AI Certification Program

~ Prepare for the future of college admissions, technology, and interdisciplinary innovation. ~

Legend College Preparatory’s AI Certification Program provides a structured pathway for students to develop technical fluency, analytical skills, creativity, and real-world AI research experience. All courses are UC a–g approved, Honors-level, one-semester courses designed for middle and high school students seeking rigorous academic preparation.

Summer 2026 Course Offerings and Schedule

LCP’s AI Learning Environment: Learn AI by Building AI

The AI Certification Program is powered by Legend College Preparatory’s unique AI learning environment, designed so that students don’t just study AI concepts—they build real AI-powered systems.

Across the program, students learn in an environment that emphasizes:

  • Multi-Agent AI Thinking
    Students design workflows where different “AI roles” (research, analysis, planning, writing, review) collaborate to solve complex tasks, mirroring how modern AI products actually work.

  • Vibe Coding (Logic-First Creation)
    Instead of getting stuck on low-level syntax, students work in a high-level, AI-assisted environment that lets them express ideas semantically and turn them into functioning code and workflows more quickly.

  • Creativity
    Students build tools, apps, and projects aligned with their interests—whether in STEM, humanities, arts, or social impact—making AI feel personal, meaningful, and engaging.

  • Problem Inquiry
    Students learn to ask deep, structured questions, explore real-world challenges, and use AI as a tool for investigation, interpretation, and solution design.

This environment is consistent across summer and school-year offerings, helping students build portfolio-ready projects, strong technical foundations, and a mindset that combines creativity with rigorous problem-solving.

🔗 To learn more about how students at LCP learn AI by building AI, please visit:
Learn AI by Building AI (link to /learn-ai-by-building-ai/)

Summer 2026 Course Offerings and Schedule

AI Courses

Foundation Course Electives

(Each course earns 5 UC Honors credits)

Python and AI H (Grades 6+, No Prerequisites)
This introductory course combines programming fundamentals with an introduction to Artificial Intelligence. Students learn essential Python syntax, code management tools, and the differences between traditional programming and AI-assisted coding. The course also introduces basic machine learning concepts and ethical considerations in AI programming. Students complete hands-on exercises and a final project demonstrating applied coding and AI capabilities.

AI Technologies H (Grades 8+, No Prerequisites)
This multidisciplinary course deepens students’ understanding of how computers, coding, artificial intelligence, and generative AI systems (such as ChatGPT and Midjourney) work. Students learn foundational computer science concepts, coding fundamentals, logic and truth tables, natural language processing, and how modern generative AI models are optimized in real-world applications. Coursework includes experiments, discussions, and a capstone project.

AI and Humanities H (Grades 7+, No Prerequisites)
Designed from a liberal arts and human-centered perspective, this course explores the theoretical and societal implications of AI. Students read news articles and research papers, engage in analytical writing, learn logic tools such as truth tables, and examine how AI affects ethics, society, communication, and culture. The term culminates in a human–AI interaction design project, where students conceptualize and design interactions between people and AI systems.

AI, Creativity, and Art H (Grades 8+, Recommended G8 Writing Level)
This course examines the impact of AI across visual arts, music, dance, and performance. Students learn key AI concepts, including supervised vs. unsupervised learning, feature extraction, audio and motion analysis, and machine learning algorithms used in creative applications. Projects involve designing interactive systems and applying AI tools to artistic or expressive goals. Students also explore ethics, health applications, and contemporary debates around AI art.

AI Language and Writing H (Grades 9+, Requires G9 Writing Level)
This course investigates how AI transforms language, literature, and creative expression. Through a blend of literary theory and computational approaches, students experiment with natural language processing, machine learning, social network analysis, and digital text analysis. Readings and discussions explore language preservation, translation, and the future of literary study in the age of AI. The course concludes with a creative or analytical AI text-generation project.

