DC National Advocacy Institute High School Program in Washington, D.C.

Friday June 30th – Thursday July 6th, ages 15-18 *including graduating seniors.

The ACLU National Advocacy Institute’s High School Program will convene in Washington, D.C. for an in-person gathering of high school students (ages 15-18) from across the United States to participate in a week-long learning experience for the next generation of social justice advocates.

Students will engage directly with ACLU lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and civil liberties that are critical to a free and open society. Through classroom sessions, lectures, site visits, and policy discussions, students will explore the complex nature of issue advocacy, legal strategy, and real-world political decision making in Washington, D.C. as well as return home with advocacy tools to make change in their community.

We are excited to return to in-person programming in 2023, even as we continue to monitor the pandemic. Our first priority is the health and safety

of all participants and our program will adhere to all local vaccination requirements. All ACLU and program staff will be fully vaccinated. Any changes to the program will be announced ASAP, and, if we’re forced to cancel the in-person component, all student payments will be eligible for a full refund. In the event of in-person cancelation, we anticipate offering a virtual program (for a reduced fee!) that participants can elect to join. Student payments can be applied to a virtual program and the difference in price will be refunded.

• Electives covering the ACLU’s wide array of issue areas, taught by communications experts, organizers, lawyers, policy advocates, and other professional staff from the ACLU and partner organizations.
• Daily seminars in small groups to explore social justice and civil liberties issues.
• Life-long connections and support structures with other young activists from across the country.

• A Day of Action – collective advocacy on Capitol Hill to move the needle on one or more pressing civil liberties issues before legislators at that very moment! In the past we’ve conducted lobby visits with members of Congress, held rallies at the Capitol, and conducted phone/text banking and Letter to the Editor (LTE) writing campaigns, etc., — covering topics like immigration, systemic equality and anti-racism, ending censorship in education, regulating facial recognition technology, and the equitable distribution of Covid-19 response resources. This is not an exercise but a real opportunity to make your voices heard!
• Boosting political knowledge and campaign abilities, learn more about mobilizing issue-based advocacy campaigns, growing a team, identifying a strategy for engaging with policy-makers, and maximizing impact for the issues that drive you.
• Eligibility
  The program is open to rising high school students (grades 10-12) and graduating seniors. Students must be 15-18 years old by the first day of the program.

The ACLU Advocacy Institute is looking for students who demonstrate a keen interest in civil liberties issues and social justice advocacy. Students are not required to have previous familiarity with civil liberties issues or advocacy methodologies. However, students who are already deeply immersed in civil liberties issues and or advocacy will have the opportunity to deepen their skill-set and expand their organizing network.

The ACLU values a diverse Institute audience and strives to build an inclusive culture of belonging. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, and record of arrest or conviction, or any other personal identity characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and have any questions or need assistance applying online, please email institute@aclu.org.

Students are required to complete the following requirements before the application deadline for the admissions committee to consider the student for the program.

1. Submit a completed online application
2. Submit letter of recommendation

The ACLU values a diverse Institute audience and strives to build an inclusive culture of belonging. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, and record of arrest or conviction, or any other personal identity characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and have any questions or need assistance applying online, please email institute@aclu.org.

Students are required to complete the following requirements before the application deadline for the admissions committee to consider the student for the program.

1. Submit a completed online application
2. Submit letter of recommendation

The admissions process for the program is built around two application deadlines: Early Decision and Regular Decision. All applications received after Regular Decision will be considered on a rolling-basis. Preference will be given to students who submit their applications during the Early Decision deadline. Students will hear from the admissions committee within three weeks after the deadline. Once students are accepted, they will be required to complete a registration form and submit a non-refundable deposit approximately two weeks after notification of the admissions decision (students receiving scholarships must complete the enrollment form within this two-week period).

• Early Decision: Monday, April 17th

• Regular Decision: Monday, May 15th

The ACLU is committed to providing scholarship opportunities for students who qualify based on family income. A limited supply of full and partial scholarships are available. Financial aid awards are based on need. Students must apply for Financial Aid at the same time as the Program Application. Students will receive their program admissions decision and financial aid decision at the same time.

Please complete the separate financial aid application and include your application number.

Tuition for the In-person Program is $2,700 per student. This fee covers lodging and food in a Washington, D.C. hotel, as well as all experiential learning activities, and social events.

Our full FAQ can be found here.