15 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you are a high school student interested in computer science, participating in summer programs can be a valuable way to explore your interests. These programs extend beyond the classroom by offering practical experience in coding, cybersecurity, AI, and more—all without the need for a costly degree. Programs include mentorship from professionals, resume-building experiences, and give you access to events or networking opportunities.
Various top universities, research labs, and tech companies in New York City run summer programs. They give you the chance to learn from industry experts and build projects you can showcase. Whether you're just getting started with Python or already experimenting with machine learning, there’s something here for every level.
In this list, we’ve curated a list of 15 computer science summer programs for high school students in NYC.
15 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
1. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipends may be available to students with financial hardship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 32 students
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 3
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (16+)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) immerses students in real-world biomedical research by placing them on small research teams within Rockefeller University labs. Mentored by graduate students and postdocs, you will work on ongoing experiments, learn lab protocols, and contribute to data collection, analysis, and scientific discussions. The program is enriched with elective seminars, professional workshops, guest lectures, and structured networking events.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost Varies; Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. If you’re new to AI, machine learning, and data science, you can participate in the AI Scholars program. It is a 10-session boot camp that covers fundamental concepts in data science and provides opportunities to work on real-world projects. However, if you’re looking for a bigger challenge, then try the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. The program allows you to collaborate on individual research projects with mentors from leading universities. It also includes support from an in-house publication team to assist with submitting work to high school research journals.
3. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) at NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: NYC rising juniors and seniors
ARISE offers motivated NYC high school students an authentic introduction to engineering and research by allowing them to work in real university labs under faculty and graduate student mentorship. The program begins with four weeks focused on lab safety, research methodology, scientific ethics, and public speaking workshops. This is followed by six weeks of participation in technical research, spanning topics like AI, robotics, chemical engineering, computer science, and biotechnology. You will conduct approximately 120 hours of lab work, culminating in a research presentation at an NYU colloquium and a poster display at the American Museum of Natural History.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a competitive 12-week opportunity that pairs you with a PhD mentor to work on a one-on-one, independent research project. It offers programs across various disciplines, while research areas in computer science that include data science, generative AI, game development, human-computer interaction, and more! Emphasizing both academic rigor and tailored guidance, the program is designed to strengthen your research, writing, and analytical skills. By the conclusion of the program, you will have produced a comprehensive, full-length research paper.
5. STEM Research Academy – College Now at City Tech
Location: City Tech, Brooklyn, NY (remote options available)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,575 stipend offered during the summer internship
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: February 8 – May 31 (spring) | June 26 – August 15 (summer)
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors attending NYC public schools; More details here
The STEM Research Academy guides students through a two-phase journey: a Spring research methods course followed by a Summer internship. In the spring, you will learn to formulate testable questions, conduct experiments, search scholarly literature, and analyze data through hybrid (in-person and remote) instruction. Later, selected students join a six-week lab-based internship where they conduct original research under faculty mentorship. You will work in labs four days a week, attend weekly seminars, write a scientific paper, and present at a culminating poster session at the American Museum of Natural History.
6. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students (15+) currently in grades 9-12
The ieSoSC program blends cutting-edge STEM learning with real-world innovation. You will explore smart city challenges through projects involving electronics, coding, microcontrollers, sensors, and cloud computing. Alongside developing technical prototypes, you will engage in entrepreneurship training, covering economics, product design, pitching, and even theater-based communication workshops to strengthen presentation skills. The program culminates in a community expo where each team presents its smart city solution to peers and mentors.
7. Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) at NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15; Rolling
Eligibility: NYC and Nassau County students who are currently in the 10th – 11th grade
CS4CS offers a stellar introduction to cybersecurity for high school students, covering topics such as digital forensics, cryptography, steganography, and ethical ("white-hat") hacking. The program combines lectures with interactive coding sessions, engaging you through communication workshops, including theater-based training, to build confidence in presenting technical concepts. You will also benefit from guest lectures by industry professionals and opportunities to explore cybersecurity career paths and college readiness.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fee; $2,360.25 for residential students; Stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective; 5%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors (aged 16+) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In the Simons Summer Research Program, you will engage in research mentored by faculty in the sciences, math, engineering, and computer sciences. You will join university research teams and complete individual projects, producing a written abstract and poster presentation. Alongside lab work and data analysis, the program includes weekly faculty lectures, site tours, workshops, and culminates in a poster symposium. You will also get to live on campus (optional), gaining exposure to university life and research culture.
