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Computer Applications | High School

5 Best Computer Applications Lesson Plans for High School

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November 22nd, 2022 | 6 min. read

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High school computer teachers face a unique challenge. You have hundreds of students to teach, so planning lessons takes hours of personal time every week.

Creating computer applications lessons that are current, engaging, and will prepare your students isn’t easy! Unfortunately, it can be overwhelming to find computer applications lesson plans that are engaging and relevant to high schoolers.

So where do you start?

In this article, we’ll share where you can find great computer applications lesson plans to teach 5 topics to high school students:

• Digital Literacy
• Microsoft Office
• Google Applications
• Internet Research
• Computer Science

We’ll start with the basics — digital literacy.

1. Digital Literacy Resources for High School Computer Classes

Digital literacy (sometimes called computer literacy) encompasses a number of skills related to using technology effectively and appropriately, making it critical for your students to understand.

When teaching digital literacy in high school be sure to include these six topics:

• Information literacy
• Ethical use of digital resources
• Understanding digital footprints
• Protecting yourself online
• Handling digital communication
• Cyberbullying

All of this knowledge provides an important base that students build upon throughout the rest of your course and later in their education!

For digital literacy lesson plans and activities, check out these five steps to teaching digital literacy in the classroom .

2. Microsoft Office Lesson Plans for High School

Teaching Microsoft Office in high school is a must. While some students may be familiar with these programs, it’s critical to familiarize your students so everyone is on the same page.

Also, high school students can go more in-depth with the advanced features of each application, compared to middle school students.

You can find a ton of resources out there to build lesson plans, but there are almost too many for one person to read.

Instead, decide which Microsoft applications you will cover and go from there. Also, consider if your students will take Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exams. If so, include some exam prep lessons in your course.

To find lesson plan ideas that will work for your classroom, check out these Microsoft Office lesson plans that your students will love .

3. Google Apps Lesson Ideas for High School

Along with Microsoft Office, Google Apps are important for high school students to learn.

Your course standards may already include Google Apps, but if not, you should still consider including some lessons on Docs, Sheets, and Slides in your course.

It comes down to the fact that many employers are now using Google instead of Microsoft. That means your students should be prepared to use either application suite in their careers.

One way to teach Google Apps is to mirror your Microsoft Office lessons. Another option is to focus specifically on how the two suites differ, such as with the collaborative features in Google Docs.

Either way, you’ll need some lesson plans and activities!

To start, check out the Google Apps lesson plans every teacher should own .

4. Lessons to Teach Internet Research Skills in High School

Your students need internet research skills to use throughout the rest of their lives.

With the constant changes in how search engines work and the number of websites out there, these lessons are crucial.

Having good online research skills can help students prevent costly mistakes, such as citing false information in a final project or believing fake news.

There aren’t many resources about web research that are appropriate for high schoolers, but luckily Google has a series of lessons that could be just what you need.

There are three levels of expertise for each topic area, ensuring you can provide lessons based on your students’ levels of knowledge.

Additionally, some lessons have teacher presentations and Google includes a full lesson plan map for quick reference.

Check out the lessons from Google here: Search Literacy Lesson Plans .

5. Computer Science Lesson Plans for High School

Programming may be daunting to teach , but these skills are essential in today’s workforce. Knowing how to write code can set your students up for incredible careers in the future!

Luckily, there are a ton of resources out there to teach these skills. However, like Microsoft lessons, there are so many out there that it’s a challenge to comb through them all.

Fortunately, Common Sense Education has some great computer science activities and lessons for high school students.

Some of the tools come with lesson plans and teacher resources. Others are less structured, intended as an extra supplement to your lessons.

Check out Common Sense Education’s list of the best coding tools for high school students .

Start Teaching Computer Applications in High School Today!

Choosing the most appropriate computer applications lesson plans for your students can be the difference between your learners falling behind or being ready to begin exciting careers.

Any of the lessons in this article can help you get your students on the way to success with computer skills. But many teachers have found success when using a comprehensive CTE curriculum throughout their high school computer classes.

If you're looking for a cohesive learning experience for your high school students, consider iCEV. iCEV provides a high school computer curriculum with pre-built lessons, interactive activities, and automatically graded assessments designed to save you hours in the classroom.

Check out the iCEV computer curriculum to see if it's the right fit for your classroom:

15 Meaningful Activities for Short Lesson Periods in the Computer Lab

Short lesson period for technology class? That’s no reason to give up on your students engaging in something meaningful in the computer lab!

Trackpad Gestures

• Students practice moving, clicking, swiping, scrolling, right-clicking, and clicking and dragging on paper work mats before they even get on a computer.

Mapping the Way Home

• In this online activity, students use Google Maps to pinpoint their home address and get directions to and from school.

Exploring Pictographs

• In this interdisciplinary lesson, students try to interpret what a set of pictographs –pictures that symbolize a word or concept — really mean. They then “write” a few sentences using their own pictograph system.

