14 Data Science Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
Data science has become one of the most in-demand skills across industries, making it an increasingly valuable area of study. If you’re a high school student, participating in summer programs focused on data science provides a unique opportunity to explore this field early, helping you develop practical skills in coding, data analysis, and machine learning. These programs also offer exposure to collaborative projects and mentorship from experienced professionals, giving you both technical expertise and insights into potential career paths.
Massachusetts is home to some of the most renowned universities and organizations. Attending a data science summer program in the state allows you to access cutting-edge labs and resources and interact with top experts and industry professionals. These programs are ideal for students living in Massachusetts and out-of-state students looking to explore top-tier academic and research opportunities. With opportunities hosted by prestigious institutions, participating in such programs can also help you build a network of peers and mentors while strengthening your academic portfolio.
Below is a list of 14 standout data science summer programs for high school students in Massachusetts to help you begin exploring this rapidly evolving field.
If you are looking for programs in Massachusetts, check out our blogs here and here.
1. MIT’s Research Science Institute
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Less than 2.5%
Dates: June 22 – August 2 (tentative)
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors with the following scores are preferred: PSAT Math Scores: At least 740 | Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Scores: 700 or higher | ACT Math Scores: At least 33 | Verbal scores: At least 34
RSI is a six-week, fully funded summer program that combines advanced academic study with hands-on research under the mentorship of scientists and engineers. Each summer, 100 high school students from around the world attend RSI to complete an intensive week of STEM lectures, followed by five weeks of independent research at laboratories in and around MIT. Many projects involve computational modeling, statistical analysis, or data science applications, allowing you to engage in authentic research using modern analytical tools. The program concludes in both written and oral presentations, mirroring professional scientific conferences. Beyond the lab, RSI includes lectures from leading researchers, including Nobel laureates, and cultural excursions around Boston.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
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. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents; Must be from backgrounds underrepresented in science and engineering, underserved socioeconomic backgrounds, and minority/rural high schools
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT that provides high school students with exposure to advanced STEM fields, including a strong focus on data science and computational thinking. Through five rigorous courses in math, science, and humanities, you’ll develop problem-solving and analytical skills essential for studying data and technology. The program combines classroom instruction with lab tours, company visits, and seminars led by STEM professionals, allowing you to see firsthand how data science is applied in industry and research. You’ll also participate in workshops on college readiness and admissions, gaining insights into academic pathways and STEM careers. Living on campus gives you the full MIT experience, from exploring labs to connecting with peers from across the country.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies based on the program type; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work on an independent, university-level research project over 12 weeks under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Designed to mirror the academic research process, the program allows you to choose from a variety of fields, including data science and many others. Through one-on-one mentorship, you’ll learn how to formulate research questions, collect and analyze data, and write a full-length research paper demonstrating original analysis. Many participants also prepare their work for publication or submission to research competitions. Its fully remote format lets you collaborate with mentors from leading global universities while managing your own research schedule.
5. The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 150 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship connects students of color with paid, multi-year internships at major media, technology, and entertainment companies such as NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount. The program includes three tracks—Content, Business, and Innovation—through which you can explore diverse fields like data science, software engineering, journalism, and marketing. Although not solely focused on data science, the Innovation track integrates data-related work such as analytics, programming, and digital strategy. Beyond the internship, you’ll have access to professional development resources, including the Annual Summer Conference, EBF Launch career workshops, and eligibility for academic scholarships.
6. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 22 – July 3
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and attend school in the state; More information here
Northeastern University’s YSP is a six-week summer research experience that connects you with faculty mentors to conduct research in university laboratories. Depending on your placement, you may explore topics in data science, engineering, health sciences, or robotics, gaining hands-on experience with coding, experimental design, and data analysis. Weekly seminars cover science communication, college preparation, and STEM careers, while field trips to organizations such as Biogen and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center reveal how scientific principles translate to real-world innovation. The program culminates with a poster session where participants present their findings to faculty and peers.
7. LEAH Knox: Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship
Location: Cambridge and Boston, MA
Stipend: Up to $2,250 in the summer
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: January – March
Eligibility: Boston-Area Public School students in grades 10-12 (16+)
The LEAH Knox Data Science & Biomedical Research Internship is a two-year program that integrates laboratory research, data science training, and mentorship for high school students interested in STEM. In your first summer, you’ll join a full-time lab experience at MIT, learning essential techniques in biomedical research and computational analysis while conducting hands-on experiments. The program continues during the school year with at least five STEM-related events and ongoing mentorship from professionals in science and technology. During your second summer, you’ll advance to a placement at a university, nonprofit, or corporate research lab, applying your data analysis and experimental skills to real projects. Alongside technical training, the program includes college readiness support and guidance for future academic and career pathways.
8. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Virtual and in-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $2,350; For applicants belonging to families with an income below $150,000, the program is free
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Online Courses: February 3 – June 20; In-person Summer Program: July 7 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year who are U.S. citizens
BWSI is a four-week intensive program designed for high school students ready to tackle advanced, project-based challenges in emerging technology fields. Courses such as Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks) and Medlytics integrate data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence concepts to help you explore real-world applications across domains like language, healthcare, and image processing. In CogWorks, you’ll use Python to build and refine machine learning algorithms, applying them to audio, visual, and text-based data, while in Medlytics, you’ll work with medical datasets to predict diseases or interpret diagnostic images. Both courses conclude in collaborative capstone projects using professional tools like Git and VSCode.
9. Harvard University Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3; Session II: July 6 – 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 7 (early), February 11 (regular), April 1 (late)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16-18)
Harvard University’s Pre-College Summer School Program offers a two-week immersive experience where you’ll take a non-credit college-level course and live on campus with other motivated students. Among the diverse options is Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization, a course that introduces you to key techniques in Python programming, web scraping, and data cleaning. You’ll use tools like Matplotlib to create visualizations and complete a project that involves analyzing real-world datasets such as COVID-19 statistics. In the second week, you’ll advance to creating interactive visualizations using JavaScript, learning how to turn data into clear and engaging stories. The program is focused on collaborative learning through small class sizes and interactive discussions, and lets you leave with a polished project.
10. Tufts University Pre-College Programs: Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost: Commuter: $4,425; Residential: $5,950; Limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: July 5 – 17; Session 2: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 or recent graduates
The Tufts University Pre-College Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program is a 1-3 3-week summer experience designed to introduce you to the data-driven technologies shaping today’s world. Taught by Tufts faculty, the program combines classroom learning, lab work, and discussions to help you understand how AI and machine learning systems actually function. You’ll explore topics like data analysis, algorithm design, and model training, while also examining the ethical and social implications of these technologies. The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with hands-on projects, allowing you to develop your own AI-based solution to a real-world problem. Guest speakers from academia and industry provide additional insight into current research and applications, from automation to decision-making systems.
11. Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual or on-campus at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,050 – $14,950 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 12 – August 8 (4 weeks); June 20 – August 8 (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 7 (early), February 11 (regular), April 1 (late)
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, & juniors (16-18)
The Harvard Secondary School Program gives you the chance to take college-level courses in computer science, data science, and related fields while earning college credit. Over four or seven weeks, you can enroll in courses taught by Harvard faculty and industry professionals, covering subjects such as Python, R, artificial intelligence, and data mining. Courses like CSCI S-108: Data Mining, Discovery, and Exploration teach you to analyze and interpret complex datasets, while CSCI S-80: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python helps you build AI models using real-world data. You’ll learn how to blend theory with practical applications through coding assignments, algorithm development, and collaborative projects. The program also integrates academic rigor with opportunities to connect with peers from around the world.
12. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; Summer Immersion Program: $300 need-based grant for eligible students in the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer Immersion Program: July 7 – 18 (for U.S. students); July 28 – August 8; Pathways: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Early acceptance: February 28; General application: April 16
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students in grades 9-11 (Summer Immersion Program); Students in grades 9-12 (Pathways)
Girls Who Code offers two free summer programs designed to help high school students gain exposure to computer science and related fields, including data science. The two-week Summer Immersion Program features live virtual instruction in game design, coding fundamentals, and UX concepts, supported by mentorship and speaker sessions with professionals in tech. Alternatively, the Pathways Program is a six-week, self-paced course that lets you explore advanced topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science through hands-on projects. You’ll learn programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS while connecting with peers and industry mentors.
13. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies: Introduction to Data Science
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,050
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27; Session Two: July 7 – 18 (based on the previous year)
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute: Introduction to Data Science offers a rigorous exploration of how data informs decisions across disciplines. You’ll work with the R programming language to learn key principles of data analysis and machine learning, from building models to interpreting statistical outcomes. Through guided projects, you’ll use real-world datasets to identify trends, make predictions, and derive insights relevant to both natural and social sciences. Live online classes and small-group discussions help instill collaboration and in-depth understanding, while final projects allow you to apply your learning to topics that align with your interests.
14. Columbia University Pre-College Program: Data Science and Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on course format and duration
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Multiple in-person and virtual sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: April
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 with prior programming experience
Columbia University’s Pre-College Program in Data Science and Machine Learning introduces you to the principles behind modern data-driven technologies through a mix of theory, coding, and applied learning. The introductory course covers Python programming, statistical foundations, and common machine learning algorithms. Advanced learners can then progress to the second-level course, which explores linear algebra, complex modeling, and data visualization. In both courses, you’ll work on collaborative projects that involve analyzing datasets and presenting insights effectively, with a focus on fairness and ethical responsibility in data interpretation. Instruction combines lectures with practical exercises, ensuring you gain hands-on experience in applying computational techniques. On completing the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation and an evaluation of your performance.
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