14 Data Science Programs for High School Students
High school data science programs offer an accessible introduction to this rapidly expanding field, allowing you to gain practical experience and develop skills in areas such as data analysis and machine learning. These programs can also connect you with mentors from top universities and organizations, helping you build valuable networks that can give you future opportunities in tech and research.
If you’re interested in data science and related areas, such as AI and informatics, you’ll get to apply concepts in these fields to solve problems in healthcare, the environment, and more. In this blog, we've curated a list of the top 14 data science programs for high school students, including virtual options, based on their reputation, curriculum depth, and accessibility. This selection showcases a diverse range of offerings from prestigious institutions, providing a balanced mix of research, internships, and skill-building experiences.
14 Data Science Programs for High School Students
1. NLM Data Science and Informatics Scholars Program
Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 8-12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 18 (rolling)
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors (17+) who are within 40 miles of an NIH campus; Must have a GPA of 3.0+ and relevant coursework
The NLM DSI Scholars Program is designed for students interested in the intersection of computational health and biology research. It provides training in biomedical data science, artificial intelligence, and health informatics through summer research opportunities. As a participant, you will collaborate one-on-one with mentors on projects analyzing health datasets and more. Additionally, the program includes seminars and workshops aimed at enhancing scientific communication skills and professional development. By the conclusion of the program, you will be expected to present your work at NLM’s Summer Poster Day and the NIH-wide Summer Poster Day.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships connects you with startups for real-world data science projects in tracks like Machine Learning & AI. As a participant, you will collaborate with company coaches to define project goals, develop deliverables, and present outcomes over eight weeks. The program builds skills in data analysis, project management, and professional communication through flexible, part-time work. You’ll also get to choose projects aligned with your interests after matching interviews, ensuring relevance to data science applications. Mentorship from startup professionals offers industry insights and networking opportunities. A letter of completion from the host company adds value to college applications.
3. DSI Summer Lab @ UChicago
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students
In the Data Science Institute Summer Lab, you’ll work alongside mentors on projects across fields such as computer science, social sciences, public policy, climate and energy, materials science, and biomedical research. You will build practical skills in data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, and research methodologies while learning how data science operates as a collaborative, interdisciplinary team effort. Throughout the program, you will practice communicating your findings through reports and videos, culminating in a professional conference-style symposium where you present your work and respond to questions. You’ll join a diverse cohort that emphasizes collaboration through group projects, near-peer mentoring, and community activities. Weekly talks from leading researchers, professional development sessions, and guidance on ethical data practices help you explore long-term academic and career pathways in data science.
4. Veritas AI – AI Scholars
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI’s AI Scholars introduces you to data science fundamentals within AI, including key concepts like machine learning and data analysis. As a participant, you will build real-world projects in small groups of 3-5, guided by mentors from top universities. The program covers applications in fields like medicine and finance, with hands-on coding in Python. You will receive expert feedback and can earn post-baccalaureate credit from UC San Diego. Emphasis is on collaborative problem-solving and ethical AI use. Unique projects allow exploration of novel models tailored to individual interests.
5. Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: U.S. rising 11th graders (16+)
Carnegie Mellon CS Scholars immerses you in computer science principles applicable to data science, including programming and algorithmic thinking. The programming course will cover concepts like problem-solving in Python, basic data structures, algorithmic thinking, debugging, and more. As a participant, you will engage in hands-on group projects tackling real-world challenges, be introduced to ongoing research projects, and present at a capstone symposium. The program features faculty lectures, industry visits, and research exposure, as well as weekly seminars that cover college admissions, financial aid, and well-being. You’ll also receive mentorship and get the chance to build your network. Returning students can advance to AI Scholars.
6. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None (except for a non-refundable application fee of $75, which can be waived)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less than 2.5%; 100 students
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors (16+); More details here
The MIT Research Science Institute combines coursework in scientific theory with research in data science and related fields. As a participant, you will experience the full research cycle, from literature review to conference-style presentations. You will also attend intensive STEM classes that precede the five-week internship with mentors. By the end of the program, you’ll be expected to deliver oral and written reports on your findings. The program fosters independent thinking and collaboration, and gives you unique access to MIT resources.
