Tech programs in computer science, data science, and coding offer high schoolers valuable opportunities to build advanced skills and gain hands-on experience. By studying computer science, students learn the fundamentals of programming and software development, laying the groundwork for solving complex problems. Data science programs teach them to analyze and interpret data, crucial for making informed decisions in various fields. Coding courses enable students to create software and applications, fostering creativity and technical expertise. Engaging in these areas equips students with a robust skillset that prepares them for future academic and career pursuits in the tech industry. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Here are 13 tech programs for high school students!
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
2. The University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute Summer Lab
The DSI Summer Lab, offered by the University of Chicago, is a 10-week, paid research program designed for high school and undergraduate students. The program emphasizes applied, interdisciplinary data science research. Participants will be paired with mentors across various domains such as data science, computer science, and climate and energy policy. The mentorship will focus on research methodologies, practices, and collaboration skills. Students will gain proficiency in fundamental data science techniques and receive specialized training relevant to their chosen application areas. The program concludes with a professional presentation of research findings through videos created by the participants, followed by a conference-style Q&A session with peers.
Location: University of Chicago Campus, IL
Cost: No cost; stipend provided ($6,000)
Application Deadline: TBD.
Program Dates: Typically ten weeks from July to August.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, and math) is preferred.
3. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest.You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
4. University of Washington’s A14ALL
Hosted by the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology at the University of Washington, A14ALL is a 2-week introductory course on data science and artificial intelligence. The course covers understanding, analyzing, and interpreting real-world applications of data science and machine learning, with an emphasis on evaluating impactful technology decisions. The program prioritizes small-group discussions to facilitate learning and dialogue.
It also includes a focus on anti-bias in AI, examining non-ableist AI practices through a disability studies perspective to address issues of bias and fairness. The course is designed to be relevant not only for students pursuing STEM majors but also for those interested in interdisciplinary applications of data science and the ethical considerations of technology use.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Application Deadline: Typically in April. You may inquire at [email protected]
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks in August.
Eligibility: Students must be rising juniors, seniors, or recently graduated. Must be from an underrepresented background
5. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS) Program
CS4CS is a four-week summer program designed for NYC high school students to explore computer science and cybersecurity. Participants will engage with foundational concepts in cybersecurity, including white-hat hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, privacy, and data management. The curriculum covers technologies for detecting and mitigating cyber threats, methods for tracing threats to their origins, coding techniques, and the application of ciphers in network security. This program provides a comprehensive introduction to the tools and practices used in the field of cybersecurity.
Location: New York University (New York, NY)
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: April 14
Program dates: July 8 to August 2
Eligibility: Rising high school students in grades 9,10, 11, and 12 who are New York City residents.
6. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
The Clark Scholars Program is a competitive seven-week summer residential program that admits 12 students per cohort. Participants receive a $750 stipend upon completion. The program offers students the opportunity to select a research area and receive one-on-one mentorship from Texas Tech faculty. Students may choose between tracks in Computer Science or Electrical and Computer Engineering. Notable past research projects include Sonnet Xu’s “An Interactive 3D Visualization Tool for Dynamic Synaptic Networks” and Anqi Hu’s “Optimal GPU Frequency Selection: Using Workload-Unique Power and Performance Predictions.” View the list of past research projects here.
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Cost: Fully funded, stipend of $750 provided.
Application deadline: February 15
Program dates: June 16 to August 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program’s start date (they can be either rising high school seniors or have recently graduated high school)
7. UC San Diego Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
REHS is a student outreach program administered by the UC San Diego Supercomputer Center designed to introduce high school students to computer science and its applications across various research disciplines. Participants can select between two types of projects: non-research and research. Non-research projects involve internships at the Supercomputer Center, focusing on hands-on learning experiences. Research projects entail working directly with a mentor, typically a faculty member, to assist with their ongoing research.
Location: University of California San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Cost: Fully funded.