Advanced Course Electives

(Each course earns 5 UC Honors credits)

Data Science H
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to data science workflows, including Python programming for data analysis, data collection and ethics, cleaning and preparation, visualization, exploratory data analysis, introductory statistics, and machine learning fundamentals. Students work with real-world datasets and complete a capstone project applying data science methods.
Prerequisites: Python or AI Technologies H (or equivalent experience).

Machine Learning H
Students learn core machine learning principles, including supervised and unsupervised learning, foundational algorithms, model-building, neural network basics, deep learning concepts, and ethical considerations in AI. Emphasis is placed on using Python and Scikit-learn to train, evaluate, and optimize predictive models. Coursework includes practical projects and a capstone project.
Recommended prerequisite: Data Science H + Python experience.

AI Internship

The AI Internship is a structured, research-oriented program, where students apply AI to real-world fields such as medicine, business, science, or the humanities. Each student is paired with a Legend Mentor and may work with external AI experts.

The internship includes:

  • Weekly video journals documenting progress
  • A professional research paper (with publication opportunities, when appropriate)
  • A formal slide presentation of findings
  • Regular mentorship meetings
  • Independent research hours and optional supporting courses

Typical term expectations:

  • Summer: approximately 10 hours/week (2 hours mentorship + 8 hours research)
  • Fall/Spring: approximately 3 hours/week (0.5 hours mentorship + 2.5 hours research)

The internship may be renewed each term until all deliverables and research milestones are complete.

Summer 2026 Course Offerings and Schedule

AI Certification Levels

Level I Certificate

  • 1 Foundation Course
  • 1 Advanced Course OR 1-Term AI Internship
  • Total: 10 Credits

Level II Certificate

  • 1 Foundation Course
  • 1 Advanced Course
  • 1-Term AI Internship
  • Total: 15 Credits

Benefits of Completing the AI Certification Program

Students who complete the AI Certification Program gain a powerful combination of academic depth, technical fluency, and real-world experience that strengthens both their educational foundation and competitiveness in college admissions.

1. Builds a Strong STEM and Humanities Foundation

The program develops core competencies valued across all fields:

  • Computational thinking and Python programming
  • Data literacy, analysis, and visualization
  • Understanding of machine learning and AI systems
  • Critical reasoning and ethical analysis
  • Human-centered design and communication skills

These skills prepare students for advanced high school coursework, college general education, and competitive majors across STEM, business, social sciences, and the humanities.

2. Earns UC-Approved Honors Credits

All courses are UC a–g approved and carry Honors weighting, strengthening a student’s high school transcript and demonstrating academic rigor.

3. Demonstrates Advanced, Future-Ready Skills

Completing the program shows colleges that a student is prepared for the technological shifts shaping every industry. Students gain hands-on experience with:

  • Generative AI (such as ChatGPT and Midjourney)
  • Machine learning frameworks
  • Data science workflows
  • Computational art, language modeling, and ethical AI

4. Produces College-Ready Projects and Research

Through capstone projects and, for internship students, a publishable research paper, students build a portfolio that sets them apart. These deliverables can be used for:

  • UC PIQs
  • Common App essays
  • Supplemental essays
  • Research competitions
  • College interviews

5. Strengthens Applications to Impacted Majors

The program is particularly beneficial for students applying to competitive pathways, including:

  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Business Analytics
  • Digital Humanities
  • Creative Technology / Design

Admissions readers value applicants who show early academic preparation and authentic engagement in emerging fields like AI.

6. Signals Intellectual Curiosity and Academic Discipline

Internship deliverables (journals, research papers, slide presentations) and rigorous Honors coursework show colleges that students manage long-term academic commitments and succeed in college-style learning environments.

7. Provides Guided Support and Mentorship

Through structured mentorship and continuous feedback, students learn how to:

  • Work independently
  • Communicate professionally
  • Conduct research
  • Manage multi-step projects

These are essential skills for success in college and beyond.

To find out the course offerings and schedule in Summer 2026, please visit:

https://legendcp.com/ai-certification-summer_2026.

Please email our Student Success Team for any further questions or assistance at sst@legendcp.com.