If you’re a high school student interested in coding, artificial intelligence, or software development, computer science summer programs in San Francisco for high school students can be an exciting way to explore what studying the subject at a deeper level really looks like. One of the most exciting places to do that is San Francisco, the heart of global technology and innovation.

Imagine spending your summer in San Francisco, attending classes on topics like programming, machine learning, or app development while surrounded by some of the world’s leading tech companies. Picture working on real-world coding projects, collaborating with peers from around the world, and learning how technology is applied in industries ranging from healthcare to finance. Computer science summer programs in San Francisco combine academic learning with real-world exposure in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

How to pick the right computer science summer programs in San Francisco for high school students?

With many options available, it’s important to distinguish between programs that offer surface-level introductions and those that provide meaningful, hands-on experience. Some focus on lectures, while others emphasize project-based learning, mentorship, and industry exposure. Thoughtful research helps ensure you find a program that aligns with your interests and skill level.

Across San Francisco and the Bay Area, programs may include university-led courses, tech camps, and pre-college experiences. Many programs also incorporate workshops, mentorship, and collaboration with peers, helping students build both technical and soft skills. 

You’ll learn from experienced instructors and industry professionals, collaborate with motivated peers, and strengthen key skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking, and teamwork. Along the way, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what studying computer science at the university level might truly involve.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Computer Science Summer Programs in San Francisco for High School Students.

If you’re looking for more options, you can also have a look at online coding summer programs for high school students. 

Disclaimer: This list also contains programs based in the San Francisco Bay area.

15 Computer Science Summer Programs in San Francisco for High School Students

1. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy – University of California, Berkeley

Location: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $5,197 + $25 application fee; scholarship is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 21st – July 3rd
Application Deadline: March 17th
Eligibility: Students ages 16-17 with little to no prior coding experience; open to international students

In this program, you’ll work with the Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum, the same introductory computer science course taken by undergraduates at UC Berkeley. Lessons focus on computational thinking, algorithms, and problem-solving while using Snap!, a visual programming language designed for learning programming fundamentals.

Throughout the program, you’ll complete daily coding challenges and gradually develop a programming project based on your own interests. You are also introduced to key artificial intelligence concepts, including supervised learning, reinforcement learning, generative AI, and the ethics of AI. Outside the classroom, residential students participate in campus activities organized by Berkeley mentors, offering a preview of university life.

Why it stands out: It uses UC Berkeley’s official introductory computer science curriculum and is taught by instructors experienced with the university’s BJC course.

2. Immerse’s San Francisco Software Development & AI Summer School

Location: UC Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Varies by program; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions with multiple cohorts
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18; open to international students

The Software Development & AI Summer Programme offered by Immerse Education provides an industry-focused learning experience for high school students. You engage in practical projects connected to software development, data science, and artificial intelligence while collaborating with peers and mentors. The program includes workshops, company visits, and hands-on learning activities that introduce students to real-world applications of emerging technologies.

You also explore innovation spaces such as startup offices, tech headquarters, and research labs across the city. The program concludes with a final presentation where students showcase their projects to industry professionals. Alongside technical learning, you receive weekly one-on-one career coaching sessions that provide personalized feedback and guidance for future studies and careers in technology.

Why it stands out: It gives you structured, project-based AI training with expert mentorship, helping you build real machine learning and ethical AI understanding early.

3. UCSF AI4ALL

Location: UCSF Mission Bay Campus, San Francisco, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 30 students
Dates: June 8th – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 25th
Eligibility: SFUSD high school juniors who are taking/have taken AP Statistics and/or AP Computer Science; not open to international students

The UCSF AI4ALL program is one of the more specialised computer science summer programs in San Francisco for high school students, introducing you to artificial intelligence and its uses in healthcare. You will study topics such as computer programming, statistics, data analysis, and the application of machine learning to medical fields. You will attend professor lectures, visit local tech companies, and finish a small-group biomedical research project.

You will also participate in mentoring sessions with experienced researchers to guide your career growth. By the end, you will have acquired practical skills, including how to write code, analyze health datasets, and evaluate machine learning algorithms. The program strongly focuses on increasing diversity in tech by supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Why it stands out: It allows you to tackle actual medical challenges using artificial intelligence alongside leading university experts, giving you a rare and ambitious head start in the healthcare technology field.

4. San Jose State University – CyberAI Summer Camp

Location: San Jose State University (SJSU) Campus labs, San Jose, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~33 students
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: April 13th
Eligibility: Local high school students (entering grades 9-12); not open to international students

The San Jose State University CyberAI Summer Camp is a free, five-day program that introduces you to how artificial intelligence and digital security work together. During this on-campus experience, you will explore core topics like basic artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and fundamental cybersecurity rules.

You will work on hands-on labs, build technical projects with your peers, and practice solving security problems using university-provided computers. The camp gives you real university-level experience in a local setting completely for free. By the end, you will learn how to use AI to protect computer systems, gaining the practical problem-solving skills needed to defend against modern cyber threats.

Why it stands out: It removes financial barriers by offering high school students hands-on, university-level training in the highly specialized niche of AI-driven cybersecurity entirely free of charge.

5. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes – Computer Aided Drafting and Design

Location: Online
Cost: $3,200; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 16 students per class
Dates: Session One: June 15-26; Session Two: July 6-17
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-11 who are between the ages of 13 and 19 during the program; open to international students

The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes’ Computer Aided Drafting and Design course is an online program where you explore the essential tools used by modern engineers and architects. During this course, you will dive into core topics like setting up drawing files, changing geometric shapes, making 2D drawings, and exploring basic 3D modeling techniques.

To build your expertise, you will use a 3-button mouse and Onshape software to create technical drawings, finish daily design challenges, and work alongside peers from around the world. A unique feature of this program is its grade-free, immersive virtual setup that focuses purely on hands-on practice rather than stressful exams. By the end, you will learn foundational drafting skills while putting together a professional portfolio that highlights your new technical abilities.

Why it stands out: It allows you to master industry-standard software and build a tangible design portfolio within a highly collaborative and grade-free virtual classroom.

6. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 25 students
Dates: Session A: June 15-26, Session B: July 6-17
Application Deadline: February 20th
Eligibility: Students who are entering grades 9-12 in the fall, are at least 14 years old, and U.S. citizens, residents, or valid visa holders; not open to international students

The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program that immerses you in the direct intersection of computer science and modern healthcare. You will explore core technical topics like machine learning fundamentals, dataset management, medical imaging AI, model evaluation, and responsible AI practices.

During the program, you will attend technical lectures led by Stanford researchers, apply programming concepts during hands-on working sessions, and engage with a speaker series featuring industry experts. Furthermore, you will collaborate in a small team guided by university mentors to tackle a focused health AI research project. By the end of the internship, you will learn how to logically frame research questions, analyze real clinical data, and evaluate predictive models.

Why it stands out: It offers high schoolers the rare opportunity to apply advanced computer science skills directly to real-world medical challenges under the direct mentorship of Stanford clinicians and engineers.

7. Stanford AI4ALL

Location: Stanford University / Online
Cost: Online: $4,120; Residential: $9,800; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 35-40 students
Dates: Online: June 15-26; Residential: July 19-31
Application Deadline: February 6th
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students; open to international students 

In the Stanford AI4ALL program, you will explore the core areas of artificial intelligence, covering topics like computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and medical AI. During this two-week experience, you will attend introductory lectures by Stanford professors, participate in helpful career workshops, watch live software demos, and collaborate on small team research projects.

The program strongly focuses on using technology for social good, backed by direct mentorship from Stanford’s own researchers. Through these hands-on activities, you will learn practical skills such as basic Python programming, building your own machine learning models, and measuring how accurately those models perform.

Why it stands out: It specifically empowers ninth graders to tackle real-world global challenges using advanced technology under the direct guidance of world-class university experts.

8. Kode With Klossy AI/ML Coding Camp

Location: Multiple locations including San Francisco, California (also virtual options)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~20-30 scholars per individual camp/cohort
Dates: July 20-31
Application Deadline: March 31st
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 who identify as young women or gender-expansive teens; open to international students

The AI/ML Coding Camp by Kode With Klossy is a two-week immersive program designed to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts. You learn foundational topics such as algorithms, datasets, and natural language processing while building hands-on coding projects.

Using Python, you develop practical skills by training simple chatbots and exploring how machine learning systems analyze data. The curriculum also emphasizes ethical considerations in AI, including understanding bias and responsible technology development. By the end of the program, scholars gain both technical knowledge and a supportive community of young technologists.

Why it stands out: It’s a completely free AI and machine learning coding camp designed specifically to support underrepresented genders in tech.

9. Stanford University – Introduction to Logic Summer Camp

Location: Stanford, California (in-person) and Online
Cost: $1,500; limited need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 24 students
Dates: In-person: June 15-26; Online: July 6-17
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 in the Fall; open to international students

The Introduction to Logic Summer Camp offered by Stanford University introduces high school students to the principles of symbolic logic and formal reasoning. You explore topics such as logical expressions, proofs, computational thinking, and problem-solving strategies that underpin computer science and mathematics.

The course is designed to strengthen analytical reasoning skills while showing how logic is applied in areas such as programming, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. You work through structured exercises and interactive discussions that build progressively more advanced logical reasoning skills. By the end of the course, students gain a deeper understanding of formal reasoning and its role in computer science and mathematics.

Why it stands out: It teaches symbolic logic, the mathematical foundation behind programming, algorithms, and artificial intelligence.

10. Girls Who Code Pathways Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; no fixed cohorts
Dates: June 29th – August 14th
Application Deadline: April 10th
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who identify as girls or nonbinary; open to international students

The Pathways Program by Girls Who Code is a free coding and career exploration program designed to help high school students develop practical computer science skills. You work through hands-on projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, game design, and web development.

The flexible program structure allows students to complete coding projects over several weeks while learning core programming and problem-solving concepts. You also participate in virtual workshops, career panels, and mentorship events hosted by professionals from leading technology companies. The program also fosters a collaborative online community where students share projects, learn together, and grow their confidence in computer science.

