10 Programs That Teach Python to High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in programming, learning Python is often one of the most practical ways to start. Many structured programs introduce Python through guided projects and problem-solving exercises rather than just lectures. You typically begin with basic programming constructs (variables, loops, and functions) and gradually move on to building small applications, analyzing datasets, or automating tasks. Along the way, you develop skills such as debugging, algorithmic thinking, and writing clear, structured code.
Why should you learn Python in high school?
Python is widely used across fields like software development, data science, artificial intelligence, and scientific research, which is why many universities and introductory computer science courses use it as a starting language. Its readable syntax allows beginners to focus on computational thinking rather than complicated formatting rules.Learning Python in high school can make later coursework in computer science, engineering, or quantitative research much more approachable.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down 10 programs that teach Python to high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College: CS Scholars Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores who will be 16 years old by the program start date and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients
At Carnegie Mellon’s CS Scholars Program, you spend four weeks on campus studying core computer science concepts through Python-based coursework. You’ll work directly with Python to understand algorithms, data structures like lists and dictionaries, and structured problem-solving methods. Much of the learning happens through collaborative projects where you apply code to real computational challenges. Alongside programming, the schedule includes structured sessions on college readiness, financial aid, and academic planning. You’re expected to explain your design choices and present a final project to peers and instructors at the end of the program.
2. Discovery Partners Institute – Digital Scholars Program
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders; Preference is given to Black, Latine, women, gender expansive, and first-generation students throughout the Chicagoland area
The Digital Scholars Program places you in a college-level computing environment at Illinois Institute of Technology, where Python is used across applied tracks like data science and analytics. If you choose the Data Science Discovery track, you work with real datasets and use Python to clean, analyze, and interpret data. Other tracks explore software and hardware systems, giving you exposure to how programming fits into larger technical systems. The coursework is paired with workshops covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, and entrepreneurship. You also participate in networking sessions that introduce you to Chicago-based technology professionals and research environments.
3. MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free pre-requisite course; the summer program fee is zero for students with family income less than $150,000, and is $2,350 for other applicants.
Dates: Online Courses: Starts February 3 | In-person Summer Program: July 6 – August 1 or 2
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11, who live in the U.S. or will live in the U.S. during the program
MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute combines required Python preparation with an intensive, project-driven summer experience. Before arriving, you complete an online prerequisite course that introduces Python programming and foundational technical concepts. During the in-person portion, most learning happens through extended team projects. Depending on your track, you may use Python for machine learning, autonomous systems, or remote sensing data analysis. You’ll collaborate closely with peers while iterating on code, system design, and implementation strategies. Mentorship comes from MIT faculty, graduate students, and industry experts who guide technical decision-making. The program concludes with formal project presentations that document both your process and results.
4. NextGen Bootcamp – Python Data Science & AI Machine Learning Program NYC
Location: NYC
Cost: $2,195
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students
In this two-week New York City program, you begin by learning Python fundamentals and quickly move toward applied data science and machine learning tasks. You’ll work directly with widely used Python libraries such as Pandas, Matplotlib, and scikit-learn to analyze and visualize datasets. The experience is live and project-based, totaling approximately 45 hours across the program. As the course progresses, you apply Python to build models that reflect real data-driven problems. Course materials include workbooks, class recordings, and optional one-on-one support.
5. Columbia University Pre-College Summer Program – Introduction to Programming with Python
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY, or Online
Cost: $12,764 (Residential) | $4,017 (Online)
Dates: June 29 – July 7 (Summer A) | July 21 – August 7 (Summer B) | July 6 – 17 (Online)
Application deadline: March 2 (Residential) | April 2 (Online)
Eligibility: High school students; only students who are 15 years or older can apply to the Residential Program
Columbia’s Introduction to Programming with Python course focuses on building a structured understanding of Python as a general-purpose programming language. You’ll learn how Python handles data representation, storage, and control flow through guided instruction and coding exercises. Topics cover functions, scripts, data structures, and programming best practices. The course combines instructor-led lessons, group problem-solving, and individual coding exercises. Python is framed as a tool for applications such as data analysis, machine learning, and web development, without assuming prior experience. By the end of the session, you are expected to approach unfamiliar problems using Python-based logic and design.
6. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program – Introduction to Python for Scientists
Location: Harvard University campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee
Dates: July 20 – 31
Application deadline: Early: January 7 | Regular: February 11 | Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 20 and will not turn 19 before the end of July
This Harvard Pre-College course introduces Python as a computational tool used across scientific disciplines. Students learn how to write Python programs that analyze, visualize, and interpret data drawn from physics, chemistry, and biology examples. The curriculum covers variables, functions, control structures, and vital scientific computing libraries. It focuses on using Python to address real scientific questions rather than purely theoretical programming exercises. Attendance at every class and active participation in hands-on coding are expected.
7. Practical Programming – Intro to Python Programming
Location: NYC or online
Cost: $895
Dates: Available year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Practical Programming’s Intro to Python is a short, intensive course designed to introduce Python fundamentals in a compressed timeframe. Over two days, you learn Python syntax, programming logic, and how computers execute code. You’ll learn to work with a text editor, use the terminal, and write programs that iterate over datasets. You’ll also practice building scripts that solve everyday computational problems. The course emphasizes understanding how to think like a programmer. Class sizes are small, allowing for direct interaction with instructors.
8. Cornell University’s Pre-college Studies
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,940/credit
Dates: Summer and Winter sessions
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students
Cornell’s pre-college offers various Python courses throughout the year. The “Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling” course focuses on how programming supports data analysis and business decision-making. Participants learn how to design algorithms, manipulate structured and unstructured datasets, and apply Python to real-world business scenarios. The program introduces conditional logic, loops, functions, and core data structures, and uses Python libraries to analyze data and build basic models to address applied problems. Sessions are offered virtually during summer and winter terms.
9. DataCamp - Introduction to Python
Location: Virtual
Cost: $13/month for an individual subscription
Dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
DataCamp’s Introduction to Python is a self-paced virtual course designed for beginners with no prior coding experience. You’ll start by learning the basics of Python, including variables, data types, and lists, through interactive exercises. The course then introduces functions, methods, and external packages commonly used in Python workflows. You’ll also learn how NumPy arrays differ from standard lists and why they are essential for data analysis. Lessons are structured around short coding challenges with progress measured through applied exercises that reinforce each concept. The subscription-based format allows you to move through the material at your own pace while building foundational Python skills.
10. iD Tech Camps – Python Coding & AI Agents
Location: 65+ locations across the U.S., including MIT, Bentley University, UMass Amherst, and more
Cost: Starting at $1,199
Dates: Week-long camps between June and August
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17
At iD Tech’s Python Coding & AI Agents camp, you learn Python through small-group instruction with a strong emphasis on hands-on development. You’ll start with Python syntax, including loops, functions, and data structures, before integrating AI tools into your code. The curriculum introduces OpenAI-powered applications that embed chatbot functionality directly into Python programs. Projects include building console-based applications and custom AI agents that respond to user input. The program also covers discussions around AI ethics, privacy, and responsible design. Classes are capped at eight students per instructor, allowing for direct feedback throughout the week.
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