Middle Elementary

Fill in the Keyboard Letters

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Create your own Vocabulary Review

• Students define 4-5 words, create crossword puzzles with a free online tool, and then share their puzzles for review purposes.

Upper Elementary

Technology Vocabulary Word Searches

• Students can keep their technology vocabulary terms in mind by completing word searches. 

Word Processing Review

• Review and assess basic word processing skills with this short pre-made assignment.

Middle School

Digital Citizenship Discussion Prompts

• All Digital Citizenship Standards are addressed with these 42 task card style discussion prompts.

TedEd Lessons

• Pick from over 200 videos about technology. Then use the provided discussion prompts, questions and other resources as time allows.

Programming Practice Writing

• So much in programming depends on being exact.  Have students write sentences, common phrases, or even single words then change or eliminate one letter to change the meaning (i.e. startling > starting > staring > string > sting > sing > sin > in > I.).  Another version could be punctuating sentences differently in order to change the meaning!

Early High School

Crack the Code Puzzles

• Binary Code, Hexadecimal, and Morse Code Encoded Messages with silly phrases as well as technology facts. These are still Tech lessons but on paper!

Hello World

• A “Hello, World!” program is a computer program that outputs the message “Hello, World!”. Such a program is very simple in most programming languages, and is often used by students learning the basic syntax of a programming language.

Judge a Book by its Cover

• Students build visual literacy and engage in close reading as they investigate the text and imagery on book covers to make judgments about the content they might contain.

Late High School

Respond to a Podcast

• Have your students listen to a news podcast and use a graphic organizer to record what they learn.

Introduce Tessellations

• Students use the drawings of M.C. Escher, as well as online research, to deduce what tessellations are. Then each student creates tessellations from both regular and irregular polygons.

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Infographics

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Hero's Journey

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Publish a Digital Magazine

Students take the lead and design and create their own digital magazine.

Design a Book Cover

Students create a new cover design for a book they are reading to demonstrate comprehension and explore character, plot, setting, symbolism, and conflict.

Do Judge a Book by Its Cover

In this lesson, students build visual literacy and engage in close reading as they investigate the text and imagery on book covers to evaluate whether they are worth reading.

Take Reading SERIESly

In this lesson, students investigate the potential of a book's characters, plot and themes and develop a proposal for turning it into a series.

Fastballs, Free Throws and Physics

Students will create an animated video that showcases how physics concepts apply to their favorite sport.

Here's to Your Health

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Don’t Let the Earth Down

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Commemorative Ceremonies

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Virtual Museum

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The President's Team

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Political Cartoons Then and Now

Students will analyze and share the history of a political cartoon and then create their own cartoon about a current event.

Animated Chemical Bonding

Students create animations to demonstrate understanding of a chemical process.

Pop-up Plaza Proposal

In this lesson, students craft a proposal for a pop-up plaza or parklet where community members can relax, reflect and connect.

Persuade with Emotional Appeals

Students will build persuasive skills and media literacy as they explore techniques of propaganda and develop commercials that persuade viewers.

Video Biographies

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By   Dacia Jones

The need to prepare students for the future of work is now imperative. To address essential 21st-century skills in our nation’s K-12 school system, educators are turning toward a new framework for problem-solving: computational thinking.

Computational thinking enables us to solve any given challenge through an analytical and methodical approach. Put simply, computational thinking teaches students to process information like a computer would. It guides students through a series of steps, similar to an algorithm, to solve open-ended problems.

While computation governs the world around us, computational thinking as a teaching and learning framework is a new concept for many educators. As part of the Ignite My Future In School  initiative, I’ve identified 10 credible, online resources to jumpstart your lesson plans.

Some of these platforms begin at basic levels and can be utilized by beginners as young as preschool age, while others provide interactive experiences that utilize diverse computational thinking strategies suitable for middle school and high school grade levels.

Here are 10 resources to bring computational thinking to your classroom:

Computer Science Unplugged: Sorting Algorithm Activities

Computer Science Unplugged  is a website full of resources that take computer science concepts out of the computer lab and into real life. This library offers lesson plans, activities and videos that will help students integrate their understanding of computer science principles with other subjects. These resources are free and do not require a login to download.

Data.gov  is a massive database full of information collected by the United States federal government. These datasets are great resources for predictive modeling and charting trends over time. Students can explore anything from economic growth to the spread of viruses on this free website. No login is required, but it is recommended that you use a computer with spreadsheet software to take full advantage of  Data.gov .

Google for Education: Exploring Computational Thinking

Google offers a  robust selection of courses and lesson plans  designed to help educators and students strengthen their computational thinking skills. The several short videos included in the  Exploring Computational Thinking  curriculum are excellent supplements to classroom activities and lessons that are based on computational thinking principles. The  Computational Thinking for Educators  course is an educator-facing training module that demonstrates how computational thinking can be integrated into a variety of subjects. It allows participants to go at their own pace and is free of charge.

