14 Computer Science Programs for High School Students in Boston
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Computer science summer programs are a solid opportunity for high school students to gain practical experience in computer science without interfering with their school year. With Boston being home to top universities like MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, and major tech organizations, students can access a wealth of high-quality programs right in their backyard.
These programs often emphasize practical skills such as coding, app development, and robotics, while providing industry professionals with exposure through workshops, guest speakers, and mentorship. CS summer programs help students establish connections with peers and professionals, which can be valuable for future internships, college applications, and careers.
To help make the search easier, we’ve curated a list of 14 computer science summer programs for high school students in Boston that combine learning, accessibility, and real-world experience.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research opportunity for high school students, where you’ll receive one-on-one mentorship from Ph.D. researchers. You can choose a subject that interests you, such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, or international relations.
Throughout the program, you’ll work on an independent research project, honing your research skills and gaining hands-on experience. By the end, you will have written a research paper that demonstrates your ability to conduct scholarly research. Find more details about the application here!
Location: Remote - you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Individual Research Program ($2,990), Premium Research & Publication Program ($5,900), the Research Fellowship ($8,900), Professor Premium Publication Program ($8,900)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The upcoming summer cohort deadline is May 11.
Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4), and no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Wolfram High School Summer Research Program is a two-week experience focused on developing programming and problem-solving skills. You’ll work with mentors to identify a research question and develop a project using computational tools, often in collaboration with Stephen Wolfram.
Throughout the program, you’ll create a computational essay and an interactive research paper summarizing your work. By the end, you’ll publish your project through the program’s platform. Some participants also choose to submit their work to STEM competitions and academic journals or present it at events like the Wolfram Technology Conference.
Location: Virtual + Bentley University, Boston, MA
Cost: $4,500 covering room and board, including a $500 non-refundable deposit
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: June 25 – July 12
Eligibility:
Academically advanced high school students with a passion for STEM are encouraged to apply.
Applicants can be between 14–17 years old, but cannot be 18 or above.
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. If you’re new to the field, the AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that covers the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science, with opportunities to apply what you learn to real-world projects.
For those with more experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase allows you to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on an individual AI project. This program also includes support from a publication team, helping you get your research published in high school journals. You’ll have the chance to explore AI applications in areas such as finance, medicine, sports, and environmental science. You can also check out past projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program.
$5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase.
$6,900 for both.
Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort. The upcoming summer cohort deadline is April 27.
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in AI, ML, and related fields can apply!
In partnership with MIT, the Research Science Institute (RSI) offers you the opportunity to engage in research across various fields, including computer science. The program begins with a week of classes focused on research methodologies.
Afterward, you’ll spend five weeks working on a research project under the guidance of experts in the field. You can choose from various research topics, including computer science, and participate in lab work. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings to an audience.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost, stipend provided
Application Deadline: December 11
Program Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors, including international students, with recommended PSAT or ACT scores. For more details, click here.
The MIT THINK Scholars program is designed for high school students who have developed a research proposal in science, technology, or engineering. If you are selected as a finalist, you’ll receive weekly mentoring, technical support, and up to $1,000 in funding for your project. The program includes a four-day visit to MIT’s campus in Cambridge, MA, with a virtual option also available.
Over the course of the program, you’ll work on improving your research design, project management, and technical communication skills. You’ll collaborate with experts, present your work, and gain valuable feedback in your area of research. The program supports the development of your project and helps you engage more deeply with STEM.
Location: Virtual + in person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: January 1
Program Dates: Finalists are announced in February and projects are completed by that year’s summer in June.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two.
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program allows high school students to take college-level computer science courses on campus. Over two weeks, you can explore subjects that interest you, without the pressure of grades. The program features small classes, typically around 15 students, allowing for direct interaction with Ivy League faculty.
Some courses may also involve research-based learning, depending on the subject. Outside of class, you’ll have the chance to engage in campus activities and get a sense of college life. The program is offered in three sessions, providing flexibility for scheduling.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Application Deadlines: April 9
Program Dates: Session 1: June 22–July 3 | Session 2: July 6–18 | Session 3: July 20–August 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
Northeastern University’s Young Scholar Program (YSP) is a six-week summer research opportunity for rising high school seniors from Massachusetts. You’ll join a research group in one of the university’s science, engineering, or health sciences departments and contribute to ongoing projects. Past research topics include agent-based modeling, battery chemistry, cancer therapies, and model compression algorithms.
