10 Machine Learning (ML) Programs for High School Students
Machine learning (ML) is a rapidly evolving field within artificial intelligence (AI) that enables computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without explicit programming. In today’s data-driven world, ML is a valuable skill that can open academic and career opportunities. If you’re a high school student passionate about technology, exploring ML through university-level courses can deepen your understanding of this field, enhance your college applications, and clarify your future goals.
These programs provide a comprehensive introduction to topics like neural networks and data analysis while offering practical, hands-on experience with real-world algorithms. You will develop problem-solving skills that are not only academically impressive but also highly relevant in today’s tech-driven landscape. Whether you’re starting out or looking to take your knowledge further, there’s a program suited to your interests and skill level.
1. Columbia University - Data Science and Machine Learning 1
Location: Virtual or in-person at Columbia University, New York
Cost:
3-week residential program: $12,449
3-week commuter program: $6,300
1-week commuter program: $2,825
3-week online program: $3,960
Program Dates:
Session A (3 weeks): June 30–July 18, 2025
Session B (3 weeks): July 22–August 8, 2025
Session C (1 week): August 11–August 15, 2025
Application Deadline: Deadlines range from March to April, depending on the session.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12.
Columbia’s Summer Immersion Program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of data science and machine learning—no prior experience required. You’ll explore how these fields influence everything from everyday decisions to major business strategies. The program offers hands-on experience with Python, a widely used programming language, and key machine-learning techniques. Through real-world projects, you’ll develop a practical understanding of how data science shapes various industries.
2. Purdue University - Machine Learning for Beginners
Location: Virtual
Cost: To be announced for the 2025 program
Program Dates: Typically runs for one week in June; the 2024 session was June 10–14
Application Deadline: To be announced for the 2025 program
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
Purdue University’s Machine Learning for Beginners course introduces students to the basics of machine learning in an accessible way. You will learn Python programming, image processing, and linear regression while exploring their connections to statistics, linear algebra, and optimization. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, providing the skills to use Python for real-world applications, such as graph plotting and image analysis.
3. UNC Charlotte - Online Niner Academy: Empower AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $995 tuition plus a $250 registration fee
Program Dates: Typically runs for two weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2025 program will be announced on December 9, 2024
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
UNC Charlotte’s Empower AI program provides a beginner-friendly introduction to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and neural networks—no prior coding experience required. Through interactive lessons and hands-on projects, you’ll learn how algorithms process data and develop your own predictive models. The program also explores key topics in AI ethics, giving you a broader perspective on the field. Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital badge to showcase your skills and accomplishments.
4. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute - CogWorks
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates:
Online Course: February 3 – June 20, 2025
Four-week Virtual Summer Institute: July 7 – August 3, 2025
Application Deadlines:
Online Course: Applications open in December 2024 and close in January 2025
Summer Institute: Applications open on March 3, 2025, and close on March 31, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year are eligible to apply. Completion of the online course is mandatory to participate in the Summer Institute.
The CogWorks program at MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute gives high school students hands-on experience in developing cognitive assistants using advanced machine learning tools. The program begins with an online preparatory course covering Python, Git, natural language processing, and machine learning concepts. This foundation leads into a four-week summer session where you will collaborate in teams to design and test AI systems using tools like Amazon Alexa and open-source resources.
The summer session features daily lectures, interactive projects, and a final competition where you can showcase your team’s cognitive assistant.
5. Microsoft’s Introduction to Machine Learning
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: No prior knowledge of machine learning required
Microsoft's course introduces machine learning in a beginner-friendly way, making it ideal if you have little or no background in computer science or statistics. You’ll explore foundational concepts, work with data, and follow the machine learning lifecycle. Using Python, you'll train, save, and apply models to real-world scenarios.
The course emphasizes how machine learning differs from traditional software development, offering insights into its unique methodologies. You’ll practice creating and testing models, then learn how to load and apply them to new data, gaining a complete understanding of the end-to-end process.
6. Harvard’s Data Science: Machine Learning Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced; course duration is 8 weeks, ending December 18, 2024
Application Deadline: December 18, 2024
Eligibility: Open to learners with a basic understanding of programming and statistics
Harvard’s Data Science: Machine Learning course, part of its Professional Certificate Program, introduces key machine learning concepts such as algorithms, principal component analysis, and regularization. You’ll gain hands-on experience building a movie recommendation system, using training data to identify predictive relationships.
The course also covers topics like overtraining and cross-validation techniques, providing tools to create accurate and reliable models. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of machine learning and its applications.
7. Stanford University - AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 tuition + $40 registration fee. Need-based financial aid available.
Program Dates: June 16–27, 2025
Application Deadline: December 9, 2024, to February 28, 2025
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in Fall 2025.
The AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp at Stanford University is a two-week program that introduces how machine learning is shaping healthcare. Through discussions, online activities, and expert talks, you’ll explore both the opportunities and challenges of this technology. The bootcamp covers key topics like Foundation Models and Generative AI, providing you with practical skills and insights for this advancing field.
8. NYU Tandon - Machine Learning
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050
Program Dates:
Session One – Orientation: June 13 (via Zoom, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST); Program: June 16 – June 27
Session Two – Orientation: July 1 (via Zoom, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST); Program: July 7 – July 18
Session Three – Orientation: July 25 (via Zoom, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EST); Program: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 21, 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who have completed Algebra 2 (or equivalent), have some programming experience, and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
NYU Tandon’s two-week Summer Program for Machine Learning offers high school students an introduction to computer science and machine learning. You’ll explore real-world applications like video recognition and self-driving cars while gaining hands-on experience with techniques such as neural networks and linear regression.
The program emphasizes using engineering problem-solving skills to tackle societal challenges, making it an excellent opportunity for students interested in technology’s role in shaping the world.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (students are only responsible for transportation to and from MIT)
Program Dates: Late June to early August (six-week duration)
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors are eligible to apply.
The MITES Summer Program is a six-week residential program for high school juniors focused on promoting diversity in STEM fields. You'll engage in challenging coursework in math, science, and humanities, with an emphasis on areas like machine learning and genomics. The program encourages you to explore how STEM can make a positive impact on society. In the end, you'll receive performance evaluations that can strengthen your college applications.
10. UC San Diego’s Machine Learning for High Schoolers
Location: Virtual
Cost: $350 per course; scholarships available
Program Dates: 9 months; self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year are eligible to apply. Completion of online courses is mandatory to participate in the Summer Institute.
In this 9-month course, you'll gain hands-on experience using Google Colaboratory and Python to build machine learning models while learning key concepts such as regression, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction. The program covers essential mathematics, including probability, statistics, and calculus, applied through real-world projects. By the end, you'll know how to implement and optimize neural networks for tasks like image processing, giving you a strong foundation in the subject.
Here are some bonus programs!
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create personalized projects. Over the past year, more than 1,000 students have learned AI and machine learning through our programs. You can apply here!
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you're interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs for an in-depth look into machine learning. This selective program pairs students with researchers from Harvard and Oxford. Last year, over 4,000 students applied for 500 spots! You can find the application form here.
Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit initiative supporting talented, low-income students. Last year, 150 students received full need-based financial aid!
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships! Internships are a great way to apply the theoretical concepts you've been learning and see how they're used in real-world settings.
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world. These startups span various industries, including machine learning. During the internship, you'll contribute to a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup, and you'll present your work at the end. In addition to working closely with your startup manager, you'll also receive guidance from a Ladder Coach throughout your internship. Apply now!
Stephen Turban
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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