15 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student in California interested in coding, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity, a computer science summer program in the state might be a great way to spend your break. These programs give you hands-on experience with real-world applications, whether that’s writing algorithms, training machine learning models, or exploring ethical hacking.
California is home to some of the best summer programs in computer science, thanks to its top universities and booming tech industry. Whether you want to experiment with Python and Java, build your software, or analyze data patterns, there’s a program designed to help you. You’ll also get to work with experts and build the kind of problem-solving skills that computer scientists use every day.
To help you choose the right program, we’ve put together a list of 15 computer science summer programs for high school students in California!
15 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in California
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA + Virtual
Cost: Free or $1,500 if you add a research project.
Application Deadline: February 15 - March 15
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders from San Diego County.
The Research Experience for High School Students (REHS) at UC San Diego is an eight-week program where you explore fields like machine learning, data visualization, and high-performance computing. Working at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, you get hands-on experience with Python, TensorFlow, and parallel computing while collaborating with UCSD researchers.
If you choose the research track, you will build AI models, analyze large datasets, and develop algorithms for areas like bioinformatics or climate science. If you prefer the non-research track, you will take part in coding workshops, faculty lectures, and interactive seminars on cybersecurity, robotics, and natural language processing.
2. Veritas AI
Location: 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.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The summer early admission application deadline is March 23!
Acceptance Rate: Small cohorts with one-on-one mentoring
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in AI/ML or completion of a Veritas AI program.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you're new to AI, the AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to AI, machine learning, and data science. You'll also work on real-world projects to apply what you learn.
If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase lets you work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique project. Plus, you'll get support from an in-house team to help publish your research in high school journals.
Location: Virtual (Hosted by Stanford University)
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Application Deadline: December 9 - February 28
Program Dates: June 16 – June 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and older by the program start date, who are US citizens. Undergraduate students with a computer science background may apply for student-led positions.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a highly selective, two-week virtual program where you explore the role of artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare. Hosted by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), you will work with Stanford faculty and AI research engineers on real-world applications of AI in diagnostics, medical imaging, and disease prediction.
You will analyze medical datasets, train machine learning models for image recognition, and learn how AI is used in radiology and clinical decision-making. Through coding exercises, research discussions, and project work, you will apply AI techniques to improve medical outcomes and understand ethical challenges in AI-driven healthcare.
Location: University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Cost: Fees range from $175 to $450 per course (Scholarships available)
Application Deadline: May 31
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego offers hands-on workshops in astronomy, biology, engineering, robotics, coding, data science, digital design, and psychology. You will work on real-world challenges, building skills in programming, scientific analysis, and problem-solving. Some workshops focus on space exploration, while others cover AI, sustainability, or neuroscience.
Taught by scientists and industry experts, the workshops encourage you to think critically and apply what you learn. You might design experiments, build robots, analyze datasets, or create digital models. Each session is interactive and project-based. Most workshops take place on the UCSD campus, but some are available online.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: Unpaid
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Program Dates: June 23 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16+ years old at the start of the program
The Stanford Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery (STaRS) Internship gives you hands-on experience in biotechnology, medical innovation, and reconstructive surgery. You will work alongside Stanford surgeons and researchers, learning surgical techniques, biomedical engineering, and medical technology. Some projects focus on tissue engineering, prosthetics, or 3D printing in surgery.
With one-on-one mentorship, you will explore career paths in medicine, bioengineering, and surgical research. The program includes lab work, clinical observations, and workshops on medical advancements. You might also assist in simulations or analyze case studies to see how these innovations work in real life.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $5,950; Scholarships available
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: July 7 - July 25
Eligibility: Students who are entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade by July 1st who are at least 14 years old before the program starts with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
The UC San Diego Academic Connections Residential Program gives high school students hands-on experience in advanced academic fields. You can choose from STEM subjects like ocean ecosystem dynamics, computer science, structural engineering, and biomedical sciences. Depending on your course, you may work with coding languages like Python, analyze environmental data, design structural models, or study medical imaging techniques.
You’ll collaborate on projects, engage in discussions, and attend lectures led by UC San Diego faculty. Skills like programming, data analysis, lab techniques, and problem-solving will be key parts of your learning experience. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research and showcase your findings.
Location: Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $17 per hour
Application Deadline: March 28
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: San Diego County residents at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Applicants must have completed at least one year of high school-level chemistry and biology (exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis).
The Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program offers hands-on research experience at the Salk Institute, a leading nonprofit research center. You will work with a Salk scientist mentor on a project in molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, or plant biology. Depending on your research focus, you may learn techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, cell culture, or bioinformatics for genomic analysis.
