10 Economics Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 2
- 7 min read
For middle schoolers curious about how markets work and why economies behave the way they do, economics programs can be an excellent starting point. These programs introduce core concepts early, offering a bridge between classroom learning and real-world applications. They also provide exposure to college-level academics and life, helping students build analytical thinking, practical problem-solving skills, and even early industry connections, all without requiring the financial commitment of a full-scale pre-college course.
For students specifically interested in economics, exploring an online or residential summer program can be a smart way to test the field before high school. Many of the best economics programs for middle school students are designed to be rigorous yet accessible, offering solid networking opportunities, project-based learning, and mentorship from experienced educators.
When narrowing down this list, we looked for programs that are hosted by prestigious institutions, have a reputation for strong academic content, and in some cases are fully funded or highly selective. Here’s our curated selection of top economics programs for middle school students, combining early exposure to economic theory with hands-on activities and pathways to future academic growth.
10 Economics Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Varies, depending on different cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is an online research experience tailored for middle school students who want to create an academic project in a field they’re passionate about. You’ll work 1:1 with a PhD mentor from universities like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford, who supports you throughout the research and project development process.
Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, think critically, and complete a final project that reflects your area of interest. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple application rounds during the year. Need-based scholarships are available, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to participate.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: $5,300 - $7,200 depending on course load; financial aid available for qualifying students.
Dates: June 15–August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th grade students; a strong academic record is required.
This seven-week program immerses you in Harvard’s Economics, Finance, and Public Policy courses. You can select two credit-bearing classes from offerings such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Financial Accounting, and Public Finance. You’ll engage in college-level lectures, intensive assignments, and collaborative projects that build critical thinking and quantitative analysis skills. The program also integrates data analysis and strategy modules to strengthen decision-making frameworks. You will receive mentorship from Harvard faculty and earn transferable college credits.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
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.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Financial assistance: Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
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: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,700 (residential); $1,500 deposit required; $100 application fee; full scholarships for select Philadelphia students
Dates: July 5–July 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students; no prerequisites required.
This three-week residential program introduces you to core economic concepts in a global context. You will study scarcity, market structures, competition, and policy through lectures, workshops, and applied case studies. You will participate in two field trips to observe economic systems in practice and engage with guest speakers from various economics-related fields. The program culminates in a capstone project where you present a poster analyzing a real-world economic challenge and propose policy solutions using models learned in class. Daily group activities and debates build analytical thinking, collaboration, and policy evaluation skills without requiring advanced math.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: $3,015 (includes program, registration, and administrative fees); limited need- and merit-based scholarships available for California residents.
Dates: July 14–August 1
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: 9th–12th grade students; minimum age 15 by June 23; GPA of 3.2+ recommended.
This three-week commuter program helps you build a foundation in economic policy and financial analysis through lectures, workshops, and applied case studies. You will analyze empirical data, debate taxation and trade policies, and evaluate market interventions like price ceilings and rent control. Small team-based projects and weekly presentations build your ability to apply economic theory to real-world policy challenges using quantitative reasoning. UCLA Economics faculty and undergraduate peer facilitators lead sessions, providing mentorship and feedback throughout the program. Students complete the program with four units of UCLA credit and enhanced data analysis, problem-solving, and policy evaluation skills relevant to both academics and future economic research.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $7,700 (residential, includes housing and meals); ~$5,800 (commuter).
Dates: June 16–June 29
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early applications recommended by March 15.
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students; international students accepted.
This two-week residential or commuter program examines how states and governing institutions interact with markets, blending economics and political science. You’ll study microeconomics, globalization, development economics, fiscal and monetary policy, and behavioral economics through lectures, case studies, and workshops. The program emphasizes real-world application, with off-site visits to economic policy organizations in Washington, D.C., and a capstone research poster presentation. Daily sessions include guest speakers and group discussions where you evaluate policy interventions like price regulations, foreign aid, and trade negotiations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; program availability depends on local JA chapters.
Location: Delivered in classrooms or after-school settings across the U.S.; virtual options may be available.
Cost: Free for students; program costs are typically covered by Junior Achievement sponsors and local school districts.
Dates: Varies by local JA chapter; typically runs as a 6–10 session module over several weeks.
Application Deadline: Rolling; coordinated through participating schools or community programs.
Eligibility: Middle school students (ages 11–14).
This program introduces you to core economic and financial decision-making concepts while helping you explore career pathways. Through six or more interactive sessions led by trained JA volunteers, you will learn how to connect personal values and interests to future career choices, set financial priorities, and understand the costs of post-secondary education. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking about how today’s financial choices impact future success in a dynamic digital economy. You will also develop transferable skills such as planning, self-awareness, and budgeting.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; nearly 10,000 students compete annually, with only four teams advancing to the national finals.
Location: State and national rounds; finals hosted in Atlanta, GA.
Cost: Free to participate; travel expenses for the national finals are partially covered.
Dates: State-level competitions typically run March–April; national rounds take place in May.
Application Deadline: Varies by state affiliate; generally February–March.
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students; two divisions based on experience and coursework.
The NEC tests your mastery of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and global economic principles in a competitive, team-based format. You’ll collaborate with peers under the guidance of a teacher or economics professional, working through multiple rounds of problem-solving, data analysis, and policy evaluation challenges. The competition fosters critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and strategic teamwork under pressure. Winning state-level teams progress to national semi-finals, and the top four earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the national finals. The NEC has become a benchmark program for students aiming to demonstrate economics proficiency and gain recognition for analytical and decision-making skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access resources; no formal application required.
Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (materials available online and for classroom use nationwide).
Cost: Free to access and implement.
Dates: Self-paced; available year-round.
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8); adaptable for upper elementary and early high school.
This program offers a collection of economics lessons designed specifically for middle school learners, aligning with national and state standards. Topics include credit and credit scores, opportunity cost, scarcity, supply and demand, circular flow, human capital, and the economic functions of government. Lessons integrate hands-on activities, data analysis, and decision-making exercises to build practical financial and economic literacy. Many are sourced from institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and EconEdLink, ensuring rigor and real-world relevance.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 50 middle school students are admitted each year.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA.
Cost: $3,640 for California residents; $4,160 for out‑of‑state students
Dates: June 9 – June 20
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended by March 15
Eligibility: Middle school students (ages 11–14).
This two-week residential or commuter program introduces you to business and economic fundamentals by having you create, run, and close down a simulated company. You’ll work in teams to develop a business plan, manage basic accounting and finance, and design marketing strategies under the guidance of Berkeley Haas professors and mentors. The curriculum integrates corporate social responsibility and teamwork, helping you build confidence and practical problem-solving skills. Guest speakers from industry provide insights into real-world business and economic challenges, while hands-on projects allow you to practice leadership and communication. The program culminates in presenting your business outcomes, fostering both entrepreneurial thinking and foundational economic literacy.
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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