10 Best Philosophy Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
Philosophy programs for middle school students offer a unique opportunity to think beyond textbooks and explore the questions that shape how we understand the world. These programs help you develop skills in logic, critical reasoning, and communication, all essential foundations for future academic success. By engaging with college-level ideas in an accessible way, you learn how to build arguments, analyze perspectives, and articulate your own views with confidence. Beyond academics, philosophy programs nurture curiosity, self-expression, and empathy, while also connecting students with peers and mentors who share their intellectual interests.
For students who are curious about how the world works and why people think the way they do, philosophy programs can be a meaningful starting point. Many of the top programs also offer scholarships or are fully funded, making them accessible without a heavy financial burden. In this list, we’ve narrowed down some of the most rigorous and selective philosophy programs for middle schoolers, focusing on those hosted by prestigious institutions that offer mentorship opportunities and that challenge students to think deeply while fostering a global community of young thinkers.
Location: Online (Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers; HQ – Wilmington, DE)
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: 8 weeks (rolling cohorts throughout the year)
Application Deadline: Varies across different cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8; open to motivated students globally interested in exploring academic research or writing.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program pairs middle school students with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects and develop a written project. Across eight weeks, you’ll learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You’ll receive individualized feedback through eight mentor sessions and two writing-coach sessions, ensuring you master both analytical and writing fundamentals. Research topics range from gene editing to behavioral economics. The program’s rigorous selection process and personalized mentorship make it one of the most competitive and enriching academic writing experiences available for middle school students. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; award recognition for top performers.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MITx Online), Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free to audit; an optional verified certificate is available for a small fee varying by course; financial aid is available.
Program Dates: Offered annually; self-paced with flexible enrollment windows.
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; registration opens year-round for individual courses.
Eligibility: Open to high school and advanced middle school students with strong analytical and reading skills.
MIT’s Department of Linguistics and Philosophy offers five online philosophy courses through MITx Online: Introduction to Philosophy: God, Knowledge and Consciousness, Introduction to Ethics, Minds and Machines, Paradox and Infinity, and Problems of Philosophy. These courses introduce you to logic, metaphysics, ethics, and philosophy of mind through lectures, readings, and graded assignments by professional philosophers. Students demonstrating exceptional performance are eligible for the MITx Philosophy Award and the MITx High School Philosophy Award. The program fosters deep reasoning, argument analysis, and philosophical writing, making it ideal for middle schoolers eager to engage with college-level material in a flexible, accessible online format.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid is available
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; small international cohorts for each subject.
Location: University of Cambridge Colleges, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Cost: £6,295 for two weeks (includes tuition, accommodation, meals, excursions, and insurance; limited scholarships available).
Program Dates: Runs in 2-, 4-, and 6-week sessions during summer; philosophy offered in select sessions.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until courses fill; early application recommended.
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13–15 and 16–18; ideal for middle schoolers interested in philosophy and the humanities.
The Philosophy program at Reach Cambridge invites students to engage with timeless questions about existence, morality, and the human condition. Participants explore ideas from thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Descartes, and modern philosophers through lectures, workshops, and debates. You’ll learn to analyze arguments, evaluate ethical dilemmas, and develop your own philosophical reasoning through guided discussion and reflective writing. Outside class, excursions around Cambridge and cultural events help you connect philosophical ideas with contemporary society. With small class sizes and mentorship from experienced instructors, this program offers a rigorous yet accessible entry into academic philosophy for young learners.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with limited seats per class (interactive seminar format).
Location: Online; hosted by the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO), in partnership with UNESCO’s Chair on the Practice of Philosophy with Children.
Cost: Typically free or low-cost (varies by session; scholarships available).
Program Dates:
Fall: Philosophy of Film – October 7–November 11
Winter: Philosophy and Role-Playing Games – January 20–March 3
Spring: Philosophy with Ethics Bowl Cases – April 14–May 19
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration opens before each session.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11–14 from around the world.
PLATO’s online philosophy classes introduce middle school students to philosophical reasoning through creative and relatable themes. Each six-week course meets weekly on Zoom, combining interactive discussion, group inquiry, and reflective writing. You will explore questions about ethics, art, identity, and logic using films, games, and real-world ethical cases. Led by philosophy educators and doctoral instructors, the sessions emphasize critical thinking, respectful debate, and philosophical dialogue. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement and join a global community connected to UNESCO’s philosophy education network.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small group sizes to maintain discussion quality.
Location: Online; organized by The Philosophy Foundation, London, UK.
Cost: Funded by The Royal Institute of Philosophy and The Fore; free or low-cost options available.
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year; specific course dates announced on the “What’s On” page.
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration open until class capacity is reached.