Why it stands out: It combines hands-on coding projects with mentorship and networking opportunities from major tech companies.

11. USF Pre-College Program: AI in Action – Turning Data Into Solutions

Location: University of San Francisco (USF) Campus, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Residential: $5,795; Commuter: $3,495 + $95 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not explicitly stated
Dates: July 5-18
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-June
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students (ages 14-18); open to international students 

The USF AI in Action pre-college program is an immersive experience that introduces you to the core fundamentals of artificial intelligence and data science. Throughout the course, you will dive into essential computer science topics like data exploration, basic machine learning, data visualization, and the ethical use of generative AI.

You will work collaboratively to clean public datasets, utilize industry-standard tools like Google Cloud Platform, and tackle a competitive datathon-style challenge. By the end of the program, you will learn how to logically analyze complex information and confidently present your technical findings to an audience.

Why it stands out: It goes beyond basic coding by simulating a complete, professional data science lifecycle, from analyzing real social impact datasets to pitching actionable solutions in a collaborative datathon format.

12. Artificial Intelligence for Real-Life Problem Solving – Teen Research Program

Location: Berkeley, California (University of California, Berkeley)
Cost: $1,550; optional residential add-on $1,350; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; approximately 20-25 students
Dates: Multiple sessions including June 22-26, July 6-10, July 20-24, and July 27-31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions fill
Eligibility: High school students entering Grades 10, 11, or 12 in Fall; open to international students

This program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through hands-on learning and research exposure. You explore how AI systems work by studying the mathematical concepts behind machine learning and applying them in practical coding workshops. You learn Python and use it to design your own machine learning models while collaborating with peers on applied projects.

The program also includes guest talks from graduate researchers, discussions about the ethical implications of AI, and visits to robotics laboratories working on human-compatible AI technologies. Throughout the week, students gain insight into real-world AI research and potential STEM career paths. The program concludes with a final presentation.

Why it stands out: Students build their own machine learning models and present AI projects while learning directly from Berkeley researchers.

13. Meta Summer Academy

Location: Menlo Park, California (San Francisco Bay Area)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~150 students every year
Dates: June 16th – July 25th
Application Deadline: February 14th
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum GPA of 2.0 who live in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, Redwood City, or North Fair Oaks; not open to international students

The Meta Summer Academy hosted by Meta is a six-week immersive technology program that introduces high school students to coding, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. You spend approximately 30 hours each week learning programming concepts related to machine learning and deep learning with guidance from industry professionals.

You collaborate on projects that explore how data and algorithms power modern digital platforms and applications. Alongside technical instruction, the program includes workshops on financial literacy, media arts, and professional development skills such as networking and self-reflection. You also discuss ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence and the role of responsible data use in technology companies.

Why it stands out: It offers tech- and media-driven summer learning modules helping you build 21st-century skills in coding, design, and innovation.

14. Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.ia)

Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley (San Francisco Bay Area), CA
Cost: ~$8,000 – $13,000; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 40 students per session
Dates: June 21st – July 8th
Application Deadline: March 24th
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with strong interest in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship; open to international students

In this program, you participate in an intensive academic experience hosted by Berkeley’s engineering and business schools, gaining exposure to both technical innovation and startup development. You collaborate with peers to design prototypes and develop startup ideas using design tools and engineering resources.

Throughout the program, you also attend talks and workshops with industry professionals and technology leaders from Silicon Valley. A major highlight of the program is a capstone project where teams pitch their startup concepts to venture investors and mentors. By the end of the program, you will have built practical innovation skills while gaining insight into careers in technology and entrepreneurship.

Why it stands out: You build tech prototypes and pitch startup ideas to real venture investors at UC Berkeley.

15. QCaMP (Quantum Computing, Mathematics & Physics Camp)

Location: Berkeley, California (hosted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 35-45 students
Dates: June 29th – July 24th
Application Deadline: April 3rd
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ and reside in Northern California; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; not open to international students

The QCaMP (Quantum Computing, Mathematics & Physics Camp) introduces high school students to the field of quantum computing and its applications in modern technology.Over several weeks, students explore core computing concepts while learning about quantum mechanics principles such as superposition, entanglement, and probability.

The program combines lectures with hands-on activities where participants experiment with quantum circuits and simulations. You also hear from researchers and scientists working in quantum information science across national labs and universities. Throughout the program, you gain exposure to real-world research and career pathways in advanced computing fields.

Why it stands out: You learn quantum computing directly from scientists working at national research laboratories.

Where Computer Science Meets Future Learning

Computer science becomes more exciting when you see how code, logic, and creativity shape tools people use every day across work, study, and life.

That is why computer science summer programs in San Francisco for high school students feel valuable, placing you close to ideas, builders, and emerging technologies.

Beyond technical skills, these experiences can shift your perspective, helping you understand collaboration, problem-solving, and the wider impact technology has on education and society.

Step into our Educational Innovation blogs to explore edtech shifts, fresh teaching ideas, and future-focused insights that reveal how learning is already being transformed in classrooms worldwide today.