10 Data Science Winter Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about how data drives decisions, from predicting trends to improving healthcare, data science programs can help you explore the field through direct, applied learning. These opportunities often focus on developing core skills such as coding, statistical reasoning, and data analysis, allowing you to work on projects and utilize large datasets.
Many opportunities are hosted by universities and nonprofits, giving you access to high-quality resources and mentorship from academics and professionals. These programs can also introduce you to essential coding tools and research methods used in computer science, statistics, and AI, and help you build your profile for future opportunities. Winter sessions are also often shorter than summer programs, but can still give you access to university faculty, research labs, and industry professionals.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled 10 data science winter programs for high school students.
If you are interested in winter programs and internships, check out our blogs here and here.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling based on cohorts; 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
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers programs designed to give you a solid foundation in artificial intelligence and data science. The AI Scholars program introduces core concepts such as Python programming, data wrangling, neural networks, and ethical considerations over ten sessions. You will work in small groups (5:1 student‑to‑mentor ratio) to build a capstone project that applies AI and data science to a real‑world problem. If you are a more advanced learner, the AI Fellowship provides 1‑on‑1 mentorship and the opportunity to develop an independent research project that you can submit to academic journals. This program can help you build coding and analytical skills, create portfolio projects, and earn a recommendation from your mentor.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Data Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
Lumiere’s Research Scholar Program pairs you with PhD mentors from institutions such as Harvard and MIT to conduct original research. In the Data Science track, you select a topic of your interest and work 1‑on‑1 with your mentor to formulate a question, design a methodology, and produce a research paper. The program runs year-round, and winter cohorts allow you to pursue research without conflicting with summer commitments. Over 12 weeks, you will learn advanced analytical techniques, write a structured research paper, and receive detailed feedback from your mentor. The program also offers guidance on publishing your work and provides a letter of recommendation. The combination of individualized mentorship and flexible scheduling makes Lumiere a solid option among data science winter programs for high school students.
3. Saturday Data Science Academy for High School Students (UNC Charlotte)
Location: UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $125
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Program dates: January 24 – April 18 (5 Saturday sessions) + March 5 & April 30 virtual Thursday evenings
Application deadline: Not specified (registration required)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
This program introduces you to the fundamentals of data science through lectures, hands‑on projects, and collaborative learning. You will attend sessions at the UNC Charlotte Woodward Building on Saturday mornings and join two virtual evening sessions in the spring. Expert instructors will teach topics such as data analysis, data visualization, statistical methods, and machine learning. Throughout the program, you’ll work on real‑world datasets, engage in problem‑based assignments, and collaborate with peers to develop problem‑solving skills. The program, which runs from winter into spring, culminates in a final project showcase where you will present your accomplishments. Upon completion, you will receive a 30-hour certificate, gain valuable experience building a project, and explore potential data science careers with expert guidance.
4. AI4ALL Data Science & Machine Learning — University of Washington
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for students from traditionally underrepresented groups
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: September 8 – January 26
Application deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Rising high‑school juniors and seniors or first‑year college students; priority for students from underrepresented backgrounds; no prior coding experience required
AI4ALL’s program at the University of Washington is a 20‑week workshop that teaches you data science and machine learning fundamentals through the lens of fairness and accessibility. The remote program covers Python programming, geospatial information systems (GIS), and applied machine learning. You will work in teams to complete projects addressing real‑world problems and learn from mentors in academia and industry. Although this is not strictly a winter-only offering, its extended schedule through the winter months and strong focus on equity and applied data science make it relevant to this list.
5. Codingal Winter Coding Camp — Data Science Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $99
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: 6 sessions; dates vary by program type
Application deadline: Rolling (registration required); dates vary by program type
Eligibility: Ages 7–17
Codingal’s winter camp offers you short, intensive courses in Python, data science, and web development. Each data‑science course includes six 1‑hour sessions, and you receive personalized instruction in small groups or 1‑on‑1. The curriculum introduces you to foundational concepts such as data collection, data cleaning, data visualization, and basic machine learning. You will use a cloud‑based coding environment to complete hands‑on projects, such as analyzing simple datasets or predicting outcomes. At the end of the camp, you receive a certificate of completion and guidance on the next steps in coding and data science.
6. Online Research Academy — Drone Delivery For Retail: Assessing, Analyzing, & Predictive Modeling
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,295
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Program dates: January 28 – March 12
Application deadline: Apply by November 16 to receive $50 off the program fee
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and above
The Online Research Academy, run by NC State’s Global Training Initiative (GTI), is a 4‑week virtual research program that lets you select a topic of your interest, such as data science, and develop a mentor‑guided project. In the data science track, you’ll gain experience with literature reviews, hypothesis development, and report writing. You will finish with a proposal, a research paper, and a final presentation. Upon completion, you will also receive an instructor evaluation letter and a certificate of completion.
7. Wharton High School Data Science Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: Data released on February 2 | Virtual finals in April
Application deadline: December 3 – January 28
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18, grades 9-12; recommended completion of Algebra 1
The Wharton High School Data Science Competition is a free sports analytics challenge that invites you to analyze a comprehensive ice hockey dataset and make predictions based on your findings. You can work in teams to explore player performance metrics, team dynamics, and game outcomes, applying analytical techniques to uncover what drives success on the ice. Once the data is released on February 2, you’ll have a few weeks to build your models and prepare your submissions. You’ll develop skills in data analysis, prediction, and teamwork while working with data similar to what professional sports teams use. Top teams are recognized on the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative’s website, providing a valuable credential for your college applications.
8. Lead Mapping Project (Lawrence Hall of Science)
Location: Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Program dates: December 29, 30, 31, and January 2
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in grades 7-12
The Lead Mapping Project is held over the week between the winter holidays and New Year's Day, consisting of half-day sessions from 1–5 p.m. Participants use geospatial data and statistical tools to map lead distribution across neighborhoods in Alameda County. The program's curriculum includes training in data collection, mapping software, and methods for presenting scientific results to community stakeholders. A final report or presentation is required to summarize the findings and recommendations.
9. NYU GSTEM dataScience Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,500 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Program dates: February 3 – May 5
Application deadline: December 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; prerequisites include AP Computer Science and Precalculus
NYU’s GSTEM Data Science course is a 12‑week online program designed to prepare you for college‑level data‑science coursework. You’ll meet twice a week for lectures and lab sessions covering Python programming, data visualization, probability theory, and machine learning. You will develop a capstone project under the guidance of NYU faculty and teaching assistants, with a curriculum that emphasizes collaborative problem-solving. If you’re looking for a structured, credit‑bearing course, NYU’s GSTEM program is a strong choice among data science winter programs for high school students.
10. Cornell University – ILRST 2100 Introductory Statistics and Data Science
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,940 per credit | 4‑credit course: $7,760
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: January 2 – January 18
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students; prerequisite: introductory algebra
ILRST 2100 is Cornell University’s winter‑session course that introduces you to the fundamentals of statistics and data science. The curriculum focuses on exploring data visualization, effective data gathering methods, foundational probability theory, and the application of statistical inference through concepts like contingency tables and linear regression. The course encourages scientific thinking and utilizes real-world examples from various disciplines to demonstrate how data science informs decision-making. You’ll earn four college credits upon completion and receive an official Cornell transcript, making this a strong option among data science winter programs for high school students.
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