Volunteer, Research, Courses, & Other Opportunities for Upper School Students
Volunteer Opportunities in the Community
(listed alphabetically)
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Baptist Health
- What: Junior Program 14-18 and College Program 18-22
- Where: Baptist Health of Louisville
- When: 2 month commitments per Spring, Summer, and Fall Seasons, varying days & hours
- How: Apply through www.baptisthealthlouisville.com > volunteer programs > College and Junior Volunteer Program > Volunteer Opportunities
- Learn more about the Baptist Health Student Volunteer Program by clicking here.
- Contact Letha Curtsinger Volunteer Coordinator / Manager of Student Programs (502) 896-7045 with all questions.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Catholic Charities of Louisville
- What: Varies from administrative work, tutoring, cleaning, organizing, gardening, packaging care boxes, visiting with elderly etc.
- Where: Various locations in Louisville
- When: Varies
- How: View volunteer opportunities and complete an application here.
- Learn more about Catholic Charities of Louisville here.
- Contact Lauren Goldener at lgoldener@archlou.org with any inquiries.
- 7th-12th GRADERS: Dare to Care
- What: Dare to Care partners with local social service agencies, such as food pantries, shelters and emergency kitchens to distribute food to our community.
- Where: 5803 Fern Valley Rd. Louisville, KY 40228
- When: Varies
- How: To learn how to volunteer please click here.
- Learn more about Dare to Care here.
- 7th-12th GRADERS: Hope Scarves
- What: Hope Scarves is an international non-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky. Their mission is to support people facing cancer and “live life over cancer” through scarves, stories, and research. Volunteers can serve in several different ways to help aid in the collection of scarves from around the world and stories from cancer survivors and pair them together to spread hope to others in treatment.
- Where: Hope Scarves is located at 141 N. Sherrin Avenue Suite #101 Louisville, KY 40207; Scarf drives may be hosted anywhere
- When: Varies
- How: Learn the variety of ways you and your community can volunteer by clicking here.
- Learn more about Hope Scarves here.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Kentucky Humane Society: East Campus Adoption Center
- What: After attending an educational orientation to learn animal care protocols, completing two cleaning shifts, and attending a mentor shift with a staff member, volunteers begin meeting the variety of needs of the animals and overall Adoption Center.
- Where: East Campus Adoption Center at 1000 Lyndon Lane, Louisville, KY 40222.
- When: Varies in 2hr shifts
- How: View volunteer opportunities and the application process by exploring the KHS website: here.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Norton Hospital
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Ronald McDonald House
- What: The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana is to provide the home and support that allows families to stay together while they focus on the healing of their sick children at a critical time. Volunteers assist with providing meals or leading fun activities for children of the families.
- Where: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana 550 S. First Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202
- When: One time opportunities available; when one may schedule varies
- How: View volunteer opportunities and sign up here.
Research, Job-Shadowing, Internships, Fellowships, Courses, & Other Opportunities
- 11th Grade Girls: Louisville & Bullitt County Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program
- What: The DYW mission is to empower young women to reach their full potential by providing scholarship opportunities for college as well as personal development to become confident leaders.
- When: Orientation is January 26, 2025. Email Co-Chairperson of Louisville DYW: Lindsay Bell for more information at lindsaybell1019@gmail.com
- How: Junior girls, watch for invites emailed from your College Counselor.
- Learn more and apply here.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council
- What: LYPC is a youth leadership development program that harnesses the power of philanthropy to equip young people with the skills and resources they need to make a positive impact in their communities (College Credit is available through this program!).
- When: LYPC takes place over 16 Saturdays, 11AM-2PM during August to March (scheduled around ACTs). DUE MAY 15, 2025
- Where: LYPC meets at the University of Louisville
- How: Apply online, the program is FREE to all. Once you have applied, those selected will be invited to an in-person or virtual interview.
- Learn more and apply here.
- Students ages 12-20: Flight Club 502 Youth Membership
- What: Flight Club 502, established in 2015 as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, empowers youth with STEM education, leadership/entrepreneurship, decision making and patriotism through aviation.
- When: Classes and event times vary.
