Computer Science Classes for High School Students Near Me

Learn More About Computer Science Courses

Computer science is the world's most popular programming language, ranking alongside Java and JavaScript. It’s estimated that more than 80% of Developers and Data Scientists prefer Python. Many major companies use Python extensively in their development, such as Instagram, Netflix, and Google.

As an object-oriented language, or OOP, Python is a versatile and easy-to-master coding language. Many beginners learn Python before taking on other codes like C or Ruby. This approach is extra beneficial, as Python is frequently integrated with other languages like PHP, Java, and Ruby. Plus, Python’s open-source license makes it available to a vast community of developers.

Students who want to learn Python have various choices, including computer science and data science programs that include Python in the curriculum. While these often include other areas of study—like data science fundamentals or languages like Java—some schools offer shorter introductory courses that focus exclusively on this crucial programming language.

Why High Schoolers Should Learn Computer Science

Students in high school (and even middle school) study computer science for many reasons. Computer science may already be part of your school's curriculum, but you can expand your knowledge and skills by enrolling in a summer camp or program emphasizing this vital field. Learning these skills over the summer is a great way to gain hands-on experience working on computer science projects.

If you plan to attend college or university, computer science is a fantastic field to explore. Even liberal arts programs require some math and science as part of a broader curriculum, so you may even encounter it as a non-computer science major. If you want to pursue a career in computer science, now is an ideal time to expand your knowledge and skill set. The right computer science course can help you prepare for the AP Computer Science Exam, whether in-person or online.

You might also consider learning computer science in preparation for a part-time job, summer internship, or other work experience. Many schools and companies need part-time help, and computer science, data science, and software engineering positions often appear on job boards. This can also be a good way to build the foundation for learning long-term career skills, particularly for those who plan to enter in-demand fields like data science or software engineering.

Lastly, many students learn computer science to add it to their college applications or resumes. It’s helpful to have as many skills as possible on your resume when building an employment history, and college admissions officers typically look for beneficial hobbies and abilities. The critical thinking and creative habits you can develop through computer science training apply to multiple fields and disciplines.

Summer Course Offerings

Computer science is a broad field, so students should be aware of the kinds of work they will be doing in any given summer program. While most programs introduce students to the basics of computer science, such as writing, reading, compiling, and debugging code, the specific languages they teach can vary. For some students, the specific programming language they learn will be less important than the generalist training they receive. For others, it will be important to select a summer training program that teaches a specific set of programming skills.

One perk of a programming education is that once you’ve learned how to read and write in one programming language, others will come to you more easily. While Java and Python have different syntax, grammar, and vocabularies, they are similar enough in form and structure that learning one will assist you in learning another. In fact, most computer science experts learn many different programming languages since each has strengths that make it best suited for a particular kind of programming. This means you won’t have to worry too much about making a poor choice early on, as learning any programming language will pay off in the long run if you continue your computer science training.

Python Programming

Python is often the first language that new programmers learn. The reason it is the most popular language for new programmers is its readability and versatile set of libraries. Python is also a great first programming language to learn because of its robust community of developers who have spent decades creating tools and resources for new Python programmers. Students new to computer science may want to consider enrolling in a Python summer course to ease their transition into the field.

However, Python isn't just popular because it is relatively simple. It is also a versatile language with a wide range of different applications. It is primarily used to build and query large databases but is also found in web pages, software applications, and video games. For students thinking about the long term, Python is an important language in data science, a rapidly growing career field. If you are interested in working on the cutting edge of technology, learning Python will help you succeed in machine learning and artificial intelligence—both areas of computer science that promise students the opportunity to work on world-changing technological developments and research projects.

Java Programming

Another common programming language taught in high school summer classes is Java. Java is a versatile, object-oriented programming language that is utilized primarily in the field of software development. Java is noteworthy for its “write once, run anywhere” scripting that makes it run on any platform. This makes it a popular choice for computer programmers who develop applications that will need to run on various devices. It has historically been one of the most popular programming languages in the world. However, it has fallen out of favor slightly in the last few years as Python has replaced it as the most commonly used language and the first programming language of choice for novice programmers.

One of the major incentives for high school students to learn Java programming is that it is the central programming language covered in most high school AP computer science courses and introductory college-level programming classes. Students who want to prepare for a future computer science education may want to start with Java since it is the language they are most likely to encounter at the beginning of their college career. Java is also a good language to learn the basics of reading and writing code, so students who are interested in building a solid foundation for the future are encouraged to learn Java.

Data Science

Some summer programs aim to teach students an application for their computer science training rather than a generalist programming language. For example, in a summer data science course, students will learn how to use languages like Python and SQL to build, organize, and query databases. In these courses, students may receive training in Python libraries like Pandas or Matlibs, which are specifically built to make inputting and wrangling data easier. They may also learn how to use complementary programs like Excel and Tableau, which help users organize and visualize the data they are working with.

