10 Online Computer Science Programs for High School Students
As technology continues to shape nearly every industry, learning computer science has become increasingly important for students looking to stand out academically and professionally. For high school students, online computer science programs provide the perfect opportunity to explore this dynamic field. They allow you to develop essential coding skills, work on exciting projects, and gain insights into artificial intelligence, app development, and data science—all from the comfort of your home.
In this guide, we highlight 10 online computer science programs for high school students that offer flexible learning environments and practical experiences that can strengthen your college applications and prepare you for a future career in technology.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to build on existing knowledge, these programs offer valuable opportunities to dive into the world of computer science. Let’s get into it!
1. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Cost: If your family income is $150,000 or greater, the cost for the program will be around $1,750.
Program Dates: The program runs for 4 weeks during the summer and the courses need to be completed by June (tentatively).
Application Deadline: March 2025 (tentative date based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. Some programs have specific requirements.
Offered by MIT’s School of Engineering and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) provides an online, project-based curriculum that introduces high school students to the latest in technology and AI. Through a series of virtual courses, students can explore fields like autonomous robotics, cybersecurity, and machine learning. These online courses are prerequisites for BWSI’s in-person summer program, but can also be taken independently to build technical knowledge.
The online courses are designed to be self-paced and include hands-on projects that help students apply what they've learned in real-world scenarios. The program is beginner-friendly even for students without coding experience, gradually introducing complex topics.
College admissions officers highly regard the projects completed in these courses as a strong addition to a student’s academic portfolio. The BWSI has generally been well-regarded by alumni due to its diverse participant groups, ample networking and collaboration opportunities, and the distinctive nature of its course offerings.
Applications for the online program are open to high school students with strong math and science backgrounds, and students are selected based on their engagement in STEM activities and teacher recommendations.
Cost: $2490 (financial aid is available)
Program Length: 8 weeks; Winter Cohort begins December 16, 2024
Application Deadline: The winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit to working 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
Ladder Internships is a competitive program aimed at ambitious high school students, offering them the chance to intern with fast-growing start-ups that span various industries, including technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Many of the companies involved have raised over a million dollars, with some founders being YCombinator alumni or having backgrounds at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook.
Throughout the internship, students will collaborate with their company managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, culminating in a presentation of their work to the company. Interns also receive personalized one-on-one coaching in essential skills such as communication and time management, alongside group training with peers in their cohort.
The internships, typically 8 weeks long, are conducted virtually, allowing flexibility for students while providing valuable hands-on experience. Here is the application form.
Cost:
2024-2025 Courses:
One-semester courses: $995
Two-semester courses: $1,195
Limited scholarship funds are available
2025 Summer Programs: Cost differs based on the program
Program Length:
2024-2025 Courses:
Semester 1: September 29 – December 14, 2024
Semester 2: January 12 – April 13, 2025
2025 Summer Programs: July to August; the dates differ based on the program.
Application Deadline: Not specified; for the 2025 Summer Programs, you can fill out this form to be notified when registration starts.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; for the 2025 Summer Program, each program comes with its own specific requirements, so be sure to check it out.
The Coding School is offering a range of courses in 2024 that equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in emerging technologies. Offering classes in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, the school aims to build a strong foundation in these cutting-edge fields. Students will engage in hands-on coding exercises, interactive lectures, and practical applications, gaining both theoretical understanding and practical experience.
These courses are designed to prepare students for future academic pursuits and careers in technology, fostering expertise in some of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of modern science. No prior programming experience is required, making the program accessible to students with varying levels of background in technology. Apply here!
You can also check out the 2025 Summer Programs for virtual camps, intensives, and research opportunities. Currently, high school students can attend the Quantum Computing Camp, Data Science Research with Columbia University, Emerging Tech Camp, and AI/Big Data Camp.
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid is available)
Program Length: 3 weeks in July (tentatively)
Application Deadline: Feb to March (tentative based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Open to current 9th-grade students (rising 10th-graders during the summer)
Stanford AI4ALL is a three-week online program designed to enhance diversity in the field of artificial intelligence and provide high school students with a comprehensive introduction to AI. The program offers a blend of online lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring sessions with leading AI professionals.
Students will engage with cutting-edge AI applications in areas, such as medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. Through interactive learning experiences, you will gain practical skills in AI and connect with a supportive community of peers. The program aims to inspire and equip students to use AI to tackle real-world challenges and shape the future of technology. Check out this article for a review of AI4ALL from the student's perspective!
5. Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI)
Cost: $25 per student for self-guided courses
Program Length: Ongoing; students can enroll at any time
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to all high school students worldwide
The Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI) offers online courses that provide students with the opportunity to explore various subjects, including computer science. Designed to accommodate different learning styles, the program uses interactive learning modules and assessments to help students understand key concepts in fields like programming, algorithms, and data structures.
