The UpCode program is an internship program in which multiple 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 gathering, design, and development
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 Client Partner along with other experienced mentors,
including our founder and CEO, Hansel Lynn.
Along the way, we'll have industry speakers - from successful founders to professional developers
to impart even more knowledge to our team members.
Where do Our Internships Take Place?
For Summer 2026, the UpCode Internship will be remote, with the possibility of in-person
teams depending on team member locations. Teams will be formed during the application process.
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 to hours required (see below)
Shows initiative, teamwork, and curiosity
You don’t need to be a student at theCoderSchool to apply — UpCode is open to the public.
UpCode is not a paid internship, and there is an associated fee for accepted applicants.
Program Details - Summer 2026
Length: 6 weeks (6/15-7/24)
Format: Remote or hybrid (team preference)
Time Commitment: 20+ hours per week
Applications Open: January 22, 2026
Fee for Accepted Interns: $3,000 (financial aid available on as-needed basis)
A Project Manager will be staffed by us to guide the project
Project Details: Project will be a real-world business use case. Details to be determined prior to launch.
Interns will work closely with their Project Manager and participate in regular standups, sprint
planning, and peer reviews. Consistent engagement is key — this is an active internship, not a passive course.
How the Program Works
Accepted applicants will be divided into development teams, each with a dedicated Project Manager and Client Partner.
Team sizes will range from 3 to 6 members.
Each team is given the same requirements and asked to design and build a product to support those requirements.
At the end of the program, teams will present their solutions,
and a winning team will be chosen.
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 bursts to hit milestones and deliver features.
Collaboration: Communicate through Slack, email, and team meetings.
Testing & Iteration: Debug, refine, and integrate your product.
Depending on its effectiveness and feasibility, the winning solution may
be applied in real-world business usage. In addition to the invaluable experience
gained from building software on a team, team members will also benefit from the following:
Guest speakers from real-world companies like Apple or Google will share their experience and
advice through our Speaker Series.
As an additional incentive, each team will identify their Most Valuable Player
that contributed the most to the success of the project.
All interns will receive a private personalized reflection
and performance review session from their Project Manager and Client Partner.
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.
Knowledge of a wide array of technologies and platforms is a plus, but not necessary.
An ability to learn to use new platforms and technologies on the fly is expected.
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 will learn to:
Build a real product that can potentially make an impact
Collaborate with peers across cities and time zones
Do more than just code - design and steer the product
Explore AI-assisted coding for productivity
Gain insights from experienced coders and 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 $3,000 program fee for accepted interns covers mentorship, project management, and program
administration. Financial aid may be available.
Team members will be selected based on an application process.
Self-scheduled development time
will vary, but will require at least 20+ 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.
While summer provides more time for an internship program, we also realize
it's a busy family time with travel and other commitments. This is OK. Like any real-world team,
we'll work around vacation schedules. However, please disclose any
planned or likely vacations in your application to the best of your ability.
All team members must have a computer to develop code (Mac or PC is ok), and stable internet connectivity for remote meetings.
Application Process and Dates
Important Dates:
January 22, 2026 - Early Applications open (early applicants get 10% off program price)
February 22, 2026 - Regular Applications open
March 22, 2026 - Applications close
June 15, 2026 - UpCode Kickoff
July 24, 2026 - Final Presentation
Here's what to expect in the application process:
Fill out a general contact and background information form
For our Summer Cohort, we also ask you to provide vacation or other activity schedules
Submit your resumé, transcript, and a short 250-word essay on why 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 $3,000.
What if I'm on vacation?
Like a real work environment, that's ok as long as it's approved. Others may take over your work, or you may do your
work before or after. Vacations must be managed with your Project Manager.
When do applications open?
Applications open on January 22, 2026 for the Summer 2026 session
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.
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