13 Online Coding Camps for High School Students
Online coding camps can be a convenient option if you want to explore programming and technology during high school. These programs introduce you to topics such as programming languages, software development, artificial intelligence, and data science through structured lessons and guided assignments. You can study from home while building coding skills and learning the concepts commonly used in computer science.
What are the benefits of a coding camp?
Coding camps are typically short and focused programs that help you learn programming concepts in a structured format over a few weeks. You may study topics such as Python programming, web development, artificial intelligence, or game design while completing coding exercises and technical assignments. These programs also give you the chance to interact with instructors and peers who share your interest in technology and computer science.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down 13 online coding camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM research programs, check out our blog here.
1. Girls Who Code Pathways
Location: Virtual; Optional in-person Industry Immersion Days are available for students in select cities
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 29 - August 14 (7-week flexible program)
Application Deadline: Early Application: February 25; General Application: April 10
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students
Pathways is a free, year-round virtual program offered by Girls Who Code that helps high school students build foundational computer science and problem-solving skills while exploring careers in technology. You’ll choose from curriculum tracks including game design, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and web development, completing hands-on projects at your own pace over 6-7 weeks. The program also features a vibrant online community hosted on Discord, where you’ll collaborate, attend advisor-led workshops, and participate in career panels. While Pathways runs as a flexible, multi-week virtual program rather than a traditional short-term summer camp, it earns its place through its structured curriculum, hands-on projects, and intensive, community-driven learning model. Pathways emphasises skill-building, community, and professional exposure while supporting you from diverse, historically underrepresented backgrounds.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High School Students
Veritas AI is a fully online enrichment program designed for those interested in computer science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Founded and run by graduate students and alumni from top institutions such as Harvard University, the program introduces you to core AI and ML concepts, including Python programming, neural networks, image classification, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis. You’ll apply their learning through hands-on, project-based work, either in small collaborative groups or through one-on-one mentorship with experienced instructors. The curriculum emphasises both technical depth and real-world application, allowing you to build practical skills and meaningful projects. By the end of the program, you’ll gain a strong foundation in AI/ML and exposure to research- and industry-relevant workflows, making Veritas AI a solid option for those considering advanced study or careers in technology.
3. Code in Place
Location: Online (Stanford University)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Starts April 20
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to learners worldwide with no prior programming experience who can commit at least 7 hours per week
Code in Place is a free, introductory computer programming course offered by Stanford University that teaches the first half of Stanford’s flagship Python course, CS106A. Designed for beginners from all academic backgrounds, the program focuses on fundamental programming concepts such as control flow, variables, graphics, lists, and dictionaries using Python. You’ll learn through recorded Stanford lecture videos and complete creative, project-based assignments that emphasise building from scratch. A defining feature of Code in Place is its small-group learning model, with one trained volunteer section leader supporting approximately ten students in weekly live sections. Those who complete the course build a shareable coding portfolio hosted by Stanford, gaining both technical skills and experience in collaborative, community-centred learning.
4. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual (global); select in-person locations to be announced
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: 2-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens aged 13 - 18; no prior coding experience required
This intensive two-week program empowers underrepresented genders in the technology sector through hands-on technical education. You’ll choose from four specialised pathways: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, or Data Science. Depending on the track, you’ll work with industry-standard tools and languages such as Swift, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. Beyond technical skills, the curriculum emphasises UI/UX design, algorithmic bias, and data visualisation. Each scholar works toward a final project, such as a functional iOS app or a trained chatbot, which they present at the end of the session. The program also prioritises community building, connecting you with a vast network of peers and mentors to support your future endeavours in STEM
5. Code Super Powers Summer Tech Camps
Location: Virtual and In-Person at Bowie State University, MD
Cost: $295 – $350 per week; full and partial scholarships are available; virtual options available at a lower cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Virtual camps: Weekly from June 8 – August 21 | In-person sessions: July 13 – 17, July 20 – 24, July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Early bird discount ends March 31; $50 deposit to hold your spot
Eligibility: Students aged 7 - 17; programs range from beginner to advanced skill levels
This summer program offers a versatile range of technology tracks designed to turn you from passive consumers into active creators. You can explore specialised pathways such as Roblox game development, Minecraft modding, and AI-powered innovation, using tools like Python, JavaScript, and Lua. The curriculum emphasises hands-on learning, where you’ll build real-world projects like 3D games, custom digital art, or automated programs. Beyond technical coding, the camp integrates design, animation, and storytelling, allowing you to bring characters to life through block-based logic. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your final projects, reflecting the skills you have developed in high-demand technical fields.
6. Coding in Python I
Location: Online (Zoom) or in-person at the UW Seattle campus
Cost: Online: $895 | In-person: $995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Online: June 29 – July 10, July 27 – August 7 | In-person (UW Seattle): July 13 – 24, July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Incoming 9th - 12th grade students; no prior programming experience required
Coding in Python I is an introductory computer science course offered by the University of Washington through its Youth & Teen Programs. The course introduces you to Python, one of the most widely used programming languages in industry, with applications in artificial intelligence, web development, and data science. You’ll learn core programming concepts, including variables, conditionals, loops, functions, lists, dictionaries, debugging techniques, and file handling. Although offered as a course, this program’s short, intensive structure and project-based curriculum mirror the experience of a traditional coding camp. The course culminates in a final project in which you’ll design and build your own text-based game.
