14 Online Winter Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student, an online winter program can give you the chance to learn new skills during a quieter season of the school year. Because they take place virtually, you don’t have to travel or rearrange your schedule too much; you can log in from home and still connect with mentors, professors, and peers. These programs are shorter than most summer options, but they still expose you to valuable academic work, research projects, and even industry experience.
Another advantage is that winter programs often have smaller cohorts, so you may receive more individual attention and feedback. They also let you test out subjects you’re curious about before committing to longer-term experiences in the summer, in fields such as computer science, business, or the arts. Prestigious universities and well-known organizations now run virtual winter sessions, making them even more accessible to you.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled this guide of 14 online winter programs for high school students, each picked to help you make progress without waiting until summer break. Some of the programs take place only in the winter, and some start in the winter and continue into early spring.
1. USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Contests held in December, January, and February
Application Deadline: None (register online before contests)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The USACO is a national computer programming competition that runs a series of online contests. You’ll solve algorithmic problems in C++, Java, or Python, moving through Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum divisions. Each contest happens virtually, and your scores determine advancement through levels. Because there is no fee to participate, the USACO is widely accessible, though reaching higher divisions requires strong problem-solving skills. Competing gives you a chance to sharpen your coding ability and demonstrate initiative in computer science.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts, during the summer, fall, spring, and winter (December - February)
Application Deadline: Rolling; winter cohorts: October 19 and November 30
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; AI Fellowship requires prior AI Scholars completion or Python knowledge
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers structured online programs in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars track introduces you to the fundamentals of AI through 10 sessions with hands-on coding projects. For more advanced students, the AI Fellowship pairs you 1:1 with mentors from top universities to build an independent project. You’ll even get support from Veritas AI’s in-house publication team to submit work to high school research journals. You can apply to the program here.
3. NSLI-Y Virtual
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None; fully funded by the U.S. Department of State
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Winter cohorts run from January onwards (exact dates TBD; availability varies year to year);
Application Deadline: October 22; varies yearly; more details here
Eligibility: High school students, 15-18, U.S. citizens
NSLI-Y Virtual is an online critical language program funded by the U.S. Department of State. Over 10 weeks, you’ll learn languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, or Russian from native-speaking instructors. The curriculum blends live instruction with cultural exchange activities, allowing you to practice real communication skills. This program can strengthen both your language proficiency and your college applications.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on cohort and track; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in the summer, fall, spring, and winter; Winter cohorts: December 8 and January 19 onwards for 10-12 weeks
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year; winter cohorts: November 16 and December 28
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3+
Lumiere connects you with a PhD mentor to complete an independent research project in subjects like psychology, economics, computer science, and more. You’ll work one-on-one with your mentor to design, research, and write a formal paper over 10-12 weeks, culminating in a full research paper that can be submitted to competitions or journals. The program also runs the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which fully funds students from low-income backgrounds, making this one of the more accessible online winter programs for high school students. You can find more details about the application here.
5. DECA Virtual Business Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free for registered DECA members
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all DECA chapters
Dates: Varies by round and track
Application Deadline: Register in the fall to compete in the winter rounds; exact dates vary
Eligibility: High school DECA members
The DECA Virtual Business Challenge lets you compete in online business simulations across fields like retail, finance, and entrepreneurship. You’ll work in a team to manage a virtual company, make decisions, and see the impact play out in real time. Top-performing teams qualify for the DECA International Career Development Conference. If you’re already involved in DECA, this challenge provides a practical way to apply your business knowledge outside the classroom.
6. Cornell University Pre-College Studies — Winter Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,940/credit; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: January 2 - 17
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising and current high school juniors and seniors, 15 - 19 years old
Cornell’s Precollege Studies program offers an online winter session where you can take credit-bearing courses alongside Cornell undergraduates. You’ll choose from subjects like business, biology, psychology, or computer science and complete a rigorous three-week course. Because the program awards official Cornell credit, your transcript will reflect your performance. Instructors are Cornell faculty, so you’re exposed to real college teaching standards. If you’re looking to challenge yourself in a short window of time, this online winter program for high school students is a great option.
7. Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation: Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI) — Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,150 includes application fee, tuition, and lab kit; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: January 20 – April 27
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing who have completed trigonometric functions and a full year of high school physics with labs
BMEI is an online, credit-bearing course offered by Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Over the span of about four months, you’ll learn biomedical engineering concepts while completing projects such as designing experiments and analyzing medical data. The course is graded and transcribed by Johns Hopkins, so successful completion earns you three university credits. Instruction combines asynchronous modules with live online sessions where you engage with faculty and peers. Students also complete a research-style paper at the end. If you’re considering bioengineering in college, this program gives you a rigorous academic preview.
8. Columbia University — Academic Year Weekend Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,810 per session; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: January 23–March 29
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Columbia’s Academic Year Immersion program lets you take online courses taught by Columbia faculty. Topics range from economics and business to STEM and creative writing. The courses are taught in small, interactive online classes, giving you closer access to instructors. You’ll gain college-level experience in a virtual environment while balancing your high school workload. Assignments include projects, essays, and presentations, all geared toward developing practical academic skills.
9. Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD) — Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary based on program type
Application Deadline: Varies based on program type
Eligibility: High school students; exact eligibility varies by program type and tier
Northwestern’s CTD offers online courses each winter for motivated high school students, where you can explore subjects like computer science, economics, biotechnology, or creative writing. Live weekly sessions are paired with assignments and projects you complete independently. They offer asynchronous Honors and AP courses with a flexible weekly schedule, requiring approximately 6–8 hours of instructor-guided independent work per week. CTD is accredited and issues high-school credit for passing grades; acceptance of that credit toward your local transcript is a school decision, so you should clear it with your counselor before enrolling. AP courses are College Board–authorized and aligned to current exam frameworks; many classes list prerequisites, so check the course page before you apply.
10. UC San Diego Extended Studies — Futures Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary based on program type
Application Deadline: Varies based on program type
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
The Futures program at UC San Diego Extended Studies offers online, career-oriented courses during the winter quarter. You’ll find options in engineering, business, life sciences, data analytics, and more. Each course runs on a weekly schedule with live instruction and independent assignments. Futures courses are designed to introduce you to college-level expectations while giving you practical career insights. This program is especially helpful if you want a lighter, affordable online experience during winter.
Disclaimer: The following programs are not limited to the winter season; they run year-round, but are included for the value they provide.
11. Technovation Girls
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: August - May
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Girls and young women ages 8–18
Technovation Girls is a global online program where you work in teams to design mobile apps or AI solutions that address community problems. You’ll have access to online curriculum modules, webinars, and mentorship from industry professionals. During the program, you’ll build a prototype and prepare a pitch that is submitted to Technovation’s global competition. Along the way, you’ll develop coding, entrepreneurship, and teamwork skills. While the program is open to all experience levels, it especially encourages girls interested in STEM fields to participate. Although not a traditional winter-only program, this is a very accessible option among online programs that can give your college applications a good boost.
12. Girls Who Code — Virtual Clubs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Clubs run during the school year, including January – March
Application Deadline: Rolling registration through the year
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students
Girls Who Code offers free virtual clubs where you can learn coding in a supportive environment. During the winter, you’ll meet online with peers and facilitators to work through projects in web design, app development, or data science. The clubs emphasize collaboration and community, making them especially welcoming to beginners. If you’re looking to explore coding without the pressure of a competitive program, this is a flexible option to consider.
13. Wharton Global Youth — Pre-baccalaureate
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Varies by program and cohort
Application Deadline: November 5 - varies by program and cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11, GPA 3.3+
The Wharton Pre-baccalaureate program allows you to take online undergraduate-level business courses taught by Wharton faculty. Over the spring term, you’ll earn Penn transcript credit in areas like economics, finance, and leadership. Because these are real Wharton courses, you’ll be graded alongside undergraduates, giving you a clear benchmark of college readiness. Classes meet live online and include assignments, group projects, and exams. If you’re interested in pursuing business or economics at the college level, this program is a solid option for online winter programs for high school students.
14. Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) — Online Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary based on cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohorts
Eligibility: High school students (exact prerequisites vary by course)
AoPS runs live online courses in advanced math and computer science. You can choose from subjects like number theory, contest math, or programming. Classes are taught by instructors experienced in preparing students for competitions such as AMC or USACO. Courses blend live lectures with interactive problem-solving and homework sets. If you’re looking to sharpen your math or CS skills during the school year, AoPS is a great option among online winter programs for high school students.
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