15 Winter Coding Programs for High School Students
Winter break can be a great time to explore technology, develop skills, and connect with peers and mentors who share your interests. If you are interested in coding, winter programs in the field offer opportunities to work on projects, learn industry tools, and get a preview of careers in tech and data science. These programs help you gain coding experience, strengthen your college applications, and even start forming professional networks early.
You can join in-person labs and internships or take advantage of online winter programs that let you learn from home according to your own schedule. In this blog, we have curated a list of 15 winter coding programs for high school students. Here, you will find opportunities that offer hands-on learning, mentorship, and flexible formats.
1. Google’s Code Next
Location: Google Code Next Labs in Oakland, CA; Inglewood, CA; Chelsea, NY; Detroit, MI
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October – June
Application deadline: Late June/mid-August
Eligibility: Students in 9th through 12th grade who are at least 13 years old
Google’s Code Next is a free program conducted in designated labs in the U.S., where local high school students participate to follow a structured computer science curriculum. You will work with Google mentors and coaches on hands-on projects, which may include programming robots, developing games, or using tools like 3D printing and augmented reality. The program offers different tracks, such as Launch for beginners and Team Edge for year-round learning that combines computer science basics with leadership training and college advising. Labs also host clubs each semester focused on specific areas like game design or robotics, giving you the chance to explore specialized interests in coding. Projects are collaborative and require both technical learning and problem-solving.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10–20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a program that connects motivated high school students with startups and nonprofits for project-based remote work, typically over eight or more weeks. If you choose a placement in tech, you may contribute to coding projects, software tools, or machine learning applications under the guidance of both a company mentor and a Ladder coach. The projects are designed to be meaningful to the organization, so you will work on real challenges rather than simulations, with deadlines and progress reviews being part of the experience. You may gain practical coding experience while also learning how startups operate and how teams collaborate on new ideas. The internship ends with a formal presentation of your project, offering you some experience in explaining technical work to a professional audience.
3. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: Varies by internship; part-time year-round internships are available.
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; specific eligibility criteria vary by position
Sandia National Laboratories offers paid internships for high school students that integrate them into research projects connected to national security, advanced technology, and energy. Depending on the role, you may work on coding assignments, conduct data analysis, or assist in designing experiments under the supervision of experienced researchers. You will serve as junior members of the team, gaining access to clearly defined goals and deliverables as well as hands-on exposure to professional lab environments. Areas of focus often include cybersecurity, software development, physics research, and energy systems, where you may get to apply coding skills to solve real technical problems. The program also provides mentorship and professional development opportunities.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including in winter
Application deadline: November deadlines for winter cohorts
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI runs AI and data science-focused online programs that are designed by Harvard graduate students. The AI Scholars program covers core AI concepts in 10 structured sessions that balance theoretical lessons with hands-on coding projects. For those with prior AI/coding experience, the AI Fellowship offers one-on-one mentorship and the chance to design an independent research project in areas like healthcare, finance, or environmental modeling. Here, you will have access to guidance through both the technical aspects of programming and the process of framing project-specific questions, analyzing data, and presenting results. You can also work toward publishing your projects in high school research journals.
5. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Remote and in-person options available across various locations
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet one to two hours/week after school or on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 12
Girls Who Code Clubs are free programs designed to introduce students to computer science through flexible, project-based learning. Clubs meet either in person at schools, libraries, or community centers, or online, making them accessible throughout the year. As a participant, you can choose topics such as web development, game design, or cybersecurity and build projects through guided tutorials at your own pace. The curriculum also covers programming fundamentals, algorithms, and creative problem-solving, with room to apply your knowledge to personal or community-based projects. In addition to coding, you will gain exposure to role models in tech and join a supportive network that helps you continue developing your skills over time.
6. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Sites in Fremont, CA
Cost: $1,070; free for students who meet financial need eligibility criteria
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: January 16 – May 30
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; no prior research experience required
ASDRP is a Bay Area initiative where high school students can take part in original research across science and engineering disciplines. In the computer science and engineering track, you may work on computational modeling, coding, or data-driven projects guided by mentors with academic or industry backgrounds. As a participant, you will design projects that offer new insights to your chosen field while accessing mentorship, which will guide you from project planning to execution. Over the course of the program, you will learn how to read scientific literature, practice technical writing, and present your work in research-style papers and poster sessions. Many students also share their findings at conferences or publish in ASDRP’s online journal.
7. UMBC’s Pre-College Program (Winter Session)
Location: University of Maryland, MD
Cost: $439 – $6,426, depending on the number of credits and whether you are a Maryland resident or not
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: January 5 – January 23
Application deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
UMBC’s Pre-College Winter Session gives high school students the opportunity to enroll as visiting students and take college-level courses during the winter break. The program offers classes in computing and data science, where you will learn about coding alongside college students and meet the same academic expectations. Participation requires permission from your school and academic standing comparable to a first-year college student, as the program offers credits that can be applied toward future degree programs. The program allows you to explore potential majors, get used to college coursework, and build connections with faculty in a university setting.