If you’re interested in computer science, working on model compression algorithms can be particularly useful because it involves enhancing the efficiency of machine learning models and optimizing performance in real-world applications. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with faculty members, attend seminars, and participate in academic and career planning sessions.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Dates: February 20
Program Dates: June 23 – July 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from Massachusetts with strong academic credentials and a well-rounded balance of extracurricular activities.
The Introduction to Python Academy at Harvard is a summer program that helps high school students learn the basics of programming with Python. You’ll work through core topics such as data types, variables, loops, conditionals, functions, lists, and dictionaries.
The course includes practice with both for and while loops, and you’ll write your own functions to solve problems. You’ll also work on developing practical skills like writing, testing, and debugging code. By the end of the program, you should be comfortable creating simple Python scripts and understanding how basic programs are structured.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800; need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 7 – 11
Eligibility: High school students
The Broad Summer Scholars Program (BSSP) is a six-week summer program for high school students interested in scientific research. You’ll be paired with a researcher at the Broad Institute and contribute to a project in fields such as cancer biology, psychiatric disease, infectious disease, or computational biology. If you’re interested in computer science, the computational biology projects may be especially relevant, as they often involve data analysis, algorithm development, and other coding-related work.
In addition to research, the program includes talks from scientists, a college fair, and opportunities to learn about different careers in science. You’ll also prepare and present a research poster to share your work with the Broad community. The program includes time for group activities and informal events with other students.
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free; $3,600 stipend and partial reimbursement for transportation costs are provided.
Application Deadline: January 22
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Must be a rising senior in high school | Attend a high school in Massachusetts within commuting distance of the Broad Institute. | Achieved a grade of B (GPA 3.0) or better in science and math classes. | Must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or a non-US citizen with employment authorization (i.e., DACA).
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a fully funded, hands-on STEM program hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering. It’s designed for high school students interested in AI, machine learning, and computer science. In this program, you’ll work on real-world challenges in areas like AI, robotics, and cybersecurity through project-based courses. You can browse the course listing with 14 courses currently available to choose from.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free ($2,350 for families with an income above $150,000)
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: July 7 – August 3
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. high school student, reside in the U.S. during the program, and be no higher than a junior (11th grade).
Harvard’s Coding: Introduction to Web Development Academy teaches high school students the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll learn how to create web pages, style them using CSS, and add interactivity with JavaScript. Throughout the course, you’ll work on building a functional website, applying design principles, and developing problem-solving skills specific to web development. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed a final project where you create a website based on your interests or a personal idea.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800; need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Tufts Coding Academy is designed to help you develop key coding skills to address real-life challenges. The program focuses on Python, a versatile language used in areas such as mobile apps, web development, software, and desktop applications. As coding becomes increasingly important across industries, the skills you gain will be valuable for your future.
You’ll also attend guest lectures from faculty on topics ranging from the history of programming to current trends in AI, robotics, and cybersecurity. Additionally, “Tech Treks” to leading tech companies like Hubspot, Google, and Fidelity allow you to explore different career paths in software and technology. The program ends with a presentation of your coding projects, demonstrating the skills and knowledge you’ve developed.
Location: Tufts Medford Campus, MA
Cost: Commuter: $4,225 | Residential: $5,750
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Entering grades 10–12 or a Spring 2024 high school graduate
The Boston Tech Apprenticeship, run by the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), is a 6–7 week paid internship program for Boston Public Schools high school students interested in computer science and technology. As a participant, you’ll be placed at a local company where you’ll work on tech-related projects in areas such as helpdesk support, web design, programming, quality control, social media, or video production.
The internship allows you to gain experience in different parts of the tech field and learn how technology is applied across industries. This program is especially useful if you’re considering a degree in computer science or IT and want early exposure to workplace environments.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: 6–7 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a Boston Public School
The AI Bootcamp is a five-day program designed for high school students interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Taught by Harvard graduate researchers and undergraduates, the program includes lectures, hands-on exercises, and a small research project. You’ll also explore topics in generative AI and gain experience that can support future academic or research work.
The Winter Bootcamp offers two tracks. The Introductory track is for students who have some background in Python and advanced math. The Advanced track is intended for those with prior experience in AI, machine learning, or tools like PyTorch, and focuses more on independent research.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $495
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; check here for updates.
Program Dates: June 2–6 | June 9–13 | June 16–20 | June 23–27
Eligibility: High school students with strong mathematical skills, preferably including calculus, and mandatory proficiency in Python programming, with age-related exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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