Beyond lab work, you’ll attend seminars on cutting-edge biomedical research, participate in career workshops, and visit biotech companies to see real-world applications of scientific discoveries. The program ends with a research symposium where you will present your findings through an oral or poster presentation.
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, CA
Cost: Free application; $1,000 program fee (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: October 1 – May 31
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 10 – 12)
The UCSD Mentor Assistance Program (MAP) gives you long-term research mentorship with UCSD faculty and researchers. Over eight months, you will work on an independent research project in fields like bioengineering, computer science, neuroscience, or physics. You may develop experiments, analyze data using software like MATLAB or Python, or prepare research for science fairs.
You will attend bi-weekly mentoring sessions for feedback, engage in academic readings, and visit labs to observe research techniques. Depending on your progress, you might get the opportunity to extend your experience into a summer internship.
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Application Deadline: Varies based on department needs
Program Dates: Up to 12 weeks between May and September
Eligibility: Open to high school students (18 and older), undergraduates, and graduate students authorized to work in the U.S. All interns must pass a basic background check.
The SLAC Summer Internship Program offers hands-on research experience at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a renowned facility operated by Stanford University. Apart from this internship program, you can volunteer at the SLAC Regional High School Science Bowl and SAGE Camp (Science Accelerating Girls' Engagement).
You will work on a diverse range of projects depending on your assigned departments, from entry-level tasks to advanced research assignments requiring specialized scientific or engineering knowledge. Project topics span multiple fields, including computer science, data science, mechanical engineering, physics, and biotechnology.
Location: San Jose State University (SJSU), CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 25
Program Dates: July 21 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9 – 12) from the local area.
The Cyber-AI Summer Camp at San Jose State University (SJSU) gives you hands-on experience in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. This free, five-day program, funded by the Workforce Innovation Technology Hubs (WITH) Program at CSU, teaches you how AI is used in cyber defense.
You will work on lab exercises in network security, threat detection, and ethical hacking, using AI tools to analyze and prevent cyberattacks. Faculty and students from the Computer Engineering and Computer Science departments lead expert discussions and interactive workshops. The camp provides all necessary devices for in-lab activities, along with a free lunch each day.
Location: Various companies across Los Angeles, CA | Virtual options available
Cost/ Stipend: Free. The stipend amount varies based on the internship
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Eligibility: High school students in LA County (Grades 10–12), including DACA/Undocumented Youth and Foster Youth.
The Intern Project (TIP) offers paid internships for high school students in Los Angeles County, providing hands-on experience in fields like technology, business, engineering, healthcare, and government. If you’re interested in computer science, you might work on software development, assisting with app creation, or software engineering projects. You could also gain experience in data analytics, using Python, Excel, or SQL to analyze real-world datasets.
Some roles focus on web design, where you’ll work with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build and manage websites. Others involve machine learning, where you may develop small AI models or explore neural networks under professional mentorship.
Location: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Varies by school and program
Program Dates: School year and summer opportunities available
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in SFUSD schools.
The SFUSD Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs give you hands-on training in Information Technology. Through the IT Pathway, you will explore networking, cybersecurity, software development, and data management. Specialized programs are available at select SFUSD schools, including game design at Balboa High School and Marshall High School, and computer science pathways at Galileo Academy and Wallenberg High School.
You will work on project-based assignments, applying coding skills, troubleshooting networks, and developing digital solutions. Designed with industry professionals, the curriculum helps you gain relevant, in-demand skills. You will also have opportunities for internships, mentorships, and industry site visits.
13. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Online
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid available)
Application Deadline: January 24
Program Dates: June 18 – July 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders (must be at least 14 years old by the program start date); preference is given to students with strong math or computer science skills
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online program that introduces you to artificial intelligence and its real-world applications. You will explore topics like robotics, computer vision, medical AI, and natural language processing through hands-on research projects. With mentorship from Stanford AI Lab experts, you will gain insights into AI research and its societal impact.
The program also includes interactive workshops and career development sessions to help you grow academically and professionally. By the end, you will have a deeper understanding of AI and how it can be used to solve real-world problems.
Location: Berkeley Lab, CA
Stipend: $500/week (Total: $3,000)
Application Deadline: February - March 21
Program Dates: June 17 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 from the Bay Area, particularly from Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties.
The Berkeley Lab Director's Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP) gives you hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. Hosted by the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research (BAIR) Lab, this six-week, fully funded program lets you collaborate with UC Berkeley faculty, graduate students, and AI professionals while working on real-world AI applications.
You will build and train machine learning models, explore computer vision techniques, and work with reinforcement learning algorithms. Through hands-on workshops, coding sessions, and project-based learning, you will apply AI concepts to areas like autonomous systems, robotics control, and natural language processing.
Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in computer science, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.