For high school students who love technology and have a creative side, learning web design might be the ideal combination of these two interests. Learning how to design websites can make for an enjoyable hobby or part-time job during high school, and it can also lead to exciting and lucrative careers down the road. The demand for web designers is only going to increase as more businesses embrace the digital space to reach their customers. It’s also not uncommon for web designers to have a background in computer science, leading to high-paying job opportunities.
Read on to learn more about summer programs designed to teach high school students the ins and outs of web design, such as NextGen Bootcamp’s live online summer web design program and NYC web design summer camp!
Types of Web Design Summer Programs for High School Students
The available web design programs for high school students cater to a wide range of academic, financial, and scheduling needs. One of the primary differences is in-person vs. virtual learning. Remote courses are undoubtedly convenient for students who live in more remote locations or do not have the time to commute in addition to their other summer commitments. The courses also vary in length, meaning some are more demanding than others. Some classes are daily while others only take place one hour per week.
There are also programs available for a range of comfort levels with web design. Students who already have some foundational knowledge can search for more advanced programs so they can continue to boost their skills. Another important difference between all of these programs is what agency provides them. Some courses are offered through private companies, and others are provided through colleges and universities. These programs are generally offered on a college campus, allowing students to experience life in an actual college dorm.
#1: NextGen Bootcamp - Web Design Summer Program
What is Taught in This Program?
NextGen Bootcamp offers its Web Design Summer Program to high school students in both an in-person and live online format. Here, students learn to both code and design their own websites. They learn how to use several different software programs, including Sketch to create the site’s layout and how to code web pages using HTML and CSS.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course does not require any previous experience with coding or web design. Students only need to be familiar with basic computer skills.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
NextGen’s web design program 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 United Nations. Students who participate in the virtual program will use Zoom to interact with their peers and instructors.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The length of NextGen’s course depends on which version you enroll in; the online course is three weeks, while the in-person course is two weeks.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This course is designed for high school and college students interested in coding.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The tuition for this course is $2,495 per student, with the entire amount being due before class begins. While NextGen does not offer any financial aid or other tuition assistance, 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 throughout their education. NextGen also offers its students the opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.
Students who attend remotely will need their own computer but will receive assistance from an instructor to ensure their system is set up correctly before the class begins.
#2: Noble Desktop - Web Design Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Students who want to learn to design beautiful websites from scratch can check out Noble Desktop’s Web Design Certificate over the summer. Participants will learn to code entire websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They will also work with Figma to prototype the user interface of the websites and apps that they design themselves!
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is designed for beginners with no prior web design experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program can be taken in-person at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus or virtually via Zoom. The online version takes place live so students can still make personal and professional connections with their peers and instructors.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This certification takes five weeks to complete if you enroll in the full-time version; the part-time version is five months long.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
High school juniors and seniors can take this class as long as they are already 18 or turning 18 in the near future.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program costs $4,995 per person. There are payment options available for students who cannot pay the full amount up front, including 0% interest loans and installment plans. The price includes over 160 hours of live instruction and a certificate of completion. Additionally, students can retake the course for free within one year to nail down tough concepts or add more projects to their portfolio.
#3: Noble Desktop - Front End Web Development Certificate
What is Taught in This Program?
Noble Desktop also has a Front-End Web Development Certificate available during the summer months. This course also covers the use of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress to design websites. Students will also learn how to use Git to keep track of changes to their code and interact with a community of developers around the world.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
Students with no prior web development experience can take this course.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
Students can attend this class either online or in-person. Noble Desktop’s campus is located in Manhattan near several convenient public transportation hubs. Virtual students will use Zoom to engage with their peers and receive immediate support and feedback from their instructor.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This course is four weeks if you choose to take the full-time version; part-time students will take five months to complete the program.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
High schoolers who are already 18 or turning 18 soon are eligible to participate.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
The tuition for this certification is $3,495. Noble Desktop offers payment plans and 0% interest loans for those who cannot pay the entire fee up front. This price includes individual career mentoring sessions where students meet with their instructor to polish their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and portfolios. They can also retake the course for free within one year at no additional cost.
#4: Columbia Engineering - High School Coding Academy
What is Taught in This Program?
The Columbia School of Engineering offers a High School Coding Academy over the summer. This immersive program teaches students to code web pages using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. Instructors assist them in building a robust portfolio of their work throughout the class as well. Students are also provided a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This class is recommended for beginners; no previous web design experience is required.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This program takes place exclusively online.
How Long Does This Program Last?
The course is three weeks long. Virtual classes are scheduled 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 be between the ages of 13 and 18.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program is $2500 per student. The course website does not mention any financial aid options, but you can call the listed number for more registration information.
#5: Central Piedmont Community College - Teen Coding with JavaScript
What is Taught in This Program?
The Teen Coding program at Central Piedmont Community College helps teens learn to create dynamic and interactive websites with JavaScript. By the end of this course, they will have designed a web page that contains animations and other advanced behaviors.
What Level of Difficulty is This Program?
This course is suitable for beginners with no previous experience.
Where Does This Program Take Place?
This course is provided on the Central Piedmont Community College campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.
How Long Does This Program Last?
This program is four weeks long. Classes are held on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
What is the Recommended Age Range?
This program is designed for younger high school students with a passion for computer science. To enroll, students must be in grades 8 through 10.
How Much Does This Program Cost?
This program is $300 per person. Payment is required in advance, and refunds are not available.
Why Learn Web Design During the Summer?
High school students who learn web design over the summer will build skills to help them throughout their education and professional life. It is challenging to learn, but it helps develop creative thinking and strengthens your attention to detail; these are valuable skills no matter what career path you end up taking. Some high schoolers also choose to use web design as a unique part-time job during the school year. You can try to offer your services to local businesses if you notice their website is out of date or that they don’t have one at all. These projects can also be added to your portfolio when you’re ready to apply for college or enter the workforce.
Learning web design over the summer can also give you a clearer idea of what career you’d like to pursue once you graduate. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web design is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing careers in the next decade. This is because more businesses are getting online and taking advantage of digital channels to grow their business and interact with customers. Businesses in every industry will require the help of Web Designers to get their company noticed, so now is a great time to get into the industry and learn these skills! Web Designers make about $44,000 annually, though this has the potential to increase with time and experience.
Which Web Design Summer Program is Right for Me?
The range of available courses available to you over the summer might make you feel overwhelmed about which program to enroll in. There are a few factors worth considering that can help you prioritize your needs and feel comfortable selecting a class that best suits your current situation.
Finances are often the primary concern for families considering a summer course like this. Since none of the classes listed above offer financial aid, it might feel even more challenging to decide. If this is a worry for you, it’s important to look at the course price per hour instead of the total cost; this will help you better understand which program offers the most for your hard-earned money. For instance, the NextGen and Columbia Engineering programs are about the same price. However, NextGen provides 50 hours of live instruction while Columbia offers 27 hours. When looking at things from this perspective, NextGen clearly provides the more cost-effective option.
Considering your learning style and current skill levels are vitally important as well. Many students prefer virtual learning because of the convenience factor, but others learn best in a more traditional classroom environment. If in-person learning is important to you, take a closer look at the course offered by NextGen or Central Piedmont. All of the classes listed here are suitable for beginners. If you’d like to take a class, but you already have some experience, it might be worthwhile to call each program ahead of time to see if you can be accommodated with extra assignments so that you can boost your skills and ensure that you won’t be too bored in class.
There is clearly a range of programs available to students that can meet multiple academic and financial needs. Considering all of your options before enrolling ensures that you’ll get the most out of your educational experience.