If you’re a high school student with a knack for numbers, a love for puzzles, or just a curiosity about how things work, there are amazing programs out there just for you. These aren’t just classes, they’re immersive experiences where you’ll work on real projects, team up with mentors, and maybe even discover a passion that turns into a career.
Ready to see where data science can take you? Here are 10 fantastic programs that will help you get started, no matter your experience level:
1. Wharton Data Science Academy
Focus: Data science fundamentals, machine learning, statistics
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (on campus)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 10–11), strong math/coding background
Deadline: Varies; check program site for latest dates
At Wharton’s Data Science Academy, students dive deep into real-world datasets, collaborate on team projects, and present their findings to peers and instructors. The program combines interactive lectures with hands-on coding sessions, giving you a taste of what it’s like to tackle data challenges in a professional environment.
2. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Focus: Advanced scientific research, including data science
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Eligibility: High school juniors
Deadline: Early January annually
RSI is a six-week summer program where students immerse themselves in advanced research. You’ll attend seminars, work on original projects in data science or related fields, and collaborate with peers and MIT mentors to design, execute, and present your research.
3. RISE Global
Location: Online
Program Dates: Flexible, year-round enrollment with customized timelines based on student needs.
Cost: $2,000 (publication included)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students (grades 8–12) from any country.
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Scholarships: Merit-based
RISE Global provides high school students exclusive one-on-one mentoring, helping them to create research projects that lead to esteemed publications. RISE helps students succeed academically and stand out on college applications by matching them with mentors from prestigious international universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Cambridge. RISE alumni have gained unique talents by pursuing a variety of fields, including psychology, economics, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
4. Code Connects with Columbia University
Focus: Data science research, coding, technical skills
Location: Virtual (in partnership with Columbia University)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and up
Deadline: Varies by session
This five-week program connects students with Columbia’s Data Science Institute. As a research assistant, you’ll participate in guided research meetings, code independently, and share your progress with other students, all while receiving mentorship from university faculty and graduate students.
5. University of the Pacific Data Science Bootcamp
Focus: Python, data analysis, AI fundamentals
Location: University of the Pacific, California
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: Varies
The Data Science Bootcamp at University of the Pacific emphasizes hands-on learning. You’ll write Python code, analyze real data, and work through group challenges. The program is designed to help you build practical skills and confidence in a collaborative setting.
6. Columbia University Pre-College: Data Science and Machine Learning
Focus: Data science, machine learning, Python
Location: Columbia University, New York (on campus and virtual options)
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: Varies
Columbia’s pre-college program introduces students to the fundamentals of data science and machine learning. You’ll tackle real-world problems, code in Python, and work on team projects, all while exploring how data is transforming industries today.
7. UChicago Summer Session: Pathways in Data Science
Focus: Data analysis, machine learning, real-world datasets
Location: University of Chicago, Illinois
Eligibility: Grades 9–11
Deadline: March
At UChicago’s Pathways in Data Science, students analyze real-world data, build statistical models, and complete a final project to showcase their skills. The program blends lectures, hands-on labs, and collaborative work to help you see how data science impacts everything from sports to social trends.
8. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies: Data Science
Focus: Data analysis, visualization, machine learning
Location: Stanford University, California (on campus and virtual options)
Eligibility: Grades 8–11, prerequisites required
Deadline: March
Stanford’s program immerses you in algorithms, R programming, and data visualization. You’ll participate in engaging lectures, tackle coding labs, and collaborate on group projects, all while developing a strong technical foundation in data science.
9. Yocket High School Summer Internship
Focus: Data science, real-world projects, mentorship
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students
Deadline: Limited spots; check for current application dates
Yocket’s four-week internship puts you on real data science projects, working in small teams with mentor support. You’ll solve practical challenges, develop a project portfolio, and present your solutions to peers and professionals.