15 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, summer programs are one of the best ways to explore the field and gain hands-on experience before college. They allow you to learn coding, work with data, experiment with new technologies, and even contribute to research guided by university faculty and industry professionals. These experiences not only help you develop practical skills but also give you insight into whether a career in computer science excites you.
New York City is an especially strong place to pursue computer science during the summer. Finding programs close to where you live (or in a city where you’d like to spend time) has its own advantages. Local opportunities minimize travel burdens, let you immerse in the surrounding tech ecosystem, and potentially build lasting connections in an area where you might later study or work.
To guide your search, we’ve curated a list of 15 of the best computer science summer programs for high school students in New York City.
1. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10%
Dates: May 30 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: NYC public or charter school students in 10th or 11th grade
ARISE is a seven-week summer research program that allows you to join NYU labs in fields such as computer science, robotics, and AI. You’ll begin with two weeks of coursework covering research foundations, ethics, and data analysis. For the remaining five weeks, you’ll work along with graduate students and faculty on active research projects. You’ll also attend college prep workshops and present your work at the program symposium. At the end of the program , you’ll gain hands-on research experience and complete a project guided by NYU faculty. This program is especially designed for motivated NYC high school students who want to explore the science and engineering domains in detail.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (open worldwide)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts, including Summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
In the Ladder Internship Program, you’ll work directly with start-ups on internships across multiple fields such as AI, machine learning, health tech, and data science. The program places you in high-growth companies where you’ll contribute to real projects under the guidance of both your Manager and a Ladder Coach . You’ll build skills in programming, product research, and technical communication. You’ll complete an internship where your work directly contributes to a growing company. This program is ideal if you want to combine computer science skills with start-up exposure during the summer.
3. Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10 to 11
CS4CS is a three-week program focused on cybersecurity and computer science. You’ll learn ethical hacking, cryptography, and digital forensics using hands-on labs and group projects. The curriculum also covers social engineering and phishing, giving you a view of both technical and behavioral aspects of cyber threats. A unique part of the program is its partnership with the Irondale program, where you’ll use theater exercises to strengthen teamwork and communication. You’ll practice defending systems and solving simulated cyberattacks using professional tools. This program is a great way to explore cybersecurity while building problem- solving and collaboration skills.
4. Veritas AI Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts, including Summer (June – August)
Application Deadline: April 27 (for summer cohort)
Eligibility: Open to high school students; AI Fellowship applicants need prior AI/Python experience or completion of the Scholars program
Veritas AI is designed to give you both foundational training and advanced research opportunities in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars track introduces you to Python, data science, and concepts related to machine learning concepts, such as regression, neural networks, and natural language processing. If you want to go deep, the AI Fellowship pairs you 1-on-1 with a mentor from a top university to work on an independent project. You’ll also get guidance from Veritas’s publication team to prepare your work for student research journals. By the end of the program, you’ll complete an AI project and gain mentorship experience that prepares you for future research. This program is selective and best suited if you’re ready to explore AI beyond the basics.
5. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) – Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (travel expenses covered; need-based stipends available)
Acceptance rate: Very selective (32 students)
Dates: June 23 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be at least 16 years of age before the start of the program
SSRP gives you the opportunity to do research in biomedical and computational science at Rockefeller University. This is one of the most rigorous research opportunities available to high school students in NYC. In the computational track, you will analyze large-scale genetic data sets using tools such as BLAST and Galaxy. You’ll work full-time in labs along with graduate students and attend lectures from top scientists. You’ll also take part in elective science courses that help to expand your knowledge beyond your research area. You’ll complete original research and present it at a campus-wide symposium.
6. Girls Who Code Summer Programs
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August (varies by track)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; open to girls and non-binary students
Girls Who Code is a two-week Summer Immersion Program and a flexible Self-Paced Program. In both the available options, you’ll learn programming in Python, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS with teamwork and career preparation. The structured curriculum includes building projects such as websites, apps, or AI-based applications. You’ll also attend talks from women in tech and receive mentorship support. You’ll finish the program with completed coding projects which you can showcase in portfolios or college applications. This is a great program if you want accessible and supportive coding instruction during the summer.
7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Online
Cost: $ 1,750; free for families earning under $150K
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–11 (rising seniors preferred)
BWSI is an advanced summer program created by MIT staff, offering online technical courses followed by intensive project work. You can choose modules in domains like AI, quantum computing, or game development. The program combines lectures with team-based projects, where you’ll design algorithms, code systems, and present your results. It's a fast-paced program and runs at the level of a college course. You’ll spend the summer coding advanced projects in collaboration with MIT mentors and peers. This program is best suited if you’re looking for rigorous training in the field of computer science.
8. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Online
Cost: $800 (fee waiver option available)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 17 – June 28
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, age 14+ years; prior coding or healthcare project experience preferred
The Stanford AIMI internship introduces you to how AI is applied in medicine and imaging. Over two weeks, you’ll attend daily lectures from Stanford researchers and participate in small group projects. You’ll also receive one-on-one mentorship to help shape your research skills. The curriculum builds coding ability, data analysis, and scientific communication. Career talks from researchers in academia and industry are part of the schedule. You’ll complete a group project in applied AI and present it to Stanford mentors at the end of the program. This program is selective and designed for students with an interest in both coding and healthcare.