Hopscotch: Make Games

Hopscotch  is a visual programming language app suitable for K-12 students. Students have the opportunity to design, publish and play their own games in a safe, moderated environment. Students analyze the games they create through their own observations and feedback and then revisit code to design toward a solution. Hopscotch  is free to download in the App Store and offers in-app purchases.

Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere  is an interactive program that allows students to develop polls, collect data and analyze that data in real time. Collecting data is a critical step in the computational thinking process for students to identify problems and solutions. Its easy-to-use interface integrates easily with most classroom computing equipment and the smartphone application allows students to use their own devices to participate in polling exercises.

The Lifelong Kindergarten group of MIT’s Media Lab created  Scratch , a coding platform geared toward younger coders. By using a drag-and-drop block style, students can create animations, games and simulations without any previous knowledge of computer programming. The free website includes curriculum guides and an online community with meetups, tips and tutorials for parents and teachers. To view completed projects, click  here  or view a short video  promo  to get started.

Thingiverse

Thingiverse  is an open-source library full of blueprints for CAD and 3D printing software. This online platform makes it easy to integrate 3D modeling into your classroom as students have the option to tweak and refine existing models instead of designing from scratch.  Thingiverse  is free, but it does require users to create an account before using the platform.

TinkerCAD  is a flexible platform for building all kinds of 3D prototypes, from interior design mockups to video game characters. Easily compatible with 3D printers,  TinkerCAD  makes digital drafting easier and is suitable for students from elementary school all the way through high school. TinkerCAD  is free to use and students under the age of 18 must register using a family member’s email address.

University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository

The UCI Machine Learning Repository  is a database full of almost 400 machine learning datasets. By looking through these databases, students can develop an understanding of how computers recognize patterns and get better at sorting data over time. Students will see the far-reaching applications of machine learning and can practice abstraction by categorizing the information in these diverse sets. The  UCI Machine Learning Repository  is free to use and does not require a login.

Wolfram Computational Knowledge Engine

The  Wolfram Computational Knowledge Engine  directly connects computational thinking with all areas of the curriculum. This special search engine shows how computational thinking can help us decompose information in order to find the best solutions to problems. Some of the search suggestions provided by the Computational Knowledge Engine include  “step by step solutions”  and  “culture and media” .

With the help of these resources, students will be deciphering problems and forming solutions in no time. By teaching students to solve problems using this technical mindset, we are preparing them for bright futures where they can combine creativity with computational thinking for ultimate innovation and success.

For more, see :

• 4 Early Learning Strategies for Developing Computational Thinking Skills
• Integrating Computational Thinking into Your Elementary Classroom
• Advancing Computational Thinking Across K-12 Education
• Maker Space Promotes Problem Solving & Computational Thinking

Dacia Jones is a Professional Development Specialist at Discovery Education. Follow her on twitter  @dacia92 .

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Essential Computer Skills for a High School Student

Today's technology continuously improves our lives, whether it's related to personal, business, or educational matters. For most people, technology is already an integral part of their lives and cannot finish a day's task without it. This promotes the notion that, in general, people need to learn about the most common technology that they come face-to-face with - computers.

Most people agree that there is a need for the younger generation to understand how computers work for them. However, there is still a slight disconnect as to what computer skills are needed to be enforced on high school students and what they need to master to ensure survival once they are out on their own.

There are still questions and comparison about measuring a high school students competency or computer skills. Can a student be considered well-versed in computers if they can play computer games, chat online, or surf the internet? Is it necessary to have high school students learn how to operate a word processor, a spreadsheet, or a presentation creator? What are the sufficient skills needed for high school students to prepare them in entering college or the workplace?

In some instances, the computer skills that high school students need to master are misconstrued, and that learning how to use the computer in a productive manner is often neglected in comparison to knowing how to use a computer for internet and social purposes. Only a minor number of high school students know how to use computers for their projects, presentations, and computation. Students need to learn how to be more computer literate in terms of the latter; because this is what they'll be doing most of time once they graduate high school. Never mind the work or career that they will engage in because being having computer skills for productivity is what matter most.

It's essential for high school students to master the following computer skills:

File Maintenance and Organization - saving files AND knowing how and where to store them is vital. It includes categorizing files into different folders or criteria (depending on the user.) All organizations from all industries are very keen into file maintenance and organization, and being a master of this skill does not require a student to have an advanced subject in Math or Science.

Using the Internet for Research - aside from social networking and e-mail, the internet can also be a very good source for a variety of information. For students, this will help them find information that they may not find in their local libraries, and maybe, get well versed on other topics that are not usually on their school books.

