As companies across all industries produce more data and move their businesses further into the digital space, the demand for those skilled in various technologies is going to rise dramatically. Some of the most in-demand skills include coding with Python or Java, web development, and graphic design. High school students who learn one of these valuable skills will be well-prepared to enter the workforce and earn high-paying salaries after graduation.
One of the most convenient ways to quickly learn these skills is to enroll in a course over the summer. Summer is a wonderful time to learn a new skill for several reasons. It provides a less stressful environment to take in what can often be complex information. You're more likely to focus without becoming distracted when you only have one class to worry about. These programs can also lead to exciting networking opportunities and meaningful friendships with like-minded peers.
Read on to learn more about different programs designed to teach students critical tech skills over the summer.
Types of Summer Tech Programs for High School Students
Many different programs are available for high school students to learn a new tech skill over the summer. The most significant difference is the online vs. in-person learning options. Many programs offer virtual classes convenient for students who live in more remote areas or have other responsibilities and cannot afford to spend extra time commuting. Many of these programs vary in length, so students with summer jobs and other priorities can take classes for a few hours per week and still learn one of these skills.
Many available programs are suitable for beginners, but some cater to more advanced learners. If you already have some familiarity with a tech skill, it’s crucial to find a course that meets you where you are so you feel challenged rather than feeling bored. A final key difference between all of these courses is where they occur. Some are offered by private companies, and others are available through colleges and universities. These programs might be especially appealing to high school students who want to learn more about life on a college campus.
Java Program #1: NextGen Bootcamp - Java Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp offers a Java Summer Program. This course teaches students basic programming skills before transitioning into more advanced topics like object-oriented programming. Throughout this program, students add projects to a portfolio that they can take with them when they want to apply for college, an internship, or a new job!
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
NextGen’s Java program is geared towards beginner students with no background in coding. The only requirement is that students possess some general knowledge about basic computer skills before enrolling.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is taught remotely. Virtual students will use Zoom to interact with their instructor and classmates.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program is three weeks long. Classes take place on weekdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This course is ideal for high school and college students. High school students who take this class will get a head start preparing for the Advanced Placement Computer Science class if they hope to take it in high school.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This summer program costs $1,999 per person; the total amount is due before the class begins. For this amount, students receive supplemental materials that they can refer back to after the course is complete. NextGen also offers its students a free retake for any program within one year to provide additional support with understanding the material. Since this class is offered online, students must have their own PC or Mac computer. Java is a free, open-source language, so the need to install more programs on your computer will be minimal.
This class does not offer any financial aid or payment plans. Suppose you are also interested in learning to code with Python. In that case, you can check out the Computer Science Summer Certificate Program, which combines the Java course with a Python course for a significantly better value.
Java Program #2: theCoderSchool - Java Camp
What is Taught in This Program?
There is a Java Coding Camp for Kids offered by theCoderSchool. This course teaches advanced programming topics like iteration, variables, and conditionals. Students will also learn concepts that are taught in the Advanced Placement Computer Science curriculum so they can get a head start if they choose to take this class in high school.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is designed for advanced learners who already have previous experience programming with Java or have taken a prerequisite computer science course with theCoderSchool.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
TheCoderSchool has locations in the following states: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, and Ohio. This class is also available in a live online format for students who live elsewhere.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This camp at theCoderSchool lasts for one week, Monday through Friday. In this course, there is a student-to-teacher ratio of 2:1. This ratio helps students maximize their experience by getting as much attention as possible.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
theCoderSchool recommends that students be in grades 9 through 12. Students in middle schools with significant coding experience can speak with a staff member about enrolling on a case-by-case basis.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The Java Camp at theCoderSchool costs $599 per person. There is not a mention of financial aid on the application.
Python Program #1: NextGen Bootcamp - Python Data Science Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamps offers a Python Data Science Summer Program as part of its summer programming. This class teaches students fundamental Python programming skills, emphasizing how the language is used for data science. Students are also taught how to clean and organize data, create visually appealing illustrations of complex datasets, and use machine learning algorithms when working with data. This course ends with a final project that students present to their instructors and fellow classmates. This project is also stored in a portfolio that students can use as supplemental material for college applications.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is geared towards beginner students. Prior experience with Python and data science is not required, but students are expected to possess basic computer skills.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can take this class either in-person or live online. NextGen’s campus is located in Manhattan near Grand Central Station, making commuting more convenient for students traveling from nearby areas like Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Students who take the virtual program will use Zoom to interact with their instructor and classmates.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The in-person version of NextGen’s Python program lasts for two weeks, with classes taking place Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The virtual version lasts for three weeks. Here, sessions are held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
NextGen courses are suitable for students in high school or college.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The cost of NextGen’s program varies depending on whether you take the class in person or online. The live online version is $1,999, and the in-person class costs $2,495, with the total amounts being due in full before the course begins. This price includes a certificate of completion at the end of the program and the option to retake the class for free within one year.