- Where: 2911 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205
- Why: FC502 is meant to inspire and empower young leaders by providing immersive aviation experiences, expanding our reach to foster a global community of innovative and skilled aviators.
- How: In order to become part of Flight Club 502, you need to become a member; learn more here.
- 11th-12th GRADERS 17 years & older: Norton Healthcare High School Programs : Job Shadowing & Norton Healthcare Scholars Program
- Who & Why: Available for high school and college students to become involved with health care and explore career options.
- What & How: The programs support high school students in career exploration and creation of meaningful work experiences that directly impact patients. The programs provides unique experiences in health care through volunteering, shadowing, hands-on experience and other learning opportunities.
- Where & When: Norton Healthcare Hospitals; varies
- Learn more and apply here.
- Rising 9th-12th GRADERS: University of Michigan’s The Joy of Coding Online Course
- What: This online course has been specially created by the University of Michigan Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students must have taken high school algebra and be able to commit 4-6 hours a week.
- When: June 18 – July 30, 2025
- Deadline: Apply by May 31 for priority consideration.
- Cost: $149 + tax, need-based financial aid available
- Learn more and apply here.
- 6th-12th GRADERS: The Ronald Reagan Center for Leadership Development: Lead Like A President: 3 Pillars of Reagan Leadership (for High School or Middle School Students respectively)
- What: President Ronald Reagan exemplified effective leadership through his exceptional communication skills, pragmatic approach to complex situations and a clear vision for the future. This course will explore the real world ways President Reagan utilized these and other leadership characteristics in historic and real-world situations and give participants the opportunity to consider ways they can apply President Reagan’s strategies to enhance their own leadership experiences.
- Where: Online
- When: Self-paced
- Cost: $30
- Learn more and view this and other related courses here. To view more Ronald Reagan competitions and courses click here.
- 6th-12th GRADERS: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute‘s Leadership Development and Summer Leadership Experience Programs
- What: Explore the legacy of leadership inspired by one of America’s great presidents, Ronald Reagan. Programs are designed to nurture and cultivate leadership skills, values, and vision in students and families.
- Where: Hosted at the prestigious Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
- When: Registration open now.
- Cost: Prices vary.
- Learn more and register here.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: International Research Institute of North Carolina (IRI-NC)
- What: IRI-NC offers Individual or Group Introduction to Research Programs and an Express Intro to Research Program
- Where: The program is conducted online.
- When: Applications are on a rolling admissions basis. Starting dates: twice per month. Students will typically participate in an 8-week term, but a 4-week version is available. You will coordinate the meetings with your mentor & PI based on your availability.
- How: Fill out an online form and send to admissions@iri-nc.org, interview with the admissions coordinator and or faculty, receive acceptance notification
- Cost: ranges from $995 – $2,750
- Learn more and apply here.
- 9th-12th GRADERS: Congressional Award Medal
- What: The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness. The program is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive.
- Where: Wherever you are!
- When: Young people may register when they turn 13 1/2 years old. They are eligible to submit activities starting at 14 years old and must complete their activities by their 24th birthday.
- How: You only have to register for the program once. On your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals after registering for the program.
- Cost: one-time $25.00 registration fee
- Learn more and register here.
- 11th-12th GRADERS who serve in their community: Bank of America’s Student Leaders Internship
- What: Two students will be chosen from Louisville to receive an 8-week paid internship with a local nonprofit ($17/hr.; 35 hrs. /week) and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong leadership summit.
- Where: In-state and Washington, D.C.
- When: Applications for the 2025 program are now closed.
- Learn more here.
- 11th GRADERS: Center for Excellence in Education’s Research Science Institute
- What: Each summer, 100 of the world’s most accomplished high school students gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Research Science Institute (RSI). RSI is the first cost-free to students, summer science & engineering program to combine on-campus course work in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.
- Deadline: Applications for RSI 2025 are now closed.
- Learn more and apply here.
- HLS ALUMNI IN COLLEGE: Crossings Camp Counselor Job
- What: Summer Missionary job for college students
- Where: Various locations throughout Kentucky and Maryland
- When: Summer months
- How: Learn more and apply here.