These courses tend to be designed as foundational courses for students who are planning to pursue more training in the future. For example, many data science summer programs will teach students how to use machine learning algorithms in a way that is designed to scaffold future machine learning education. Students won’t leave these courses as experts in artificial intelligence but will gain confidence that if they take an upper-division machine learning program when they go to college, their prior training will help them keep up with lectures and lessons.

Web Development

Students interested in computer science might also be interested in learning web development. While many training providers distinguish a difference between web development training and computer science, high school students might not be so concerned with the technical distinction. Web development is the art of writing computer code that instructs a web browser to display text, graphics, and other digital assets that respond when a user interacts with it by clicking icons or entering commands into a search engine.

Most web development classes teach front-end web development, which is the process of writing code for the aspects of the webpage that a client sees and interacts with when they visit the page. This involves writing code with HyperText Markup Language (HTML), which tells the browser how to differentiate between elements of the webpage. In addition, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is used to tell the browser how to display those elements. Lastly, JavaScript is used to tell the browser how to react to user inputs. By enrolling in a web development course, students will learn practical skills that can help them build unique webpages for themselves, even if they don’t end up pursuing their education in computer science.

In-Person Computer Science Classes

Although many students in today’s environment have adapted to online learning, some prefer the experience of a traditional classroom. If you’re looking for in-person computer science training, you may be able to find it in your community, especially in major metropolitan areas.

U.S. high school and middle school students will find Java programming courses from iD Tech at locations around the country—from the largest metropolitan areas like New York, Miami, and Chicago to mid-size metro areas like Seattle and Cleveland. AcademyX also offers computer science training to California secondary students across a number of cities, from San Francisco to L.A.

Other courses are more city-specific. Illinois Tech Precollege offers a Computational Science class for students in grades 10-12 at its Chicago location. The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia hosts its Summer Academy at Penn course simply entitled Computer Science.

Students in New York City can get in-person computer science education from Noble Desktop’s partner company, NextGen Bootcamp. Their Computer Science Summer Program provides both Java computer science and Python data science training, or you can focus mainly on Python through NextGen’s Python Data Science Summer Program. A separate Java Programming Summer Camp is also available in person in NYC.

Virtual Computer Science Classes

You will find the greatest variety of computer science classes for high school students among the many online live courses and certificates. These virtual training programs offer students an ideal way to learn from the comfort of home, even during summer. You get hands-on training from world-class instructors who can provide real-time answers to your questions.

NextGen Bootcamp’s live classes are available in-person in NYC, but students can take the online versions from anywhere. Computer science beginners learn Python programming through NextGen’s Live Online Python Data Science Summer Program. This three-week course introduces students to concepts like machine learning and relevant tools like Pandas, Matplotlib, and Sci-Kit Learn.

Those interested in learning Java can begin with the Live Online Java Programming Summer Course, which is an ideal way to prepare for the AP Computer Science Exam. The course introduces high-level topics like recursion and object-oriented programming (OOP) as part of the Java training.

Students can also save by taking the Java Programming or Python Data Science class as part of NextGen’s Live Online Computer Science Summer Certificate. Graduates of this six-week program receive an official certificate of completion and can retake the course for up to a year at no additional charge.

How to Choose a Computer Science Class

When you’re ready to learn about computer science, your choice of class may take multiple factors into account. Cost is a primary consideration for many students, and computer science-related programs vary in price. A short seminar can cost as little as $250, but some lengthy bootcamp-style programs exceed $19,000. You’ll want to review course costs and requirements, including age requirements, with a parent or legal guardian before enrolling. When choosing a summer course, your family’s other commitments need to be considered. Many computer science classes for secondary students run on weekdays from late morning to early afternoon, which means transportation may be an issue if you take an in-person class. Of course, you need to make sure you can meet the challenge if you enroll in a college-prep program.

Whatever your motive for expanding your computer science knowledge, you can learn so much—whether in a targeted program that features Python or Java programming or a broader curriculum covering general computer science training.

Corey Ginsberg

Corey Ginsberg is a professional writer with two decades of experience creating and editing content. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with honors. Corey also holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Florida International University and served as the editor of Gulf Stream Magazine. She has worked with clients such as the Dick’s Foundation, colleges, invention companies, Nike Swim Camp, The Pentagon, The Pittsburgh Robotics Institute, and major design firms. Drawing from a broad creative, technical, and professional writing background, Corey currently writes about a range of technical topics, including computer programming, data analytics, and computer-aided design.

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Learn More About Computer Science Courses

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