10 Summer Economics Programs for Middle School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 17
- 6 min read
Summer programs can help you explore your academic interests before high school while building practical skills that go beyond the classroom. If you’re curious about economics, business, or finance, these programs can introduce you to how markets work, how decisions are made, and how data is used in real-world contexts. You’ll also gain experience with presentations, collaboration, and structured problem-solving, often in formats similar to college-level learning. Many options are designed to be accessible, offering financial aid or online formats so you can participate without high costs. For students exploring summer economics programs for middle school students in California, these experiences can also help you build early clarity about future academic paths.
If you’re based in California, you also benefit from proximity to universities, startups, and innovation hubs that shape global economic trends. At the same time, online programs allow you to work with mentors and peers from anywhere, making them a strong option if you want flexibility. We’ve narrowed down this list of summer economics programs for middle school students in California by focusing on programs that are selective or cohort-based, offer strong mentorship or networking opportunities, and are hosted by credible or prestigious organizations. Many also include hands-on projects, presentations, or research components. Whether you’re interested in finance, entrepreneurship, or economic theory, these summer economics programs for middle school students in California provide structured ways to explore those interests early.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly available
Location: Online
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts; ~8 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a research-based program where you work one-on-one with a mentor to explore a topic in depth. If you’re interested in economics, you can focus on areas like behavioral economics, markets, finance, or policy. You will work directly with a mentor to develop a research question and complete a final project. The structure is flexible but guided, helping you learn how to read, analyze, and present ideas clearly. Since it’s fully online, you can participate from anywhere in California.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online; Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, Redwood City, CA
Cost: Tuition-free
Dates: July 6–July 24; continued sessions in fall
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Grades 6–7; must meet low-income criteria
This program is designed to prepare you for advanced academics before high school. You’ll take part in a structured summer course followed by weekly sessions in the fall. While it’s not exclusively focused on economics, it builds foundational skills useful for studying economics later, such as analytical thinking and academic discipline. The program is tuition-free, making it one of the most accessible selective options. You’ll work in a structured cohort and engage in consistent academic work over several months.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort groups
Location: Online
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Dates: 2-week or 10-week formats
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Grades 6–8; no prior coding required
In this program, you’ll learn the basics of AI, data analysis, and machine learning. While not strictly an economics program, it’s highly relevant if you’re interested in data-driven economics or finance. You will complete a group project that applies concepts such as regression or classification. The program combines lectures with small-group sessions, so you get both instruction and collaboration. This is a good fit if you want to connect economics with technology and data.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small classes (~16 students)
Location: Online; Stanford University
Cost: $3,200; financial aid available
Dates: June 15–June 26 or July 6–July 17
Application Deadline: Early spring; financial aid deadline March 20
Eligibility: Grade 8-11; must be 13+ years old
This program offers intensive academic courses in a single subject area. If you’re in grade 8, you can take courses related to economics, business, or social sciences. You will attend live classes and engage in discussions with a small cohort. The coursework is more advanced than most middle school programs, so it’s best if you’re ready for a challenge. You won’t earn credit, but you will experience a structured academic environment similar to college-level classes.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically school- or district-based participation
Location: Junior Achievement Finance Parks / BizTown Centers (multiple California locations) or virtual
Cost: Usually coordinated through schools; varies by region
Dates: Year-round; includes ~12 pre-simulation sessions + 1 simulation day (4–5 hours)
Application Deadline: Managed through schools or local JA chapters
Eligibility: Grades 4–6 (upper elementary to early middle school)
JA BizTown® is a hands-on financial literacy and entrepreneurship experience where you step into a simulated town and take on real-world roles. You might run a business, manage a bank, work in a restaurant, or even participate in a local election. The program combines classroom lessons with a full-day immersive simulation where you apply what you’ve learned. Before the simulation, you complete structured sessions that introduce concepts like budgeting, business operations, and the free enterprise system. During the simulation, you practice decision-making, teamwork, and money management in a realistic environment. This program is especially useful if you’re just beginning to explore economics and want a practical introduction rather than a theoretical one. You’ll also develop soft skills like communication, responsibility, and collaboration, which are essential in any career path.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; open-access curriculum
Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (online resources)
Cost: Free
Dates: Self-paced; year-round access
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Primarily grades 4–8
The Center for Economic Education at James Madison University offers a collection of free, structured lesson plans designed for middle school students learning foundational economics concepts. You can explore topics like opportunity cost, supply and demand, markets, productivity, taxation, and government roles through guided activities. The lessons are organized around real-world scenarios and literature-based case studies, making them accessible even if you’re new to economics. Many modules incorporate charts, graphs, and problem-solving exercises, helping you build analytical skills alongside conceptual understanding. These lessons are typically used in classrooms, but you can also work through them independently or with guidance from a teacher or parent. Since the material is modular, you can focus on specific topics like decision-making, incentives, or financial systems.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; open-access curriculum
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: ~9 weeks (self-paced or classroom-based)
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
The NGPF (Next Gen Personal Finance) Middle School Course is a structured, beginner-friendly program that introduces you to core financial and economic concepts. You’ll work through nine units covering topics like budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and consumer decision-making. The course includes assessments such as unit exams, a final exam, and a summative project to track your progress. Lessons are delivered through interactive formats like Google Slides and Nearpod, making the material engaging and easy to follow. You’ll also explore real-life applications of economic ideas, such as trade-offs, financial planning, and long-term decision-making. The curriculum encourages you to think about your future, including how financial choices connect to education and career paths.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $1,365 - $1,420; limited financial aid available
Dates: June 15–July 20
Application Deadline: May 11
Eligibility: Grades 7–11; CTY eligibility required
This online version allows you to study finance and economics concepts from home. You’ll learn about budgeting, investment, and economic decision-making. You will attend weekly live sessions and complete independent assignments. The course emphasizes practical financial literacy alongside economic reasoning. It’s more flexible than in-person CTY programs, making it easier to fit into your schedule.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; CTY eligibility required
Location: Online
Cost: $1,365–$1,420; financial aid available; additional registration fees apply
Dates: June 16–July 21 or July 17–August 21
Application Deadline: May 11 or June 8 (depending on session)
Eligibility: Grades 7–11; CTY-Level quantitative identification required
This Johns Hopkins CTY course focuses on how major economic events—such as market crashes, inflation, and global disruptions—impact individuals and businesses. You’ll study topics like stock market volatility, monetary policy, investment strategies, and financial risk using a quantitative approach. The course is designed for students with strong math skills and requires CTY-Level identification. Lessons connect real-world events, including recent global economic shifts, to mathematical models and financial decision-making. You’ll also explore how individuals and businesses respond to uncertainty, including strategies for managing risk, diversifying investments, and optimizing financial outcomes. The course runs for over six weeks, with scheduled live sessions that allow you to interact with instructors and peers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; open-access lesson
Location: Online (EconEdLink platform)
Cost: Free
Dates: Single-session lesson (~45 minutes)
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
This lesson from the Council for Economic Education introduces you to one of the most fundamental ideas in economics: opportunity cost. You’ll follow a scenario in which a student must decide how to spend money, choosing among options such as a gaming console, a Lego set, or event tickets. You will analyze the trade-offs involved in each decision and identify the opportunity cost of the final choice. The lesson is structured around guided reading and discussion, making it easy to follow even if you’re new to economics. You’ll also create your own “scarcity story,” applying the concept to a real-life or hypothetical situation. This helps reinforce how economic decision-making applies to everyday life.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.