15 Free Coding Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in coding, free programs are a great way to explore the field at no cost. You will develop coding skills, receive exposure to the software development industry, and connect with mentors who can guide your future academic and career paths. Some coding programs help high school students make their own apps, which can be a valuable addition to your portfolio for college applications.
Why should I participate in a free coding program in high school?
Free coding programs for high school students provide structured learning environments where you can test your aptitude for coding before committing to a college major. You'll work on projects that mirror professional workflows, building a robust portfolio and understanding different applications of computer science. Free programs tend to be quite selective, which means getting in can help you stand out in the college admissions process.
We've narrowed down our list to highlight the top 15 free coding programs for high school students. These programs prioritize accessibility and quality, and every opportunity is either completely free or offers full scholarships.
1. University of Washington’s Changemakers in Computing (CIC)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 20–25 students
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at Washington state high schools who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The CIC program is a mentorship-based opportunity for high school students interested in building coding skills. During CIC, you will work on coding projects alongside other students and under the guidance of undergraduate mentors from the University of Washington. Along with building technical skills, you will engage in activities that introduce you to broader topics in technology and engineering. The program also offers support from university faculty for navigating the college application process. You’ll have the chance to connect with peers who share your interests and goals.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, around 10%; cohort size ranges between 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships enable you to work directly with high-growth startup companies on technology projects that address real business needs while developing your coding and professional skills. Your internship will involve collaborating with a manager from the startup organization and receiving guidance from a dedicated Ladder coach who provides weekly check-ins and performance feedback. You'll engage in meaningful work that contributes to the startup's mission, whether developing software features, analyzing data, or creating technical documentation. At the conclusion of your internship, you'll present your work to company leadership, gaining valuable experience in professional presentation and articulating technical concepts. Apply now!
3. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft campuses (Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 15%; 100–150 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: High school graduating seniors who live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, Washington, or live and attend high school around Atlanta, Georgia, and have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program
In this program, you will gain project experience by working with Microsoft employees on technology initiatives that contribute to the company's mission and business objectives. Your work will involve applying computational thinking to solve challenges in software development, data analysis, or user experience design through collaborative team projects. You'll develop technical skills in programming languages and tools relevant to Microsoft's technology stack while learning professional software development practices. The program provides structured learning opportunities through workshops and training sessions that expose you to various aspects of technology careers within Microsoft. At the conclusion of your internship, you'll present your project to Microsoft leadership.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; AI Scholars: student-to-mentor ratio of 5:1; AI Fellowship: 1:1 mentoring
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November); apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars: High school students worldwide | AI Fellowship applicants need prior AI or Python experience or completion of AI Scholars
Veritas AI enables you to learn foundational concepts in artificial intelligence through structured coursework that covers machine learning, neural networks, and data science applications. Your program will involve building real-world projects in small groups with guidance from mentors who are current students or recent graduates from top universities like Harvard and Stanford. You'll develop practical coding skills in Python while exploring how AI technologies impact various industries and societal domains through case studies and discussions. The curriculum includes weekly live sessions with industry professionals who share insights about career paths and emerging trends in artificial intelligence. You'll receive personalized feedback on your projects and progress through regular check-ins with your assigned mentor, who helps you navigate challenges and deepen your understanding.
5. America on Tech TECH360 Summer Bootcamp
Location: Virtual with limited in-person sessions (New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $500 stipend upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies as per location
Dates: New York, Los Angeles, Miami: 2-week Summer Cycles between June–July | Atlanta: Spring Cycle between February–April
Application Deadline: Varies based on location and cycle
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors currently attending NYC, LA, Miami, or Atlanta high schools
In this program, you will engage in hands-on projects where you'll build practical skills in understanding AI systems while developing critical thinking about ethical implications and limitations. You'll work collaboratively with peers on a final group project where you'll pitch an AI-powered tool to mock clients, simulating real-world product development scenarios. The program includes mentorship from technology professionals who provide industry insights and career guidance throughout your learning journey. At the conclusion of the program, top-rated projects will present at Demo Day before a panel of judges, giving you valuable experience in professional presentation.
6. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering Campus, Brooklyn, New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 45–50 students
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade from New Jersey and Nassau County
Led by NYU faculty, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to coding and cybersecurity. You will explore critical themes like ethical "white-hat" hacking, digital forensics, and cryptography while examining modern privacy challenges facing the industry. The curriculum balances technical coding practice with hands-on security analysis, ensuring you gain practical experience alongside theoretical knowledge. Unique communication workshops further sharpen your professional soft skills. By the conclusion of the course, you will have mastered the defensive techniques and analytical tools necessary to investigate digital evidence and secure complex data systems in real-world environments.
7. Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30–50 students
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who will be 16 years of age by June 20, between 10th and 11th grade, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The CS Scholars program is a pre-college summer opportunity to engage in college-level computer science coursework, attend guest lectures and seminars, and visit academic labs and tech-related sites. The curriculum focuses on coding, computer science, and mathematics, with an emphasis on collaborative learning. You’ll work in groups on projects guided by faculty, graduate students, and staff. At the end of the program, you and your team should expect to present your work during a closing symposium. The program also offers workshops to help you prepare for college and opportunities to explore Pittsburgh with other students on weekends.
