15 Computer Science Programs for High School Students in New York

Are you a high school student in New York interested in exploring computer science? If so, consider joining a computer science program in the state. These programs give you a chance to experience college-level academics, learn practical skills, and build connections in the tech world without paying for expensive private or out-of-state options. 

Many of these programs are hosted by universities or tech centers and offer hands-on experience in coding, data science, AI, cybersecurity, and robotics. You will get to work with real tools, write code in Python or Java, build devices, and analyze data. Some programs also teach ethical hacking, machine learning, web development, and research writing. 

To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of 15 computer science programs for high school students in New York!

15 Computer Science Programs for High School Students in New York

1. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) at NYU Tandon

Cost: Free, $1000 stipend 

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10% / 60 students

Dates: May 30 – August 14

Application Deadline: February 21

Eligibility: New York City high school students in 10th or 11th grade; must attend a public or charter school.

ARISE is a rigorous, seven-week summer research program that pairs high schoolers with NYU faculty on projects in computer science, robotics, AI, and beyond. You will start with two weeks of coursework in the foundations of research, including the scientific method, ethics, data analysis, and lab safety. 

For the remaining five weeks, you will be placed in an NYU research lab and work alongside graduate students and faculty on active research projects. You also attend workshops on college prep and present your work at the end.

2. Veritas AI

Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Both: $6,900 | Need-based aid available for AI Scholars

Location: Virtual

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes

Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts—Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohorts. The summer cohort deadline is April 27

Eligibility: Open to high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the Scholars program or show prior experience with AI/Python

Veritas AI offers specialized programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI is designed to provide both foundational learning and advanced research opportunities through two key offerings: the AI Scholars program and the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase.

The AI Scholars program introduces students to core concepts in AI through a 10-session boot camp, while the AI Fellowship allows more advanced students to work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on individualized research projects.In the Fellowship program you will also have access to an in-house publication team to help you publish in high school research journals.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Cost: Starting from $2,990 (financial aid available) 

Location: Remote

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small, individualized cohorts

Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. The deadline for the Summer Cohort I is May 11.

Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective 12-week research program where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research project. You can choose from fields like computer science, engineering, economics, data science, psychology, and more. 

The program focuses on academic rigor and personalized mentorship, helping you build research, writing, and critical thinking skills. By the end, you will complete a full-length research paper. 

4. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)

Cost: Free; fully funded

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort

Dates: July 14– August 8

Application Deadline: May 15

Eligibility: Open to NYC resident students in grades 10 and 11 

CS4CS is a free, three-week summer program that introduces high school students to cybersecurity and computer science. You will learn about ethical hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, and privacy through hands-on projects using tools to simulate and solve cyber threats. 

The program also includes sessions on behavioral science to explore social engineering, phishing, and identity theft. Through a partnership with the Irondale program, you will build public speaking and teamwork skills using theater and improvisation.

5. Simons Summer Research Program

Cost/Stipend: Optional $2,360.25 for housing and meals; stipend may be provided

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Acceptance Rate: 8% (About 40 students selected from ~500 applicants)

Dates: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: February 7

Eligibility: High school juniors (aged 16+) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The Simons Summer Research Program offers high-achieving high school juniors the chance to work with faculty mentors in fields like biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, neurobiology, and physics. In computer science, you'll explore projects involving machine learning, data analysis, and software development. 

You'll also apply computational methods to complex problems in areas like computational biology. The program includes seminars led by leading scientists and concludes with a formal research presentation at a campus-wide symposium, where you will showcase your findings.

6. SPARC: Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)

Cost: $3,300 total (includes $2,800 tuition, $250 materials, $100 NYU events, $50 application fee, $100 NYU service fee); additional housing and meal plan fees for residential students

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; accepts U.S. and international students aged 15+

Dates: Multiple sessions

Application Deadline: May 15 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Eligibility: Students aged 15+ in grades 9–12 (rising or graduating); must have completed Algebra II and Trigonometry. Preference for students who have taken Pre-Calculus and are enrolled in AP Stats or Calculus

SPARC is a two-week, full-day summer program that introduces high school students to robotics, mechatronics, and programming. You will build, program, and test devices using robotics kits, exploring applications of microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, and engineering systems. 

The program also covers foundational programming, electrical, and mechanical engineering concepts, with robot challenges and competitions. No prior robotics experience is needed, but a strong math and science background is required.

7. Pre-College NYC Residential Summer Program – Columbia University

Cost: $12,764 per 3-week session (includes tuition, housing, dining, health services, activities, and tech fees)

Location: Morningside Campus, Columbia University, New York City, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18 (move-in June 29); Session B: July 22 – August 8 (move-in July 21); Session AB: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: Not specified; apply early as spots are limited and competitive

Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ (must turn 16 by December 31); open to both U.S. and international students

Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer Program offers high school students a pre-college experience on its Morningside Campus in New York City. You can choose from over 70 courses across subjects like computer science and the humanities. Outside the classroom, you’ll enjoy vibrant residential life, campus activities, and guided NYC excursions. 

In computer science, you can take courses like Introduction to Programming with Python, which covers the basics of coding, or explore topics like Rust programming and Cyber-Threat Intelligence. 

Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation and an evaluation letter. With access to Columbia's libraries, academic buildings, and student services, you’ll experience life as a Columbia student while exploring NYC.

