Top 8 Programming Competitions for High School Students
Participating in programming competitions offers high school students a unique opportunity to sharpen their coding skills and develop advanced problem-solving abilities. These contests specifically target proficiency in programming languages and algorithmic thinking, demanding a deeper understanding of computational concepts. The team-based nature of many programming competitions cultivates essential skills in collaboration, communication, and creativity, essential for success in an academic environment.
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the 8 best programming competitions for high school students!
1. USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
Location: Virtual / to be announced.
Eligibility: Must be a high school student.
Prize: Opportunity to advance to IOI and other international olympiads.
Registration + Submission deadline: To be announced. Please go through the training opportunities.
Competition dates: Multiple contest rounds throughout the year. TBA for 2025, but the Open will likely be in March 2025 based on the 2024 schedule.
USACO is the national round of the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) — a prestigious competition aimed at boosting interest in computing science and information technology among high school students. Hosted by UNESCO and IFIP, it is one of five international science olympiads. The contest spans two days of computer programming and algorithmic problem-solving, challenging participants to demonstrate their skills in coding and logical thinking.
Participation in the USACO requires proficiency in common competitive programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python. However, emphasis is placed on algorithmic thinking and a solid understanding of fundamental algorithms and data structures. Knowledge of Big-O notation and identifying algorithmic bottlenecks are also essential for success in the competition.
Check out the 2023–2024 competition schedule here. You can also check out some great resources to help you prepare for USACO here!
Note: Winners from this and other, similar national rounds attend the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).
2. Stanford ACM | Stanford ProCo
Location: Stanford Campus
Eligibility: High School Students in the Bay Area, teams of max three people.
Prize: Variety of Prizes offered, TBA. Previous years have included Raspberry pis, Nintendo 3DSes, and Ipad minis.
Registration + Submission Deadline: Registration opens a month to a month and a half before ProCo.
Competition dates: TBA for 2024, could be mid-April tentatively based on the 2023 schedule.
Stanford ProCo stands as a challenging coding competition designed for high school students, mirroring the esteemed ACM-ICPC format. Teams, comprising a maximum of three members, engage in solving a set of 9 to 15 algorithmic problems within a rigorous 3-hour timeframe. Submissions are accepted in C, C++, Java, and Python 3.6, providing participants with a diverse range of programming options.
This competition serves as a litmus test for participants’ algorithmic prowess, pushing them to exercise their problem-solving skills while honing their ability to debug and troubleshoot code efficiently. With both novice and advanced categories, the ProCo accommodates varying skill levels, ensuring a challenging yet inclusive experience for all participants.
3. American Computer Science League (ACSL)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Must be an elementary, middle, or high school student. Please check if your school has registered for the competition.
Prize: Certificates and cash prizes (amount not disclosed).
Registration deadline + Submission Deadline: To be announced for 2024–2025, Deadline is likely to be December 31, tentatively based on previous years.
During registration, contestants have the option to purchase previous year’s study materials.
Competition dates: There are multiple rounds of competitions.
ACSL orchestrates engaging computer programming and computer science competitions tailored for K-12 schools, organizations, and local groups. Spanning multiple divisions, these contests cater to students of diverse ages and skill levels, ensuring an appropriate challenge for everyone involved. Across each season, consisting of four contests, participants are tested on foundational concepts in computer science, including programming.
These encompass a broad spectrum, from Number Systems and Boolean Algebra to Digital Electronics. In the upper divisions, each contest presents students with a programming challenge to solve using Python, C++, or Java. This blend of theoretical understanding and practical application fosters a comprehensive learning experience, preparing students for the dynamic world of computer science.
Check out this ultimate guide to ACSL!
4. HPE CodeWars
Location: TBA, but can also be competed in remotely
Eligibility: Students between the ages 13 through 18. Teams of the size of 2 to 3 people and an adult sponsor. Sponsors can be sponsors to a max of three teams.
Prize: there is a prize pool for raffle winners, and an award.
Registration + Submission Deadline: Registration opens a month before the competition, and closes two weeks before the start date. No costs associated — apart from travel expenses to in-person competition.
