12 Best Coding Programs For High School Students
If you're a high school student interested in coding, joining a structured program can help you build real-world programming skills and explore paths in computer science, software development, or AI. These programs offer hands-on learning through project work, coding challenges, and mentorship, often led by university faculty or tech professionals.
Whether you're just starting out or have some experience with Python, Java, or web development, there's a program that fits your level. Many options are beginner-friendly, while others are more advanced and designed for students with prior coursework or self-study.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated the 12 best coding programs for high school students that emphasize technical skill-building, mentorship, and practical application.
1. AI Scholars – Carnegie Mellon University
AI Scholars is a prestigious, fully funded four-week summer program hosted by Carnegie Mellon University for rising high school seniors interested in artificial intelligence and coding. Participants take part in rigorous college-level coursework that introduces key concepts in computer science, machine learning, and data analysis.
As an AI Scholar, you'll engage in college-level courses, collaborate on group projects, and attend academic workshops, which will lead to a final presentation where you'll apply AI to tackle real-world challenges. The curriculum also features hands-on labs, coding exercises in Python, and mentorship from CMU faculty and researchers.
In addition to technical training, the program offers college readiness workshops on admissions, financial aid, and personal growth.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (students entering 12th grade); applicants must be 16 years old by June 21
Cost/Stipend: Free
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Cost/Stipend: $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.
3. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
CS50 is Harvard University’s flagship introductory computer science course, offered for free in a self-paced online format. While this isn’t a structured summer program, it’s a highly valuable resource for motivated high school students looking to learn how to code. The course introduces foundational topics, including algorithms, data structures, memory management, and web development, using languages such as C, Python, and JavaScript.
Alongside coding basics, students complete challenging problem sets and real-world projects that simulate the rigor of a college-level course. The curriculum also emphasizes computational thinking and problem-solving, making it a strong foundation for those pursuing careers in AI, software engineering, or data science.
Location: Online via edX
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Recommended for students with no prior programming experience
Cost/Stipend: Free to audit; $219 for certificate
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Computer Science Track
Lumiere Education connects high school students with top university researchers for one-on-one mentorship in original research. In the Computer Science track, students spend 12 weeks exploring a topic of interest, such as AI, algorithms, or data science, while developing a research paper with the support of an expert mentor.
The program includes structured milestones, from topic selection to paper submission. Students also have the option to submit their work to high school research journals. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Spring, Summer I, Summer II, Fall, and Winter cohorts (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (e.g., Summer I regular deadline: June 23)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; strong academic background preferred
Cost: Starts at $2,990
5. Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford AI4ALL is a virtual summer program aimed at introducing high school students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to artificial intelligence. Organized by the Stanford AI Lab and the Institute for Human-Centered AI, the program combines technical learning with discussions about ethics, inclusivity, and social impact.
Students participate in hands-on research projects across fields like medical AI, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing, while also engaging with mentors and guest speakers from the AI community. The curriculum is structured to be both accessible and challenging, helping students build technical confidence and awareness of AI’s broader implications.
Location: Virtual
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores who will be at least 14 years old by the program's start
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (financial aid available)
6. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Girls Who Code offers two free, virtual summer programs designed to build coding skills and foster career readiness in students who identify as girls or non-binary. The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a two-week, instructor-led course that immerses participants in game design, user experience, and foundational programming.
The Self-Paced Program lasts six weeks and allows students to explore topics such as web development, cybersecurity, and AI at their own pace. Both programs include optional live events, mentorship from tech professionals, and exposure to partner companies such as Bank of America and Logitech. No prior experience is required, making this an inclusive option for beginners.
Location: Virtual
Dates:
Summer Immersion Program (SIP): July 7 – 18 | July 28 – August 8
Pathways Program: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th graders; must identify as girls or non-binary
Cost/Stipend: Free (needs-based grants available for U.S. students)
7. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Kode with Klossy runs free two-week coding camps for girls, trans, and non-binary students aged 13–18, with both virtual and in-person formats. No prior coding experience is needed, and students choose from four project-based tracks: Web Development, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Mobile App Development.