Produce a Neat and Error-Free Document - learning how to use word processors, such as Microsoft Word, also helps students in creating a more presentable essay or term paper. Word processors also have tools, such as the Spelling and Grammar Checker, to help clear errors on their documents. Computational tools, such as Microsoft Excel, also aids in data gathering and computation. Learning how to use computational tools also lessens the error of doing manual computation and tabulation. " Creating a Presentation - not all projects are submitted in a form of a document. There will be times where a teacher may require a student to present in front of the class or a panel. Knowing how to create a presentation will help students in developing them for their future jobs as well.

Basic Troubleshooting - a computer is a machine, and may need maintenance from time to time. Computer literacy can also be measured in the student's knowledge on how to keep their computers running in the most basic sense. Knowing what to do if the computer doesn't turn on does not require Einstein's brain to do basic troubleshooting - is the computer properly plugged on?

In an essence, having high school students master the above-mentioned computer skills will definitely give them an edge once they set foot to either the college or to their workplace. It doesn't require for them to learn every nook and cranny of a computer, but learning how to utilize its main purpose will definitely help them survive in the future.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 10 best computer science competitions for teens.

Extracurriculars

Are you a coder or computer science lover and want to show off your skills? Computer science competitions are a great way to do that! We've gathered information on 10 of the best computer science and coding competitions high school students can participate in. Look over the descriptions that seem most interesting to you, then keep reading to learn everything you need to do to make participating in these competitions stand out on your college applications.

The Best Computer Science Competitions for High Schoolers

Below are overviews of 10 of the best computer science and coding competitions for students. For each competition, we  give a brief description, along with who is eligible and what the prizes are. All the competitions below have a focus on computer science. For competitions that are more about STEM generally (and could include computer science), check out our guides to the best math competitions and science competitions for high school students .

Imagine Cup

The Imagine Cup is one of the best-known tech competitions for high schoolers. While this competition isn't strictly focused on computer science, the Imagine Cup helps students grow their " coding, collaboration, and competition skills."  Microsoft runs the competition, and each year, students around the world compete in it. Students work in teams of up to three members to design a tech solution to a social, environmental, or health problem. The project must include a Microsoft Azure component and "take into consideration diversity, inclusion, and accessibility."

Eligibility requirements: Must be 16 or older

Congressional App Challenge

This computer science competition is designed to both encourage more students to study STEM and coding as well as connect them to their congressional representatives. Individual students or groups of up to four design an app. The app can be created using any programming language and platform, and it can be on any theme or topic. Each app is judged by congressional district, and the winners are judged nationally. New coders are encouraged to participate, and roughly 44% of competitors described themselves as beginning coders.

Eligibility requirements: Must be a middle or high school student in a participating congressional district .

CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Program

The US Air Force created CyberPatriot to inspire students to pursue careers in cybersecurity or other STEM fields. The National Youth Cyber Defense Program gives teams of 2-6 students assignments similar to those new IT professionals would receive. Teams work through online competition rounds where they must find and fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Top teams receive an all-expense-paid trip to the in-person National Finals Competition in Maryland where they compete for scholarship money.

Eligibility requirements: Middle school students, high school students, and students in JROTC programs each have their own division.

American Computer Science League

ACSL hosts one of the oldest computer science competitions in the world. To compete, your school has to have registered and paid the registration fee. Before the competition, the coach teaches coding with a focus on ACSL exam categories . Then, students work in teams of 3 or 5 students to complete four tests. Students can code in Python 3, Java 8, or C++ as defined on the programming platform. Top-scoring teams advance to regional, statewide, and eventually global competitions.

Eligibility requirements: Elementary, middle, and high school students (worldwide) whose schools have registered for the competition.

Prizes: Winners of the ACSL All-Star Contest receive prizes (amount not disclosed).

International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)

One of the world's most prestigious computer science competitions, IOI is open to secondary school students around the world. Each country sends a group of four students (who compete individually)  to the two-day international competition. American students must win the USACO competition (see below) to be chosen to participate. IOI participants must know how to program (particularly in C++), be able to understand and implement algorithms, and have strong problem solving skills.

Eligibility requirements: Secondary school students who win their national competition.

USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)

This well-known and well-regarded competition tests skills in areas such as algorithmic programming problems that can be solved using various programming languages. Students compete in three online contests, plus a national "US Open" competition. From these results, the top 24 or so scorers are invited to a training camp in the early summer, hosted at Clemson University. At the end of the camp, the top four participants are invited to attend the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).

Eligibility requirements: Must be a middle school or high school student in the US

Prizes: Top four participants go on to compete at IOI (see above).

RoboRAVE is a computer science competition for students interested in both programming and robotics. Teams of two to four players (plus a coach) design, build, and program a robot capable of completing different tasks such as extinguishing candles, placing flags atop a steep incline, and traversing an elevated maze. RoboRAVE prides itself on being an open competition , and teams can compete from anywhere while using any kind of robot (that they built) and any type of programming software. It's a great option for students who are interested in robotics but don't yet have a ton of skills in the area, as they emphasize building computer science and robotics programming skills.

Eligibility requirements: High school division is for students 14-18 years old, although there are other age group divisions available as well. 