9. HarvardX: CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
Location: Online via edX
Cost/Stipend: Free (optional certificate: $299)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced, ~7 weeks (10–30 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all; prior knowledge in Python recommended
This HarvardX course is a structured introduction to artificial intelligence using Python programming. You’ll cover core AI topics such as search algorithms, optimization, neural networks, and natural language processing. Projects include handwriting recognition and game-playing systems, giving you hands-on practice with applied AI. The course is challenging, but it’s built for motivated high school students. You’ll write Python programs that apply AI concepts to practical problems. Since it’s self-paced, you can complete it at your own pace during the summer.
10. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free (housing/meal fee as optional)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 8%
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S citizens or permanent residents, with 16+ years of age
The Simons Program pairs you with Stony Brook faculty mentors to conduct research in fields including computer science. You’ll explore projects in machine learning, data analysis, or computational biology, applying coding and mathematical methods to questions in real research . Weekly seminars bring in leading scientists to share insights from different disciplines. You’ll work full-time in labs, gaining technical and academic research experience. You’ll present your research at a symposium showcasing your results to faculty and peers. This program is highly competitive but offers deep, immersive experience into academic computer science.
11. SPARC (Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: $3,300 (includes $2,800 as tuition fee, $250 as materials fee, $100 as NYU events fee, $50 as application fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple summer sessions
Application Deadline: May 15 (rolling review)
Eligibility: Grades 9–12, age 15+ years; must have completed Algebra II and Trigonometry
SPARC is a two-week program where you’ll learn robotics, programming, and engineering systems. You’ll build and program robots using sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers while testing them in lab-based challenges. The program covers key concepts in mechanical and electrical engineering, along with coding lessons. Competitions at the end of each session test your creative and problem-solving skills. You’ll design, code, and compete with robots you’ve built during the program. Without any prior robotics experience, you’ll have strong coding and engineering skills.
12. Pre-College NYC Residential Summer Program – Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $12,764 per 3-week session (tuition, housing, meals, and fees included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18; Session B: July 22 – August 8; Session AB: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Not specified (apply early)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ years (must turn 16 years of age by December 31); open to U.S. and international students
Columbia’s Pre-College Program offers high school students the opportunity to study on campus and take courses across multiple subjects. In the computer science field, you can choose from classes such as Introduction to Programming with Python, Rust Programming, and Cyber-Threat Intelligence. Along with academics, you’ll live in residence halls, explore campus life, and take part in guided NYC activities. The program combines classroom rigor with cultural exploration of the city. You’ll complete a Columbia course in computer science and receive a Certificate of Participation. This is a strong option if you want to learn both coding knowledge and college life experience.
13. Tech Scholars Programs – New-York Historical Society
Location: Tech Commons, New-York Historical Society, NYC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7–11 (Podcasting Cohort 1), July 21–25 (Web Design), August 18–22 (Podcasting Cohort 2)
Application Deadline: May 19 for Podcasting; May 26 for Web Design
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; students preferred from the NYC metro area (NY, NJ, CT)
Tech Scholars program combines computer science with storytelling and digital media. You’ll create projects in podcasting or web design while exploring themes related to art, history, and social justice. Coding lessons cover topics such as HTML and CSS, while the podcast track introduces digital audio production and editing. Museum professionals support your projects and provide insights into careers at the intersection of technology and culture. You’ll publish a podcast or design a website that connects history with today’s issues. This program is ideal if you want to apply coding in a creative and socially relevant manner.
14. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (funded by National Grid)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Early July – Early August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies annually (early spring)
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 8–10 with a strong academic record
ieSoSC introduces you to how technology shapes the future of cities. You’ll learn the concepts of computer science along with engineering and entrepreneurship using hands-on prototyping. The highlight is a team design challenge where you’ll create solutions using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Public speaking training is built into the program, preparing you to present confidently. You’ll design and pitch a smart city project that integrates coding, sensors, and innovation. This program blends computer science with creativity, teamwork, and urban problem-solving.
15. STEM Research Academy – City Tech (College Now)
Location: NYC City Tech, Brooklyn, NY + Remote (Hybrid)
Stipend: $1,575 (inclusive of supplies, Metro Card, and meals on Mondays)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer Internship: June 26 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 13 (prior spring course required)
Eligibility: NYC public school sophomores or juniors from partner schools; preference for students with a GPA of 80+
The STEM Research Academy is a two-part program where you first take a spring research course, followed by a summer research internship if you are selected. During the summer, you’ll join a faculty-led research team at City Tech, working on projects that may include computer science, data analysis, or applied engineering. You’ll present your work at the Summer Science Symposium hosted at the American Museum of Natural History. Faculty mentors guide you through designing experiments and using technical tools. You’ll complete and present an independent research project supported by City Tech faculty. This program supports NYC students from underprivileged schools and provides them with mentorship and funding.
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