Application deadline: Typically in May
Program dates: Typically from June to August
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10,11, or 12 living in Southern California. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by June 15
8. Beaver Works Summer Institute at MIT
The Beaver Works Summer Institute, sponsored by MIT’s School of Engineering and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, offers a project-based educational experience focused on technology and artificial intelligence. This program includes both virtual courses and in-person summer sessions. Last year’s course offerings featured topics such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, Quantum Software, and Serious Game Development with AI. According to alumni, the program is accessible to individuals with minimal coding background, and the projects completed can significantly enhance college applications.
Location: Virtual/ Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Program Dates: Typically 4 weeks in summer
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
9. Carnegie Mellon’s CS Scholars Pre-College Program
Rising high school juniors are eligible to apply for CS Scholars, a four-week residential program at Carnegie Mellon University. The program involves studying college-level coursework, including Python programming, data structures, algorithmic components, and problem-solving techniques. Additionally, sessions will cover aspects of preparing for college admissions, such as writing personal statements, applying for financial aid, and preparing a portfolio. Exceptional participants may receive an invitation to apply for the AI Scholars program, which is designed for high school seniors and is fully funded.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Cost: Fully funded
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: June 22 to July 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors. You must be a sophomore when submitting your application.
10. Changemakers in Computing (CIC)
The University of Washington’s CIC program is a four-week educational initiative designed to introduce high school students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to the basics of computer science and engineering. The program is delivered by the university’s undergraduate and graduate students. The curriculum encompasses coding, problem-solving, and includes coursework on ethics in technology.
Location: University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
Cost: Fully funded. A stipend of $1,500 is provided at the end of the program. Financially deserving students get an additional $250 gift card for meals.
Application deadline: April 3
Program dates: July 8 to August 4
Eligibility: All high school students
11. Academy for all with UT Computer Science
The Academy for All, offered by UT Computer Science, is a week-long residential program focused on the fundamentals of computer science. Conducted by UT faculty, the program includes coding instruction, career exploration in technology, interactions with industry professionals, and guidance on college applications.
There are two cohorts available, running in June and July:
- Standard Edition: Covers coding with C++ and utilizes the Arduino microcontroller for developing an LED light display.
- Machine Learning Edition: Focuses on coding with Python and involves coding and training a machine learning model.
Location: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
Cost: Fully funded. Also offers need-based scholarships of up to $500 to cover students’ cost of transport to and from the university campus.
Application deadline: January 7
Program dates: June 9–15 and July 7–13
Eligibility: Rising high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12
12. Wharton Global Youth’s Data Science Academy
Wharton’s Data Science Academy is a summer program for high school students, conducted by full-time professors from Wharton. The curriculum includes fundamental data science techniques such as data visualization and data wrangling, as well as contemporary machine learning methodologies. Participants apply these concepts through individual projects, which are presented to peers at the conclusion of the program. Additionally, students interact with Wharton undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants, who provide insights into studying data science at the university level.
Location: Wharton Campus, Philadelphia
Cost: $9,099 (Scholarships available)
Application Deadline: TBD.
Program Dates: Typically between July and August.
Eligibility: Must be in grades 10–11. Must have a strong background in math, coding, and data analytics (Note. Previous understanding of statistics is preferred). Must have a minimum of 3.3 unweighted GPA.
13. Syracuse University’s Data Visualization and Analysis Course
Syracuse University offers a hands-on course focused on transforming raw data into visual representations. The course covers data capture methods, assessment of data quality, and data cleaning techniques. Participants will use tools such as Microsoft Excel and Tableau, and engage in discussions on dashboard design principles and the selection of appropriate charts.
Throughout the three-session course, students will learn how to approach an unknown dataset, visually explore the data, and prepare it for analysis through data cleanup. Basic statistical methods will be applied to extract insights, and students will practice presenting data to stakeholders to facilitate informed decision-making. In addition to lectures, the course includes afternoon group activities and lab sessions for practical application of the concepts learned.
Location: Syracuse University Campus, NY
Cost: $2,020 (Residential), $1,543 (Commuter)
Application Deadline: Typically in May.
Program Dates: Typically in July.
Eligibility: Students must be rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates.
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