12 After-School Programs to Keep Middle Schoolers Engaged
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 31
- 10 min read
If you're looking for a meaningful way to stay challenged outside of regular classes, after-school programs can be a solid option, especially in middle school, when your interests are still forming and you're curious about what comes next. Whether you're drawn to STEM, the arts, business, or public service, these programs offer exposure to fields you might not encounter in school. They’re often designed to introduce you to college-level academics, real-world skills, and even mentorship opportunities—all without requiring a huge financial investment.
Some programs focus on hands-on learning or group projects, while others might guide you through research, coding, or entrepreneurship. You’ll also find options that connect you with professionals and college students, giving you a peek into future careers and academic paths. For those aiming to deepen their academic knowledge or explore industries early, a selective after-school program can offer both structure and challenge.
We’ve narrowed down a list of top after-school program activities for middle school students based on a few key factors: academic rigor, selectivity, mentorship opportunities, institutional reputation, and overall value.
12 After-School Programs to Keep Middle Schoolers Engaged
Dates: 8-week program
Application Deadline: August 24 (Fall Cohort)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Location: Virtual
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an intensive and highly selective research program providing middle school students the chance to undertake advanced research. The program provides 1-on-1 guidance from PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. You are encouraged to pick your subject of interest, which can range anywhere from artificial intelligence to history. Over 8 weeks, this virtual program lets you dive deep into your chosen subject, build high-standard research skills, and complete your own project by the end. Beyond gaining specialized knowledge, you also build the confidence to think critically, innovate, and approach both theoretical and practical academic endeavors with independence.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort (not publicly disclosed)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th grade students attending a NYC public or charter school
The College & Career Lab (CCL) at NYU is a multi-year academic program that begins with a summer component known as the Exploratory Stage. During this four-week experience, you’ll explore diverse subjects like law, engineering, public health, and the arts through hands-on courses taught by NYU faculty. You’ll participate in college-style lectures, small group discussions, and activities that simulate real-world professions—from arguing cases in mock courtrooms to analyzing health data.
In addition to the summer program, you’ll take part in Saturday Practice Labs throughout the school year, where you’ll receive mentorship, career coaching, and skill-building support. The program’s design helps you discover career paths and build foundational tools for success in high school and beyond. If you’re looking for after-school program activities for middle school that emphasize career exposure and long-term academic growth, CCL offers a structured and supportive path to explore your future.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Application Deadline: August 31 (Fall Cohort); other sessions may be offered throughout the year
Program Dates:
Weekend Track: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Summer Track: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to core concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and group collaboration. Over the course of 25 hours, you’ll learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. The program includes small-group mentoring (5:1 ratio), ensuring personalized guidance as you move through increasingly advanced topics, including neural networks and AI ethics.
A major component is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to a real-world challenge and present your findings. While the environment is designed for beginners, the curriculum pushes you to think critically about how AI works, and how it should be used.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; capacity-limited (rolling admissions until full)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $200 total ($100 per semester); fee waivers available for eligible students
Dates: October 19 – May 3
Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until capacity is reached
Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12 (with a B average in math, science, and English); must meet income or first-generation college student criteria
The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at NYU is a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen your skills in math, science, and critical thinking while preparing you for college and STEM careers. On Saturdays throughout the academic year, you'll participate in intensive workshops, Regents exam prep, and college readiness sessions led by NYU faculty and students. Enrichment classes cover advanced math, English writing, and supervised STEM research.
The program also offers support with standardized testing, career exploration, and personal development. Among after school program activities for middle school, STEP stands out for its academic depth and long-term focus on supporting underrepresented students in STEM and health-related fields.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; courses fill on a first-come, first-served basis
Location: Stanford University (online)
Cost: $500 per quarter; $1,485 for three quarters
Dates: September 30 – December 11
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; opens 1–2 months before each quarter
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–8 with a strong interest in advanced mathematics
The Stanford Math Circle is designed for mathematically curious students who want to explore concepts far beyond the typical school curriculum. If you're in middle school, you'll meet weekly online with expert instructors—including university mathematicians—to work through advanced problems involving logic, symmetry, number theory, and more. The environment is informal but rigorous, giving you space to develop abstract reasoning and mathematical creativity.
Homework is a regular part of the program, and you're encouraged to solve complex, open-ended problems independently between sessions. You'll also have a chance to collaborate with a community of students who share your interest in math. For middle schoolers seeking advanced after school program activities for middle school that challenge their thinking and deepen their skills, this circle offers structured exploration in a collegiate-style setting.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50% of seats reserved for tuition assistance applicants, filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 per seasonal session; $4,500 for Summer Science Academy; tuition assistance available based on income
Dates: Fall 2025: October 7–December 13 (Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays depending on course)
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until seats are filled; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Science Alliance Middle School Program at the American Museum of Natural History offers hands-on, inquiry-based courses for students interested in exploring STEM fields in greater depth. Each session—offered in the fall, winter, spring, and summer—focuses on subjects like evolutionary biology, astrophysics, microbiology, and conservation science. You'll work directly with museum scientists, participate in experiments and simulations, and engage in collaborative projects with peers.
Courses meet either after school or on Saturdays, depending on the session you choose. In the summer, the full-day Science Academy rotates through disciplines weekly, offering a deeper dive into the museum’s vast scientific resources. If you're looking for immersive, content-rich after-school program activities for middle school, this program connects academic science with real-world research in an iconic setting.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; accepts 80–100 students annually
Location: New York, NY (program sites across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx)
Cost: Free
Dates: Begins spring of 6th grade and continues through college graduation
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025–26 cohort open after September 15
Eligibility: NYC residents currently in 6th grade; must have a 90+ average, meet financial need criteria, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The TEAK Fellowship is a long-term academic and leadership program that begins in 6th grade and supports you through college. If selected, you’ll start with an intensive Middle School Academy that includes after-school classes, Saturday workshops, and summer institutes focused on writing, math, science, and the arts. Programming is held at locations citywide and is designed to help you gain admission to highly selective high schools.
