Best Online Courses for High School Students
Co-authored by:
Sally Chen
US Strategist | Brown & CMU Alum
by
Indigo Research Team
Published:
August 1, 2024
Last Updated:
June 7, 2025
Have you started planning for your life after high school?
Perhaps you should consider enrolling in an online course specifically designed for high school students like you.
Online high school courses can boost your knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to college.
Adding these courses to your curriculum vitae will make applying to a university much easier.
Universities will find it easier to understand why you are suitable for their programs and how you can contribute.
This post explores the top online courses for high school students so you will know precisely where to find them.
Cost. $3800
Course Eligibility. High school students aged 14 to 19 years
Application Deadline. Rolling admission
Course Duration. Six weeks
The IRIS Program is a research-based internship program. It is designed for students who want to improve their research skills.
If you fall within the bracket of 14 to 19 years, this is the perfect online course for high school students like yourself.
Students can choose different fields like Genetics, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, and Computer Science.
You will collaborate directly with top professors and researchers. These are experts from Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and other leading institutions while in the comfort of your home.
Another beautiful thing about this program is the opportunity to publish a research paper. This program usually runs at different times of the year, but registering early is always great because it's limited to 10 slots for every field.
Cost. £2,350
Course Eligibility. High school students 10-12 grades
Application Deadline. March
Course Duration: 11 days in June/July
If you have a soft spot for mathematics and wish to venture into the abstract side of this subject, consider taking up the Number Theory course at Stanford.
When applying, this course is available for students between grades 10-12. It is important to plan because the deadline is usually in March.
It only takes 11 days of your summer break in June or July to experience some college mathematics for £2,450 (approximately $3,050). This is worthwhile for any scholar.
The course focuses on number theory. You'll study the properties and relationships of whole numbers, including their prime factors. The course has been structured to take you through difficult theories one step at a time.
During the program, you will learn about prime numbers, modulus arithmetic, Diophantine equations, and cryptography. If you ever want to understand how the most advanced information security systems function today, this module is exactly for you.
This educational adventure comprises problem sets, lectures, and group work. By mixing these approaches, you can learn all about number theory while improving at solving problems in general.
With these skills, you will excel in mathematics and other academic and non-academic fields.
Cost: $2099 - $4099 (Course-dependent, financial aid available)
Course Eligibility: Grade 9-12
Deadline: Priority - Early April, Final - Early May
Course Duration: 2 weeks
Wharton offers a variety of engaging, online courses designed just for high school students curious about the world of business. Taught by Wharton professors and experts, these programs cover key topics in finance, leadership, and more.
These courses are ideal online courses for high school students interested in the world of business.
Offerings range from Financial Decision Making where you can learn how markets work, how to manage money, and make smart financial decisions, Essentials of Leadership, where you can build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills with guidance from Wharton faculty and guest speakers, and Sports Business Academy, where you can explore the business side of sports, including marketing, law, and analytics across pro, college, and Olympic sports.
Cost: Free (limited) and £99 one-off payment for full access
Course Eligibility: Grade 7-12 Application
Deadline: No deadline
Course Duration: 4 weeks
This is a perceptive analysis of the chemistry that occurs in our day-to-day lives and an opportunity to study with one of the best-ranked chemistry schools in the UK.
Topics include searching for new antibiotics, making the most delicious coffee, and designing performance-enhancing sportswear.
This is an excellent online course for high school students who love chemistry. It is especially beneficial if you're a student who is about to round up with high school and would like to pursue this field in the university.
You can use this course as a substitute for a chemistry-related Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which could also provide additional support for your UCAS personal statement.
Assessments (and subsequent certificates) are optional and attract a fee, except for those with a York username who can access them freely.
Cost: Free (limited) and £49 one-off payment for full access
Course Eligibility: Grade 10-12
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Duration: 2 weeks
At university and in life, critical thinking is very important. University exposes you to new concepts and ways of learning that require some level of critical thinking.
You should be able to question information sources and evaluate different arguments. Although students are expected to be well equipped with this crucial skill, many join campus unprepared.
In this course, you will see what critical thinking skills are required at the university level, how they can be applied across different subjects, and what practical strategies can help you acquire these skills for successful academic life.
It forms part of the University of Leeds' academic skills courses portfolio, which aims to enhance the skills necessary for academic studies.
Cost: Free and £99 one-off payment
Course Eligibility: Grade 10-12
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Duration: 5 weeks
The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook located in Groningen, which is found in the northern part of the Netherlands.
Education is an integral aspect of human existence. This is why a lot of us still study even after leaving school.
As such, effective study skills are essential for everyone. Nevertheless, a majority lack these skills and so experience difficulties while studying.
The objective of this course is different. You will learn to improve your study skills using the three-step study model. These models are previewing, summarising, and revising.
It will also teach you time management and how to make realistic study plans. Additionally, you will know how to overcome procrastination, cope with stress, and stay motivated during your studies. This is an interesting online courses for high schoolers.