Technovation Challenge

The Technovation Challenge is designed to get more girls interested in coding and computer science. Girls work in teams of 1-5 and with volunteer mentors to use technology to design an app that helps solve real world problems such as climate change, bullying, and hunger. Both novices and girls with strong backgrounds in computer science can participate, as the competition is designed to help girls build their tech skills.

Eligibility requirements: Must identify as female and be between 10 and 18 years old. 

Bebras is a computing competition where participants get 45 minutes to answer 15 multiple-choice questions on computational and logical thinking. Students complete the challenge at school, and they can track how their computer science skills grow over time.

Eligibility requirements: Any teacher can sign their students up for the competition.

First Robotics Competition

There are a lot of robotics competitions out there, but First Robotics is one of the most prestigious , and, as such, requires a significant commitment (of both time and funding). Students work in teams of at least 10 (along with 2 adult mentors) to design and build an industrial-sized robot (about 150 pounds). They then must program the robot to compete in a sophisticated field game at competitions.  Annual team registration fees are usually about $5,000, although fundraising guidance is given.

Eligibility requirements: High school students in the US

Prizes: Various scholarships and cash prizes for top scorers, as well as those voted to have most team spirit, resilience, etc.

What Makes a Competition Good for Computer Science Students?  

But there's more to computer science than writing killer code. As a working computer scientists, you'll have to work with others to implement your ideas. Competitions that combine programming with other skills, like collaboration, can help you prepare for college and beyond. 

And since computer scientists work in many different fields—including tech!—competitions that focus on larger technology, science, or robotics topics can help you grow your skills and showcase them on your college applications. 

What to Look for in Computer Science Competitions

The above list includes many of the best-known computer science competitions for high schoolers, but it definitely doesn't include every one of these competitions. In particular, we didn't include smaller, regional competitions in order to create a list applicable to the greatest number of students. If you're interested in other computer science competitions, you may want to do some research on your own.  However, use judgement when considering unknown competitions, especially if they are new or you can't find much information about them beyond a website or their social media. Also be wary of competitions that charge large fees to participate.

Quality computer science competitions will have a clear and detailed website that explains what the competition is, who is eligible, how you can participate, and who you can contact to learn more. It's not required for them to be backed by a government entity or well-known corporation, but having some name recognition can help solidify their legitimacy. Additionally, older competitions, and those that are national (rather than just local or regional) typically are better known and can stand out more on college applications.

While some competitions offer significant prize money, just because a certain competition has smaller/no prizes doesn't mean they're not worth your time. Winners may receive other benefits, such as mentorship or invitations to conferences where they can network.

If you're ever unsure about particular computer science or coding competitions for students, ask a teacher or guidance counselor about it; they often know a lot about these things and can advise you if you should participate or focus your efforts elsewhere.

How to Include Computer Science Competitions in Your College Applications

Participating in a computer science or coding competition can be a strong asset to your college applications, especially if you plan on majoring in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Colleges love to see applicants who are passionate about and committed to their future field of study, and competing in a computer science competition shows schools you have both the skills and motivation to pursue computer science outside of the classroom. To make your participation as impressive to college admissions teams as possible, follow these four tips:

#1: Make Clear Your Time Commitment

The more time you commit to something, the stronger it looks to colleges because commitment shows dedication and a strong work ethic. So, instead of just listing the computer science competitions you participated in, be sure to include how long you prepared for the competition and what you were doing. Use numbers whenever possible, for example: "Took online coding classes on C++ and Python for 5-10 hours a week for four semesters" or "spent 25 researching how to build a robot, 50 building robot, 60 hours designing and testing programming codes" The more specific and detailed you are, the more colleges will understand how much work you've put into your competitions.

#2: Highlight Initiative You Took

Colleges love it when applicants show initiative because it indicates leadership qualities, aptitude, and motivation. Be sure to make clear any initiative you took with the project. This could include setting up a team, getting your school to participate in a competition it previously didn't have a program for, contacting mentors, designing research protocols, etc. If you came up with the idea on your own and followed through, make sure it shows up on your application!

#3: Connect the Competition to Your Spike

Your " spike " is what we call your overarching passion/interest/career goal. For example, your spike might be being a great basketball player, creating a blog with thousands of followers, conducting engineering research, etc. The stronger your spike, the more impressive you are to colleges because you'll show talent, dedication, and passion that will likely continue in college.

If your spike at all relates to STEM, then you want to connect these competitions to it however you can. Even if you don't want to be a computer programmer, think of ways your dream career relates to computer science and requires programming/coding skills.

For example, you could want to be a public health analyst and have a goal of designing an app that makes it easier for people without insurance to get connected to a low-income doctor. Then you'd tie that into your computer science experience and the competitions you participated in. You want to connect as much of the information in your college applications back to your spike as you can, and computer science competitions are a great thing to include.

