10 Advanced Summer Studies Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you’re a motivated middle school student looking to challenge yourself academically, advanced summer studies can be a powerful way to extend your learning. These programs go beyond typical summer camps by offering rigorous, structured coursework, often at a level that resembles college‑level academics or specialized research experiences. You’ll have the chance to explore complex ideas across disciplines, dig deep into subjects that fascinate you, and stretch your intellectual muscles alongside peers who share your drive. Many programs emphasize critical thinking, project‑based work, and mentorship, helping you learn not just facts but how to ask meaningful questions. Unlike traditional residential programs that can be rigid in format or location, a growing number of advanced summer studies offer flexible online options that make selective opportunities more accessible. Whether you’re interested in STEM, the humanities, or cutting‑edge fields like artificial intelligence, these options give you space to explore interests in depth. This list prioritizes selective, rigorous, and prestigious programs that are well‑regarded in academic enrichment circles.
10 Advanced Summer Studies Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: 12 students per course cohort
Dates: July 6 – 24 (summer); August 26 – December 9 (fall meetings)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 6 or 7 from low-income households (typically under $90,000); must attend both summer and fall sessions
This selective online program from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is designed to help you prepare for admission to academically rigorous high schools, including Stanford Online High School. You’ll join a cohort of 12 students in a live, three-week summer course and continue with weekly enrichment meetings during the fall semester. Summer courses include topics like dissent in democracy, real-world math applications, history through graphic novels, and exploratory geometry—each taught by Stanford OHS faculty, most of whom hold PhDs. You’ll engage in high-level discussion, build analytical skills, and complete reflective assignments that encourage intellectual depth. The program is highly interactive, emphasizes community building, and supports access through a tuition-free model with available tech support.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Cost/Stipend: $2,800 (residential), $1,400 (non-residential); financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Approximately 150 students
Dates: June 7 – 19
Application Deadline: Not specified; financial aid due April 15
Eligibility: Students completing grades 6–8 with high achievement; must meet gifted criteria or testing benchmarks
This two-week residential camp invites you to explore advanced academic topics through a mix of hands-on classes, social experiences, and independent learning. You’ll attend four weekday courses of your choice from a list that includes subjects like chemistry, epidemiology, dystopian fiction, and engineering, with each class capped at 16 students. Instruction is led by WKU faculty, experienced teachers, and graduate students trained in gifted education. Outside the classroom, you'll take part in community-building activities, including sports, talent shows, and themed events organized by college-age counselors. SCATS emphasizes both intellectual growth and social development, creating a fast-paced, inclusive environment where learning is self-driven and collaborative.
Location: Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 (boarding), $6,000 (day); financial aid available for domestic students
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: 85–100 students
Dates: July 8 – 26
Application Deadline: Priority deadline February 1; rolling admissions thereafter
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8
EXP is a residential summer program that lets you sample life at Deerfield Academy through creative, project-based classes and collaborative exploration. You’ll select from unique course offerings like game design, performance, architecture, environmental science, and ethical debate, all taught by Deerfield faculty. Outside the classroom, your experience includes co-curriculars, leadership development, dorm life, and structured social activities designed to help you grow as a communicator and team member. You’ll build community with students from around the world while learning in an environment that values curiosity, experimentation, and character. The program is immersive, fast-paced, and offers a true glimpse into the boarding school experience.
Location: Peabody Campus, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Cost/Stipend: $625 per session; financial aid available for U.S. families with AGI ≤ $105,000
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Class sizes capped at ~16 students for grades 3–8
Dates: Weekly sessions from June 8 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; early application strongly encouraged
Eligibility: Rising 1st–8th grade students; eligibility based on standardized test scores (90th percentile or higher) or portfolio documentation
SAVY offers advanced students the chance to dig into academic topics not typically taught at their grade level, such as forensic anthropology, nuclear engineering, and neurobiology. Taught by Vanderbilt professors and graduate students, classes are designed to mimic expert thinking and problem-solving, encouraging you to explore new ideas in an accelerated format. Each course focuses on one subject for a full week, allowing deep, focused learning with peers who share your academic motivation. The non-graded environment fosters creative risk-taking and intellectual curiosity without pressure. With multiple one-week sessions available, you can choose the topics that match your interests and attend more than one if space allows.
Location: USC Main Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: 32 students
Dates: July 13 – 24 (weekdays only)
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders (current 5th–7th grade); B average in math and science; priority given to MESA/Mission Science participants and USC-affiliated schools
At this immersive, two-week summer camp, you’ll dive into hands-on engineering projects that introduce you to fields like aerospace, mechanical, civil, environmental, and electrical engineering, as well as computer science. From building rockets and bridges to programming apps and designing circuits, each activity is designed to boost your STEM skills in an engaging, team-based setting. The camp also connects you with Northrop Grumman engineers and USC faculty, offering real-world context and mentorship. Held in person on USC’s main campus, the camp creates a focused environment that encourages curiosity and exploration. With only 32 spots available, the program is both selective and highly interactive.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Highly selective; cohort size not publicly specified
Dates: Begins spring of 6th grade; includes multi-year programming through high school
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Current 6th graders enrolled in NYC schools with 90%+ grades, strong attendance, financial need, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
TEAK Fellowship is a long-term academic and mentorship program that begins in 6th grade and supports you through high school and into college. After a competitive admissions process, you’ll start with an intensive summer institute and weekend classes in writing, math, science, and the arts. During the school year, you’ll attend after-school and Saturday sessions focused on advanced academics and high school placement preparation. The program includes summer institutes after 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, along with mentorship, cultural enrichment, and career exploration. TEAK partners with top independent and boarding schools, offering you access to high-level academics and a broad network of support.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75 (full and partial financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; exact cohort size not publicly listed
Dates: June 29 – July 30
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders enrolled in New Haven public or parochial schools
Hosted at Yale, the Ulysses S. Grant Foundation program is a rigorous, five-week academic summer experience designed to spark your curiosity and build your skills in subjects rarely explored in school. Each day, you take part in small, discussion-based classes taught by Yale undergraduates — from humanities to science and tech-themed investigations. You'll also dive into creative electives, including pop songwriting, language invention, and art-based projects. The learning environment is inclusive and supportive, with a focus on self-expression, collaboration, and intellectual risk-taking. Expect field trips, community-building events, and a classroom culture where your voice matters and learning feels exciting.
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Not published; program is selective
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th graders enrolled in NYC public or charter schools (exceptions considered for private or homeschooled students with special circumstances)
NYU’s College & Career Lab offers a multi-year academic experience that begins the summer before 8th or 9th grade. In the Exploratory Stage, you’ll take part in four weeks of immersive classes taught by NYU faculty, with subjects ranging from neuroscience and anthropology to law and engineering. Beyond academics, you’ll connect with professionals from fields like immigration law, finance, and game design to understand how careers align with personal interests. Throughout the year, you'll also attend monthly Practice Labs for one-on-one mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career discovery. As you advance through high school, the Immersive Stage offers college-level coursework, internships, and deeper exploration of chosen fields.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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