Competition dates: TBD for 2025
HPE CodeWars presents a thrilling coding competition tailored for high school students. Teams of three students are challenged to solve a series of 30 progressively difficult problems within a tight 3-hour window. Previous competitions have featured programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python 3.
Participants are encouraged to sharpen their problem-solving abilities and familiarize themselves with key data structures. Moreover, practicing competitive coding techniques such as the two-pointer technique and binary search can significantly enhance algorithm efficiency, preparing teams for the intensity of the competition.
Here is everything you need to know about HPE CodeWars!
5. Harker Programming Invitational
Location: Harker Upper School Campus, San Jose, California
Eligibility: High school students in teams of 1 to 3 people.
Prize: awards and trophies to winners, Top 8 teams receive certificates.
Registration + Submission Deadline: month to a month and a half before competition day.
Competition dates: TBA for 2025, will likely be in March based on the 2024 schedule.
The Harker Programming Invitational offers high school students a dynamic coding competition, blending elements of USACO-style questions with the structure of Stanford ProCo. During the intense 2-hour event, teams are tasked with solving a series of 10 unweighted problems, challenging their algorithmic thinking and coding skills.
Participants must craft solutions using Java, Python, or C++, adding an element of versatility to their approach. With both novice and advanced categories available, the competition caters to a wide range of skill levels, fostering an environment of inclusivity and healthy competition.
Location: Germany (for 2024, TBA for 2025)
Eligibility: Age group 1: 10–13; Age group 2: 14–20. A team consists of two to four members. For detailed eligibility criteria, please see here.
Prize: Varying amounts of prize money.
Registration + Submission Deadline: The deadline to register for 2024 was June 18, 2023. The deadline for 2025 is to be announced. You can register here.
Competition Dates: 17 November, 2024. Detailed schedule is available here.
RoboRAVE offers a vibrant platform for student-designed robots from across the globe to engage in friendly competition. Originating in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, RoboRAVE has expanded its presence to multiple countries spanning five continents.
The competition follows a team-based format, providing opportunities for participants to showcase their programming skills using languages such as Python, Arduino, and Scratch. Ample practice time is recommended to enhance the performance of your robot. RoboRAVE stands as an exciting programming competition where students can unleash their creativity and technical expertise.
Here are some winning hacks for RoboRAVE International!
7. Technology Student Association Competitions
Location: Hosted in different cities every year.
Eligibility: Must be in grades 7 to 12. Detailed eligibility criteria are provided here.
Prize: Trophies and certificates. Details of any other prizes are not known.
Registration + Submission Deadline: Variable based on selected competition
Competition dates: Variable based on selected competition
The Technology Student Association (TSA) extends an invitation to middle and high school students with a flair for STEM to showcase their talent in over 40 diverse competitions, including software development and coding. TSA’s software development and coding competitions offer both team-based and individual events, catering to various preferences and strengths.
However, regardless of the competition format, the most crucial skill required across all events is problem-solving. Participants in TSA’s software development and coding competitions are challenged to apply their programming skills and ingenuity to solve complex problems efficiently.
Location: Broad variety of locations. You can find them here
Eligibility: High School Students, aged between 14 and 18. Teams must have at least 10 students, with 2 adult mentors. Teams are usually affiliated with schools, or local educational institutions or organizations, so it’s best to check whether such an organization already exists in your community. If not — you can independently organize it as well!
Prize: A broad swathe of scholarships and cash prizes for the top scorers
Registration + Submission Deadline: Team registrations are usually $5000, FIRST offers guidance on fundraising for this amount and aid to teams that need it.
Competition dates: Early January through April for 2024. The 2025 schedule is yet to be announced.
FIRST Robotics stands as a prestigious team-based programming competition, where teams face strict rules, have limited resources, and a race against time to construct an industrial-sized robot. Tasked with building a machine capable of excelling in a complex field game, participants must strategize meticulously to succeed. Preparation for this intense competition involves thorough research into previous years’ challenges, allowing teams to devise effective strategies.
Additionally, teams must engage in fundraising activities to support their endeavors, showcasing their non-technical skills alongside their programming prowess In terms of essential competencies for competitors, proficiency in prototyping, CAD (Computer-Aided Design), and programming languages such as Java, C++, or LabVIEW is crucial.
Here are 7 tips to win the FIRST Robotics competition!
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