#4: Don't Feel Like You Had to Win for It to Count

Many computer science and coding competitions for students have thousands of competitors, and only a tiny fraction of those participants will end up winning a prize. Additionally, many are meant for students to build their computer science skills, so improvement is valued more highly than an initial high score. This means that you don't need to take home a gold medal for your competition experience to matter.

Preparing for a computer science competition takes time, skill, and a strong work ethic, all qualities that colleges appreciate. So if you work hard to prepare for a competition, be sure to still include it on your applications, even if you don't end up placing.

What's Next?

Interested in math competitions, too? Check out our article on the 12 best math competitions for high school students . 

If you're skilled in non-computer science as well, check out our list of the 11 best science competitions for high schoolers .

Want to study IT in college? Learn the best schools for information technology by reading our guide.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Best laptops for high school grads in 2024

By Jason R. Rich

Updated on: April 22, 2024 / 4:19 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Most students rely on a laptop for notes, research, papers, online classes, staying in touch with teachers and friends and more. Now that your loved one is about to be a graduate, setting them up with one of the latest laptops will give that a competitive edge in the next phase of their life -- whether's they're pursuing a higher level of education or kick-starting their career.

One of the latest laptops -- whether it runs Windows, ChromeOS, or is an Apple MacBook -- will provide a new graduate with a powerful productivity tool and entertainment device they'll likely rely heavily on everyday for the next few years. Thus, a new laptop is the ideal gift for any high school graduate. 

Best laptop overall for high school grads : Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED (UX582)

Best windows laptop for high school grads : lg gram 17.

• Most portable Windows laptop for high school grads : Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED

Best Apple MacBook for high school grads : Apple MacBook Air with M3 processor

Best chromebook for high school grads : asus chromebook plus cx3402, best 2-in-1 laptop for high school grads : lenovo yoga 9i, best gaming laptop for high school grads : razer blade 16.

Our in-house team of  tech experts has compiled this roundup of the laptops that make the best gift for a high school graduate. Whatever your budget, you're sure to discover the perfect graduation gift right here. However, if you're looking for other types of gifts for an important graduate in your life, consider gifting them a pair of  headphones ,  wireless earbuds , or maybe a new  smartphone .

What is the best laptop for a high-school grad?

There are Windows laptops priced as low as a few hundred dollars, but that go as high as $5,000. A Chromebook is typically much less expensive, but these rely on the ChromeOS operating system and on cloud applications and storage. For Apple enthusiasts, there are a variety of MacBook laptops available. The least expensive MacBook Air has a starting price around $1,000.

Most people think of a Windows laptop has having one screen and a keyboard, but what sets the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED apart is that it's comprised of a 15.6 inch and a 14 inch OLED display that showcase bright, accurate and detailed graphics. The second display -- the ScreenPad Plus -- is a touchscreen that automatically tilts up by 9.5-degrees to create an angle of 144.5-degrees between the main display and ScreenPad Plus. This provides for more comfortable viewing and seamless visuals across both displays, plus easy multitasking. 

This overall design gives the laptop a tremendous amount of versatility and extra on-screen real estate. The computer is powered by a 12th Gen Intel i9-12900H processor with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, so it offers plenty of computing power for tasks like photo editing, video editing and gaming.

This laptop's unusual design sets it apart, yet it easily handles all of the tasks someone typically uses a Windows laptop for. And what we love about this laptop it that the display supports 4K resolution when streaming video content. So it serves as a robust entertainment system, too.

The thing we love best about this LG Windows laptop is its extra-large, 17 inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution) display that's supported by a Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU. This allows the laptop to display vivid 4K resolution graphics. 

Combine this with built-in surround-sound speakers that support Dolby Atmos, and you wind up with a powerful laptop that can serve as a high-end entertainment and gaming machine, and that can also be used for tasks like 4K video editing or high-resolution photo editing.

The display offers a lightning-quick 144Hz refresh rate, 16:10 aspect ratio and a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut. The laptop runs using a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor and comes with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for storage. 

While this computer is priced on the higher side, you're getting a robust machine that offers excellent speed and performance, along with plenty of on-screen real estate for multitasking. This will give your recent grad with plenty of computing power for whatever they choose to pursue next in life.

Most portanble Windows laptop for high school grads : Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED

The Apple MacBook Air laptops are known for being incredibly thin and lightweight, but they run the MacOS operating system. So if you're a fan of Windows, you'll need to adapt to use it. But now, there's now a super-thin and lightweight alternative from Asus that runs Windows 11 Pro -- called the Asus Zenbook S 13. 

This computer is equipped with a vivid, 13.3 inch 3K OLED display (offering a 60Hz refresh rate). It weighs a mere 2.2 pounds and is just 0.46 inches thick when shut. This makes it one of the most portable laptop options out there for a grad.

The computer is powered using an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and comes configured with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage. The display offers 2,880 x 1,800 pixel resolution with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for color clarity and accuracy. And because this laptop meets U.S. military MID-STD 810H standards, it's designed for durability, so it's a reliable travel companion.