Eligibility: Students aged 11–14; no prior philosophy experience required.
This online program by The Philosophy Foundation engages middle school students in structured philosophical dialogue around topics such as ethics, time, and existence. You will meet in small groups via online meeting platforms to explore complex ideas, question assumptions, and develop independent reasoning skills. Guided by trained philosophers, each session emphasizes the “4Rs” of philosophy: responsiveness, reflection, reason, and re-evaluation, to deepen understanding and strengthen argumentation. The program promotes critical thinking in a safe and collaborative environment and is supported by The Royal Institute of Philosophy, making it both high-quality and accessible. You can also pursue one-to-one sessions tailored to personal interests or exam preparation in philosophy and ethics.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective but not published; seminars capped at 8 students.
Location: Oxford Summer Courses, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Cost: From £5,495 (non-residential); residential options listed up to £9,995; application fee/financial aid not publicly specified.
Program Dates: June 28–July 11; July 5–July 18; July 12–July 25; July 19–August 1; July 26–August 8; August 2–August 15; August 9–August 22; August 16–August 29.
Application Deadline: Rolling; closes when full.
Eligibility: Ages 13–15.
Students examine foundational questions on truth, identity, justice, and knowledge through guided discussion, thought experiments, and short analytical writing tasks, with tutors tailoring readings and case prompts to the cohort’s interests. Seminar work emphasizes argument structure, spotting fallacies, and formulating objections and rebuttals, with regular feedback in a small-group setting. Afternoon masterclasses add applied skills (teamwork, debating), while reflection sessions help you track progress against personal goals. Site visits (e.g., Ashmolean Museum, British Museum) and local excursions provide historical context for ethics and political philosophy conversations. By the end, you should be able to build defensible arguments, challenge claims with reasons, and communicate positions clearly in both discussion and brief presentations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small-group classes (6–10 students per session).
Location: Online (global access).
Cost: Typically ₹2,000–₹4,000 per class, depending on course length.
Program Dates: Ongoing; flexible weekly and self-paced options available.
Application Deadline: None — students can enroll at any time.
Eligibility: Ages 10–14.
Outschool offers a diverse range of live, discussion-based philosophy and logic classes designed to help middle schoolers think deeply about the world. Courses like Philosophy for Tweens: Thinking About Logical Thinking, Philosophy Soup, Critical Thinking Detectives, and Harry Potter and Philosophy introduce learners to reasoning, ethics, and abstract thinking through fun, interactive dialogue. Students participate in Socratic discussions, debate moral dilemmas, explore classic thinkers, and apply philosophical reasoning to modern contexts, from technology to friendship. With experienced instructors guiding small groups, you’ll develop sharper logic, communication, and argumentation skills. These flexible online courses are ideal for curious pre-teens who love to ask big questions and enjoy thinking beyond the textbook.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small, discussion-based cohort.
Location: Hamilton College, Clinton, NY.
Cost: Varies; scholarships and financial aid available.
Program Dates: Two weeks (typically mid–July).
Application Deadline: Spring (exact date announced annually).
Eligibility: Advanced middle school and high school students with a strong interest in philosophy and critical thinking.
The Hamilton College Summer Program in Philosophy (HCSPiP) offers a deep dive into philosophical inquiry through small seminars and experiential learning. Students explore how philosophical thinking connects to creativity, ethics, and everyday life, studying topics such as philosophy and comedy, the nature of knowledge, and moral reasoning. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty and visiting philosophers, with past sessions including collaborations with The Second City improv group to examine humor as a form of critical thought. Beyond the classroom, you will participate in interactive workshops, collaborative discussions, and “Philosophy for Children” initiatives, where you’ll engage with age-appropriate ethical and conceptual questions in partnership with the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO). This program stands out for blending rigorous philosophy with accessible, hands-on exploration, perfect for middle schoolers ready to think critically and express ideas with confidence.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small discussion-based cohorts.
Location: New York University, New York, NY.
Cost: Free outreach program.
Program Dates: Offered periodically during the academic year.
Application Deadline: Announced seasonally.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in exploring philosophy and critical thinking.
Hosted by the NYU Department of Philosophy, The Big Questions is an outreach program designed to introduce middle and high school students to the timeless ideas that have shaped human thought for centuries. Through guided discussions and interactive sessions led by NYU philosophers, you will examine core topics such as ethics, logic, free will, identity, and the nature of knowledge. The program’s goal is to help young thinkers analyze complex issues and develop the confidence to articulate their own perspectives. You will engage directly with university faculty and students, gaining exposure to college-level philosophical dialogue in a supportive environment. This initiative stands out as one of the few university-based philosophy programs that actively engage middle school students, encouraging intellectual curiosity and deeper reflection about the world around them.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
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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