12 Computer Science Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you’re a high school student interested in exploring computer science, a structured program can give you a good place to start. These programs allow you to strengthen your technical foundation, experiment with coding, data science, and artificial intelligence, and learn how computing connects to research, business, and creative problem-solving. Many also include opportunities to work with mentors and peers who share your interests, helping you build both confidence and collaboration skills.
Why should you attend a program in Illinois?
Illinois is home to universities, research centers, and innovation hubs that offer opportunities in computer science. In these programs, you can work on projects that let you design software, analyze data, build algorithms, or explore emerging areas like cybersecurity and machine learning. Whether you’re from Illinois or travelling from another state, these programs help you gain early exposure to computing in academic and applied contexts.
To help with your search, we have 12 computer science programs for high school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for internships in Illinois, check out our blog here.
1. University of Chicago DSI Summer Lab
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Open to Chicago-area high school students. Familiarity with a programming language (like Python) is preferred.
The DSI summer lab enables you to be matched with a data science mentor for a rigorous interdisciplinary research project across fields, including computer science. Participants collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students on topics spanning computer science, social science, biology, and other fields where data analysis drives discovery. The program emphasizes both technical and collaborative skills, with students learning to apply programming, data visualization, and research methods to real-world problems. Through mentorship and teamwork, participants gain experience in how data science is used to generate insights across disciplines while preparing for future study in research and technology.
2. Veritas AI
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year during the spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. UIUC’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30 students/year
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Stipend: Fellowship payment available
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in February
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin
The WYSE Young Scholars Summer Research Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers high school students the chance to participate in university-level research within the Grainger College of Engineering. Over six weeks, students join research teams working on topics across engineering, computer science, and applied sciences, contributing to ongoing investigations under the guidance of faculty and graduate mentors. The program integrates lab work with workshops on scientific writing, data analysis, and research communication. It concludes with a presentation of each student’s research, giving participants experience in sharing and discussing their findings in a professional academic environment.
4. Lumiere's Computer Science Track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school or plan to enroll as a freshman in college; Demonstrated a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as computer science, physics, data science, engineering, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) - Digital Scholars
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Partnership University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; CTA transit pass provided to students who demonstrate financial need
Dates: June 23 - August 1
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Open to current 10th and 11th-grade students
Digital Scholars is a six-week, intensive summer program designed to provide you with foundational skills in computer science and tech. You can choose from one of five courses, including Data Science Discovery, Foundations in Computer Science & Coding, and iOS App Design. The program also connects students with Chicago’s tech ecosystem through guest speakers, industry workshops, and site visits across the city. In addition to skill development, students explore how technology and innovation intersect with real-world challenges in business, research, and community impact.
6. Argonne National Laboratory’s Big Data Camp
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: April 21
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with basic coding experience
The Big Data Camp at Argonne National Laboratory is a five-day program that introduces high school students to data science through real-world research datasets. Designed for those with some coding experience, the camp provides guided experience in data analysis and visualization, from developing research questions to writing code and interpreting results. Participants learn directly from Argonne scientists about how computing and data science support large-scale scientific discovery. By the end of the week, students gain practical skills in using data to explore and understand complex problems in science and engineering.
7. UIC CHANCE Program - Digital Scholars
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Location: The University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: Space is limited; early applications recommended
Eligibility: Students must be incoming UIC freshmen
The UIC CHANCE Program's Digital Scholars is an intensive, in-person summer program designed to prepare incoming UIC freshmen for a future in computer science. The curriculum includes projects and is taught by UIC professors and professionals from the computer science field. You’ll be enrolled in two college courses: Computer Science 111 (Program Design I) and Black Studies 100, with the possibility of earning college credit upon successful completion and enrollment in a select major.
8. Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) - Discover Computing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: October 18 - November 15; January 24 - February 28
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: 9th and 10th grade students
This is a multi-series effort to expose you to various areas within the computer science field. You’ll change focus based on various topics, such as in the "Topics in Tech" series, where we learn about web development, data science, and machine learning with Python. You’ll also be able to make connections with practitioners in the tech community in Chicago, including mentors from Google Chicago.
9. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 - 18
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: For young women and gender expansive teens ages 13-18
Kode With Klossy runs free two-week summer camps that teach coding to students from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM. During camp, you’ll follow one of four custom-built tracks: Web Development, Machine Learning, Mobile App Development, or Data Science. Each curriculum is project-based, so you’ll leave camp having built something real, from an iOS app to a chatbot or a data visualisation. The program emphasises not just technical skills but also collaboration, accessibility, and tackling bias in technology. Beyond the coursework, you’ll become part of a large alumni network of young technologists who continue to support and learn from one another after camp ends.
10. DePaul University - Jarvis Game Development Summer Camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Cost: $450; Deposit - $100; Scholarships are available
Dates: August 4 - 8
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: Open to students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in high school
The Jarvis Game Development Summer Camp is an intensive program where you can learn to create games using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Taught by staff from DePaul's Instruction Game and Innovation Lab, the camp will cover essential game development areas like game design, character art, level design, and animation. You'll work in DePaul's state-of-the-art facilities and also hear from special guest developers who have worked on popular games like Halo and Godzilla VR.
11. University of Chicago Pre-College Programs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Remote
Cost/Stipend: The cost varies by program; need-based financial aid is available; Scholarships are offered
Dates: The summer programs are offered in different sessions ranging from one to four weeks. Specific dates vary by program and course.
Application Deadline: Extended - April 15
Eligibility: Current high school students
The Pre-College Programs at the University of Chicago provide you with an opportunity for a college-level academic experience in computer science through both in-person and online formats. You can select between program lengths, including different length options, continuing with a long residential commitment, such as the three-week Immersion option. All of the courses are taught by University of Chicago faculty members.
12. IMSA - RISE Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: Online
Cost: $1,280; Scholarship available based on financial need; Administrative fee of $150
Dates: September 15 - May 28
Application Deadline: Not Available
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12
The RISE program is an intensive, year-long online research experience for high school students. You’ll conduct an independent research project of your choosing about a computer science-related topic with oversight from an instructor and a research mentor whom you will acquire, and arrange for the mentor to meet with you as a 3rd party oversight, and provide you with guidance as you execute your research. The program concludes with you presenting your research paper.
Image source - Uni of Chicago Logo