Each track ends with a final project, such as building a website, training a chatbot, analysing datasets, or developing an iOS app in Swift. The program’s goal is to equip underrepresented students with foundational coding skills in a creative and collaborative environment.
Location: Virtual and select in-person cities
Dates: Various 2-week sessions from June 2 – August 15
Application Deadline: Varies (check official website for updates)
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 who identify as girls, trans, or non-binary
Cost/Stipend: Free
8. Google Code Next
Code Next is Google’s free coding program focused on building long-term representation in tech by supporting high school students from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. Students can join Code Next Live at physical labs in Oakland, Chelsea (NYC), and Detroit, or enroll in Code Next Connect, the virtual track.
In both versions, students participate in club-based learning covering everything from hardware and game design to app development. Google employees lead sessions, and students in the virtual track can also qualify for a $250 stipend after completing specific milestones.
Location: In-person labs in Oakland, CA; Inglewood, CA; Chelsea, NY; and Detroit, MI; plus virtual programs available across the U.S. and Canada
Dates: Varies by program; includes seasonal clubs (fall, winter, spring) and summer intensives
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; specific deadlines announced per cohort
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; no prior experience required
Cost/Stipend: Free ($250 stipend for eligible Code Next Connect students)
9. Wolfram High School Summer Research Program
This two-and-a-half-week, residential program immerses high school students in advanced computational thinking and AI research. Hosted at Bentley University, the Wolfram High School Summer Research Program combines technical workshops, lectures, and one-on-one mentorship to help students take a project from concept to completion.
Students work in the Wolfram Language and publish a final computational essay, often submitting their work to academic journals or competitions. Projects span fields like data science, molecular modelling, algorithmic game theory, and simulation, with support from Wolfram instructors and researchers.
Location: Bentley University (Boston, MA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: June 25 – July 12
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Students aged 14–17
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 (need-based scholarships available)
10. iD Tech – Python Coding & AI Camp
This immersive, weeklong summer camp engages high school students in Python programming, machine learning, and AI technologies through hands-on, project-based activities. Offered at university campuses across the U.S., the camp is designed for beginner to intermediate learners aged 13–17.
Students start by building foundational skills in Python, then explore AI tools like Google’s Teachable Machine and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. By the end of the program, you can work on projects from simple games to custom AI recommendation systems.
Location: In-person programs hosted at various U.S. university campuses, including UCLA, Stanford, MIT, and Lewis & Clark College
Dates: Weekly sessions from June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Ages 13–17; beginner to intermediate level
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $1,199
11. NYU Tandon SPARC – Summer Program in Automation, Robotics, and Coding
Hosted at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, SPARC is a two-week intensive program where high school students explore robotics, mechanical systems, and foundational programming. Participants build and program robots using microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators, and gain hands-on experience with both mechanical and electrical engineering concepts.
Each session ends with a tournament-style challenge, where students test their robots in real-world scenarios. Courses run full-day, Monday to Friday, and are open to both U.S. and international students.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Dates:
Session 1: June 16 – June 27
Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ (grades 9–12); strong math background recommended
Cost: $3,300
12. The Coding School – National High School Research Program
Offered by The Coding School, this five-week virtual research program enables high school students to explore cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum computing, and data science. Students receive training in programming (typically Python or R), work with real datasets, and conduct independent research under the guidance of mentors from top institutions, including Columbia, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.
The program is structured into two phases: technical training (Weeks 1–2) and mentored research (Weeks 3–5). Students present their work at a final symposium and leave with a polished research project for college or internship applications. A self-paced pre-program module is required for those without prior exposure to AI or quantum computing.
Location: Virtual (In-person opportunities may be available depending on the student's location)
Dates:
Data Science Track: July 7 – August 8
Quantum Computing Track: June 23 – July 25
Artificial Intelligence Track: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Incoming 9th–12th graders + rising college freshmen
Cost/Stipend: $3,995; need-based scholarships are available
Image Source - Carnegie Mellon University Logo