Hands-On Software Development Internship Program for Teens
Early Application Window for Spring 2027 is open until November 1, 2026
Early applicants receive 10% off program price. Early applications close at midnight Pacific on November 1, 2026.
Regular applications will be accepted afterwards.
We don’t lecture — we mentor. UpCode is a learn-by-doing internship where teams of
high school coders build a custom software product from a real client’s requirements.
Interns have significant impact on the final product, including managing schedules
and choosing technology. It simulates a real systems consulting engagement, where interns
get experience with:
Project management using Jira or similar
Choosing platforms and languages for the project
Requirements gathering, design, and development
Client conversations: requirements, business goals, and status
Team meetings, including chances to lead
You’ll be guided by a Project Manager and Client Partner, along with other mentors
including our founder and CEO, Hansel Lynn. The goal is the kind of experience most
students don’t get until college or a first job: build a real product, collaborate
across cities and time zones, design and steer the work (not just code), and use
AI-assisted coding the way software is built in the real world.
Who Should Apply?
For high schoolers interested in computer science, data science, engineering, or a related
technical field. Open to students aged 15–18 (you don’t need to be a theCoderSchool student) who:
Have at least 3 years of coding experience (Python, JavaScript, or similar)
Have built at least one personal coding project (projects of your own design are a significant plus)
Can commit to the hours required (see below)
Show strong self-initiative, teamwork, curiosity, and a willingness to learn new tools on the fly
Top grades, leadership, and passion in the application essay are a plus.
Knowing lots of technologies helps, but is not required — you will be expected to pick up new platforms as needed.
UpCode is not a paid internship. There is a program fee for accepted applicants (see below).
If you aren’t quite ready for this level of coding, or want a more approachable intro
that doesn’t require programming, consider our AI App Team program instead.
Teams use AI to tackle real-world challenges — coding experience is a plus, not a requirement.
Program Details - Spring 2027
Length: 18 weeks (1/11–5/17)
Format: National. Remote or hybrid depending on the team; interns can be based anywhere in the country. Teams are formed during the application process.
Time Commitment: 4+ hours per week of self-scheduled development, plus team communication (Slack, email, meetings). This is an active internship, not a passive course.
Applications Open: October 1, 2026 (early applicants get 10% off)
Fee for Accepted Interns: $2,500 — covers mentorship, project management, and administration. Financial aid is available on an as-needed basis.
Computer: Mac or PC, plus stable internet for remote meetings
A Project Manager will be staffed by us to guide the project
Project: a real-world business use case. Details to be determined prior to launch.
How the Program Works
Accepted applicants are divided into teams of 3 to 6, each with a dedicated Project Manager and Client Partner.
Every team gets the same requirements and designs a product to support them.
At the end, teams present, and a winning team is chosen.
You’ll work closely with your Project Manager through standups, sprint planning, and peer reviews,
using tools like GitHub and Slack. You’ll manage deadlines, milestones, and client expectations,
and improve your technical skills across languages and platforms.
A non-trivial amount of the product should be coded by hand — that keeps skills sharp,
and interns should already be advanced coders. In the Build Phase, AI-assisted work is encouraged,
because that’s how software is built in the real world.
Each team follows a consulting-style cycle:
Kickoff: Meet your team, client, and mentors. Define the project’s goals.
Sprints: Work in short bursts to hit milestones and deliver features.
Collaboration: Slack, email, and team meetings.
Testing & Iteration: Debug, refine, and integrate.
Every intern also gets:
A team-chosen Most Valuable Player (our Steve Jobs Award)
A private performance review and reflection with your Project Manager and Client Partner
Mentoring sessions with graduates of top schools like MIT who work at top companies like Apple or Anthropic
Sessions with our partners at
Collegewise
on how to get the most out of UpCode for college applications
What Have Interns Built?
Note that certain features in the below demos may be unavailable due to changes in paid API access.
“The UpCode Internship was an incredibly valuable experience because it pushed me beyond coding exercises and into real product development.”
— Alvin, Spring 2026
“Of all the programs [he] has done, this was the one where the care put into making sure the kids were actually learning and developing came through most clearly.”
— Parent, Summer 2026
“The UpCode internship was one of the most fun two months I've had. It was really rewarding and I learned a lot about what it's like working with teammates in a formal work environment.”
— Aaron, Summer 2026
“Through this experience, I have learned so much, not just about technical work, but also about how to adapt to and thrive in a new environment. Most of all, I'm walking away with a newfound confidence that will stay with me well beyond this internship!”
— Intern, Summer 2026
Application Process and Dates
Important Dates:
October 1, 2026 - Early Applications open (early applicants get 10% off program price)
November 1, 2026 - Early Apps closed, Regular Applications open
December 1, 2026 - Applications close
January 11, 2027 - UpCode Kickoff
May 17, 2027 - Final Presentation
Here's what to expect in the application process:
Fill out a general contact and background information form
Submit your resumé, transcript, and a short 250-word essay on why you want to join UpCode
Provide a GitHub link or other samples 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 at least 3 years of coding experience.
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 $2,500 for accepted interns.
Can I participate remotely?
Yes. Most teams work remotely. Teams near a theCoderSchool location may meet in person.
When do applications open?
Applications open on October 1, 2026 for the Spring 2027 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®.
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please contact your nearest school.
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at info@thecoderschool.com. Please include
the city/state you're writing from.
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