The computer is also equipped with Harmon/Kardon speakers that support Dolby Atmos. Plus, thanks to Microsoft CoPilot, you get an advanced AI assistant at your disposal. And while the battery typically offers all-day power, the quick recharge feature will charge the battery up to 70% in under 50 minutes.

The Zenbook S 13 is a lightweight, yet powerful Windows laptop that offers a nice collection of features and integrated technologies that'll serve the high school grad you're gifting it to exceptionally well.

Apple's lineup of MacBook laptops now includes the higher-end (and more expensive) MacBook Pros, along with the slightly thinner, lighter and less expensive MacBook Air laptops. This particular MacBook Air configuration is powered using Apple's latest M3 processor (which will serve the average user well, but lacks the processing power of the M3 Pro or M3 Max processors found in the MacBook Pros).

This entry-level configuration includes a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, 8GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD for storage. However, at the time of purchase, you can upgrade the memory (up to 16GB) and storage capacity (up to 256GB). What's great about the MacBook Air is that it runs the same version of MacOS and comes with the same collection of preinstalled apps as all other MacBooks and iMacs, so right out of the box, it's ready to handle a wind range of tasks.

The MacBook Air also integrates with Apple iCloud, so data will automatically sync between the user's laptop, iMac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Plus, the computer works seamlessly with Apple's services, like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, AppleTV+, Apple Fitness+ and Apple News. For someone who already uses an iPhone and other Apple devices, a MacBook Air will make a great addition to their tech arsenal. While there's a lesser expensive MacBook Air that runs using the M2 processor, we recommend this more powerful model. However, someone with advanced computing needs will benefit more from a laptop from the MacBook Pro lineup.

The thing about Chromebooks is that they're less expensive than typical Windows laptops because they require less powerful hardware and rely more on the cloud.

Another great thing about Chromebooks is that they come with all of the popular Google apps and services preinstalled. This includes Google's Workplace apps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps and the Chrome web browser. Chromebooks are also able to run most (but not all) Android apps available from the Google Play Store.

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX3402 is one of the more advanced and powerful Chromebooks currently available. It has the hardware configuration that qualifies it to be a Chromebook Plus . It has a 14 inch (1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution) display and comes equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It's powered using an Intel Core i3-1215U processor and has a battery that lasts up to 10 hours per charge.

For more information about this powerful and versatile Chromebook, be sure to read our in-depth review .

For a high school graduate who doesn't have a tablet and needs a new laptop, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the perfect option; it can serve as either a full-featured Windows tablet or laptop computer. The device has a 14-inch touchscreen and comes with a stylus that handwrites, draws or annotate files, right on the screen. 

It's powered using a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor and that runs Windows 11 Home. When used as a laptop, the Yoga 9i offers a full-sized, backlit keyboard. Of course, the computer is also equipped with a 1080p resolution webcam and a nice collection of ports.

Battery life is up to 14 hours, but with a quick charge lasting just 15 minutes, you'll get two hours of additional power. This computer comes equipped with 1TB of internal storage. It's a mere 0.6 inches thick when closed and weighs in at just 3.09 pounds. 

If the high school graduate you're shopping for is a gamer, this Razer Blade 16 is a PC gaming powerhouse. Of course, it can also handle all of the same tasks as any other Windows laptop. What gamers love about this computer is its 16-inch OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate. This makes graphics and animations appear bright, detailed and fluid. 

And thanks to the computer's 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900HX processor (CPU) and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series GPU, it's ready to run all of the latest and most popular games, plus handle other applications that require a higher level of processing power. The display offers a 0.2ms response time and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, along with a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. This means graphics and animations will look incredibly sharp and showcase highly accurate colors.

This configuration of the Razer Blade 16 comes with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage, both of which can be upgraded at the time of purchase. This computer doesn't just function like a high-end gaming PC, it looks like one too. It's housed within an sleek anodized aluminum unibody casing and has integrated Chroma RGB lighting. And specifically for gamers, the keyboard offers per-key RGB lighting with N-key rollover and a travel distance of 1.0mm (with anti-ghosting) for ultra-smooth gaming.

For more information about the latest and greatest laptops currently available, be sure to check out our coverage of the  five best laptops for 2024 , the  six best gaming laptops for 2024 , the  five best laptops for college in 2024 , the  five best Chromebooks of 2024  and the  five best budget laptops for 2024 .

Jason R. Rich ( www.JasonRich.com ) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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He's been painting for more than 50 years, but artist Stanley Whitney – whose bold, colorful canvases offer vibrant hues and deliberately ferocious brushstrokes – is just now getting his first major retrospective (including many works never before exhibited publicly), at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in Buffalo, N.Y. Correspondent Alina Cho talks with Whitney about the breakthrough that came during his artistic journey.

