High School Program

Through an intensive program in Washington D.C., students will learn directly from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and civil liberties critical to a free and open society. In classroom sessions, lectures, and policy debates, students will explore the complex nature of issue advocacy, legal strategy, and real world political decision making in Washington, D.C. Students will participate in a special, day-long Next Generation Conference and Gala to mark the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the ACLU. The program will culminate in meetings with elected officials and/or congressional staff on Capitol Hill, and an issue rally to bring attention to a cause selected by the 2020 cohort. (High School Program, in previous years, was known as the ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute.) Key program elements will include: Electives covering the ACLU’s wide array of issue areas, taught by communications experts, lawyers, policy advocates, and other professional organizing staff from the ACLU and partner organizations. Daily seminars in small groups to explore social justice and civil liberties issues. Next Generation Conference and Gala to mark the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the ACLU. This one-day event will feature past and present ACLU leadership, as well as special guest speakers from the public sector and other nonprofit organizations. Life-long connections and support structures with other young activists from across the country. 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. Visiting our nation’s capital and DC-area college campuses, tour key historic sites, museums, and college campuses in the Washington, D.C. area.