12 Computer Science Courses for High School Students
Are you a high school student passionate about computer science and ready to improve your skills? These courses offer a deep dive into the fundamentals of computer science, covering everything from coding and programming languages to advanced fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. You’ll gain hands-on experience, learn from top educators, and collaborate with peers worldwide.
You’ll also gain exposure to college-level material that will further sharpen your critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving abilities—skills that will guide you throughout your academic journey. We’ve curated a list of 12 computer science courses. Whether you’re interested in software development, AI, or robotics, this list has something for you!
1. Product Design - Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $3,050. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in June and July.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8 - 11 at the time of application are eligible to apply.
Stanford's Product Design and Development course immerses students in the process of creating a product from concept to market execution. You’ll analyze industry trends and develop product strategies tailored to your chosen sector. Core topics include Porter's Five Forces, competitive strategy, and customer needs analysis.
Using real-world case studies, you’ll examine the successes and failures of various companies, applying those insights to your group project, where you’ll design a product based on what you've learned. The course features live online sessions, with two hours of instruction and one hour of office hours, alongside readings, group projects, and pre-recorded lectures.
2. Introduction to Data Science - Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $3,050. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in June and July.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 - 11 at the time of application are eligible to apply.
This course explores the rapidly evolving field of data science, allowing you to work with computer algorithms and models using real-world datasets from natural and social sciences. You’ll gain hands-on experience with R programming and learn how to apply machine learning techniques.
The course is structured with live online sessions, with additional out-of-class assignments including group projects and readings, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of data analysis. A background in programming and basic statistics is required.
3. Academy For Machine Learning - University of Texas at Austin
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX.
Cost: $2,100. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs in July and August.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9 - 12 are eligible to apply.
This two-week program is designed for high school students eager to dive into machine learning and Python programming. Whether you’re new to coding or already have experience, you’ll explore how machine learning models are built, trained, and applied to solve real-world problems.
The course also addresses the societal impact of machine learning, while guest lectures and hands-on projects give you practical experience. At the end of the program, you’ll present your projects and gain insight into university life through campus tours and social activities. An Academy Certificate is awarded on successful completion of the program.
4. Introduction to Computer Science (CS50) – Harvard University
Location: Virtual.
Cost: The program is free to audit, with an addition of a verified certificate for $219.
Application Deadline: This is a self-paced program.
Program Length: The program runs for 11 weeks, with students typically spending an estimated 10–20 hours of work per week.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Harvard’s CS50 is a self-paced, in-depth introduction to computer science and programming. Suitable for all skill levels, the course covers problem-solving, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, security, and web development, with hands-on coding in languages like C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
The course culminates in a final project where you’ll apply what you’ve learned, working on real-world problems drawn from diverse fields like cryptography and finance.
5. Python for Everybody Specialization - University of Michigan
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $49. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: This is a self-paced program.
Program Length: The program runs for 2 months, with students typically spending an estimated 10 hours on work per week.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Python for Everybody Specialization teaches Python programming and data analysis. This five-course series covers essential topics, starting with Python basics and progressing to advanced techniques like web data access and database management.
You’ll learn how to organize data, work with APIs, process XML and JSON, and manage databases using SQL. The final course is a hands-on project where you’ll retrieve, process, and visualize data, showcasing your skills in a capstone project.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2025 program is yet to be announced.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks in July and August.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The MIT FutureMakers program is a dynamic six-week online initiative designed to build skills in AI, machine learning, and prototyping. Through a cohort-based approach, you'll develop technical expertise, teamwork, and leadership abilities while exploring AI ethics and industry applications.
The program features a four-week training phase, followed by a two-week Create-a-thon, where you'll collaborate in teams to solve real-world challenges using AI. It concludes with a pitch competition, offering you the chance to present your innovative solutions to a panel of experts.
7. Code In Place - Stanford University
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in the first week of April.
Program Dates: The program typically takes place in April.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Stanford University’s Code in Place is a six-week online course to teach the fundamentals of programming. A streamlined version of Stanford’s CS106A, it offers personalized mentorship with over 2,100 volunteer instructors, ensuring small group learning with no more than ten students per group.