8. Cornell University’s Pre-college Studies: Online Winter Session
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,940/credit hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 2 – 17
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students
Cornell University’s Winter Session offers high school students the chance to earn college credit through intensive three-week courses taught by Cornell faculty. All courses are delivered online, giving you access to a wide range of subjects, from economics and business to medicine, engineering, and the humanities. You can choose the Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling course, which introduces you to programming fundamentals while you learn how to apply Python to analyze and interpret complex datasets. The course highlights how coding is used in real-world decision-making, offering insights into writing algorithms and manipulating structured and unstructured data. This can be an opportunity to explore a fast-paced college workload, consisting of lectures, assignments, and assessments.
9. MIT’s OpenCourseWare
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: N/A; open resource
Dates: Self-paced courses
Application deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
MIT OpenCourseWare is a free online platform where you can access course materials from a wide range of MIT classes at your own pace. You can opt for the “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python” course, which covers core topics like problem-solving strategies, algorithm design, and programming fundamentals using Python. The course includes lecture notes, assignments, and exams, giving you a complete academic experience without enrollment requirements. Since there are no deadlines, you can move through the material at a pace that fits your schedule, making it a flexible option to explore during the winter months.
10. NSA’s High School Work Study Program
Location: Various sites—Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Hawaii, Utah, or Alaska
Stipend: Wages consistent with a GGD 01/01 job classification available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Fall/Winter – June
Application deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school juniors enrolled in either business, technical computer, printing/graphic arts, manufacturing, or Chinese language classes with plans to participate in a school-sponsored work experience program throughout the senior year; Applicants must be U.S. citizens and 16 years old
The National Security Agency’s High School Work Study Program is a paid, part-time internship for students in their senior year of high school who live near NSA headquarters in Maryland or at one of its field sites across the country. You will work 20 – 32 hours per week from September through June, with the possibility of extending into the summer. Placements depend on your academic track, with roles available in areas such as computer technology, engineering, business, Chinese language, or intelligence analysis. For those studying computer or technical subjects, assignments may involve tasks in IT support, coding, or engineering-related projects under the supervision of NSA staff.
11. Johns Hopkins University CTY Coding and Creating With Arduino® Course
Location: Online
Cost: $1,850; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 12-week sessions throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 11 who meet CTY’s test score-based eligibility criteria
Coding and Creating With Arduino®, offered by Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth, is an online coding course for middle and high school students interested in learning about the Arduino® platform. You will work with an Arduino® starter kit, completing experiments using a breadboard, microprocessor, sensor, and actuator, and engaging in in-class activities and homework. In the process, you will learn how to create devices that can read data from sensors or activate lights. You will also work on building technical skills while modifying prototypes, adapting designs to develop new features, and using computer code to operate physical devices and hardware.
12. NJIT Saturday Morning STEM High School Sessions
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $399
Dates: January 18 – February 15
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
NJIT offers middle and high school students year-round learning opportunities in STEM. Its Saturday STEM sessions cover various STEM topics, like robotics, computer science, and engineering. Depending on your grade level, you will learn how to decrypt code while exploring cybersecurity or learn about forensic sciences. Each session combines instruction with activities like challenges and projects to help you practice what you learn. The sessions also offer opportunities to build teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills while you participate in collaborative assignments.
13. Stanford Online Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: Depends on the course; free and paid options available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Self-paced courses
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.6
Stanford Online provides access to a variety of university-level courses that you can take independently, with options ranging from introductory computer science to advanced topics like data mining and statistical learning. Courses such as “Computer Science 101” can help you build a foundation in programming concepts, while options like “Mining Massive Datasets” explore more specialized applications of computing. Many courses are free to audit, while some offer the option to purchase a certificate if you want a formal record of completion. The platform is flexible, allowing you to balance high school responsibilities with self-paced learning during the winter.
14. MITx: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free ($149 for an optional verified certificate)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced; typical commitment of nine weeks
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to anyone with sufficient knowledge of high school algebra; prior programming experience is beneficial but not required
The Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python course is designed to introduce learners to computational thinking and problem-solving through coding. The course focuses on Python 3.5 to cover topics such as algorithms, debugging, testing, and data structures, while also offering an introduction to algorithmic complexity. It combines lecture videos, exercises, and problem sets, allowing you to practice coding while applying concepts to real-world challenges. This course is the first part of a two-course sequence, with the second focusing on computational thinking and data science, allowing you to build progressively deeper knowledge of computer science.
15. HarvardX CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free; paid optional upgrade available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced course; takes approximately 12 weeks to complete
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to everyone; no prior coding experience is required.
HarvardX CS50 is an introductory course in computer science, available online for free and suitable for students with or without prior coding experience. The program emphasizes algorithmic thinking and efficient problem-solving, covering topics like abstraction, data structures, software engineering, and web development. You will learn coding through hands-on exercises in multiple languages, including Python, C, SQL, JavaScript, along with HTML and CSS. You will complete nine problem sets based on real-world domains such as finance, cryptography, and gaming, followed by a final project where you will design and implement your own software application. Successful completion of all assignments will earn you a verified certificate.
Image Source - Google Logo