8 Python Bootcamps for Middle School Students

Middle school is an ideal time for students to begin exploring their academic interests. If coding or computer science sparks your curiosity, a Python bootcamp can be a fantastic place to start. These programs aren’t just about writing lines of code—they help you build real-world skills, gain exposure to the tech industry, and connect with mentors who can guide you. Whether you’re thinking about a future in AI, software development, or data science, getting hands-on experience in Python early on can be very beneficial.

Through structured lessons and project-based learning, a Python bootcamp can help you gain confidence and shape your future high school coursework choices. For students who already enjoy coding and those just starting to explore, these bootcamps offer a chance to learn by doing in a fun setting. 

To make your search easier, we’ve rounded up 8 standout Python bootcamps for middle schoolers!

1. TheCoderSchool – Python Coding Camps

Location: theCoderSchool campuses across various U.S. locations.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Instructor ratio of 6:1.

Cost/Stipend: $699.

Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the year.

Application deadline: Rolling enrollment – sign up here!

Eligibility: Ages 10+; some coding experience is preferred but not necessary.

This program introduces beginners and those with some coding experience to Python fundamentals through projects and interactive lessons. You will begin by exploring online coding platforms like Trinket and Repl.it, learning about key concepts such as loops, variables, and functions. The in-person sessions also offer opportunities to delve into more advanced topics, potentially utilizing PyGame for game development. With a mentor-led environment and real-world coding challenges, this boot camp can help you refine your logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Group projects with 3-5 students per team; sessions run at a 5:1 mentor ratio.

Cost/Stipend: $1,790 (Financial assistance available).

Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) OR 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays, summer cohort).

Application deadline: Regular summer cohort deadline is April 27; rolling deadlines for other sessions. Apply here!

Eligibility: Grades 6–8; no prerequisites.

This fully virtual program is designed for middle school students to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this programme, you will build a strong foundation in Python and delve into essential concepts such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The program is structured with lectures and group sessions, maintaining a supportive 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. 

Participants work collaboratively in a group project, which includes creating machine-learning models for applications ranging from music genre classification to personalized educational resource recommendations. This hands-on, immersive experience not only builds technical skills but also encourages teamwork and creative problem solving. Financial assistance based on need is also available for eligible students!

3. Create & Learn – Python for AI Series

Location: Virtual.

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum of 5 students per instructor.

Cost/Stipend: None.

Dates: Structured weeklong sessions (4 consecutive days).

Application deadline: Rolling – refer to the website for session details

Eligibility: Middle school students; no prior coding experience required.

This program aims to help students craft original Python programs. This camp offers a structured, week-long experience where you will learn the basics of Python before progressing to more advanced topics. You will be guided by experts from Google and Stanford. The program emphasizes personalized attention through small groups, with a maximum of five students per instructor, ensuring you receive focused feedback. As you progress in this program, you will work on projects and receive a Certificate of Achievement. The online setting allows you to collaborate and ask questions in real-time.

4. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual (1-on-1 online format).

Cost/Stipend: $2,400; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Personalized 1-on-1 mentorship; over 6,000 students mentored since 2020.

Dates: 8-week program.

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines – Early Admission: February 9, Priority: March 9, Regular I: April 13, Regular II: May 11; program begins June 2. Apply here!

Eligibility: Grades 6–8.

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.

5. CodeWizardsHQ – Live Online Python Classes

Location: Virtual.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats per session (small cohorts).

Cost/Stipend: $499 per course.

Dates: Multiple start dates available, with sessions held once a week.
Application Deadline: Varies by session – check the website for details!
Eligibility: Ages 11–13; some basic coding or a placement test may be required.

This program introduces Python programming through live, online classes designed for middle school students. You will begin at Wizard Level I, where you will learn the fundamentals of Python by building interactive projects. You will later progress to more advanced courses integrating HTML, CSS, and even JavaScript. The curriculum emphasizes projects, enabling you to develop real-world applications while refining your coding and problem-solving skills. With small cohorts, sessions provide mentorship and support from instructors. As you complete each level, you will develop a robust coding portfolio that prepares you for future challenges in technology and web development.

6. iD Tech – Python Coding: Arcade Game Design

Location: Virtual 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small-group, online sessions.

Cost/Stipend: Starting at $399.

Dates: Monday through Friday (2 hours per day). Find dates and prices here!

Application deadline: Rolling admissions — check deadlines here.

Eligibility: Students aged 10-12; beginner-intermediate skill level.

In this virtual tech camp, students aged 10-12 are introduced to the fundamentals of Python through projects such as building logic games and designing their own arcade-style game. As a participant, you will develop essential programming skills, including computational thinking, coding with Python, and problem-solving. You will also explore custom graphics and sprite libraries. Daily live sessions provide focused mentorship and opportunities for peer collaboration. The program balances live instruction with self-paced project work, giving you time to experiment and refine your games.

7.  Codingal – Python Champion Course

Location: Online (1:1 virtual sessions).

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Personalized one-on-one sessions.

Cost/Stipend: Pricing details are available on the website.

Dates: 5-month program. 

Application deadline: Rolling enrollment. 

Eligibility: Grades 6-12

This one-on-one program is designed for students in grades 6-12. Over five months, you will receive personalized instruction through live, private sessions. The course comprises over 100 activities and projects across seven modules, enabling you to build a solid foundation in computer science while creating interactive apps, animations, and games. With live sessions, monthly progress reports, and lifetime access to course materials, this bootcamp offers a supportive learning environment. You will complete the program with industry-recognized certifications, including a STEM.org-accredited certificate and a Python Developer certificate.

8. YoungWonks – Python Programming Course

Location: Online (also available in-person at YoungWonks Coding School).

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1:1 online sessions or 4:1 in-person ratio.

Cost/Stipend: None.

Dates: Weekly sessions (self-paced with teacher-led classes).

Application deadline: Rolling basis. YoungWonks enrolls students only after they attend a free trial class - sign up for that here!

Eligibility: Middle and high school students; prior experience with Scratch is recommended.

This course is designed to build professional coding skills. Tailored for middle and high school students who have already been introduced to programming, this course covers the fundamentals of Python, including data types, loops, functions, and file operations. The curriculum is rigorous yet accessible, emphasizing logical thinking and problem-solving through a combination of projects and continuous practice. The program offers the flexibility of a live, one-on-one online lesson or the collaborative in-person option with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio. The course will prepare you for subsequent advanced courses in game development, robotics, and object-oriented programming.