The UpCode program is an internship program in which teams of
high school coders build a custom software product based
on a client's requirements. The program focuses
on a learn-by-doing style with interns learning by building an actual
product with mentor guidance. Interns will have significant impact on the final product quality,
including managing schedules and choosing technology. The program simulates a
real-life Systems Consulting implementation, including
Project Management using Jira or similar
Identifying suitable platforms and languages for the project
Requirements, Design, Development, and Testing
Client interactions including requirements negotiations, business goal setting, and status discussions
Team meetings including potential opportunities to lead portions of the team
You’ll be guided by a Project Manager and other experienced mentors from theCoderSchool — including expert
technologists, ex-consultants, entrepreneurs, and our founder and CEO, Hansel Lynn.
Where do Our Internships Take Place?
For Spring 2026, the UpCode Internship will host three teams at these locations
Each team includes up to six interns who meet remotely and occasionally in person.
Remote participation is supported, but local interns are preferred for richer collaboration.
What Will Interns Learn at UpCode?
UpCode is designed to give high school students a true software engineering
experience, combining coding, teamwork, and project management provided by us.
By the end of the internship, you’ll have experience in:
Building and testing a software product with real-world usage potential
Collaborating in teams using GitHub, Slack, or similar
Managing deadlines, milestones, and client expectations
Improving technical skills in various languages and platforms
Presenting your project to peers, mentors, and clients
Each team’s project ends with a formal group presentation and private performance evaluations,
followed by a free group session from our partners at Collegewise
on how to highlight your experience in college applications.
Who Should Apply?
Intended for high schoolers with an interest in
computer science, data science, engineering, or a related technical field, this program
immerses our interns in a simulated software development lifecycle.
The program is open to high school students aged 15–18 who:
Have at least 3 years of coding experience (Python, JavaScript, or similar)
Have built at least one personal coding project
Can commit 4–6+ hours per week from January to May 2026
Shows initiative, teamwork, and curiosity
You don’t need to be student at theCoderSchool to apply — UpCode is open to the public.
Program Details - Spring 2026
Length: ~4 months (January–May)
Format: Remote and/or hybrid (team dependent)
Time Commitment: 4–6+ hours per week
Applications Open: Early November 2025
Fee for Accepted Interns: $2,000 (financial aid available through local managers)
A Project Manager will be staffed by us to guide the project
Technical Focus: big data manipulation, full stack web
Interns will work closely with their Project Manager and participate in weekly standups, sprint
planning, and peer reviews. Consistent engagement is key — this is an active internship, not a passive course.
The Spring 2026 project will be a web/big data project. Previous experience with
database usage, Google Maps API, web front and back end may be preferred. Details will be
released at project kickoff. In this initial iteration, our founder and CEO Hansel Lynn
will act as the end-user client/product manager and will interact
with the team on a regular basis.
How the Program Works
The UpCode Internship mirrors a professional tech consulting environment.
Each team follows a general software development cycle which may include:
Kickoff: Meet your team, client, and mentors. Define the project’s goals.
Sprints: Work in short 1–3 week bursts to deliver features.
Collaboration: Communicate through Slack, email, and team meetings.
Testing & Iteration: Debug, refine, and integrate your product.
At the end of the program, teams present their solutions, compete for the
Top Team Award, and nominate a Most Valuable Player for leadership and contribution.
In addition, at the completion of the program, all interns will receive a private personalized reflection
and performance review session from their local manager.
Finally, all interns also receive advice from our partners
at Collegewise on how to position this experience in college applications.
Intern Selection
All team members should be skilled coders with an ability to work well
on a team, strong self-initiative, and willingness to learn. Experience in
building one or more projects of your own design is a significant plus.
Top grades and leadership positions are a plus, as is passion shown in the application essay.
For the Spring 2026 iteration, up to 6 interns per location will be awarded positions
(total of 18 interns).
While remote interns are a possibility, we strongly prefer local interns
for a tighter team experience.
Why Choose theCoderSchool’s UpCode Internship?
We don’t lecture — we mentor. UpCode gives you the kind of experience
most students don’t get until college or their first job. You’ll learn to:
Build real apps that make an impact
Collaborate with peers across cities and time zones
Explore AI-assisted coding for productivity
Gain mentorship from industry veterans
Strengthen your college applications with real project work
Our interns learn confidence, teamwork, and how to think like developers
— not just code like students.
Cost and Commitment
A $2,000 program fee for accepted interns covers mentorship, project management, and program
administration. Financial aid may be available through your local team manager.
Interns will be selected based on an application process. Depending on
technology chosen, platform or other technology fees is a possibility.
Self-scheduled development time
will vary, but may require 4-6 or more hours per week. Team interaction
time (Slack, email, etc) is up to the team. In short, this is an
active-participation internship that requires self-initiative and
self-scheduling.
All interns must have a computer to develop code (Mac or PC is ok), and stable internet connectivity for remote meetings.
Application Process
Applications open in early November and close by December. Here's what to expect:
Fill out a general contact and background information form
Submit your resumé, transcript, and a short essay (in 250 words, why do you want to join UpCode)
Provide links to files showcasing your previous projects
Complete an online coding proficiency evaluation
Participate in a Zoom interview if shortlisted
Whether we're able to offer you a position on a team or not, we
wish you the best of luck as you gain invaluable experience towards
your future!
FAQs
What age group is the UpCode Internship for?
It’s open to high school students aged 15–18 who have strong coding skills.
Do I need to know Python or JavaScript?
Yes, interns should have at least 3 years of experience in Python, JavaScript, or a similar language.
Is the internship paid?
No — it’s an educational internship focused on mentorship and experience. There is a cost of $2,000.
Can I participate remotely?
Yes. Teams may work remotely, but local interns in Palo Alto, San Ramon, and Long Island may meet in person.
When do applications open?
Applications open in early November 2025 for the Spring 2026 session. Regular application window closes on December 1, 2025.
As a parent of two college kids and one high schooler myself, I know how important
real-world experience can be for their future. My niece (proud uncle here!) is
a recent graduate
of Brown University in Computer Science, and she had the good fortune
of being accepted into a summer internship at a company called CapTech.
The internship was real IT consulting, but with a simulated project and client.
The idea was to expose smart Computer Science college students to the consulting world,
to learn the ropes, and potentially offer them
a job afterwards. My niece didn't accept her offer (because she got a
job at Apple instead - like I said, proud Uncle here!), but most interns
got both a great experience and a great job out of it.
While I can't offer that kind of job at theCoderSchool, I can
simulate that consulting
experience for some of our high schoolers to get a head start on their own
ambitions. Looks like my 15+ years at consulting companies like
Accenture are finally coming back to haunt me.
Like I always say, nothing is more powerful than learning-by-doing.
So let's go do it.
What is theCoderSchool? We are an after-school drop-off (and virtual) program for kids
learning to code - a coding school! There's after-school kung fu. There's after-school music
lessons, sports, art, tutoring, Chinese, you name it, it's out there. But coding classes for kids? Founded in 2013, we're the first of many, and the largest in Silicon Valley with more locations on the
way around the country. The future will be ever more dependent on technology so let's get
our young generation ready. Learn to Code, Change the World®.
For questions about partnerships, curriculum, schedule, camps, or other operational inquires,
please contact your nearest school.
For national franchise questions only, email us
at info@thecoderschool.com. Please include
the city/state you're writing from.
copyright 2014-2025, the Coder School San Francisco, LLC. All Rights, Alright?
Don't forget our privacy policy.
Find out who we are or like us on facebook.
