10 Free Online Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, free online summer programs can be a great way to explore the field without worrying about the location or costs of long-distance travel. These programs are designed to help students develop practical skills in areas such as coding, web development, AI, and cybersecurity. Along the way, you’ll also get the chance to connect with peers, learn from experts, and even work on passion projects that give you experience in the field. Many of these opportunities come from respected universities and organizations, so they carry real value for your learning and future goals.
To help you choose, we’ve rounded up 10 free online computer science summer programs for high school students.
1. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: CSSI programs usually run from June to August
Application Deadline: Varies by cycle
Eligibility: High school seniors intending to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program in the US or Canada in computer science or a related field
The Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a free, 3- to 4-week program designed for graduating high school seniors who plan to major in computer science or related fields. Hosted virtually and occasionally at select Google campuses, CSSI provides students with an intensive introduction to computer science and software engineering. Participants gain hands-on experience with programming languages such as Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript, while also working on collaborative projects that culminate in a capstone presentation. In addition to technical training, the program emphasizes career and college readiness through workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities with Google engineers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts run in spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November), lasting 12–15 weeks
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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.
3. Kode with Klossy Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person at various locations
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 2-week summer camps between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13–18
If you're from a community typically underrepresented in STEM, Kode with Klassy could be a great option. It provides a free two-week coding camp aimed at making computer science more accessible to students of underrepresented genders. During the program, you’ll work in a collaborative environment while exploring one of four focused tracks: Web Development, Machine Learning, Mobile App Development, or Data Science. Each curriculum emphasizes both technical skills and the broader social and creative applications of technology.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year: Spring (March – June), Summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February)
Application Deadlines: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer Immersion Program Session 1: July 7 –18 | Immersion Program Session 2: July 28 – August 8 | Pathways Program: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Girls and non‑binary students entering grades 9‑11 for SIP; grades 9‑12 for Pathways; U.S. residents; no prior coding experience required
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a two-week live online course sponsored by leading tech companies, where you’ll learn game design, beginner-to-intermediate coding concepts, and UX design while networking with industry professionals. The Pathways Program runs for six weeks and allows you to explore fields like web development, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity at your own pace, while also connecting with peers and attending live events. Both tracks emphasize hands-on projects; you’ll code websites, apps, or games that tackle real-world issues, from climate change to cyberbullying.
6. Harvard CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Online via edX
Cost: Free. Certificate provided on paying a fee
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students
With this online computer science program, Harvard University offers you a basic introduction to computer science. Led by Professor David J. Malan and his teaching team, this program explores the core concepts of computer science and programming through practical problem sets and projects grounded in real-world topics, including cryptography, gaming, and biology. Over 12 weeks, you’ll explore algorithms, data structures, security, software engineering, and web development while coding in languages such as C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. You’ll complete nine problem sets and a final project, which provides a chance to demonstrate your skills in a self-designed application.
7. Code in Place - Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: At least 7 hours each week for 6 weeks starting April 21
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Open to high school students and beyond.
Stanford Code in Place is a free, six-week online coding program based on Stanford’s popular CS106A course, which introduces Python programming. You’ll learn the fundamentals of coding, from control flow and loops to graphics, lists, and dictionaries. Each week includes a section meeting with about 10 students led by a volunteer section leader. The program emphasizes hands-on work, such as assignments that involve building creative projects you can showcase in a portfolio hosted by Stanford.
8. MIT’s 6.0001: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python
Location: Virtual (MIT OpenCourseWare or edX)
Cost: Free; $75 for a paid certificate
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to high school students and beginners
MIT’s 6.0001 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python is a perfect starting point for students with little or no programming experience. While not a traditional summer program, this university-level robotics course for high school students provides a thorough introduction to computational thinking and problem-solving, with a focus on Python 3.5 as the primary programming language. Through engaging lessons and projects, you'll grasp essential concepts like algorithms, data structures, and abstraction, while also building practical coding skills.
9. Stanford Online Computer Science 101
Location: Online; self-paced via edX
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to anyone with internet access; no prior computer science experience required
In this program, you’ll explore the core ideas behind how computers work, from basic hardware and software concepts to the logic of code, data structures, and the internet. The course mixes interactive coding exercises with lessons on digital media, computer security, and the fundamentals of networks. Taught by a senior lecturer in Stanford’s Computer Science department, the course aims to demystify computing while giving you practical skills in logical thinking and basic programming. While it’s not as community-based as live programs like Stanford’s Code in Place, CS101 is flexible and accessible to anyone looking to get started with computer science.
10. Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose - Princeton University
Location: Online via Coursera
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced; Suggested timeline is 2 months at 10 hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment, no deadline
Eligibility: Open to all learners; beginner-level, no prior programming experience required
This self-paced online course introduces you to the foundations of computer science using the Java programming language. You’ll start with essential concepts like variables, loops, arrays, and input/output before progressing to recursion, modular programming, and object-oriented design. The course is based on the textbook Computer Science: An Interdisciplinary Approach and covers the first half of its material, with a follow-up course available on Coursera for deeper study. You’ll complete 10 assignments that reinforce computational thinking and problem-solving, giving you hands-on experience in Java programming. The course also emphasizes how programming applies across disciplines, from the sciences to the humanities.
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