10 Fall Coding Classes for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you are a middle schooler who wants to learn how to code, consider participating in a coding class. A coding class can provide experience in areas like app design, game development, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity. Taking a class in the fall allows you to balance your schoolwork and extracurriculars with enrichment.
We’ve found 10 fall coding classes for middle school students, chosen for their rigorous instruction, practical applications, and opportunities for networking with peers and mentors. Many of them are designed by prestigious organizations, nonprofits, and universities, giving you early exposure to industry standards and professional coding tools. Whether you’re new to coding or already have some experience, you’ll find opportunities to develop your skills, work on projects, and build valuable connections with mentors who can guide your future academic choices.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 5 to 12
Khan Academy offers a wide range of free online coding courses for middle and high school students, making it one of the most accessible ways to learn programming in the fall. Their Intro to Computer Science with Python modules cover everything from variables, loops, and conditionals to designing algorithms and analyzing data with dictionaries. You can also explore JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL through interactive projects like building animations, making webpages, and querying databases. More advanced students can explore computer science theory, including algorithms, cryptography, and information theory. Since all courses are self-paced and free, you can learn flexibly while still building practical coding skills.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by the program. Full financial aid is available.
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience tailored for middle school students who want to create an academic project in a field they’re passionate about. You’ll work closely with a mentor (often affiliated with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) who supports you throughout the research and project development process. Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, think critically, and complete a final project that reflects your area of interest. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple application rounds during the year.
3. MIT CodeIt
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Sundays from October 15 to November 19
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Girls and nonbinary students in grades 6 to 8 with no prior coding experience
MIT CodeIt is a student-run initiative offering free, introductory computer science classes for middle school girls and nonbinary students. You’ll learn Scratch, a beginner-friendly block-based programming language, through interactive, project-based learning. Beyond coding, you’ll engage in confidence-building and community activities, culminating in a final project showcase.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program. Need based financial aid available
Program Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks on weekends during the spring cohort. 25 hours over 2 weeks on weekdays during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Benedum Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: September 14 to November 16 on Sundays
Application Deadline: Open registration until spots are filled
Eligibility: Middle school girls in grades 6 to 8. No prior experience required
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at the University of Pittsburgh hosts SWE++, a free 6-week course introducing middle school girls to Python programming. Taught by engineering students, the sessions cover the fundamentals of Python in a supportive environment. The program is designed to build confidence in coding, spark interest in computer science, and encourage more young women to pursue STEM pathways. Classes are held on Sunday mornings at Benedum Hall, with a combination of instruction, practice, and interactive exercises.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8 or general K to 12 audience
TED-Ed offers a wide range of animated video lessons and mini-modules that introduce you to the fundamentals of computer science, programming logic, and computational thinking. Middle school students can explore topics like algorithms, encryption, AI, and data security through engaging, story-driven explanations that break down complex ideas into accessible content. The flexibility of the platform allows you to engage with coding content during the fall semester at your own pace. Among these resources, the Think Like a Coder series stands out. While not a traditional class with assignments or instructors, it functions as an interactive narrative that challenges students to solve puzzles and think algorithmically. Each episode introduces core programming concepts in a way that feels more like storytelling than formal coursework, making it appealing for middle school learners.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 14 weeks. Self paced
Application Deadline: Not applicable
Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 14 in grades 6 to 8
Microsoft MakeCode offers a free 14-week introductory computer science course using the micro:bit, designed for middle school students. The curriculum introduces core concepts like binary numbers, variables, iteration, and conditionals through a blend of activities, coding lessons, and creative projects. You’ll work on builds such as a micro:bit, fidget cube, and conclude with a final three-week project. Each lesson includes structured modules: topic intro, offline activity, coding with micro:bit, project, and assessments aligned to CSTA K–12 standards. Resources are available along with a dedicated educator edition for classroom use.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Available throughout the year. Options include one month, one semester, or a full school year
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 10. No prior experience required
Computer Science Discoveries by Code.org is a flexible curriculum designed for middle and early high school students to explore coding, web design, game creation, animations, and physical computing. You’ll learn core computer science concepts through project-based activities, building websites, apps, and games while applying creative problem-solving skills. The program can be taken as standalone units, combined into thematic collections, or as a full-year course, accommodating various learning styles and pacing. You’ll use tools such as Game Lab, App Lab, AI Lab, and Web Lab, and gain exposure to topics including artificial intelligence, data, programming, and art and design.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 8 weeks with 40 hours of instruction
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Exploring Programming with Python is an introductory course designed to engage middle school students with the fundamentals of coding. Using text-based Python, you’ll learn programming concepts through graphics-based problem solving, interactive exercises, and practical projects. The curriculum is divided into four units: drawing with shapes, basic animations, conditional logic and randomization, and loops with multiple shapes to create games. No prior coding experience is required, making it accessible for beginners while providing a solid foundation for future computer science study.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575, Tuition increases by $25 after the Early Bird deadline, which is 10 days before the session start date. Financial aid is available.
Program Dates: October 8 - November 19
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 3-8 who meet the program’s academic criteria. You can refer to the website for detailed eligibility requirements
Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) offers Online Enrichment courses each fall, giving middle schoolers the chance to study advanced topics, including coding, math, astronomical engineering, and more. You can deep dive into the various courses here. You’ll spend 2-5 hours per week engaging in interactive lessons and assignments, with two live online sessions built into the schedule. The program combines flexible pacing with structured guidance from experienced instructors, and every student receives personalized feedback and a final evaluation.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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