8 Free Python Programs for High School Students
If you are in high school and interested in coding, it can be hard to figure out what steps you should take to build foundational skills. Taking part in computer science or coding programs in Python will allow you to explore these subjects in depth, with guidance from professionals.
In this list, we’ve detailed the top 8 Python programs that are free and open to high school students. Most of these programs are open to beginners who have little to no prior programming language. Choosing to enroll in these programs will help you gain a better foundational understanding of Python and upskill yourself before you head to college.
1. Python for Data Science, AI & Development
The Python for Data Science, AI & Development course is offered by IBM and hosted on Coursera. This course is beginner-friendly and is also self-paced, allowing you to fit it into your day more easily. Through this course, you will be introduced to topics such as data structures, programming fundamentals, APIs, and data collection, over five distinct modules.
The goal of the course is to help students gain a foundational understanding of Python that can be leveraged in terms of industry skills. There will also be a focus on using Python libraries such as Pandas & Numpy, and developing codes using Jupyter Notebooks. As an added bonus, completing this course will earn you a shareable career certificate, a feature that a lot of free courses do not include.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Starts on February 27, 2024
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students
2. Programming for Everybody at University of Michigan
The Programming for Everybody course offered at University of Michigan is for anyone looking to learn the basics of computer programming using Python. Perfect for beginners and without any prerequisites, the program is designed for newcomers in the world of programming.
As a high school student, participating in this program will allow you to get a headstart in your programming experience before you head to college. It will also help you gauge your interest in computer programming using Python and help you better choose your college academic path. The course uses materials from the “Python for Everybody” textbook. By the end of this course, you will be ready to take more advanced programming courses.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: 7 weeks, on a rolling bases
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling bases
Eligibility: Current high school students
3. Computing in Python 1: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming at Georgia Tech
The Computing in Python 1 course offered at Georgia Tech covers the basics of programming. Helping you create the right foundation for yourself, the course goes over topics like interpreting lines of code, writing programs, evaluating output, revising codes, working with variables, and using mathematical, Boolean, and relational operators.
The goal of the course is to teach students how to write small programs in Python that use variables, mathematical operators, and logical operators. Throughout the course, there is also a focus on using programming skills and applying them to real-life situations to better understand how the theory translates to application.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed high-school algebra
4. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
The Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python program is offered by MITx, a massive open online program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Designed with two sequences, Computer Science and Programming, and Computational Thinking and Data Science, the program is ideal for high schoolers with no prior exposure to computer science or programming.
The goal of this program is to help you think computationally and write programs that have real-world applications. The curriculum is designed to include lecture videos, exercises and problem sets using Python 3.5. Since students taking this course may be just testing the waters of the programming world, the focus is on breadth rather than depth. This course is challenging and rigorous, ensuring that students gain as much as they can while taking this course from the prestigious MIT.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: January 24 to March 27, 2024
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling bases
Eligibility: Current high school students who have done high school algebra and have a reasonable aptitude for mathematics. Students without prior programming background will find there is a steep learning curve and may have to put in more than the estimated time effort.
5. CS50 Introduction to Programming with Python at Harvard University
The CS50 Introduction to Programming with Python course is offered virtually by Harvard University and is designed for students looking to learn Python specifically. Through this course, students will learn how to write codes as well as test and debug them. The learning focus through the duration of the course will be on functions, arguments and return values; conditions and Boolean expressions; loops; and objects and methods.
The course also has opportunities to learn about exceptions, file I/O, and libraries, while introducing you to hands-on opportunities for practice inspired by real-world programming problems. The course is free to audit for everyone who enrolls and a verified certificate can be purchased at an additional $299. To help you learn and complete the coursework on your own time, this course is self-paced and requires a commitment of about 3-9 hours each week.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Rolling basis
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students
6. Python for Beginners by Microsoft
The Python for Beginners course offered by Microsoft is a part of Microsoft Learn and designed for students to explore and understand the basics of Python at their own pace. By enrolling in this course, you will learn how to work with strings, lists, loops, dictionaries, and functions.
In terms of learning outcomes, you will be able to write your first program in Python, explore packages to better manage projects, learn about elements like Boolean, operations, loops, and error checking. An added bonus that is not offered on most free-of-cost Python courses, this course will help you get familiar with Jupyter notebooks, a web-based interactive computing platform.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Rolling bases, self-paced
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling bases
Eligibility: Current high school students
Google’s Python Class is a free resource designed for students with limited programming experience who want to learn the basics of Python. The course materials include written materials, lecture videos, and coding exercises. The curriculum begins with basic Python concepts like strings and lists, eventually building up to programs dealing with text files, processes, and http connections.
Starting from the very basics, the course material will walk you through setting up Python and helping you understand the software better before you begin coding. As a quick introduction to Python especially designed for high schoolers wanting a crash course before committing to a more rigorous or challenging Python program, you do not need to be an expert programmer to enroll in this intensive 2-day class.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Rolling basis
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students
8. Python Programming at University of Helsinki
The Python Programming course offered at the University of Helsinki is a part of their massive online open course (MOOC) offerings. Carefully designed by the Department of Computer Science, the program offers two options for interested students: Introduction to Programming and Advanced Course in Programming. Students can choose the right course based on their current Python knowledge.
For students starting at the introduction level, the option to complete an advanced course as well offers a great incentive. The course is designed to have a combination of synchronous and asynchronous lectures to accommodate students from around the world. The courses will cover topics like writing, testing, and fixing small codes, conditionals, simple loops, strings, and iterations.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current high school students
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