8. Girls Who Code Pathways Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; large cohort size
Dates: 6–7 weeks at a flexible pace
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9th-12th girls and non-binary students, including rising 9th-grade students
The Girls Who Code Pathways Program is a flexible, virtual program that allows you to explore the tech world on your own schedule. You can choose to dive into high-demand tracks like Web Development, Cybersecurity, or Data Science and AI, gaining hands-on experience with languages like Python, HTML, and CSS. Throughout the six-week experience, you will build portfolio pieces such as a custom website or a cybersecurity chatbot while participating in "Tech Spotlights" that highlight diverse industry leaders. This experience doesn't just teach you to code; it empowers you with the confidence and community support to see yourself as a future leader in technology.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None for families earning less than $150,000; $2,350 for other families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–12% acceptance; 30 – 40 students per cohort
Dates: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 living and attending high school in the U.S.
This intensive four-week program at MIT involves a rigorous curriculum of lectures, labs, and team projects. Before arriving on campus, you must finish a required online course during the spring to build your foundational knowledge. On campus, you can work on Cyber Operations, Autonomous RACECAR racing, or Hardware Hacking under the mentorship of MIT experts. You’ll use professional-grade tools to program vehicles and build secure systems, culminating in a final presentation of your innovations to a specialized audience. Ultimately, this experience bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
10. Code Next by Google
Location: Google Code Next Labs (Oakland, California; Chelsea, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Inglewood, California)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 30%; cohorts of 50–75 students per location
Dates: Year-round programming; typically after school and weekends
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students; must live in or near cities with Code Next Labs
In this program, you will receive programming instruction through Code Next Labs or Affiliate partner organizations to learn about computer science and problem-solving. Your learning will involve working on solo and team projects that produce websites, programs, and other demonstrations of your growing technical skills and interests. You'll develop coding proficiency through a structured curriculum that covers web development, artificial intelligence, and other technology domains relevant to your interests. The program provides mentorship from Google employees who share their expertise and offer guidance on navigating technology careers and educational pathways. At the conclusion of your experience, you'll have developed a portfolio of projects.
11. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Estimated 7–10%; approximately 75–80 students
Dates: Virtual Jumpstart: June 15–16; Main program: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors in 11th grade at the time of application submissions, are 16 years old by the program start date, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
By combining virtual and residential learning, SAMS prepares you for the rigors of university STEM environments. Your journey begins with a digital "Jumpstart" session to strengthen your computational and quantitative basics before transitioning to the Carnegie Mellon campus. On campus, you will engage in formal science and math coursework alongside the "Student to Scholar" credit-bearing class. Collaborative projects and writing workshops, guided by expert faculty and graduate mentors, help sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills. Ultimately, this comprehensive program bridges the gap between high school and college through academic practice and mentorship.
12. UT Computer Science Summer Academies
Location: UT Austin Campus (Residential - students stay in dorms)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 60 students per session
Dates: One week in June
Application Deadline: Early to mid-March
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior
In this program, you will choose a track from Robotics, Game Development, iOS App Development, or Machine Learning and learn about C++, Python programming, UX design, and hardware engineering. During the week, you will assemble autonomous robots for a race, build a custom mobile app with Swift, or use Arduino microcontrollers to program elaborate light shows. You will be part of exclusive site visits to local tech giants like Oracle or Visa. Beyond technical skills, you will sharpen your project management and teamwork abilities through collaborative lab work and competitive challenges.
13. MIT Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 non-refundable application fee that can be waived
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5%; 100 students from all over the world
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders who are 16 years old by the start of the program; additional requirements can be seen here
Designed for students committed to STEM, the Research Science Institute begins with a week of advanced seminars in subjects like mathematics, biology, and computer science. You then move into a five-week research phase, partnering with MIT scientists to develop and conduct your own original experiments. Under expert mentorship, you will master the nuances of technical writing, rigorous data analysis, and professional project design. The program concludes with a formal symposium where you showcase your findings to peers and professionals. Ultimately, RSI offers a chance to bridge high-level theory with professional-grade laboratory discovery and academic presentation.
14. Kode With Klossy
Location: Various locations across the U.S. (in-person and virtual options)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 30%; cohorts of 20–25 students per location
Dates: Summer session; typically 2 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically March-April
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens ages 13-18
Kode with Klossy teaches you to code through project-based workshops that cover web development, mobile apps, machine learning, and data science. Your learning will involve working in small groups with personalized attention from instructors who guide you through increasingly complex coding challenges. You'll develop practical programming skills by building projects that solve real-world problems across various domains while applying computational thinking. The program provides mentorship from women working in technology fields who share their career journeys and offer guidance on navigating the tech industry. At the conclusion of the program, you'll present your final project to peers and mentors, gaining valuable experience in communicating technical concepts effectively.
15. MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering and Science)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–25 students
Dates: Year–long program
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores who live within driving distance of Boston
MIT PRIMES provides a prestigious, year-long program for high school students to conduct research under the guidance of MIT faculty. Your journey starts with deep technical readings and the development of a project proposal before moving into an original investigation. These projects often bridge mathematics with fields like AI, theoretical computer science, or biology, requiring a high degree of perseverance to solve complex, open-ended problems. The experience culminates in a formal scholarly paper, which many students eventually present at conferences or publish in academic journals. The program challenges you to contribute meaningful findings to the global scientific community.
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