13 Computer Science Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you’re a high school student interested in exploring the world of computer science, consider participating in a computer-science-focused program. Programs like these offer opportunities to develop relevant industry skills, such as Python coding or website development, while gaining practical experience. Whether your interests lie in computer science, AI, or data science, these programs can help you build foundational skills and explore potential career pathways.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State is home to colleges and organizations that offer computer science programs, such as the University of Washington and G Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Many of these programs include mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects that can strengthen your academic profile and prepare you for future studies. For both local and out-of-state students, these programs provide valuable opportunities to engage with computer science while developing core skills.
In this blog, we’ve put together 13 computer science programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for internships in Washington State, you can check out our blog here.
1. PNNL Internships: Computational Biology
Location: PNNL, Richland, WA
Cost/Stipend: Typically, a paid internship
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: 10 weeks from June 10 – August 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors aged 16+
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) offers internships for high school students across various related fields, from business to research. As a participant, you will get the opportunity to work alongside experienced PNNL professionals and receive mentorship and guidance from them. Aside from hands-on work, you’ll also take part in leadership development activities, go on lab tours, and attend workshops that focus on career development. If you are interested in computer science, there will be opportunities to participate in internships in computational biology, allowing you to explore the intersection of computer science and biology. You’ll spend time observing lab experiments, answering scientific questions, and discussing the way computation and biology are intertwined. In addition to the internship experience, you will attend a two-week bootcamp to learn Python, R, and foundational biology concepts.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI offers programs for high school students interested in learning more about artificial intelligence and data science. The AI Scholars program is for beginners and will teach you the fundamentals of AI and data science. You’ll also get to learn by participating in real-world projects. The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program, on the other hand, is open only to those with coding or Python experience or who have already participated in AI Scholars. During this program, you will have the opportunity to collaborate one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on a unique, individual project. Additionally, you will gain access to the in-house publication team and will have the chance to publish your work in high school journals.
3. Changemakers in Computing
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: ~40 students
Dates: July 7 – 30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors from Washington State
During the Changemakers in Computing (CiC) program, you will have the opportunity to learn about the intersection of technology, society, and justice. As a high school participant, you'll spend your days involved in hands-on projects and attending sessions that cover the technical basics of coding, the social responsibilities of technology, and other topics. You will be placed in groups led by mentors who are current UW undergraduate students. You will develop coding skills, learn about various areas of computing, explore the impact of technology-driven changemaking, and more. You’ll also get to build community and network with other mentees and mentors.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Computer Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a comprehensive research program designed for high school students. It provides extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas, including computer science, data science, engineering, and more. As a participant, you will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor, who will collaborate with you on an individual research project and guide you through the research process. Upon completing the 12-week program, you will have developed an independent research paper that’s suitable for submission to academic publications. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. AI4ALL@UW Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (sometimes offered remotely)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: September 8 – January 26
Application Deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors
The AI4ALL@UW Program is a 20-week initiative designed to introduce you to data science and machine learning. Throughout the program, you will develop skills to understand and analyze real-world applications of these fields. The program is led by University of Washington faculty, researchers, and instructors and offers small, focused group discussions on key concepts. As a participant, you will gain experience in geographic information science and examine equity and bias in urban environments.
6. Allen School: Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (virtual options available)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 1 week in December
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is a five-day program designed to introduce you to the core concepts and fundamentals of computer science. Each day features different workshops, covering topics such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, website development, and more. In the “Machine Learning” workshop, you will explore the ethical considerations of machine learning and its societal impact. The “Build Your Own Website” workshop offers practical experience, enabling you to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build your own website. Lastly, the “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & Learning Tools” workshop introduces AI tools and examines how they are transforming industries and daily life.
7. SEAS Summer Immersion Program (SSIP)
Location: Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: 16 high school students
Dates: July 6 – 11 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: March 7 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in math or science
The SEAS Summer Immersion Program (SSIP) offers you the chance to explore the various disciplines of math, engineering, and computer science. As a participant, you will engage in practical activities relevant to computer science and engineering, such as programming a robot. You will also have the chance to utilize the Scrum framework in an engineering management simulation, customize LED matrix panels using Python, and more. Additionally, the program includes tours of engineering and computer science facilities, providing opportunities to connect with professionals in the field. The program also features college-prep sessions that provide insights into the admissions process, financial aid, and related topics. At the conclusion of the program, you will present your work at a final research symposium.