8. Tech Scholars Programs – New-York Historical Society

Cost: Free

Location: Tech Commons, New-York Historical Society, New York, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Tech Scholars: Podcasting – Cohort 1: July 7–11; Tech Scholars: Podcasting – Cohort 2: August 18–22; Tech Scholars: Web Design – Summer: July 21–25

Application Deadlines: Tech Scholars: Podcasting – May 19 and Tech Scholars: Web Design (Summer) – May 26

Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 who live in and attend school in the NYC metro area (including NYC’s five boroughs, as well as parts of NY, NJ, and CT)

The Tech Scholars programs at the New-York Historical Society give high school students hands-on experience in digital humanities, including podcasting and web design. Hosted in the museum’s Tech Commons, these programs focus on creating digital media projects related to art, history, and social justice.

You will explore topics like historical research while gaining skills in coding (HTML/CSS), podcast production, storytelling, and digital design. You’ll also engage with museum professionals to learn about careers in history, tech, and digital media.

9. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) – NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Cost/Stipend: Free; funded by National Grid

Location: In-person at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 5-week summer program (Exact dates vary annually; usually runs from early July through early August)

Application Deadline: Typically in early spring (exact date varies; check NYU Tandon’s K12 STEM programs page)

Eligibility: Open to NYC students currently in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade with a strong academic record and interest in STEM.

The ieSoSC program at NYU Tandon introduces you to urban innovation, focusing on computer science, engineering, and technology. Through project-based learning and prototyping, you’ll apply your skills to real-world challenges. The program covers key STEM concepts, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. 

In the second half, you’ll work in teams to tackle a smart city design challenge using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The program concludes with a public showcase judged by STEM professionals, engineers, and urban planners. You’ll also receive public speaking training through a partnership with the Irondale Theater.

10. STEM Research Academy – College Now @ City Tech

Cost/Stipend: Free; Summer internship includes a $1575 stipend, plus metrocard, supplies, and free lunch on Mondays

Location: Hybrid (on-campus at City Tech, Brooklyn + remote sessions)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Spring Course: February 8 – May 31 and Summer Internship: June 26 – August 15

Application Deadline: December 13

Eligibility: NYC public high school sophomores or juniors from partner schools; preference given to students with an overall average of 80+ and strong science/math performance

The STEM Research Academy at City Tech is a two-phase program aimed at high school students from under-resourced schools. In the spring semester, you will take a 15-week Saturday course where you’ll learn key research skills like designing experiments, reading scientific literature, and conducting lab/fieldwork. 

If you complete the spring course, you can apply for the Summer Research Internship, where you’ll work with a faculty-led research team at City Tech. You will carry out an independent research project and present your findings at the Summer Science Symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.

11. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University

Cost/Stipend: Free; travel expenses are covered, and need-based stipends may be available

Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY

Acceptance Rate: 32 students selected each year

Dates: June 23 – August 7

Application Deadline: January 3

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 at the start of the program)

The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University offers high school students a chance to conduct biomedical and computational science research with top researchers. 

In the computational science tracks, you may analyze genetic data using tools like BLAST and Galaxy. Previous students have worked with RNA and DNA samples to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other microbes.

You will participate in full-time lab research, attend elective science courses, and listen to lectures from leading scientists. The program ends with a research symposium where you’ll present your findings.

12. NASA OSTEM Internships

Stipend: Varies by internship

Location: Virtual and on-site at NASA centers

Acceptance Rate: Highly selective

Dates: Varies by position

Application Deadlines: Summer: February 28 and Fall: May 16

Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students with a GPA of 3.0+ (on a 4.0 scale)

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program offers high school students the chance to work with NASA scientists and engineers on projects in AI, robotics, machine learning, and AR/VR systems. You will develop skills in coding, problem-solving, data analysis, and system design while applying these in a space-related environment. 

Internships are available virtually and at NASA centers, with mentorship provided throughout the program. For a comprehensive list of available positions, visit the NASA OSTEM Internship page.

13. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)

Cost/Stipend: Free; some projects offer stipends

Location: Virtual (with optional in-person opportunities in Greater Seattle, WA)

Acceptance Rate: 3–5%

Dates: May – August (8–12 weeks depending on project)

Application Deadline: Opens March/April

Eligibility: High school students; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The SPARK SMP is a selective research mentorship program focused on AI, data science, and machine learning. You will work on 1–5 projects in areas like disease detection, predictive analytics, quantum computing, or environmental modeling. 

You’ll gain hands-on experience in skills such as algorithm design, data preprocessing, feature extraction, statistical modeling, machine learning model development, and data visualization. You will also work on problem-solving techniques, code optimization, and effective research communication through presentations and reports.

14. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)

Cost/Stipend: Free

Location: Virtual

Acceptance Rate: 30 students per cohort

Dates: June 2 – August 29

Application Deadline: April 9 (or earlier if full)

Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year; must be at least 16 by Dec 31; GPA 3.0+; must have completed one biology course

GL4HS is a 12-week virtual internship focused on bioinformatics and data science, specifically in space biology. You’ll analyze genetic data from spaceflight experiments using tools like computational biology, statistics, and machine learning. 

The program includes structured coursework, virtual lab tours, guest lectures from NASA scientists, and a group research project. The top teams will have the chance to present their work at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference.

15. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Acceptance Rate: Competitive

Dates: April 15 – June 15

Application Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: High school students with a background in computer science

The EDIT ML Internship at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center allows high school students to explore AI’s role in healthcare. You’ll build and evaluate machine learning models used in clinical decision-making, working with real datasets in medical imaging, natural language processing (NLP), and healthcare analytics. 

Using tools like Python and R, you’ll collaborate with medical professionals and present your research to peers and experts, gaining both technical and presentation experience in a rapidly advancing field.

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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