11 AI Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are a high school student curious about emerging tech, artificial intelligence programs can be a solid option. AI programs can offer you an early introduction to how intelligent systems are designed, trained, and applied across industries such as healthcare, finance, engineering, and technology. Through coursework, labs, and projects, these programs will cover foundational topics like algorithms, data analysis, machine learning, and responsible AI use.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State has various universities and organizations that offer programs and learning opportunities in artificial intelligence and computer science. You will find opportunities to gain practical experience in working with real datasets and tools while developing problem-solving and computational thinking skills that go beyond standard classroom instruction. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, Washington State offers access to a community actively engaged in AI research and technology development.
We have compiled a list of 11 AI programs for high school students in Washington State to make the search easier.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program
Location: Various sites in the Greater Seattle area, WA + remote options available
Cost/Stipend: Small registration fee applicable; paid (with up to $500 stipend) and unpaid opportunities available
Acceptance rate: Selective; exact details not available
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Typically, April/May
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program connects you with a small project team led by a professional mentor from industry, academia, or research organizations. Projects may focus on machine learning, robotics, data visualization, or other technical areas, depending on mentor expertise. You will contribute to defined project goals while learning how collaborative research and development environments function. Mentors outline project scope, expectations, and deliverables at the start of the internship. You will gain exposure to technical workflows, including documentation, iterative testing, and group problem-solving, and attend professional development sessions on communication skills and STEM career pathways. The program ends with a formal presentation of project outcomes to peers and mentors.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to the program type; financial assistance is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year
Application deadline: Rolling basis. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have been AI Scholars participants or have some familiarity with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI offers various structured programs that help you build an understanding of artificial intelligence and data science. The AI Scholars program is designed for beginners and introduces machine learning concepts through guided lessons and applied projects completed over several online sessions. These projects often involve analyzing datasets or modeling real-world problems related to healthcare, climate science, or economics. If you have prior experience in Python or AI concepts, you can also apply to the AI Fellowship, which offers you mentorship to complete an independent research project. In the fellowship, you will work one-on-one with a mentor affiliated with a research university to design, implement, or evaluate an AI system. Some students pursue optional publications or formal research presentations with the program’s resources. You can check out past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Changemakers in Computing @ University of Washington
Location: University of Washington campus, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application deadline: April 1; applications open on March 4.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors attending Washington State high schools who are U.S citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or those with an Employment Authorization Document
Changemakers in Computing (CiC) is a free summer program designed for high schoolers who want to explore computer engineering through the lens of social impact. While not a typical AI-focused program, CiC allows you to build foundational coding skills crucial for exploring machine learning. You will work in small, mentored groups led by UW undergraduate students, engaging in culturally relevant, project-based learning and discussions around different pathways within computer science and engineering. Alongside technical skills, you will gain exposure to college-level learning environments, peer mentorship, and access to a supportive STEM community. The program focuses on encouraging you to think critically about how tech influences communities.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a virtual research experience that pairs you with a Ph.D. mentor from a research-focused university. Over 12 weeks or more, you will develop an independent research project in fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, or other related fields. The program guides you through each stage of academic research, including developing a research question, reviewing scholarly literature, and selecting appropriate methods. You will meet regularly with your mentor to refine your approach and interpret results. The final outcome is a formal research paper suitable for competitions, journals, or academic portfolios.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various Department of the Navy laboratories across the country, including sites in WA
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~300 students across the U.S./year (Washington-specific numbers not available)
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens
SEAP is an 8- to 10-week summer internship that places you in a Department of the Navy laboratory to work alongside scientists and engineers. You may be assigned to projects in computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, robotics, or applied mathematics, depending on lab needs. Daily work often involves hands-on tasks such as coding, data analysis, simulations, or experimental support. Mentorship is a core component, so you will work under the guidance of professionals who help you understand technical and workplace expectations. You will also attend lab tours, seminars, and technical briefings.
6. UW Youth & Teen Programs: Introduction to AI & Machine Learning
Location: Virtual or University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $895 + $50 registration fee each quarter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: March 31 – May 28 | June 29 – July 10
Application deadline: Spring session: March 9 | Summer session: Two weeks before the session starts
Eligibility: High school students
This introductory course offered through UW Youth & Teen Programs explores how artificial intelligence functions and where it appears in everyday technologies. You will dive into topics such as machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and generative AI. The program includes guided activities where you experiment with building or modifying basic AI tools. Ethical considerations, including fairness, transparency, and responsible use, are integrated throughout the course. You will also examine current and emerging applications of AI across industries. Upon program completion, you will earn a digital badge that can be added to your academic or extracurricular profiles.
7. Seattle University’s AI for Equity
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,500 (including $50 nonrefundable deposit); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: High school students
AI for Equity is a pre-college program at Seattle University that examines how artificial intelligence is used within the criminal justice system. This AI program for high school students in Washington State emphasizes evaluating systems from both technical and social justice perspectives. You will study the fundamentals of machine learning alongside topics such as algorithmic bias, fairness, and accountability. Coursework explores how AI tools are applied in areas like sentencing, surveillance, and predictive policing. You will work with real datasets to test and compare different machine learning techniques, learning how design choices affect outcomes. Guest speakers from the Seattle area provide insight into law, public policy, and technology. On completing the program, you will earn college credit.
8. University of Washington Allen School’s Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One week in December
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This AI program for high school students in Washington State is a five-day program that introduces you to core computer science concepts through daily themed workshops. Each day focuses on a different area, covering topics such as AI, machine learning, and web development, allowing you to explore multiple subfields in a short timeframe. You may examine how models are trained while also discussing ethical concerns and real-world consequences of algorithmic decision-making. Sessions may also walk you through building a functional website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Additionally, workshops may introduce AI-powered tools and how automation is changing common technologies.
9. UW AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 20-week sessions available multiple times in a year; dates vary by session.
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and college freshmen
This is a free, 20-week introductory program that focuses on data science and machine learning through an accessibility-centered framework. You will learn to analyze real-world datasets while building a foundational understanding of AI systems. Instruction takes place in small-group settings that support discussion, collaboration, and peer learning. The curriculum is centered on identifying bias in data and algorithms, particularly through a disability studies and non-ableist lens. Coding exercises and case studies help connect theory to application. The goal of this AI program for high school students in Washington State is to help you understand how data science decisions affect people and communities.
10. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,120; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current 9th graders/rising 10th graders over the age of 14 and under 16 during the program
Stanford’s AI4ALL introduces you to artificial intelligence through collaborative, research-oriented learning. You will attend virtual lectures led by Stanford faculty and researchers covering topics such as computer vision, robotics, natural language processing, and medical AI. Small-group projects will allow you to apply machine learning techniques to real datasets connected to societal challenges. Graduate students and researchers will provide ongoing mentorship throughout the program. Ethical considerations, including bias and equity in AI systems, are woven into the curriculum, and career panels further help clarify academic and professional pathways in AI-related fields.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Application fee: $45 + program fee: $2,000; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students.
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20; applications open on December 15.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who will be 14 years or older by the program's start
The Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a free, two-week virtual program focused on artificial intelligence in healthcare. Here, you will learn why and how AI is used in medical settings and how machine learning models are developed, evaluated, and deployed. Coursework examines challenges such as data quality, bias, and ethical responsibility in clinical AI systems. The curriculum is delivered through online modules, group discussions, and a variety of breakout activities. You will also participate in sessions with experts from academia, industry, and public health. Emerging topics such as generative AI and foundation models are introduced at a conceptual level. On program completion, you will receive a certificate of completion.