8. Kode With Klossy
Location: Virtual + In-person in Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative)
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive students between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy offers you the chance to participate in a two-week coding camp. As a participant, you will learn the fundamentals of coding and will develop a passion for STEM. You can choose from four tracks: Web Dev, Mobile App, Machine Learning, and Data Science. The Web Dev track will focus on teaching you to build a website and design its UX using three programming languages: CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. The Mobile App track, on the other hand, will have you learning how to code in Apple’s programming language, Swift. In the Machine Learning track, you will learn about the role AI has in modern technology and our daily lives. It will introduce you to the fundamentals of AI/ML, covering topics like algorithms, data sets, Python, and more. Finally, in the Data Science track, you will learn how to use tools like SQL, Python, and data visualization to extract meaningful data.
9. UW in the High School
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free (for public school students); $81 per credit (private school students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; Some courses come with prerequisites
As a participant in the UW in the High School program, you'll be able to challenge yourself by taking a University of Washington course and potentially earning college credit. The University of Washington offers courses across a wide range of subject areas, including computer science. In the “Introduction to Computer Programming I” course, you will be introduced to computer programming and will learn how to write programs. The “Introduction to Computer Programming II” course will focus on program design, style, and decomposition. It’s for students with some programming experience and will teach you to solve computational problems. During the “Intermediate Data Programming” course, you will learn how to write programs that manipulate data. Whereas the “Introduction to Data Science” course will introduce you to the essential elements of data science, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience through computing labs.
10. AI for Equity
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,500 + $50 nonrefundable deposit; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 1 week in the summer
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders
AI for Equity is part of Seattle University’s pre-college programs. It offers you the unique opportunity to explore the intersection of criminal justice and artificial intelligence. During the program, you will examine criminal justice issues, such as bias and equity, and explore their connections to machine learning and artificial intelligence. You will learn the fundamentals of machine learning and how ML techniques can be applied to datasets. You can study various applications of AI within the criminal justice system and consider the associated ethical challenges. Additionally, you will have the chance to develop AI solutions to address traditional social problems and evaluate them from a technical standpoint.
11. Girls Who Code Summer Pathways Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6-7 weeks (self-paced)
Application Deadline: April 11 (tentative)
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders who identify as girls and non-binary
The Girls Who Code Summer Pathways Program gives you the chance to gain computer science skills and explore the various tech careers available to you. As a participant, you’ll be able to choose from multiple tracks, including data science, web development, AI, and cybersecurity. You will have the opportunity to work on a hands-on, real-world project and complete it at your own pace. This program also offers opportunities to network with like-minded peers and engage with industry professionals. In addition, you might be invited to attend corporate partner events, career panels, and workshops led by experienced advisors.
12. UW Youth & Teen Programs: Coding in Python I
Location: Virtual
Cost: Nonrefundable $50 registration fee; $895; Limited financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year; Winter: January 13 – March 19
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Winter: December 15 (registration closes)
Eligibility: High school students
The UW Youth & Teen Programs’ Coding in Python I introduces you to Python, one of the most widely used programming languages in the industry, and teaches you to use it effectively. Throughout the course, you will learn essential computer science concepts and the fundamentals of Python coding and debugging. You will learn how to develop simple games using text and sprite graphics, employ fundamental text-based input and output commands, implement function calls, and other related skills. Additionally, you will complete guided, interactive coding exercises to enhance your skills in writing, debugging, analyzing, and understanding code.
13. UW Youth & Teen Programs: Introduction to AI & Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: $895 + $50 registration fee; limited financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: March 31 – May 28
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring: March 9 (registration closes)
Eligibility: High school students with a foundational knowledge of Python
The UW Youth & Teen Programs’ Introduction to AI & Machine Learning course provides an overview of essential AI concepts and examines their applications in today's world. You will also discuss and analyze the ethical considerations related to AI and explore how to responsibly develop AI. Topics covered include machine learning, neural networks, generative AI, computer vision, and more. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to develop your own unique AI tool.
Image source - Veritas AI