New York City
Education Opportunities for High School Students in New York City
12 programs for students interested in education across the five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and northern New Jersey. 11 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 4 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.
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- Opportunities
- 12
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 11
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 4
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 2
- others run longer or do not say
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 11
- When to apply
- December 4, 2026
- Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch Teen
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page)
- Brooklyn Public Library Book Buddy
Volunteering · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 12 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent Program
Summer program · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Summer
- Liberty Science Center Youth Volunteering
Volunteering · Jersey City, NJ
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Long Island Science Center Student Volunteers
Volunteering · Riverhead, NY
- Who can join
- 11 and up
- When to apply
- Not posted
- New York Botanical Garden Explainer Program
Volunteering · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- November 14, 2026
- Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth Representatives
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering · Queens, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 17
- When to apply
- Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- The Jewish Museum Teen Internship Program
Internship · New York, NY
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- When to apply
- March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
- Wildlife Conservation Society Discovery Guide Volunteer Program
Volunteering · Bronx, NY
- Who can join
- Ages 14 to 22
- When to apply
- Applications for the next cycle open in late December for Spring 2027; an interest form is available now (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPaused
Internship · Brooklyn, NY
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
| Opportunity | Where | Who can join | Commitment | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)Internship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 11 | March to November; 4-6 hours weekly in spring and fall, 20-25 hours weekly in summer (about 190-220 hours) | December 4, 2026 |
| Brooklyn Public Library BKLYN BookMatch TeenVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Eight weekly Wednesday trainings in November and December, then 2-3 times a month through early June | September 14 (date unconfirmed; check official page) |
| Brooklyn Public Library Book BuddyVolunteering · Library | Brooklyn, NY | Ages 12 to 18 | School year: 2-3 hours a day, up to three days a week, for at least three months. Summer (July and August only): 1-3 days a week, 2-3 hours a day, for at least three weeks | Year-round |
| Liberty Science Center Teen Summer Docent ProgramSummer program · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Grades 10 to 12 | Not posted | Summer |
| Liberty Science Center Youth VolunteeringVolunteering · Museum or science center | Jersey City, NJ | Ages 16 to 18 | At least one full day every week for a minimum of 6 months, then at least every other week | Year-round |
| Long Island Science Center Student VolunteersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Riverhead, NY | 11 and up | Not posted | Not posted |
| New York Botanical Garden Explainer ProgramVolunteering · Parks and environment | Bronx, NY | Not posted | Four training days plus a 4.5-hour shift every Saturday or Sunday, March 20 through June 19, 2027; minimum 125 hours | November 14, 2026 |
| Prospect Park Alliance Park Youth RepresentativesInternship · Parks and environment | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Not posted | 2026 applications closed; check back in early 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Queens Public Library Teen Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering · Library | Queens, NY | Ages 14 to 17 | Hours limited by state law (14-15: up to 18 hours a school week; 16-17: up to 28 hours a school week) | Year-round; approval and placement can take up to 30 days (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| The Jewish Museum Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center | New York, NY | Grades 9 to 12 | Training in spring 2026, internship during the 2026-27 school year | March 23, 2026 (page also cites March 16, 2026 for materials) (past deadline; confirm next cycle) |
| Wildlife Conservation Society Discovery Guide Volunteer ProgramVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium | Bronx, NY | Ages 14 to 22 | Typically a spring and a summer session | Applications for the next cycle open in late December for Spring 2027; an interest form is available now (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| Brooklyn Children's Museum Teen Curators ProgramPausedInternship · Museum or science center | Brooklyn, NY | Not posted | Most recent session ran April 7 to June 15, 2025, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm plus two hours of remote work weekly | Last cycle: applications opened February 10 and closed February 21 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
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Frequently asked questions
How old does my teen need to be?
Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.
What does a teen volunteer actually do?
It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.
Sources and method
Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.
Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Education Opportunities for High School Students in New York City”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/new-york/education.
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