7. Mobile Coding for Apps and Games (Create & Learn)
Location: Online (Live)
Cost: $395.91; discounts and trial classes available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: small groups of 2 - 3 students per class
Dates: 12 weeks course; multiple start dates available; Year-round offerings
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 - 10; prior experience with Scratch or familiarity with loops, conditionals, and variables recommended
Mobile Coding for Apps and Games is a live online course offered by Create & Learn that teaches you how to design and build mobile apps using Thunkable, a professional block-based programming platform. Through small-group, instructor-led sessions, you’ll learn to design app layouts and user interfaces, handle events and user input, and integrate mobile device features such as cameras, sensors, and touch screens. As the course progresses, you’ll build increasingly complex applications, including games, image-recognition projects, and multi-user apps. The curriculum also introduces advanced concepts such as cloud variables, data storage, authentication, and basic networking using tools like Firebase and Airtable.
8. Coding in Java I
Location: Online (Zoom) or in-person at the UW Seattle campus
Cost: $895 (online) or $995 (in-person), plus a nonrefundable $50 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Online: June 29 – 10 | In-person (UW Seattle): July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Incoming 9th - 12th grade students; no prior programming experience required
Coding in Java I is an introductory computer science course offered by the University of Washington through its Youth & Teen Programs. The course introduces you to Java, a widely used programming language foundational to AP Computer Science and many college-level computer science courses. You’ll learn core programming concepts such as variables, objects, expressions, conditionals, loops, and control structures, while developing strong problem-solving and logical thinking skills. Instruction emphasises best practices for writing, organising, and understanding code, making the skills transferable to other languages such as Python, Ruby, and C++. Upon completion, you’ll earn a Youth & Teen Programs digital badge that can be shared on college applications, resumes, and professional profiles.
9. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Online or In-person at Stanford University, CA
Cost: Online program: $4,120 | Residential program: $9,800 | Need-based financial aid available (full and partial)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Online: June 15 – 26 | Residential: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Admissions: February 6 | Financial Aid: February 13
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students who will be between 14 and 16 years old during the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a competitive artificial intelligence program run by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies in partnership with the Stanford Institute for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence. You’ll engage in live lectures, industry demonstrations, collaborative research projects, and career-focused workshops while learning alongside peers from around the world. You are placed into one of four research project groups: Computer Vision, Medical AI, Natural Language Processing, or Robotics, and work closely with mentors, including graduate students and AI practitioners. The curriculum emphasises both foundational AI concepts and the ethical, human-centred implications of emerging technologies.
10. CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and In-Person at the University of Southern California, CA
Cost: Virtual: $200 | In-person: $600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Virtual classes have 5–8 students
Dates: Virtual Sessions: Run in 2-week blocks (typically spanning July to early August) | In-Person Sessions: Run in 1-week blocks (typically spanning late June through July
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades K - 12
CS@SC Summer Coding Camps are offered by the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s K–12 STEM Center and provide students with hands-on exposure to computer science topics not typically covered in standard school curricula. Through virtual and in-person formats, you’ll explore programming fundamentals, web development, game design, mobile app development, cybersecurity, robotics, and drones. Camps emphasise project-based learning, collaboration, and small-group instruction led by USC staff and trained teaching assistants. Virtual programs run over two weeks with daily sessions, while in-person camps take place over one immersive week on USC’s main campus. The program also serves as an entry point into USC Viterbi’s broader K–12 engineering and computer science initiatives.
11. CodeWizardsHQ: Game Development with Unreal Editor for Fortnite
Location: Online (live virtual classes)
Cost: $499
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple session start dates between June and August; 1-week camp)
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 11 - 18; beginners welcome (students should be familiar with the Fortnite game)
Game Development with Unreal Editor for Fortnite is a beginner-friendly summer coding camp offered by CodeWizardsHQ that introduces you to professional game development using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). Over the course of one week, you’ll design and build your own custom Fortnite game, creating maps, enemies, characters, and objectives from scratch. The program emphasises core game design principles, spatial modelling, and interactive mechanics within a real-world game engine used by industry professionals. You’ll gain hands-on experience navigating Unreal Engine tools while learning how gameplay systems are structured and implemented. By the end of the camp, you’ll complete a fully playable Fortnite experience and develop skills that enable you to continue creating games independently.
12. Computer Science Summer Certificate Program
Location: Live online
Cost: $3,095 (early bird discount applied; original price $3,395) Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8 - 15 students
Dates: Multiple sessions between late June and August; 4 - 6 week formats available
Application Deadline: Self-paced
Eligibility: High school students; beginners welcome (no prior programming experience required)
Over 95 hours of project-based instruction, you’ll learn programming in both Java and Python while developing problem-solving and algorithmic thinking skills. The curriculum is structured to help you prepare for AP Computer Science and introductory college-level coursework, while also introducing concepts in data science and machine learning. Though structured as a certificate program rather than a typical camp, its live instruction, condensed schedule, and project-heavy format make it comparable to an intensive online coding camp. The program features live instructor-led classes, small-group learning, access to class recordings, and a 1-on-1 bonus training session. Those who complete the program earn a verified digital certificate of completion that can be shared for academic or professional purposes.
13. HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Virtual (Hosted via edX)
Cost: Free to audit; an optional paid fee for a verified certificate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: February 1 - June 30 (Self-paced)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students; no prior programming experience or specific grade level required
This entry-level course introduces you to the foundational principles of computer science and the logic of programming. You’ll begin by thinking algorithmically to solve complex problems, transitioning from visual, block-based coding to languages such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. The curriculum covers essential technical concepts, including data structures, encapsulation, resource management, and web development. Throughout the term, you’ll engage with problem sets inspired by real-world fields such as biology, finance, and forensics. The program culminates in a final programming project where you’ll design and implement an original application to present to the global community.
Image source - Stanford Logo