You’ll explore key Python concepts like control flow, variables, functions, and more, using the SimpleImage module. The course concludes with a final project, allowing you to apply your new coding skills in a practical way.
8. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Some need-based financial aid is available.
AI Scholars Program - $2,290.
AI Fellowship Program - $5,400.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for the Winter cohort is December 1, 2024.
Program Dates: Program dates vary based on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. For the AI Fellowship, prior experience in AI concepts or Python is required. Students who have completed the AI Scholars program can also apply.
Veritas AI, led by a group of Harvard graduate students, provides specialized programs designed for high schoolers with a keen interest in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars Program offers an introductory 10-session boot camp where students can delve into the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science, gaining practical experience by working on real-world projects.
For those with a more advanced understanding, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a unique opportunity to collaborate one-on-one with mentors from prestigious universities on individualized projects. In this program, students also benefit from guidance on securing publications in high school research journals, thanks to Veritas AI's in-house publication team. The fellowship encourages a cross-disciplinary approach, allowing students to integrate AI into fields like medicine, finance, sports, and environmental science. Examples of past student projects are also available for reference here.
9. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Computer Science Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Some need-based scholarships are available.
Lumiere Individual Research Program – $2,990.
Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program – $5,900.
Lumiere Research Fellowship – $8,900.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for the Winter cohort is November 24, 2024.
Program Dates: Program dates vary based on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive initiative designed for high school students eager to dive deep into academic research. This program offers personalized 1-on-1 research mentorship, giving students the opportunity to explore a variety of fields under the guidance of Ph.D. experts.
Throughout the 12-week program, you work closely with their mentors to develop a unique research project, culminating in an independent research paper. You can choose from a wide array of subjects, including machine learning, software development, data science, and more. For more details on how to apply, click here.
10. AI, Data Science and Machine Learning - Brown University
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $5,108. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2025 program is yet to be announced.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for four weeks in June and July.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Summer@Brown’s AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning course covers data exploration, visualization, diagnostic analytics, and predictive modeling. You’ll work with machine learning tools and apply them to real-world business problems.
The course also delves into text analytics, deep learning, recommender systems, and computer vision, with case studies from industries like healthcare, sports, and hospitality. Ethical considerations in machine learning are a major component, and you’ll be tasked with brainstorming and presenting solutions to these challenges.
11. Introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D Printing - Brown University
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI.
Cost: $3,094. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2025 program is yet to be announced.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in July.
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
This course provides a thorough introduction to Computer-Aided Design (CAD), equipping you with the skills to solve engineering challenges using cutting-edge software. You'll master creating and manipulating 3D digital models through intuitive graphical interfaces and develop proficiency in transforming these designs into physical prototypes using 3D printing.
The experience culminates in the opportunity to print your CAD models at the Brown Design Workshop, bridging the gap between digital design and physical creation. This foundational course prepares you for advanced studies in engineering and design.
12. CS Scholars - Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Program
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025.
Program Dates: The program will run for four weeks from June 21 to July 19, 2025.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors are eligible to apply.
Carnegie Mellon University’s CS Scholars program is a fully funded, four-week experience designed for rising high school juniors interested in computer science. You’ll build foundational programming skills using Python and tackle concepts such as variables, functions, conditionals, loops, and data structures.
Participants work on group projects that address real-world problems with a focus on social impact. The program also includes college prep seminars covering admissions, financial aid, and emotional well-being, allowing students to connect with mentors and peers while preparing for the future.
Bonus Item - Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Some need-based scholarships are available.
8-week Program: $2490.
Research Internship: $5900.
Combined (program and internship): $7400.
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort.
Program Dates: Program dates vary based on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Ladder Internship is a highly selective program, with an acceptance rate of 15-20%, for high school students to work with startups and nonprofits worldwide for meaningful virtual internships. As part of their internship, each student works on a real-world project and presents it at the end of their internship.
In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, you also work with a Ladder Coach throughout your internship. Both mentors focus on guiding students through the internship and helping them navigate the startup environment. This dual support structure ensures that you receive comprehensive guidance as you navigate your internship, enhancing both your technical and soft skills. As a Ladder Intern, you will engage in a coaching+work-based model—a component that sets it apart from most internships. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. You can apply here!
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