12 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in the Bay Area (San Francisco++)
For high school students interested in computer science, internships provide a valuable way to gain hands-on experience, develop technical skills, and explore real-world applications of technology. Whether you're passionate about AI, data science, or software engineering, these programs allow you to work alongside industry professionals and apply classroom knowledge in meaningful ways.
The Bay Area is home to some of the world’s top tech companies, universities, and research institutions, making it an ideal location for students to gain industry exposure. Many organizations now offer virtual internships, making these opportunities more accessible than ever.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 12 computer science internships for high school students in the Bay Area (San Francisco++) eager to build their skills, gain mentorship, and explore career paths in tech.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: 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, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most internships are paid, certain opportunities are unpaid
Application Deadline:
Summer: February 28
Fall: May 16
Dates:
Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May
Summer Session: Late May to August
Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships offer you the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and space exploration. These internships can be either part-time or full-time and take place remotely or at one of NASA’s facilities. You get to work on real-world projects, applying your academic knowledge to practical challenges while receiving mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.
The program is designed to provide you with direct exposure to STEM applications in a professional setting, allowing you to develop technical and problem-solving skills that align with your academic and career goals. With three internship sessions held each year, students have multiple opportunities to contribute to ongoing NASA projects, collaborate with experts, and enhance their understanding of cutting-edge research and innovation.
4. Purdue University’s Machine Learning for Beginners
Location: Virtual
Cost: To be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Dates: June 10 - June 14 (Tentative, based on 2024 program dates)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 - 12
Purdue University’s Machine Learning for Beginners is a five-day program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of machine learning and its applications in computer science. Through hands-on exercises using Python and Google Colab, you’ll explore key topics like data fitting, pattern recognition, and image processing.
You’ll also learn how to visualize functions, understand linear regression, and apply optimization techniques — all while developing problem-solving skills essential for STEM fields. By the end of the course, you’ll have the ability to write basic machine learning algorithms in Python, preparing you for more advanced AI and coding courses.
5. Emerging Tech Camp by The Coding School
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on specific camp
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Varies depending on specific camp; signature camp is 2 weeks long
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The Summer of Emerging Tech provides virtual camps and research opportunities for you to delve into cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data science, cybersecurity, and web development. As a participant, you’ll get to engage in hands-on learning experiences, such as coding machine learning models, executing programs on quantum computers, and collaborating with university faculty on research projects.
Each camp is designed to accommodate various skill levels and interests, offering topics ranging from Python programming and AI development to Big Data exploration and the fusion of art with technology. You will also have the opportunity to build projects for your portfolio that showcase your expertise.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,950
Application Deadline: February 2 (regular application deadline)
Dates: Spring program:
Weeks 1 – 5 (Professional Training): March 9 – April 6
Weeks 6 – 14 (Internship): April 7 – June 6
Eligibility: Student who will be 15 or older by March
The StandOut Connect program provides students with professional training and remote internship opportunities. Over five weekend workshops, you’ll learn how to pitch yourself for internships, build a strong resume and LinkedIn presence, and develop interview and networking skills. You’ll also gain insights into professional etiquette, digital communication, and problem-solving strategies crucial for workplace success.
By Week 4, you'll explore industry-standard software tools and large language models (LLMs) to understand how AI can automate tasks, streamline workflows, and enhance problem-solving. Following this training, you’ll be matched with a company for an eight-week remote internship, where you’ll work on real-world projects involving software development, AI implementation, data analytics, or digital marketing.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Dates:
Pathways: June 30 - August 8
Summer Immersion Program: July 7 - July 18 and July 28 - August 8
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students currently in grades 9-12
If you’re a high school student passionate about coding, Girls Who Code’s free virtual summer programs can enhance your skills while you explore careers in technology. The Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is an interactive two-week live course that introduces you to game design, user experience (UX), and core computer science principles. Students participate in hands-on workshops and receive guidance from experienced instructors.
