10 Fall Coding Competitions for High School Students
Participating in extracurricular competitions does more than just test your academic abilities—it highlights your passion for learning beyond the classroom, something that college admissions officers are always looking for. Coding competitions, in particular, offer a unique opportunity to showcase your skills and dedication to computer science. Whether you're aiming to sharpen your technical expertise or make a strong impression on your college applications, these coding challenges can set you apart. Here are 10 fall coding competitions that every high school student should know about!
1. American Computer Science League
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Top scoring students are awarded a certificate and prize.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from November to May each year.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and are currently open for the 2024 - 2025 season. You can register here to apply.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
For 47 years, the American Computer Science League (ACSL) has organized programming and computer science competitions for K-12 schools and student groups worldwide. ACSL offers multiple divisions based on age and skill level, ensuring appropriate challenges for every participant. Schools and organizations can register unlimited students, allowing for broad engagement. Each season consists of four contests covering core topics like Number Systems, Boolean Algebra, and Digital Electronics. Upper divisions also feature a programming challenge where students can use languages like Python, C++, or Java to solve problems.
2. CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Program
Location: The competition takes place online, whereas the finals take place in Bethesda, MD.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. The winning team is awarded scholarship money.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from October to March each year.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in October.
Eligibility: High school students from schools, scouting units, Boys and Girls Clubs, homeschool programs, STEM programs, as well as those in JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, and Naval Sea Cadet Corps units, are all eligible to apply.
The CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition engages middle and high school students in a challenging test of cybersecurity skills. Participants work to identify and resolve security vulnerabilities within simulated operating systems. Teams are judged based on how effectively they secure these systems and can advance through several online rounds, with the top teams reaching the prestigious in-person National Finals. The competition also includes the Cisco Networking Challenge, an online quiz, and a virtual networking task, as well as a Network Security Challenge where students must fix security issues in both Windows and Linux systems.
3. Congressional App Challenge
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Winning teams are invited to Capitol Hill for #HouseOfCode, an event where students showcase their apps to their Representatives.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from November to December each year.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in October. Students can register here to apply.
Eligibility: High school students from participating districts are eligible to apply. Students can register individually or in teams of up to four, but at least half the team must be eligible to compete in the district they are entering. Students can compete in either the district where they live or where they attend school.
Organized by members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Congressional App Challenge encourages students to tackle real-world problems by creating innovative apps. In addition to learning popular programming languages, participants are encouraged to explore app development platforms such as Kotlin and XCode to elevate their projects. Each spring, winning teams are invited to Capitol Hill for #HouseOfCode. This unique demo day, often referred to as the new national science fair for STEM students, allows participants to have their apps displayed in the U.S. Capitol, meet their Representatives, and connect with fellow young coders from across the nation.
Location: The contest is open to all classroom formats, whether the district is on a virtual, in-person, or blended model. Both the Pitch Event and Final Event announcing National Winners are held in Washington, D.C.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. The prizes range from $100,000 to $2,500. Check the full list of prize tiers here.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from October to April each year.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in August and close in October.
Eligibility: Students from public and charter schools in grades 6–12 are eligible to apply, provided their schools receive at least 50% of their funding from public sources.
Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition challenges students to design prototypes that address problems within their communities. This team-based event requires at least three students, with a school teacher serving as the team’s mentor and main point of contact. The competition emphasizes the application of STEM and computer science skills to create sustainable, practical solutions. Teams must research community issues, think critically, and develop innovative approaches to succeed.
5. Girls Programming League Challenge
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Top three teams from each division receive awards and trophies.
Competition Dates: September 21, 2024.
Application Deadline: There is currently no information on the deadline. Check here for more information.
Eligibility: Female high school students are eligible to apply.
The event kicks off with a two-hour morning competition session, split into Novice and Advanced divisions, where teams of up to three female high school students are encouraged to participate. In the afternoon, attendees hear a keynote speech and join a panel discussion featuring accomplished female leaders from academia and industry, with a focus on computer science and astronomy. Designed to inspire female students, this competition offers a supportive environment for both beginners and experienced programmers to engage in algorithmic programming challenges. The keynote and panel aim to provide valuable insights into the STEM field, highlighting the perspectives of women in these domains.
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Participating students receive a certificate with their score and achievement level.
Competition Dates: The first round of the challenge will be held from November 4 to 17, 2024.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Teachers can register students here.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply. Ages 14-16 compete in the junior division, while ages 16-18 compete in the senior division.
The Bebras Computing Challenge focuses on developing informatics and computational thinking skills through a series of tasks completed within 45 minutes. Unlike many competitions, it offers six distinct age categories, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. Teachers handle registration and supervise students during the challenge.
7. International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
Location: Alexandria, Egypt.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Medals are awarded to the top 50% of contestants.
Competition Dates: The competition typically takes place in the first week of September.
Registration Deadline: Applications typically close in June.
Eligibility: All high school students that have won their national competition are eligible to apply.
The IOI is one of the most prestigious global computer science competitions for secondary students. Each country selects a team of four participants, who compete individually over a two-day event. To qualify for the U.S. team, students must excel in the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO). IOI participants need strong problem-solving skills, algorithm knowledge, and programming expertise, especially in C++.
8. Technovation Girls Challenge
Location: The competition takes place online. Both the regional Pitch Events and Technovation World Summit take place in-person.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. Winning teams are awarded scholarships up to $2000.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from October to July each year, with the Technovation World Summit taking place in October 2025.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages 10-18 and who identify as female, trans, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming are eligible to apply.
The Technovation Challenge encourages girls to explore coding by solving real-world problems through technology. Teams of one to five girls, mentored by volunteers, develop apps addressing issues like climate change or bullying. The competition caters to both beginners and advanced students, providing hands-on coding experience and fostering tech skills.
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. The prize amount ranges from $20,000 to $200.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from September to December each year.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students can register here.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Meta’s Hacker Cup is a global competition where high school students tackle algorithmic challenges. The competition features a series of increasingly difficult problems that assess participants’ abilities in algorithms and problem-solving across various computer science areas. Participants compete individually or in teams, solving complex coding problems to advance and win cash prizes. The event also provides networking opportunities, helping students connect with industry experts and potential mentors, while enhancing their coding skills for future academic and professional success.
Location: The competition takes place online.
Cost / Prize: There is no cost. The prize amount ranges from $3500 to $900.
Competition Dates: The competition typically runs from March to August each year. Check the full schedule here.
Application Deadline: There is currently no information on the deadline. Check here for more information.
Eligibility: High school students from around the world are eligible to apply.
TechGig Code Gladiator, one of India’s largest coding competitions, allows high school students from around the world to compete in areas like algorithms, data structures, machine learning, and web development. Through several online rounds, participants demonstrate their skills while vying for cash prizes, internships, and job opportunities. This competition offers real-world coding challenges and valuable connections with industry professionals, helping students build a portfolio of tech achievements.
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Image Source - Congressional App Challenge Logo