10 Free Summer Coding Programs for High School Students
Summer gives high school students the chance to learn new skills and explore programs, including those offered by top colleges. If you’re interested in tech, data science, or coding, participating in coding programs for high school students provides you with practical skills, connections, and the opportunity to learn about technology without incurring significant expenses. These opportunities can also provide valuable exposure in the tech industry.
Including coding programs for high school students on your resume can help strengthen your college applications and help you identify your interests within tech. In this blog, we’ve curated a list of 10 free or fully-funded summer coding programs for high school students!
1. CS50x by Harvard University
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: None
CS50x by Harvard University is a self-paced course, making it ideal for high school students looking to explore programming on their schedule. It covers essential concepts like algorithms, data structures, and web development, and introduces learners to coding in C, Python, and SQL.
Designed for beginners and those with some experience, CS50x offers a strong foundation in computer science through a challenging yet accessible format. As a participant, you will complete real-world problem sets that test your analytical and coding skills. This course is an excellent way for you to explore rigorous college-level computer science content at your own pace.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; Deadlines vary based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: $2,290 onwards; 100% financial aid available
The Veritas AI Scholars Program offers coding programs for high school students looking to get into the world of artificial intelligence through hands-on, project-based learning. As a participant, you will be paired with mentors from top universities and gain practical experience by working on real-world AI applications. You can either participate in the AI Scholars program or the AI Fellowship program. During the programs, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of AI and the ethical side of AI, encouraging you to think critically about how technology impacts society. It offers 100% financial aid to students who need it.
3. Google’s Code Next
Location: Oakland, CA; Inglewood, CA; Chelsea, NY; Detroit, MI
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by program, but the Launch summer program typically runs for several weeks during the summer.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in July
Eligibility: Students in 9th through 12th grade who are at least 13 years old
Cost/Stipend: None
Google’s Code Next provides high school students with access to a free, immersive computer science curriculum in select locations across the U.S. Students must apply to join one of the four Code Next Labs and, once accepted, can participate in programs such as Launch (a summer-intensive) and Team Edge (a year-round program).
Code Next emphasizes practical, project-based learning; you will work on tasks such as programming simple games, building basic robots, or creating 3D-printed objects like chess sets. The program also includes mentorship from Google employees, offering support in both technical areas and general academic growth. In addition to coursework, you can join interest-based clubs in areas like AI, game design, or robotics. Leadership and college prep components are built into the structure, helping you prepare for future opportunities.
4. Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record
Cost/Stipend: None
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program allows high school students to explore and understand advanced topics in computer science. In this program, you will work one-on-one with PhD-level mentors to design and carry out your research projects. You will build skills in areas like coding, data interpretation, and presenting technical work. Alongside mentorship, you will learn how to structure academic writing and communicate complex ideas. It is fully funded for selected applicants, making it an accessible opportunity for ambitious students from diverse backgrounds.
5. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Cambridge, MA (MIT campus)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July to August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong STEM backgrounds
Cost/Stipend: None
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a challenging, four-week academic program designed for high school students passionate about science, technology, and engineering. As a participant, you will dive into advanced topics such as self-driving cars, cybersecurity, and machine learning through an applied, hands-on learning model.
The program encourages you to solve real-world problems by combining classroom instruction with collaborative team projects. You’ll also gain additional technical and practical knowledge by working with the faculty of MIT. The program is a good option for those eager to explore STEM concepts in a research-driven environment.
6. Girls Who Code: Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective. Varies annually
Dates: Mid-June to early August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: 9th-11th grade girls and non-binary students
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 needs-based grant for U.S. students
Girls Who Code is a free 2-week virtual Summer Immersion Program for high school girls and non-binary students. As a participant, you will learn web development, design, and computer science principles through project-based learning. The program also gives you the chance to learn game design in live virtual classrooms while making friends and gaining practical college and career advice from industry leaders. You’ll also get access to mentorship from women in tech and join a supportive alumni network.
7. CodeDay Labs
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 25
Application Deadline: Late April
Eligibility: High school and college students with programming experience
Cost/Stipend: None
CodeDay Labs is a remote summer program that gives high school and college students to work on real open-source software projects in a team setting. It’s structured like an internship, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in programming, debugging, and using tools like Git and GitHub. You will be matched with mentors from tech companies who support you through weekly check-ins and code reviews.
The program emphasizes collaboration, professional communication, and learning by doing. It aims to help students get a stronger understanding of how software development works in a professional environment.
8. Kode With Klossy
Location: Various cities across the U.S. and virtual options
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students aged 13-18; No previous CS experience required
Cost/Stipend: None
Kode With Klossy offers free coding programs for high school students, including a two-week summer camp for young women and gender expansive youth between the ages of 13 and 18. The program was established by model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss. It introduces students to coding languages such as Ruby, JavaScript, and Swift, while also guiding them with their tech projects. The curriculum is rigorous, approachable, and allows you to build confidence as you learn. The educators of KWK create a powerful experience for scholars through training and support.
9. freeCodeCamp
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Open to all
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free
FreeCodeCamp is a self-paced, entirely virtual platform that offers coding education through hands-on projects and tutorials. As a participant, you can work through certifications in areas like responsive web design, data analysis, machine learning, and JavaScript algorithms. The curriculum is project-based and includes real-world challenges that help students build a portfolio. There’s also a large online community forum where learners can seek help and share progress. It’s a flexible option for high school students exploring computer science independently.
10. Codecademy
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Open to all
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free basic access; Pro version available for a fee
Codecademy is an online learning platform that offers interactive coding lessons in languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and SQL. High school students can explore computer science fundamentals, web development, data science, and more through structured pathways. The platform includes quizzes, real-time feedback, and hands-on coding exercises.
While the basic version is free, a paid Pro version provides access to advanced content, career paths, and certificates. It's a flexible resource for self-motivated learners looking to build practical coding skills at their own pace.
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