For those seeking a more flexible option, the Pathways Program is a six-week self-paced course covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and programming languages like Python, HTML, and JavaScript. Both programs offer real-world projects, mentorship from industry experts, and access to a supportive tech community. Participants gain practical experience, connect with professionals, and become part of an alumni network dedicated to fostering technological growth.
Location: Virtual and in-person camps across various U.S. cities
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; priority applications typically due by March
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions during the summer; exact dates to be announced
Eligibility: Women and gender-expansive students aged 13-18
Kode With Klossy offers two-week coding camps, free of cost, for students from traditionally underrepresented genders in STEM, providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment. As a participant, you can choose from four specialized tracks: Web Development, Machine Learning, Mobile App Development, and Data Science, gaining hands-on experience with programming languages such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, and Swift.
No prior coding experience is required. Each curriculum is designed to teach technical skills through a project-based approach. Students will work on real-world applications, build dynamic websites, develop mobile apps, explore artificial intelligence, and analyze data.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000
Application Deadline: January 24
Dates: June 18 - July 2
Eligibility: 9th-graders or rising 10th-graders in the summer, over 14 years by the start of the program
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week virtual program designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) through interactive learning and real-world problem-solving. You will delve into prominent AI fields, including robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing while acquiring practical experience with advanced tools and techniques.
The program emphasizes collaboration, uniting a diverse group of students to work on projects that demonstrate AI’s potential across various industries. Mentorship from leading AI experts offers valuable insights into technical concepts, ethical considerations, and career opportunities in the field. By the end of the program, you will have built a strong foundation in AI, a deeper understanding of its real-world applications, and an awareness of how AI can be utilized to tackle complex societal challenges.
10. Stanford Pre-College Summer Institute
Location: Virtual / In-person
Cost: $3,080 + $65 application fee
Application Deadline: March 20
Dates:
Session 1: June 16 - June 27
Session 2: July 7 - July 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11 at the time of application
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer high school students the opportunity to explore advanced topics in computer science through live, interactive online courses. Students can choose from subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Game Design, Introduction to Data Science, and Introduction to Java Programming, delving into material that goes beyond the standard high school curriculum.
Small class sizes foster a collaborative learning environment by allowing you to engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors and peers from around the world. The program’s single-subject focus ensures an immersive experience, allowing students to develop technical skills, explore emerging trends in technology, and gain a deeper understanding of computer science principles.
11. AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp by Stanford University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 participation fee + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: February 28
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 in the Fall who are over 14 by the start of the program.
The AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week virtual program designed for high school students interested in machine learning and its applications in healthcare. Open to students of all technical backgrounds, this program provides an engaging introduction to key machine learning concepts, including evaluation metrics, model development, and their role in solving real-world healthcare challenges. Through a mix of interactive online modules, group discussions, and hands-on projects, you will explore how AI is transforming the medical field.
The program also features "Career Lunch and Learns," where students engage with experts from academia, industry, and government and gain insight into different career paths in AI and healthcare. Additionally, you will be introduced to advanced topics such as generative AI and foundation models, providing a broader perspective on cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of healthcare technology.
12. Futures: Machine Learning for High Schoolers by UC San Diego Extended Studies
Location: Virtual
Cost: $350 - $395 per course
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Dates: 9-month course, you will have access to course materials for about 10 weeks per course.
Eligibility: High school students
The Futures: Machine Learning for High Schoolers program by UC San Diego Extended Studies explores machine learning by combining practical applications with fundamental theory. You will develop skills in Python programming, data processing, and machine learning algorithms while enhancing your understanding of essential mathematical concepts for AI development, including probability, statistics, calculus, and linear algebra.
Courses such as Python and Mathematics for Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, and Deep Neural Networks can guide you through implementing models like regression, clustering, and neural networks. By applying these techniques to real-world projects, participants will develop the skills needed to analyze complex datasets and create machine learning applications, preparing them for future studies in AI and data science.
Image Source - NASA Logo