10 Computer Science (CS) Summer Programs for Middle School Students
Participating in computer science summer programs when in middle school is a great way to develop computer science skills, gain early exposure to technology fields, and collaborate with peers in hands-on projects. These programs offer a structured environment where you can learn coding, explore artificial intelligence, and understand real-world applications of CS concepts. Computer science summer programs for high school students are beneficial as you can gain all the experience without the high cost of traditional pre-college courses.
If you are curious about computer science, artificial intelligence, and programming, early exposure can spark lifelong interest and help build a strong foundation for high school and beyond. Some computer science summer programs for high school students are hosted by prestigious institutions and research organizations, making them highly valuable learning experiences. To help you find the best options, we’ve compiled a list of 10 top computer science summer programs for middle school students for you to check out.
1. Computer Science – Cornell University
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $1,500 enrollment deposit + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Rolling
Early deadline: December 16
Regular deadline I: January 28
Regular deadline II: March 25
Program Dates: July 13 – August 1 (3 weeks)
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6 – 8)
The Computer Science program at Cornell University is a three-week summer course designed for middle school students who want to explore the fundamentals of computer science and technology. You will gain hands-on experience in software and hardware development, learning essential coding concepts that can be applied to app development, web design, and video game creation.
The program also covers structured data, digital media, and Internet technology, providing a well-rounded introduction to the field of computer science. This program is an excellent opportunity for you to develop foundational coding skills and gain exposure to the world of technology.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $1,990 (Need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort. February 23 for the spring cohort
Program Dates: The spring cohort starts in March
Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Summer cohort: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays only)
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6 – 8); no prior experience required
The Veritas AI Trailblazers Program is a structured virtual AI course designed for middle school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. This 25-hour program introduces you to Python programming, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you will receive personalized instruction and project guidance. You can apply your knowledge through AI-driven projects, such as building machine-learning models for music classification or developing AI-based recommendation systems. This program provides a hands-on introduction to AI, making it an excellent starting point for you if you are interested in coding, machine learning, and real-world applications of AI.
3. Berkeley Coding Academy Summer Programs
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: From $2,079 (Early enrollment discounts available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 14 – August 1 (Core Program); additional AI modules extend to August 8
Eligibility: Ages 12-14 and 15-18; prior Python experience recommended but not required
The Berkeley Coding Academy Summer Programs offer online coding courses designed for students aged 12-18. These programs focus on computer programming, game development, web design, and robotics, integrating creativity, teamwork, and analytical skills into the learning experience.
You will gain hands-on experience with programming languages like Python and Java, working on engaging projects under expert guidance. The academy emphasizes problem-based learning, developing your technological capabilities relevant to future careers in computer science and engineering. This program strengthens your coding skills, explores software development, and helps you gain exposure to real-world technology applications.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $2,400 (Need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; the summer cohort deadlines are:
Early Admission – February 9
Priority Admission – March 9
Regular Admission I – April 13
Regular Admission II – May 11
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The summer cohort starts on June 2
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6 – 8) with a strong academic interest
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is a selective research experience for middle school students interested in AI and data science. As a participant, you will work one-on-one with PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale, developing custom AI research projects based on your interest areas.
This program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent research skills, preparing you for AI competitions and future academic research. JEP lets you gain hands-on research experience in AI, offering mentorship from top-tier academics and personalized project development.
5. Coding with Kids Summer Programs
Location: Various locations (in-person & online)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $125 onwards; varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 5-18
Coding with Kids provides fun and interactive summer coding camps for students aged 5-18. With both in-person and online options, these camps introduce you to game and app development, website design, and fundamental programming concepts. Courses are structured to cater to different skill levels, encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and logical thinking.
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you will work on hands-on coding projects, gaining experience with languages like Python, Java, and Scratch. This program is perfect for young learners who want to explore coding in a fun and engaging way while also building confidence and problem-solving skills.
6. University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) Middle School Coding Camps
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $200 + $50 late fee
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (Registration closes ~2 weeks before camp start date)
Program Dates: June – August (multiple sessions available)
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11-14
The UTD Coding Camps offer online computer science summer programs for middle school students. The camps cover a wide range of topics, from beginner-friendly Scratch programming to advanced Java and JavaScript coding. Courses are structured into short daily sessions (1.5 hours each) over multiple weeks, ensuring an effective learning experience. You can participate in interactive lessons, coding challenges, and project-based learning, all guided by expert instructors.
Available courses include Enjoyable Coding with Alice, Drawings & Animations with JavaScript, Games with JavaScript, Bring Math to Life! and Explore Coding for Beginners. The UTD Coding Camps offer affordable, flexible learning options for you at all skill levels, making them a great way to explore programming and prepare for advanced computer science studies.
7. Kode With Klossy – Summer Camp
Location: Virtual & in-person (select U.S. cities)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: TBD
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth aged 13-18
Kode with Klossy is a free, 2-week coding boot camp founded by Karlie Kloss. Its purpose is to empower young women and gender-expansive students through immersive technology education. You can choose from four specialized tracks:
Web Development – Focus on learning about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build websites
Mobile App Development – User experience and mobile applications-based camp
Data Science & Visualization – Fiddle around with real-world datasets to analyze and visualize data
Machine Learning & AI – Training machine learning models
The camp also includes activities other than direct learning by arranging guest lectures by inspirational women in technology as part of a speaker series.
8. Create & Learn: Data Science for Kids
Location: Online
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $100 – $300 (varies by course)
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Multiple 6-week sessions offered year-round
Eligibility: Students in Grades 5 – 12
The Create & Learn: Data Science for Kids program offers interactive, project-based courses that introduce students to coding, data science, and AI. With options ranging from Coding in Roblox to AI in Python, you will gain foundational programming, computation, and data analysis skills through hands-on projects.
The program uses engaging, interactive tools to make learning fun and effective, developing real-world coding experience while building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This program is a great starting point for you if you are interested in computer science and data science, offering accessible, engaging, and structured learning opportunities.
9. Code Wizards HQ Summer Programs
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: $499 per course
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Year-round sessions
Eligibility: Students aged 11-13
Code Wizards HQ offers structured summer coding programs for students aged 11-13, providing progressive learning tracks in programming. The curriculum is divided into three levels (Wizard Level I, II, and III), allowing you to develop your coding skills step by step.
Wizard Level I introduces students to Python programming, game and app development, and website building with HTML & CSS. The level concludes with a capstone project, where you create two apps and a website to showcase your learning. This program provides structured, instructor-led lessons, making it a strong option for students looking to build foundational programming skills through a guided curriculum.
10. Coder Kids Summer Programs
Location: Various locations in Houston, TX & Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Cost: Varies by program (some courses are free, scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Multiple summer sessions
Eligibility: Ages 7-14
Coder Kids offers summer coding camps for students aged 7-14. The program offers in-person options in Houston, TX, and virtual sessions. It introduces students to game development, web design, robotics, and general programming through fun, engaging projects tailored to different skill levels.
You can explore specialized courses such as Python Coding Projects, Intro to Java, Website Design, Unity Game Development, and Intro to C++. The program provides hands-on learning experiences, enabling you to develop essential programming skills in a supportive and engaging environment. With affordable pricing and engaging content, Coder Kids is a great option for those looking to explore different aspects of coding in a fun and interactive way.
Image source - Cornell University