Remote students are required to have access to either a Mac or a PC.
NextGen does not offer any financial aid or payment plans for this class. To get the most out of your educational experience, you may want to consider combining the Python course with others to get the best deal. For example, these materials are also taught in the Computer Science Summer Certificate Program, which teaches students how to code with Java.
Python Program #2: iD Tech - Intro to Python Coding for Machine Learning
What is Taught in This Program?
iD Tech offers an Intro to Python Coding for Machine Learning. In this course, students learn about coding with Python through a combination of take-home projects and logic games. The curriculum includes topics like neural networks and more advanced machine learning techniques. The program's ultimate goals are to help students strengthen their problem-solving skills.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This introductory course is excellent for beginners, but students who already have a bit of experience with Python have plenty to learn. The instructors at iD Tech are experienced in working with students at various skill levels to ensure they remain challenged.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
iD Tech has dozens of locations in more than 20 states across the country. Students can take the class remotely if none of these locations are near you. iD Tech utilizes Zoom to teach virtual classes, so students must have access to a laptop or desktop computer with a camera and a microphone.
How Long Does This Program Last?
iD Tech’s Python program is one week long,
What is the Recommended Age Range?
iD Tech’s programs are for students between the ages of 13 and 17. If you are 12 years old, you must turn 13 by the end of the calendar year to register.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The program starts at $1,099, though costs vary slightly depending on location. In addition to the course curriculum, students will also receive a diploma and a transcript that can be added to their college application packets. If finances are a concern, iD Tech does offer some scholarships that students can apply for before enrolling. There are also a few promotional discounts on the school’s website, but these are subject to change at any time.
Graphic Design Program #1: NextGen Bootcamp - Graphic Design Summer Camp
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp has a Graphic Design Summer Camp that is available both virtually and in-person. This program teaches theories of graphic design, so students have an awareness of how current trends came to be. The curriculum also includes training in the Adobe programs Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students will become competent in fundamental graphic design tasks like creating eye-catching page layouts, retouching photos, and creating logos from scratch throughout the program.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is suitable for beginners with little or no previous experience with graphic design.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is taught in person at NextGen’s Manhattan campus, located near the New York University Campus in the Financial District. Remote students will use Zoom to connect with their instructor and their peers.
How Long Does This Program Last?
Both versions of the class last for two weeks. The online program is 30 hours, and the in-person sessions last for a total of 50 hours.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This program is appropriate for high school students.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of NextGen’s graphic design course varies depending on whether you attend in-person or virtually. The in-person class costs $2,495, and the online class costs $1,299. Full tuition is required before class begins. Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program. NextGen students can also retake the course for free within one year.
NextGen does not offer any financial aid, scholarships, or payment plans for this class. Students who are curious about multiple creative disciplines might in their Graphic Design and Video Editing Certificate, which combines these two courses at a significantly reduced cost.
Graphic Design Program #2: UCLA Pre-College Summer Institutes - Design Media Arts
What is Taught in This Program?
UCLA has a pre-college summer program that includes their Design Media Arts Summer Institute course. This program teaches students to create various media projects like 3D games, video presentations, and print designs. Students then combine what they learn to create a multimedia project at the end of the class. Courses are taught by an instructor and their assistant. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 20 students to provide students with the support they need to be successful.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Beginners are welcome to join this course; no prerequisites are required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course takes place on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. Participants will live in the dorms and learn more about daily life on a college campus.
How Long Does This Program Last?
UCLA’s program lasts for two weeks in the summer.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
To be considered eligible, students must be enrolling in grades 9-12 by the spring of 2022. Students must also be 15 or older to participate.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The total cost for this program is $4,142. This price includes the registration fee, programming fee, and a mandatory housing fee since students must stay on campus and cannot choose to commute. The housing fee covers two meals a day, supervision by older students, and organized activities at night and on the weekends. UCLA does have both needs-based and merit-based scholarships available for this program.
Web Design Program #1: NextGen Bootcamp - Web Design Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
At NextGen Bootcamp, their Web Design Summer Program is available to high school students in both an in-person and live online format. This class teaches students how to code and design their own websites from the ground up. Students will also learn how to use several different software programs, including Sketch, to create their website’s layout and how to code web pages using HTML and CSS.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class does not require any previous experience with coding or web design. Students only need to possess basic computer skills.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This class is offered both virtually and in person. The campus is located in New York City near notable landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Flatiron Building. Students who attend virtually will use Zoom to interact with their peers and instructors.
How Long Does This Program Last?
