11 AI Programs for High School Students in Boston
If you’re a high school student interested in artificial intelligence, exploring AI programs early can give you a strong head start in one of the fastest-growing fields today. AI programs often combine projects with mentorship from researchers, graduate students, or industry professionals, helping you build practical skills while understanding how intelligent systems are designed and applied. As a participant, you may work with real datasets, learn programming languages like Python, and explore areas such as machine learning, neural networks, and data science.
Why should you attend a program in Boston?
Boston and its surrounding areas offer access to a dense network of universities, research institutions, and technology-focused organizations that shape many AI programs available to high school students. You may participate in coursework, research experiences, or project-based learning environments connected to institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern, even if the program is located in nearby cities within the broader Boston area. This setting can help you understand how artificial intelligence is studied and applied across academic and professional contexts, while interacting with peers who share similar interests.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 11 AI programs for high school students in Boston.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Northeastern University - Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are permanent residents of Massachusetts and are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) at Northeastern University is a selective, six-week summer research program that offers high school students hands-on experience across a range of STEM fields. During the program, you are placed in a university lab where you work alongside faculty and graduate mentors on active research projects, including areas such as computer engineering, data modeling, or systems research. You gain exposure to real-world research workflows, including data analysis, experimentation, and technical problem-solving. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars, industry site visits, and career exploration sessions that provide insight into STEM pathways.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. 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, run by Harvard graduate students, offers structured programs for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence. If you’re just starting out, the AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces core concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science through hands-on, real-world projects. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase pairs you with mentors from top universities for one-on-one guidance on an independent AI project. The program also includes support from a publication team to help you submit your work to high school research journals, while allowing you to explore AI applications across fields like finance, healthcare, sports, and environmental science.
3. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston/Cambridge, MA
Cost: No cost for qualifying families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4-week summer program (July – August)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. high school student, reside in the U.S. during the program, and be no higher than a junior (11th grade)
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a highly selective, project-based summer program that allows high school students to work on advanced STEM topics, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Over four intensive weeks, you will collaborate in teams to solve real-world engineering and computing challenges, often involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and data-driven decision-making. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, where participants apply coding, algorithms, and systems thinking to build and test working solutions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school, demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research experience for high school students that offers personalized, one-on-one mentorship from Ph.D. researchers. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. Over the course of the program, you’ll develop and execute an independent research project, strengthening your analytical and research skills. By the end, you’ll produce a full-length research paper that reflects your ability to conduct in-depth academic work.
5. Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students selected
Dates: 6-week summer program (June – August)
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is one of the most prestigious summer research programs for high school students worldwide. Over six weeks, you will engage in an intensive academic and research experience that begins with advanced STEM coursework and transitions into independent research projects. Students are placed in laboratories across MIT and the Boston research ecosystem, where they work under the mentorship of scientists and researchers. Depending on their interests, participants may explore fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, biology, or engineering, gaining hands-on experience in real-world problem-solving.
6. Harvard Pre-college Programs (AI courses)
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program and the number of courses selected
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: 2-week (Pre-College), 4-week or 7-week (Secondary School Program); check dates here
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 10–12), typically ages 16–18; open to domestic and international students
Harvard Summer School’s High School Programs offer students the opportunity to take college-level courses at one of the world’s leading universities. You can choose from a range of subjects, including computer science, data science, and AI-related courses. Participants experience a rigorous academic environment, attending lectures taught by Harvard-affiliated instructors and engaging in coursework that mirrors undergraduate study. The program concludes with a final project, which may take the form of a presentation, collaborative assignment, or research paper, depending on your course. This project lets you put your learning into practice, whether by building a machine learning model, designing an AI-based application prototype, or exploring the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence in depth.
7. MIT THINK Scholars
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA + remote project work
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Finalists are announced in February, and projects are completed by that year’s summer in June
Application Deadline: January 1
Eligibility: All high school students can apply as individuals or in teams of two
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a highly selective research competition that supports high school students in developing original STEM project ideas, including those in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Instead of requiring a completed project, the program asks you to submit a detailed research proposal outlining an innovative solution to a real-world problem. Selected finalists receive funding (up to $1,000), mentorship from MIT students, and guidance to execute their project over several months. The experience includes regular check-ins, technical support, and, in some cases, an all-expenses-paid visit to MIT to present your work. It is particularly well-suited for students with strong, self-driven ideas who want to explore AI or advanced tech through independent research.
8. Harvard University’s ‘AI Bootcamp’
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Regular pricing is $795, and Final Priority pricing is $995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with strong mathematical skills, preferably including calculus, and mandatory proficiency in Python programming, with age-related exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Harvard Computer Society AI Bootcamp is a short, intensive program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Taught by Harvard students and researchers, the bootcamp compresses core AI concepts such as neural networks, deep learning, and generative AI into a fast-paced, 5-day format. During the program, you engage in hands-on coding sessions and build a mini-project that applies AI techniques to real-world problems. The curriculum also includes discussions on current AI research and its practical applications, helping you understand how these technologies are used today.
9. AI Foundations Program – IBM x ISTE
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in learning the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and data science; no prior coding experience required
The IBM SkillsBuild Artificial Intelligence (AI Foundations) course is a beginner-friendly online program that introduces students to the core concepts of artificial intelligence. Developed in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the course covers topics such as machine learning, real-world AI applications, and the ethical implications of AI systems. The program also includes a hands-on design challenge in which students apply their learning to create an AI-based solution to a real-world problem. Along the way, participants explore career pathways in AI and develop critical thinking skills related to emerging technologies.
10. Elements of AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Available year-round; self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students; no prior coding experience required
Elements of AI is a globally recognized online course that introduces learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in an accessible, beginner-friendly format. Developed by the University of Helsinki in collaboration with MinnaLearn, the program breaks down complex AI concepts into easy-to-understand modules covering topics such as machine learning, neural networks, and the societal impact of AI. Unlike traditional coding-heavy programs, this course focuses on conceptual understanding, allowing students to grasp how AI systems work without requiring a technical background.
11. Kode With Klossy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens ages 13–18
Kode With Klossy is a free, two-week coding camp designed to introduce high school students from underrepresented genders to computer science and emerging tech fields. Founded by model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, the program offers structured tracks such as web development, mobile app development, data science, and machine learning. During the camp, you work on hands-on projects such as building apps, websites, or AI-driven solutions while learning programming languages like JavaScript, Python, or Swift. With mentorship from experienced instructors and exposure to industry speakers, the program combines technical learning with community-building. It is especially well-suited for beginners looking to explore AI and coding in a supportive, collaborative environment.
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