8 Online Programming Courses for Middle School Students
In today’s fast-evolving tech landscape, what was once considered cutting-edge is now becoming foundational knowledge. This can sometimes be overwhelming, especially for kids in middle school who already have their traditional curriculum to face. However, the rise of online programming courses offers a golden opportunity for students to dive into the world of technology at their own pace, on their own schedule, and from the comfort of home.
Online programming courses are not only flexible but designed to be engaging and less rigid than the typical school curriculum. These courses introduce essential coding concepts through interactive projects, games, and real-world applications, making them both fun and educational. Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or already have some experience, these courses can help you sharpen your skills, foster creativity, and build a strong foundation in the tech field.
Here are 7 online programming courses perfect for middle school students to explore and get ahead in the digital age. Whether you're aspiring to become a software engineer, data scientist, or simply want to understand the mechanics behind the apps and games you love, there's a course for you.
1. Veritas AI Junior Fellowship Program
The Veritas AI Junior Fellowship offers an in-depth exploration of artificial intelligence through a 12-week structured course divided into three phases: learning and exploration, ideation and data exploration, and final project development. Students work closely with mentors (from top institutions like Harvard) to create AI models or research papers on topics that combine AI with their interests, such as healthcare or environmental science.
This program stands out for its personalized one-on-one mentorship, project-based approach, and flexibility in combining AI with various fields of study. While it's a paid program, Veritas AI offers financial aid to ensure more students can participate.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,900 (financial aid available based on need)
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024 (for the winter cohort)
Program Dates: 12-week program
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8 with prior experience in Python or who have completed the AI Trailblazers program
2. Web Development with Wix Education (CSforALL)
The Web Development with Wix Education program offers an intuitive and engaging introduction to web development, specifically designed for students with little to no prior coding experience. In this free course, participants use Velo, Wix’s coding platform, and JavaScript to build interactive websites without the need to master HTML or CSS. The seven-lesson curriculum includes hands-on activities in topics like custom interactions, conditionals, and variables, all presented in an easy-to-follow, project-based format.
Students will be able to create real-world projects like portfolio sites or special interest websites, which can be tailored to meet personal or educational goals. This program is a great starting point for students eager to learn web development.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to students of all ages, particularly designed for middle schoolers and educators teaching in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K.
3. Create and Learn: Data Science with Python, Pandas, and ChatGPT
This course offers middle school students a deep dive into the fundamentals of data science using Python and the powerful Pandas library. The program covers essential topics such as data cleaning, processing, and analytics, and incorporates the latest in AI tools like ChatGPT to assist in creating more advanced projects.
It’s highly interactive, with small class sizes and live, online instruction from experienced teachers, each with at least three years of active experience in data analysis. By the end of the course, students will have the skills to work with real-world data sets and complete a capstone project.
This course is a great choice for middle schoolers interested in gaining a robust foundation in data science to prepare for more advanced studies in high school and beyond.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $242 (for six 75-minute sessions, includes a 17% discount)
Application Deadline: No set deadline; rolling admissions
Program Dates: October – November 2024 (six weeks)
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 5–8), ideally with prior experience in Python (students must have completed Python for AI Part 3 or an equivalent)
4. Udemy's Intro to Programming For Middle/High Schoolers
This Introduction to Programming course on Udemy is tailored for middle and high school students eager to explore coding at their own pace. The program provides an engaging introduction to fundamental programming concepts such as algorithms, loops, and conditionals using approachable language. It’s designed to empower students to understand why programming is important and how to start coding. The course also touches on ethics in coding and introduces learners to various coding tools.
While it offers self-guided instruction, it doesn’t include live interaction with instructors, so students must be comfortable with self-directed learning. This makes it a great fit for those looking for a flexible, beginner-friendly course.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Designed specifically for middle and high school students
Google CS First is a comprehensive, free program that introduces middle school students to computer science through interactive, video-based lessons and block-based coding via Scratch. The curriculum covers various themes such as game design, storytelling, and art, allowing students to create fun projects while learning essential coding concepts like loops, variables, and conditionals.
A key feature of CS First is its flexibility—students can access it at any time and work at their own pace. Teachers or parents can also easily integrate the program into classroom or extracurricular activities. In addition to developing technical skills, CS First encourages collaboration and creativity by enabling students to work on joint projects and track their progress. It’s an excellent entry point for students who are new to coding and want to explore the world of computer science in a fun, engaging way.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Open to students ages 9–14 (ideal for middle school students)
6. Project STEM Exploration 1: CS Fundamentals in Scratch
Project STEM's Exploration 1: CS Fundamentals in Scratch is an introductory course that leverages Scratch, a block-based visual programming language developed by MIT. The course is designed to help middle school students create animations, interactive stories, and games while learning core computer science principles such as sequencing, loops, conditionals, and variables. It’s highly interactive, allowing students to engage creatively and collaboratively in coding projects.
This course offers a flexible format, adaptable to various educational settings, whether as part of a school’s curriculum or extracurricular programming. Schools participating through Amazon Future Engineer receive additional resources such as teacher training, student support, and real-world connections with industry professionals.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (for selected schools through Amazon Future Engineer sponsorship)
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Program Dates: Flexible; it can be taught as a 9-week, 12-week, semester-long, or full-year course
Eligibility: Open to middle school students, typically in grades 6–8
7. Premier Coding Academy: Codder’s Ladder Courses
The Codder's Ladder program from Premier Coding Academy is designed to take students through a structured progression in programming, starting from beginner to advanced levels. Students begin at a level appropriate for their current knowledge and move up through increasingly challenging stages, covering topics like web design, game development, and languages such as Python, JavaScript, and Scratch.
Class sizes are kept small, with a maximum of six students per group, ensuring personalized attention and support. The course is a solid choice for students who want to advance their coding skills in a collaborative, real-world environment.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $125 for four weeks (one lesson per week) or $232 for four weeks (two lessons per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Available year-round
Eligibility: Open to middle school students of all skill levels
8. Johns Hopkins Scratch Programming For Middle School Students
The John Hopkins Scratch Programming for Middle School Students course is a deep dive into the captivating world of computer games and interactive projects using Scratch. Throughout this course, students will immerse themselves in essential programming concepts that form the backbone of computer science. Dive deep into topics like conditional statements and event handling, all while engaging in fun and imaginative projects.
Projects include things like teaching a quirky cat to dance, skillfully guiding it through a challenging maze, and employing math in clever and creative ways as you design your own games. These hands-on activities will not only spark your creativity but also help you develop vital problem-solving skills.
This course serves as a perfect gateway for beginners—there's no need for previous programming experience to get started. Participants are expected to invest 3-5 hours each week into independent study and exploration. By the end of this course, you'll not only have a solid understanding of fundamental programming concepts but also a collection of exciting projects to showcase your newfound skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $984
Application deadline: December 31, 2024
Program Date: January - March 2025
Eligibility: Middle school students with basic knowledge of computer operations.
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!
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