NextGen’s web design program varies in length. The online course is three weeks, while the in-person course is just two weeks.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This course is geared towards high school and college students who are interested in coding.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The tuition for this course is $2,495 per person, with the entire amount being due before class begins. NextGen does not have any financial aid or other tuition assistance available. However, students receive additional benefits by attending this school. When the course is complete, they receive a certificate of completion and supplemental materials to refer back to as they continue their education. Additionally, NextGen generously allows its students to retake the course for free within one year if they need further practice.
Students who attend the course virtually need their own computer. Assistance from an instructor is available to ensure their system is set up correctly before the class begins.
Web Design Program #2: Columbia Engineering - High School Coding Academy
What is Taught in This Program?
Columbia University's School of Engineering offers a High School Coding Academy over the summer. This immersive program helps students learn to code websites using JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. Throughout the course, students receive assistance with developing a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates the progression of their work. Students are also given a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is designed for beginners; previous web design experience is not required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Columbia’s web design program takes place exclusively online.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This class lasts for three weeks. Live online sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students who were enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in the 2021-2022 school year are eligible to apply. To attend, students must also be between 13 and 18.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program costs $2500 per person. The course listing on the website does not provide any information about financial aid, but you are encouraged to contact the listed number with any registration questions.
Computer Science Program #1: NextGen Bootcamp - Computer Science Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp has a Computer Science Summer Certificate program for high school students during the summer. This course, which can be taken in-person or live online, covers fundamental computer skills using both Java and Python. To provide students with the most in-demand skills, the program also discusses the basics of data science and many other industry-standard practices.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This program is designed for beginner students with no prior computer science experience. To be successful, students should be familiar with basic computer skills before enrolling.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
NextGen’s campus is located in New York City near exciting landmarks like the Empire State Building and the New York University campus. Virtual students will use Zoom to connect with their instructor and their peers.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The length of the program depends on which version you choose to attend. The in-person session lasts for four weeks, with classes taking place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The online session is six weeks long, and classes are from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This class is recommended for high school students. It is beneficial for students who plan to take AP Computer Science the following year.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
NextGen prices vary depending on which version of the course you attend. The in-person class costs $3,990, and the online class costs $3,695. There is no financial aid or payment plans available to students. However, in addition to the several hours of live instruction, students will also receive supplemental materials that they can refer back to as they advance in their education. NextGen allows students to retake this course for free within one year of the original course as an added perk.
Computer Science Program #2: Emagination Tech Camps - Summer Coding Camp
What is Taught in This Program?
There is a Summer Coding Camp provided by Emagination Tech Camps. In this program, students learn foundational Java programming skills that enable them to design a range of programs, from Windows applications to XML web services. Physical health is a top priority at Emagination, so outdoor games are a big part of the curriculum. Each day, participants will play outdoor games like kickball, capture the flag, and dodgeball.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginners.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Emagination Tech Camps offers their program in person only. The school has locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program is two weeks long. Students can attend overnight or commute during the day if they live nearby.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
Students must be between the ages of 13 and 17 to attend this program.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The price of Emagination camps varies slightly depending on which state’s program you attend. The overnight camp is approximately $3,249, and the day camp is approximately $1,695. Qualified applicants can receive up to $850 in tuition assistance if there is a demonstrated financial need.
Which Summer Tech Program is Right for Me?
Now that you’ve seen a small sampling of the programs available selecting which course to enroll in may feel like a daunting task. The first step is likely to determine what interests you most. A graphic design course might be the best option for students who are more drawn to the creative side of technology. On the other hand, a computer science class might be better if you prefer the challenge of using data and algorithms to solve complex problems. If you can’t decide, perhaps one of the certificate programs at NextGen Bootcamps would be the ideal fit. While these courses are a bit longer, students learn multiple skills throughout the class.
Finances are a paramount concern for many families as well. The skills taught in these courses often lead to high-paying jobs, but potentially investing thousands of dollars in one of these programs can feel like too significant a burden. Plenty of these programs offer financial aid, payment plans, and scholarships if that is a priority for you. However, it’s also essential to consider the cost of each program per hour to gain a better understanding of how much you’re getting for your money. If, for example, you’re interested in web design and are deciding between NextGen and Columbia, it’s important to note that Columbia costs roughly $56 per hour of instruction while NextGen is only $49 per hour. While the courses cost a similar amount upfront, NextGen provides more value for your money.
Considering your ideal learning environment is also an important factor to evaluate. While virtual learning is convenient and often preferable for some students, others find they focus best in a traditional classroom setting. Most programs listed above offer a virtual learning option. Still, if you prefer in-person learning, you can look into courses with iD Tech or Emagination Tech Camps since these schools offer several locations across the country.
Clearly, there is no shortage of summer tech programs for high school students eager to learn valuable skills to prepare them for a career. Although it can be challenging to determine which class to enroll in, taking the time to assess your current preferences and priorities can ensure that you get the most out of your education.