# Code Next Code Next is Google's free, tech and AI education program for high school students, built to cultivate the next generation of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous tech leaders. Students learn in Google-designed computer science labs in their own communities — or virtually through Code Next Connect — during after-school and weekend sessions that run through the school year. ## What You'll Do - Learn computer science and problem solving through the program's three pillars: Think, Make, and Lead - Build real projects — websites, apps, games, and AI experiments — in hands-on lab sessions - Develop leadership through mentorship from Google engineers and community connections - Attend in person at labs in Oakland (CA), Chelsea in New York City, Detroit (MI), or Inglewood (CA) — or join Code Next Connect, the virtual cohort for students outside lab cities ## Who Should Apply Students in grades 9-12 (at least 13 years old). Lab programming is open to students who live near a lab city; Code Next Connect accepts applications nationally, primarily from 9th and 10th graders, with Black, Latinx, and Native students strongly encouraged to apply. Applications open annually — join the interest list on the official site for the next window. ## Outcomes Code Next students finish high school with a multi-year project portfolio, fluency in CS fundamentals and emerging AI tools, Google mentors and alumni connections, and a running start on college CS study or tech internships.