7. NYU ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 6 – February 21
Eligibility: NYC rising high school juniors/seniors
NYU ARISE provides access to foundational STEM training and lab safety training, followed by lab research in data science areas like computer science. As a participant, you will work in an NYU research lab, supporting faculty on projects and contributing to research. You’ll also attend workshops that allow you to develop writing and research skills. By the end of the program, you will have to present your work at the closing American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Poster Symposium. The program also provides opportunities to connect with professionals, facilitating your career development.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: <5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: U.S. rising high school seniors (16+)
During the Simons Summer Research Program, you will be placed in one of several research teams for data science in science, math, or engineering. As a participant, you will be paired with a faculty member and have the opportunity to learn laboratory techniques under their supervision, gaining experience in a university research setting. You’ll also get to contribute to active research projects and gain practical skills. By the end of the program, you will have created a research abstract and a research poster, which you will present at the closing poster symposium.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (virtual options available too)
Cost: Free for qualifying students; $2,350 for students with a family income of $150,000 or more
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 2 – 30
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders with an interest in STEM
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute allows you to spend four weeks at MIT exploring engineering and computer science through collaborative, project-focused courses. You’ll begin with a required online component to build core skills, then transition to campus, where you’ll work in teams on real-world challenges, such as autonomous drones, embedded security, or quantum software, with guidance from MIT Lincoln Laboratory mentors and MIT faculty. Through lectures, labs, and collaborative design sessions, you’ll move beyond theory into applied STEM practice. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen technical skills, gain confidence in engineering problem-solving, and connect with peers and mentors who share similar interests. This experience helps you see how interests in robotics, AI, or hardware design translate into real-world engineering projects.
10. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – June 26 (Online); July 19 – July 31 (Residential)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current 9th graders interested in AI
Stanford AI4ALL introduces you to artificial intelligence through a human-centered and research-based approach. You’ll examine how AI is used in contexts such as medicine, disaster response, poverty analysis, and robotics while considering its social impact and ethical questions. The program combines faculty-led lectures, live demonstrations, and small-group research guided by graduate students and researchers. You will work within one focused area—Computer Vision, Medical AI, Natural Language Processing, or Robotics—using real data and computational methods. The experience concludes with a research presentation that reflects your understanding of both AI techniques and their real-world implications.
11. Aspiring Scientists’ Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (remote + hybrid available too)
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition (waivable based on need)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15+ for remote/computer labs and 16+ for wet labs
ASSIP offers high school students the chance to participate in a research experience in data science-related fields like bioinformatics, neuroscience, and environmental science. As a participant, you’ll work one-on-one with faculty mentors using advanced tools for data collection and analysis. The program includes scientific writing, communication training, and STEM career discussions. You’ll also earn three college credits and may contribute to publications or conferences. Hands-on lab work fosters innovation and creativity, and you will be expected to present a poster summarizing your work at the final poster session.
12. Wharton Global Youth Program – Data Science Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,599; Financial aid offered
Cohort Size: Approximately 75 students
Dates: June 21 – July 11; July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 28 (priority); March 18 (final)
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th graders with a strong math and coding background; International students welcome
The Wharton Data Science Academy is a faculty-led pre-college program that allows you to explore data science and machine learning at a level equivalent to advanced Wharton undergraduate coursework. You’ll develop a strong foundation in data wrangling, visualization, probability, statistics, and core modeling, then progress to modern machine learning topics such as neural networks and large language models. Using R and Python, you’ll work with real datasets, complete daily projects, and build a capstone to address a real-world challenge. Lectures are led by Wharton professors, with close mentorship from Penn undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants. You’ll also take part in enrichment sessions linking data science to college pathways and careers, emphasizing ethical data use, bias, and clear communication. The program concludes with a Data Science Live showcase, where you’ll present your work and earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
13. RISE Internship/Practicum @ Boston University
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,185 (commuter); $10,289 (residential); Limited financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 190 students
Dates: June 28 – August 7 (residential); June 29 – August 7 (commuter)
Application Deadline: February 4
Eligibility: U.S. rising high school seniors; More details here
The RISE Internship/Practicum is a six-week summer program at Boston University for high school juniors interested in science. It offers two tracks: Internship and Practicum. In the Internship track, you’ll spend 40 hours per week conducting hands-on laboratory research in fields such as biology, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, physics, and public health under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. In the Practicum track, you’ll complete structured group research in Computational Neurobiology or Data Science through daily lectures and guided experiments, with additional exposure to biotech or pharmaceutical companies. Students in both tracks present their research at a Poster Symposium that concludes the program. Throughout the six weeks, you develop technical and analytical skills, learn the scientific process and research ethics, practice reading and presenting research, and build early networks in science and engineering.
14. UConn Pre-College Summer: Data Science
Location: UConn, Storrs, CT
Cost: $2,050 course fee + $50 application
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 1-week sessions in summer
Application Deadline: June 11 (priority)
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14-17) who have completed at least one year of high school
UConn Pre-College Summer Data Science Course lets you explore data science on a nationally ranked public university campus while gaining practical skills. You'll learn core data science principles across statistics, data analysis, machine learning, and computer science, reflecting how the field intersects with careers. Taught by experienced professors, the course trains you in data manipulation, visualization, and analysis, with hands-on programming in R to run simulations and analyze results. You’ll work with real-world datasets, applying your skills to topics ranging from climate change to sports analytics. Designed for high school students exploring future pathways, this program helps you test whether data science, analytics, or tech-driven careers are right for you.
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