9. SPARC (Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 (additional housing and meal plan fees for residential students)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: July 7 – 18 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15; Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. & international current 9th graders to graduating 12th graders (15+)
SPARC immerses students in the fundamentals of robotics, programming, and engineering through hands-on instruction. You will assemble and code robotic devices using microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. You’ll also learn key programming constructs like variables, conditionals, and loops. The program also explores electrical and mechanical engineering principles as students tackle robot-based challenges and in-class competitions.
10. Tech Scholars Programs – New-York Historical Society
Location: Tech Commons, New-York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Typically 20-25 students per session
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions offered across summer and school breaks
Application Deadline: Applications typically run on a rolling basis before each session
Eligibility: NYC area high school students in grades 9-12; Residents of New York State, Connecticut, and New Jersey are welcome
Tech Scholars encourages students to explore digital humanities through project-based learning within a technologically equipped museum setting. You will gain skills in coding (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), game and web design, and audio editing. You’ll get to use these tools to bring compelling stories of women’s history to life in digital formats like websites, games, and podcasts. Beyond the creative output, you will engage with curators, historians, and technologists, building a bridge between historical inquiry and digital storytelling.
11. Pre-College NYC Residential Summer Program – Columbia University
Location: Morningside Campus, Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $12,764 for a three-week residential session; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18 | Session B: July 22 – August 8 | Session AB: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Tentatively: March 3 (early); March 17 (general)
Eligibility: High school students (15+) entering grades 9-12; International applicants may apply
The NYC Residential Summer Program offers motivated students a rich academic and cultural experience at Columbia University. You will choose from over 70 college-level courses spanning STEM, computer science, humanities, arts, and more, attending daily morning and afternoon classes. Courses are led by expert instructors and are paired with co-curricular activities such as workshops, guest lectures, and cultural events. You will get to reside on campus, which will give you proximity to libraries, dining halls, and mentoring resources, while also enjoying the vibrant life of New York City. Upon completion, you will receive a Columbia University Certificate of Participation and an evaluation letter.
12. Spark Summer Mentorship Program (SPARK SMP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None; Some projects offer a stipend
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: May – August (8-12 weeks depending on project)
Application Deadline: Generally in April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The SPARK SMP is a competitive research mentorship program specializing in AI, data science, and machine learning. You will engage in 1-5 projects across fields such as disease detection, predictive analytics, quantum computing, and environmental modeling. The program provides practical experience in areas like algorithm development, data preprocessing, feature extraction, statistical analysis, machine learning model creation, and data visualization. You might even get to co-author a paper with your mentor and participate in prestigious competitions.
13. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual and on-site at NASA centers
Stipend: Varies by internship
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by internship (summer internships available)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+) with a GPA of 3.0+ (on a 4.0 scale)
NASA’s OSTEM internships offer high school students experiences in fields such as aerospace engineering, space science, programming, robotics, and STEM outreach. You will be paired with research scientists, engineers, or IT professionals and contribute to real NASA projects, whether you’re working in labs, analyzing mission data, or supporting operations. Participating centers may also offer virtual components. Interested students can use filters on the STEM Gateway to find opportunities that align with their skills and locations.
14. NASA’s GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – August 29
Application Deadline: May 15; Rolling
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year (16+) with a GPA of 3.0+; Must have completed one biology course
The GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) program is a 12-week online internship centered on bioinformatics and data science within the context of space biology. You will work with real genetic data from spaceflight experiments, applying methods from computational biology, statistics, and machine learning. The experience features structured coursework, virtual laboratory tours, and guest lectures led by NASA scientists. You will also collaborate on a group research project, with top-performing teams earning the opportunity to present their findings at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research Conference.
15. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-11 (rising into grades 9-12)
SPCS offers an intensive, two-week deep dive into advanced topics that go beyond typical high school curricula. Courses are conducted live each weekday for two hours, combining interactive lectures, discussions, and instructor-led study groups. With small class sizes and passionate scholarly instructors, each course encourages exploration and intellectual growth in areas like AI, data science, coding, and more. Beyond academics, the program fosters a global learning community. You will join peers from across the globe, exchange ideas, and receive written feedback and a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course.