You’ll also be matched with a mentor, join cultural and leadership activities, and receive support through the high school and college admissions processes. This full-scholarship, enrichment-based model is aimed at students from low-income backgrounds who are academically high-achieving. For those seeking serious after-school program activities for middle school, TEAK offers a comprehensive, multi-year pathway with high expectations and strong outcomes.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~125 students accepted from ~6,000 nominations
Location: New York, NY (various program sites across NYC)
Cost: Free
Dates: 14-month program beginning in late June after admission; includes two summer sessions and school-year coursework
Application Deadline: Opens in September; rolling process through June
Eligibility: 5th or 6th-grade students from NYC with 90+ percentile standardized test scores, strong report cards, and demonstrated financial need
Prep for Prep is a leadership development program that helps high-achieving middle school students from underrepresented backgrounds prepare for success at top-tier independent schools in NYC and beyond. If admitted, you’ll participate in an intensive 14-month academic program with two summer sessions and after-school classes during the school year. Coursework includes math, writing, and history, designed to prepare you for the rigor of private school curricula. Beyond academics, the program offers enrichment opportunities in art, leadership, and entrepreneurship, along with social-emotional support and college guidance through high school and beyond. Long-term support includes paid internships at major companies like Google and JPMorgan Chase. If you're looking for one of the most rigorous after-school program activities for middle school students with a clear pathway to elite schools and future leadership roles, Prep for Prep is among the most established options in NYC.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; capacity not publicly disclosed
Location: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Academic Year: November 9 – May 17
Application Deadline: Academic Year: September 15
Eligibility: NYC residents in grades 7–12 with at least an 80% GPA, an interest in medicine or STEM, and the ability to commit to the full program schedule
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University offers academic year and summer sessions for middle and high school students who are interested in STEM or medical careers. During the school year, you'll attend full-day Saturday classes in subjects like anatomy, chemistry, psychology, and algebra, alongside SAT prep, college readiness workshops, and field trips. The summer program condenses similar enrichment into a two-week, weekday format.
Students also gain access to advanced research opportunities through Columbia programs like BRAINYAC (focused on neuroscience) and YES in THE HEIGHTS (a cancer research internship), both offering paid summer experiences. As far as after-school program activities for middle school go, S-PREP provides one of the most comprehensive early pathways into STEM fields, particularly for students from underserved communities.
10. Liberty LEADS
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; specific cohort size not published, priority given to NYC public, charter, and parochial school students
Location: Bank Street College of Education, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round; includes after-school sessions, Saturday programs, and summer camp
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions for students entering grades 5–11 (applications accepted starting in grade 4)
Eligibility: New York City students in grades 5–11; priority given to students from public, charter, and parochial schools
Liberty LEADS is a long-term academic and leadership development program housed at Bank Street College of Education. Beginning as early as fifth grade, you'll attend regular after-school sessions, Saturday classes, and a summer camp that blends academic support with college prep, leadership training, and community service. The program focuses especially on helping students with academic challenges thrive through mentoring, advising, and social-emotional development.
Each student is paired with a long-term advisor who tracks progress and supports both academic and personal growth, often attending school meetings alongside families. Through peer support, leadership workshops, and structured college access activities, you’ll build the confidence and skills to succeed in high school and beyond. If you're looking for after-school program activities for middle school that offer consistent support and individualized attention over several years, Liberty LEADS offers one of the most comprehensive models in NYC.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; available only to enrolled Amber Charter School Kingsbridge students
Location: Amber Charter School, Kingsbridge, 3120 Corlear Ave, Bronx, NY
Cost: $100 non-refundable registration fee; $180/month (no prorating for missed days)
Dates: September 8 – June 19 (Mon–Fri, after school until 5:30 PM)
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled; monthly tuition due by the 17th of the preceding month
Eligibility: Students in grades K–7 enrolled at Amber Charter School, Kingsbridge
The Manhattan University After School Program offers daily academic support and weekly enrichment activities for elementary and middle school students. If you attend Amber Charter School Kingsbridge, you'll receive homework help from university students and experienced educators, plus additional learning in science, math, engineering, and the arts on Fridays. The 10:1 student-teacher ratio allows for more focused assistance and personalized attention. Although it doesn’t include field trips, all activities are held safely within school grounds. Among the more structured after-school program activities for middle school, this program provides steady academic support alongside consistent enrichment in a familiar school environment.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: February 8 – June 7
Application Deadline: Registration for the 2025–26 cohort is expected to open in the summer
Eligibility: Middle school students residing in Philadelphia
The Temple University Saturday College program offers local middle schoolers a chance to explore new academic topics through monthly, hands-on workshops on campus. Each Saturday session focuses on a different theme, ranging from 3D printing and STEM to team building and leadership development, giving you a broad introduction to both technical and personal growth skills. The program also includes exposure to college readiness topics, helping you prepare early for the transition to high school and beyond.
Participation is by invitation and geared toward students who demonstrate consistent interest and engagement. Those who complete a full year are often invited to return the following school year. As one of the more accessible after-school program activities for middle school, Saturday College gives you a low-pressure opportunity to experience college life while expanding your academic and social skills.
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.
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