For high school students interested in computer science, OLI’s Introduction to Computer Science course provides a solid foundation for understanding coding and computational thinking. It’s a flexible, self-paced course that can be completed according to the student's schedule. This makes it an excellent choice for students who want to dive deeper into computer science while managing other commitments.
The program is ideal for students who want to supplement their high school curriculum with college-level content. For more information on specific courses and to enroll, you can visit the official Carnegie Mellon OLI website.
6. Oxford Scholastica Academy: Computer Science & Coding
Cost: £595 for 1 week or £995 for 2 weeks
Program Length: June – August 2025
Application Deadline: Early 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school students between the ages of 15-18
Oxford Scholastica Academy’s Computer Science & Coding course offers a focused introduction to coding, with an emphasis on Python as a foundational programming language. Students will also explore practical skills like web development using HTML and Javascript and broader concepts like artificial intelligence and the history of computing. The course balances technical instruction with discussions on the future of computing and its real-world applications, making it suitable for students with varying levels of experience in computer science.
Small class sizes (capped at 15) allow for more interaction, helping students receive guidance on independent projects, which can aid in building a portfolio for future academic and career opportunities. Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement and a Letter of Recommendation, both valuable for enhancing college applications.
To stay updated and apply for the course, it is recommended to check their official site for exact application deadlines as they will be posted closer to the start date of Oxford Scholastica 2025.
7. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Cost:
LIVE courses: $550 – $1,365
Individually Paced courses: $984 – $1,499
Session-Based courses: $716 – $2,127
Clubs: $191
Financial aid is available, click here!
Program Length: Not specified
Application Deadline: 7 January, 2025
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9-12
Johns Hopkins University offers a variety of online computer science programs aimed at high school students who want to explore coding, engineering, and computational thinking.
One notable course is Engineering Innovation Online, where students get hands-on experience with coding, mathematics, and problem-solving in real-world engineering scenarios. Another is the Hopkins Engineering Summer (HES) program, which provides a more focused dive into computer science, including coding languages and algorithm development. Both programs are structured to give students a solid foundation in STEM principles while offering the flexibility of online learning, making them accessible to students from all over the world.
These programs not only introduce students to critical CS concepts but also help them develop portfolios that could be valuable for college applications.
8. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science Semester
Cost: No cost
Program Length: June, 2025 – December, 2025
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a strong emphasis on students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM, such as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander students.
MITES Semester (formerly known as MOSTEC) is a six-month hybrid learning experience that combines STEM exploration with college preparation, offering high school juniors the chance to develop both academically and socially.
The program runs from June to December and includes rigorous online courses in subjects like Machine Learning, Astrophysics, and Thermodynamics. Students engage in one project-based course and one supplemental course in areas like Calculus or Computer Science, all taught live in the evenings to accommodate other commitments.
The program also provides college admissions guidance through weekly webinars, networking opportunities with STEM professionals, and a focus on applying STEM knowledge to real-world challenges.
9. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Cost: No cost
Program Length:
Summer Immersion Program: 2 weeks
Self-Paced Program: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are closed. Check the website for updates on the 2025 sessions.
Eligibility: Open to girls and nonbinary students
Girls Who Code offers two distinct summer programs for girls and nonbinary students: the Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. The Summer Immersion Program, open to students in grades 9-11, is a two-week virtual course that covers foundational to intermediate computer science concepts, including the iterative design process and basics of UX design.
The Self-Paced Program is available to students in grades 9-12, including graduating seniors. This course focuses on intermediate Python applications with an emphasis on cybersecurity and data science. Participants have up to six weeks to complete their projects, with weekly live advisory sessions and activities for additional support.
10. Veritas AI
Cost:
AI Scholars & Deep Dives: $2290
AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase: $5400
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Program Length: Varies according to the program (10-15 weeks tentatively)
Application Deadline: The fall cohort deadline is October 20, 2024.
Eligibility: Open to ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI offers a platform for high school students eager to delve into artificial intelligence, providing a supportive environment for exploration and learning. The program emphasizes collaborative learning, hands-on project development, and personalized 1-on-1 mentorship.
Managed by Harvard graduates and alumni, the initiative aims to deliver a comprehensive educational experience. A basic knowledge of Python is required, with students encouraged to complete the AI Scholars Program before joining the Fellowship.
In the AI Fellowship program, students undertake independent research projects over 12-15 weeks, integrating AI with diverse fields such as medicine, finance, environmental science, and education. Many students have produced research papers connecting AI with these interdisciplinary areas. You can find examples of previous projects here.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to allow high school students to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
Image Source - Johns Hopkins Logo