grades 9–12 - ModerateUniversity of GeorgiaCreative Writing: Plot and Structure
Students develop story ideas, scenes, dialogue and narrative structure through workshops, peer critique and dedicated writing time.
📍 GA🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDavidson InstituteDavidson Fellows
Scholarships of USD 10K, 25K, and 50K for students under 18 with significant work in STEM, literature, music, or philosophy.
📍 Online application⏱ Project-based📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12 - SelectiveDelaware Theatre CompanyDelaware Young Playwrights Festival
Students develop original plays, receive professional critique and revise their work; finalists participate in workshops leading to a professional public performance.
📍 DE🎓 Grades 9–12