11 Free Online Courses for High School Students
Exploring free online pre-college courses is a great opportunity for high school students, especially if you have a deep interest in a particular subject. These free online courses allow you to enhance your knowledge, gain practical insights, and demonstrate your dedication, which can greatly benefit your college applications and future resumes.
Enrolling in free online courses for high school students can boost your college applications by highlighting your commitment to academic excellence and practical expertise in your chosen field. Admission committees look for candidates who show a genuine interest in their chosen discipline, which you can show through courses, internships, research, and pre-college programs!
Courses offered by well-known institutions can carry substantial weight. However, regardless of the course's prestige, it's essential to emphasize your coursework, achievements, and the skills you've gained through online pre-college courses to showcase your dedication to your chosen subject. We've also covered 20 great paid online courses here.
What should I look for when choosing an online course?
Accreditation and Credibility: Look for institutions that are regionally accredited or have reputable national or international accreditation in the field that you’re interested in pursuing.
Instructor Qualifications: Investigate the qualifications of the instructor who will be teaching the course. They should have a strong academic background in the field, ideally with a relevant advanced degree (such as a Ph.D.) or extensive professional experience.
Course Content and Structure: Review the course content and structure carefully. Make sure that the curriculum covers the topics that align with your learning objectives and goals. Look for a course that is well-organized, with clearly defined learning objectives, assignments, and assessments.
Interactivity and Support: Online courses can vary in terms of interactivity and support. Choose a course that offers opportunities for active learning, such as discussion forums, live webinars, or group projects, as these can enhance your understanding of the concepts and foster collaboration with peers.
By carefully considering these aspects, you can make a well-informed choice that aligns with your academic and career goals.
Here are 11 of the best free online courses for high school students!
Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
1. Veritas AIÂ
Location:Â Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.Â
Application deadline:Â On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates:Â Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility:Â High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.Â
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.Â
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students who are proficient in single variable Calculus and have experience with basic programming
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Dates: Self-paced
The MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) initiative by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) provides free access to an array of high-quality educational materials, including lecture notes, assignments, and exams for a vast range of courses. One of the standout offerings in the OCW collection is a course titled "Thermodynamics and Climate Change." This course covers the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and their direct application to the critical issue of climate change. It explores the relationship between energy, heat transfer, and the Earth's climate system, offering a comprehensive understanding of the science behind global warming and climate fluctuations.Â
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: 6 weeks at 4-6 hours per week (Self-paced)
This course explores algorithms and provides assignments that challenge your problem-solving skills. Through a series of video lectures, professors will guide you through the nuances of programming languages, explaining the intricacies of syntax and semantics. The course covers data structures, with real-world examples illustrating their significance in software development. One standout feature is the emphasis on software design principles, providing a holistic view of creating efficient and scalable solutions. The course includes collaborative forums, helping you learn from your peers.
Cost: Free without a certificate and $50 with a certificate
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced (approx 10 weeks at 5-10 hours a week)
Harvard’s Principles of Economics on edX provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of economics. Through video lectures, assignments, quizzes, and readings, you will gain insights into various economic concepts, including supply and demand, market equilibrium, consumer behavior, and macroeconomic principles like inflation, unemployment, and fiscal policy. The course features insights from Harvard's faculty, allowing you to grasp economic concepts and their real-world applications.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
This course offers a thorough examination of capitalism and provides a balanced perspective on the system's impact on various aspects of society. Through modules, you'll gain a nuanced understanding of the economic forces that shape societies, exploring both the positive aspects of capitalism and the challenges it has faced. The curriculum addresses crises and inequalities, providing a balanced perspective on capitalism's impact on various aspects of society. Interactive elements and real-world examples enhance the learning experience.
Cost: Free without a certificate and $199 with a certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
Taught by Silicon Valley insiders, this course provides a guide to the entire startup process, from idea conception to launch and scaling. You will gain insights into crucial aspects such as identifying market opportunities, developing business models, and crafting effective pitches. The course also covers real-world case studies and practical advice, drawing from Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial ecosystem. It includes video lectures, readings, projects, and peer collaboration.
You can also take a look at a few programs and internships in entrepreneurship that we’ve covered in the past!
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
The course examines philosophical inquiries into human nature, drawing on classical and contemporary perspectives. From discussions on morality and free will to the nature of consciousness, each module invites you to contemplate age-old questions. Video lectures, readings, and interactive assignments enrich the learning experience, encouraging you to grapple with complex ideas and form your own reasoned conclusions. The course takes a balanced approach, presenting diverse viewpoints and allowing you to develop critical thinking skills.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students who are proficient in single variable Calculus and have experience with basic programming
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Dates: Self-paced
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) offers a valuable resource for learners through their course, "Introduction to Statistical Physics." This course explores the principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and molecular levels. It provides an understanding of statistical mechanics, including how macroscopic properties of systems emerge from the statistical behaviors of their microscopic constituents. The course materials, including lecture notes, problem sets, and additional resources, make it accessible to anyone interested in physics.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: 6 weeks at 4-6 hours per week (Self-paced)
Through Stanford Online's Advertising and the Language of Persuasion course, you'll learn about persuasive communication. The course breaks down the art and science behind effective advertising language, exploring the strategies used to sway consumer decisions. From dissecting the psychology behind compelling messaging to analyzing real-world case studies, you'll gain valuable insights into how language choices impact audience perceptions.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school students who are proficient in single variable Calculus and have experience with basic programming
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Dates: Self-paced
MIT OpenCourseWare's "Introduction to Oscillations and Waves" is an excellent resource if you’re interested in physics or engineering. This free course provides a structured exploration of oscillations and wave phenomena, making it a valuable supplement to high school curricula. It offers a clear presentation of complex concepts, making it accessible for high schoolers who want to deepen their understanding of physics or prepare for more advanced studies. The course includes video lectures, lecture notes, assignments, and problem sets. Understanding oscillations and waves is essential for a strong foundation in physics and can greatly benefit you in areas like mechanics, electricity, and optics.
Location: Online
Cost: Free without certificate and $672.30 with certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: 11 days in either June or July
If you’re interested in understanding the biological underpinnings of the human brain, this course is worth considering. Designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to neuroscience, the course covers the structure and function of the nervous system, neural communication, sensory and motor systems, and higher-order cognitive functions. This course, offered by Harvard University through edX, is an excellent choice if you’re interested in understanding how the human brain relates to behavior, cognition, and neurological disorders. You will benefit from the expertise of Harvard's faculty and access to high-quality learning materials, including video lectures, interactive quizzes, and assignments.
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to dive further into research, another way to stand out on applications and resumes, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
Image Source: MIT logo