15 Summer Coding Programs for High School Students

As a high school student, a summer coding program can be a great starting point if you are looking to dive deeper into computer science without committing to a full college-level course. These programs help you explore programming basics, practice coding with different languages, learn from professionals or university faculty, gain exposure to tech companies, and build coding skills. These experiences can also help you build connections with peers and mentors who share your interests. As a participant, you may also get to code and build tangible applications, games, or websites! The experience can help you add valuable project work to your portfolio early on.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer coding programs for high school students. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Programs

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available

Application deadline: Varies by cohort; summer deadline typically in May

Program dates: The summer cohort typically begins in June; the program length depends on the format you choose

Eligibility: High school students

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor on a self-directed research project. You can choose computer science as your focus and select a topic that aligns with your interests. Your project could focus on algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, theoretical concepts, or programming. Throughout the program, you will work closely with your mentor, learning how research is conducted in a university setting, developing a research question, designing and conducting your study, and analyzing your results. By the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper! You can find more details about the application here. 

2. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Cost: Fully funded; participants must demonstrate financial need in application

Application deadline: March 1

Program dates: June 21 – July 19

Eligibility: Students at least 16 years old by June 21 and between their 10th and 11th grade years during the program

Carnegie Mellon’s Computer Science Scholars (CS Scholars) program is a pre-college summer opportunity to engage in college-level computer science coursework, attend guest lectures and seminars, and visit academic labs and tech-related sites. The curriculum focuses on computer science and mathematics, with an emphasis on collaborative learning. You will work in groups on projects guided by faculty, graduate students, and staff. At the end of the program, you and your team will present your work during a closing symposium. The program also offers workshops to help you prepare for college and opportunities to explore Pittsburgh with other students on weekends. 

3. Veritas AI Programs

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance available for select programs

Application deadline: May for summer cohorts

Program dates: AI Scholars: 25 hours over two weeks (weekdays on summer break) | AI Fellowship: 12–15 weeks; dates vary

Eligibility: High school students; a basic understanding of Python or completion of the AI Scholars program is required for applying to the AI Fellowship program

Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in developing foundational skills in computer science. Both programs offer a structured, hands-on introduction to AI concepts and tools. The 10-week AI Scholars program provides opportunities to work in groups of 3–5 students on practical projects to apply what you’ve learned. You can also apply for the AI Fellowship, a 12–15 week program where you work one-on-one with mentors from top universities to develop an individual machine learning project. As a participant, you will learn topics in data science and artificial intelligence, including neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, sentiment analysis, and Python programming.

4. University of Washington’s Changemakers in Computing (CIC)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Cost/Stipend: Free + $1,200 stipend available

Application deadline: April 1

Program dates: July 6 – 30

Eligibility: High school students in 10th or 11th grade at a Washington State-based school; applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or hold an Employment Authorization Document

The CIC program is a mentorship-based opportunity for high school students interested in building coding skills. During CIC, you will work on coding projects alongside other students and under the guidance of undergraduate mentors from the University of Washington. Along with building technical skills, you will engage in activities that introduce you to broader topics in technology and engineering. The program also offers support from university faculty for navigating the college application process. You’ll have the chance to connect with peers who share your interests and goals.

5. Arizona State University's SUCCESS Camp

Location: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ

Cost: $300; partial and full scholarships available

Application deadline: Not specified

Program dates: May 27 – 30

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12

SUCCESS (A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems) camp, offered by ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, is a short summer program for students interested in exploring computing. During the program, you will learn about various computing fields, including AI, augmented/virtual reality, mobile/web development, cybersecurity, game development, and embedded systems. This beginner-friendly camp also offers various activities to help you become familiar with coding and programming. For instance, you will build a game, develop an AI-based app, learn how to use a virtual reality headset, and even build an LED message wall at camp.

6. Illinois Tech Elevate College Prep Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python

Location: Illinois Tech, Chicago, IL

Cost: $550 + $100 application fee; financial aid available; $500 scholarship for future education upon completion

Application deadline: TBA

Program dates: June 23 – 27

Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders, ages 14–17

Illinois Tech offers various in-person and virtual summer programs to high schoolers interested in exploring topics in STEM. The Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python program is an introduction to computer programming for high schoolers with little to no prior coding experience. During the program, you will explore the fundamentals of programming, learn how to use Python, and engage in coding sessions and interactive projects. The curriculum covers key programming concepts like functions, basic algorithms, variables, data types, and control structures.

7. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps

Location: Virtual or in-person at various locations

Cost: Free

Application deadline: Typically late March

Program dates: Various two-week sessions in the summer

Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13–18

Kode With Klossy is a free summer coding program for high school students interested in learning how to code. You can will work within one of four tracks: web development, mobile app development, machine learning, or data science. Each track covers core programming skills and tools such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, or Swift, depending on your focus. Throughout the program, you will work on team projects that combine coding with user experience and interface design. You will learn how to create digital products that are both functional and easy to use. The program also includes sessions with women working in technology, who share insights about their careers and offer guidance. 

8. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

Location: Virtual or in-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Free for students from families earning under $150,000; $1,750 otherwise; online prerequisite course free for all

Application deadline: March 31

Program dates: July 7 – August 3

Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–11; rising seniors most commonly accepted

The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a summer program where you can explore advanced technical subjects like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and game development. You will begin with online coursework in areas such as Serious Games Development with AI, Quantum Software, or CogWorks, which focuses on autonomous systems that assist with cognitive tasks. Each course offers hands-on projects, coding challenges, and opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to real problems. For instance, in the Serious Games course, you can create a game modification that shows how AI can simulate ethical decision-making. The courses are led by staff from MIT Lincoln Laboratory and conclude with a final project that brings together everything you have learned. 

9. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (GWC SIP)

Location: Online

Cost: Free + grants of up to $300 available for U.S. students

Application deadline: Early acceptance: February 28 | General application: April 16

Program dates: Summer Immersion Program: July 7 – 18 (U.S. students) | July 28 – August 8 | Pathways: June 30 – August 8

Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders in the U.S. who identify as girls or non-binary; international students ages 14–18 also eligible

The GWC SIP is a two-week virtual course for high school students interested in computer science and technology. In the past, the program has centered on game design, offering a mix of technical instruction and creative development. During the program, you will explore coding concepts, user experience design, rapid prototyping, and how to test and improve games through playtesting. You will attend live online classes where you will build technical and soft skills through projects and peer collaboration. In addition to coursework, you can attend virtual events hosted by Girls Who Code and partner organizations, which offer insight into different tech careers. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here!

10. The Odin Project

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application deadline: Open enrollment

Program dates: Self-paced

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

The Odin Project is an open-source platform that offers a structured path to learning full-stack web development. Its curriculum includes topics like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Ruby on Rails, with a focus on practical skill-building through coding projects. As you move through the course, you will work on developing websites and applications, applying what you learn in the process. The program offers you access to an online community where learners help each other with questions and feedback. As a high school student, you can use The Odin Project’s curriculum to gain experience with the tools and workflows used in web development while working at your own pace. 

11. UCLA’s Computer Science Summer Institute: Introductory Track

Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA (commuter program)

Cost: ~$3,291

Application deadline: June 13

Program dates: June 23 – July 11

Eligibility: High school students at least 15 years old when the program starts

The Computer Science Introductory Track at UCLA is a summer program that combines coursework with guided tours of UCLA’s research labs, giving you academic and real-world exposure to computer science. It is designed to reflect the structure and pace of a college-level course. During the program, you will learn how to use Python, explore programming concepts such as data types (including integers, strings, and lists), control structures like conditionals and loops, and the basics of breaking problems into smaller parts using functional decomposition. The course emphasizes how computing can be used for problem-solving and creative exploration. 

12. NYU’s Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY

Cost: $3,300

Application deadline: May 15; applications reviewed on a rolling basis

Program dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: July 7 – 18 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8

Eligibility: High school students

SPARC is a two-week, full-day summer program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of robotics, programming, and mechatronics. The curriculum combines concepts in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. You will learn about electrical components and circuits, the structure and function of microcontrollers, and how to write code using key programming concepts such as variables, loops, conditionals, and data representation. Through hands-on projects, you will build interactive robotic devices and gain practical experience in connecting sensors and actuators to microcontrollers. You will also test your robot in tournament-style challenges.

13. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy

Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA

Cost: $5,160 + $25 application fee; scholarships  available

Application deadline: March 10

Program dates: June 23 – July 4

Eligibility: Domestic and international students, ages 16–17, who have completed grade 10 or 11, are at least 16 years old, and have an overall B average in all coursework

The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a two-week program designed for high school students who want to explore computer science and software engineering. Whether you are new to coding or have some experience, the program offers a mix of daily challenges, collaborative projects, and problem-solving exercises to help you build coding skills. You will work with peers in a small cohort and learn from instructors connected to UC Berkeley’s computer science department. The curriculum covers topics such as abstraction, functions, number systems, recursion, algorithms, Boolean logic, and higher-order functions. You will also learn about the broader impact of computing on society. The program ends with a Code Celebration, where you will present a project you worked on individually or with a team. 

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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