Cost. Free (without certificate), $199 (with certificate) (financial aid available)
Course Eligibility. Open for registration by all interested persons
Application Deadline. Rolling Admissions (No Deadline)
Course Duration. Self-paced
The UC Berkeley Startup Guide for Students by Silicon Valley Insiders, provided by edX under BerkeleyX, is a great course. It guides high schoolers on the basics of entrepreneurship.
Primarily, this course is facilitated by experienced professionals from Silicon Valley. These professionals will teach you how to plan a business and how to know what the market needs at the moment. You'll also be taught how to pitch potential clients.
The course is not just all talk. It also throws in practical examples. Yes, you'd get to learn from real examples within the Silicon Valley environment. This isn't something accessible everywhere else.
It’s a great online course for high school students for a self-paced curriculum with video lectures, readings, projects, and collaboration opportunities.
Cost: $3,700 for four credits or about $7,400 for eight credits
Course Eligibility: It's open to high schoolers who are between the age of 16-18
Application Deadline: Usually, in January and February
Course Duration: It stretches from July-August to June-August
The course "Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology" offered in the Harvard Secondary School Online Program is a thought-provoking analysis of the microcosm.
It is meant for high school students who have specialized in life sciences and are very interested in it.
This unit provides knowledge on fundamental life processes. The course combines the most recent studies, interesting speeches, and maybe practical classes.
You'll learn about DNA structure, synthesis of proteins, and energy exchange at the cellular level. This will be top industry professionals with access to all resources.
Besides acquiring knowledge, this course will help you think and solve problems important for any student planning to succeed in a biology-related field.
The course will significantly add value to your academic journey. Yes, especially if you dream of studying biology or medicine courses when you grow up.
This is evident in Harvard's mission to support and provide affordable but standard education to all young scientists like you today.
Cost: $4115
Course Eligibility: The typical student is a rising junior (~35%) or senior (~65%) in high school. Talented ninth-graders (rising sophomores) may be considered
Application Deadline: Early Action - Mid-Feb, Final - Late May
Course Duration: 4 Weeks
Johns Hokins offers a unique online course for high school students interested in engineering. This three-credit program offers hands-on projects in domains ranging from civil, chemical, electrical/computer, mechanical engineering, to materials science.
If you are interested in math, science, and solving real-world problems, this course is a great way to experience college-level engineering from home.
During the course, you will work with peers from around the world, complete design challenges, and even receive a lab kit so you can conduct real experiments at home.
It’s a fun, challenging way to see what engineering is about while earning college credit along the way.
Cost. You'll have to pay around $1,795
Course Eligibility. It's open to students who are 13 years old and above
Application Deadline. The course has no deadline
Course Duration. There are 1, 2, and 4-week sessions
Georgetown University's Pre-College Online Program is an online course about the US Political System.
Now, as a high school student, you'll have a lot to learn about the American political system if this is something you've been curious about.
So, what could you really learn in this online course for high school students? Well, you'll learn the fundamentals of the US political structure. Of course, this extends to the constitution, the arms of government, political parties, and how policies are formulated.
As you take part in interesting lectures, exchange ideas with other students, and receive challenging tasks, you will be able to understand deeply how the American government works.
Georgetown will draw upon its vast academic resources and expert faculty to explore with you some of the key issues in political theory, public policy, and contemporary American politics.
Education is not only about learning something new. Your ability to think critically and your understanding of American control mechanics will improve.
It readies you to be fully involved in politics and leadership. It may also make you think of a career as a politician one day.
Cost: Free and £99 one-off payment
Course Eligibility: Grade 8-12
Application Deadline: No deadline
Course Duration: 5 weeks
The University of Padova is one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities. It offers professional education integrated with a solid cultural background to its students.
This is the first of two precalculus courses the University of Padova offers. This will introduce you to some fundamental mathematics necessary for your calculus course.
You will study elementary precalculus needed for college-level or first-year university mathematics, including factoring and division, sets and set operations, reasoning and proofs, functions and graphs, and equations and inequalities.
This precalculus course will lay a foundation for further studies in mathematics and improve your mathematical skills that are applicable in day-to-day life.
These are really good classes to take online if you're a student who appreciates mathematics.
It's been quite some minutes, and I'm sure it was worthwhile. We've taken the time to walk you through different online courses for high school students.
Based on what we’ve discussed, the Indigo IRIS program stands out as one of the best value options. It offers the flexibility to explore a field of your choice, leads to a tangible project with clear outcomes and potential for publication, all while allowing you to work from home.
As a student, you just have to know what you're interested in studying and pick an online course that ticks all your boxes.
The IRIS program stands out by providing personalized research mentorship from top professors, helping you to develop critical skills and gain a competitive edge in college applications. If you're ready to elevate your learning experience and achieve your academic goals, the IRIS program is your next step.
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The IRIS program stands out by providing personalized research mentorship from top professors, helping you to develop critical skills and gain a competitive edge in college applications. If you're ready to elevate your learning experience and achieve your academic goals, the IRIS program is your next step.