The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (April 28)

This month's fiction and non-fiction titles include the follow-up from Amor Towles, author of the international sensation, "A Gentleman in Moscow."

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Breakthrough AI tech speeding up MRI scans

NYU Langone Health and Meta have developed a new type of MRI that dramatically reduces the time needed to complete scans through artificial intelligence. CBS News correspondent Anne-Marie Green reports.

FCC votes to restore net neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission voted to adopt net neutrality regulations, a reversal from the policy adopted during former President Donald Trump's administration. Christopher Sprigman, a professor at the New York University School of Law, joins CBS News with more on the vote.

How AI powered robots are helping small farms

From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.

Why the U.S. struggles to combat romance scams

Local and federal authorities face challenges in investigating and prosecuting romance scammers because the scammers are often based overseas. Jim Axelrod explains.

Why bats are vital to the ecosystem

Bats have often been called scary and spooky but experts say they play an important role in our daily lives. CBS News' Danya Bacchus explains why the mammals are so vital to our ecosystem and the threats they're facing.

Doctor on lessons from Flint water crisis

Pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, whose work has spurred official action on the Flint water crisis, told CBS News that it's stunning that "we continue to use the bodies of our kids as detectors of environmental contamination." She discusses ways to support victims of the water crisis, the ongoing work of replacing the city's pipes and more in this extended interview.

Flint residents on 10 years of water crisis

Ten years ago, a water crisis began when Flint, Michigan, switched to the Flint River for its municipal water supply. The more corrosive water was not treated properly, allowing lead from pipes to leach into many homes. CBS News correspondent Ash-har Quraishi spoke with residents about what the past decade has been like.

Paving the way to a greener future

According to the University of California, Davis, residential energy use is responsible for 20% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. However, one company is helping residential buildings reduce their impact and putting carbon to use. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn shows how the process works.

Cicada noise in S.C. prompts calls to sheriff

Emerging cicadas are so loud in one South Carolina county that residents are calling the sheriff's office asking why they can hear a "noise in the air that sounds like a siren, or a whine, or a roar." CBS News' John Dickerson has details.

Poisoned cheesecake used as a weapon a first for NY investigators

Viktoria Nasyrova attempted to murder a woman with cheesecake. As one private investigator would find out, she had a list of alleged victims — including her ex-boyfriend's dog.

Dramatic video shows K9 deputies arrest double murder suspect

Angel Gabriel Cuz-Choc was found hiding in a wooded area after his girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter were found dead in Florida.

K-9 deputies arrest man accused in double murders

Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment Florida deputies and K-9 dogs close in on a double murder suspect hiding in a thickly wooded area.

"48 Hours" looks into Kristen Trickle's death

A new "48 Hours" investigation is looking into the death of a Kansas woman after she was found dying from a gunshot wound in 2019. The coroner initially ruled Kristen Trickle's death a suicide, but the local prosecutor said evidence on the scene didn't add up. "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty has the story.

Astronauts confident Boeing's Starliner is finally ready for crew flights

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams say they have complete confidence in the Starliner despite questions about Boeing's safety culture.

Man who hoped to be first Black astronaut in 1960s finally heading to space

In 1961, Ed Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy to enter an Air Force training program known as the path to NASA's Astronaut Corps. But he ultimately never made it to space.

Spacecraft spots "spiders" scattered across surface of Mars

The creepy patterns were observed by the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.

Veteran taikonaut, 2 rookies launched to Chinese space station

The Shenzhou 18 crew will replace three taikonauts aboard the Chinese space station who are wrapping up a six-month stay.

Distant spacecraft sends data to Earth for first time in 5 months

In November 2023, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft stopped sending "readable science and engineering data."

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Notable Deaths in 2024

A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

PHOTOS: Baltimore bridge collapses after cargo ship rams into overpass

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday, March 26 after a column was struck by a container ship that reportedly lost power, sending vehicles and people into the Patapsco River.

Could an Alabama woman have shot herself twice?

When Tiffiney Crawford was found dead inside her van, authorities believed she might have taken her own life. But could she shoot herself twice in the head with her non-dominant hand?

CBS newsman Charles Osgood (1933-2024)

We look back at the life and career of the longtime host of "Sunday Morning," and "one of the most enduring and most endearing" people in broadcasting.

Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death

Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.

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Remembering conjoined twins Lori and George Schappell

Jane Pauley looks back at the lives of Lori and George Schappell – conjoined twins whose skulls were partly fused – who died in Philadelphia earlier this month at the age of 62.

Campus unrest: Will protests make a difference?

It's been an upsetting time on American college campuses, where protests over the war in Gaza, fueled by social media, have divided students, faculty and administrators. Why are protests erupting now? And are they effective? Correspondent David Pogue talks with Michael Kazin, a veteran of 1960s anti-war protests; Dan Mogulof, public affairs officer at UC Berkeley; and Georgetown University protest organizer Selina al-Shihabi, about the tensions between free speech and public safety.