10 Educational Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
Exploring an educational summer program for middle school students can be a strong way to extend learning beyond the classroom and grow your academic confidence. These programs let you experience college-level academics and life, build practical skills, and gain exposure to different industries—all without the hefty costs often associated with longer pre-college tracks. Through hands-on projects and real classroom settings, educational summer programs give you a preview of what advanced coursework and independent study feel like, helping you better understand your passions. Many also connect you with faculty, experts, and peers who share your interests, creating valuable connections that can influence your future educational path. For students interested in advanced learning, scholarships or fully funded options make these educational summer programs for middle school students more accessible, letting you focus on growth rather than financial barriers.
We’ve narrowed down a list of programs that stand out for their rigor, networking potential, selective nature, or prestigious hosts. These programs include options that are fully funded, have low acceptance rates, offer mentorship opportunities, and are backed by established academic organizations. Whether you want to dive into STEM, research, or humanities, each program here offers a unique way to challenge yourself and grow.
10 Educational Summer 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: Stanford Online High School, Stanford University, CA (Virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; 12 students per cohort
Dates: July 6–24 (summer course) and August 26–December 9 (fall meetings)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S. students currently in grades 6 or 7 from families typically earning under $90,000 annually; attendance required for both summer and fall sessions
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a tuition-free initiative designed to prepare you for advanced academics in high school and beyond. Over the summer, you’ll participate in a three-week online course led by Stanford Online High School instructors where you’ll study topics such as geometry, civic engagement, or mathematical applications. Afterward, weekly fall meetings continue your learning through writing workshops, high school prep sessions, and academic enrichment activities. Small cohorts of twelve create an intimate learning environment that fosters collaboration and mentorship from experienced educators. The program’s goal is to help you build skills in writing, math, and critical thinking while offering a preview of rigorous academic life. As one of the most selective educational summer programs for middle school students, SMSSP connects you with scholars nationwide who share your curiosity and drive.
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.
4. dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited seats per session
Dates: Week 1: August 10–14 (rising 6th–7th graders); Week 2: August 17–21 (rising 8th–9th graders)
Application Deadline: Opens in spring; closes late spring
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th grade students, with preference for Massachusetts residents from low-income backgrounds
The MIT dynaMIT program is a free, week-long educational summer program for middle school students designed to spark curiosity in science and engineering. Hosted entirely on the MIT campus, the program engages you in hands-on STEM activities, collaborative projects, and experiments crafted by MIT undergraduates and graduate mentors. Each session combines learning and exploration, giving you a chance to build problem-solving and teamwork skills while tackling real-world engineering challenges. The environment is highly interactive, with MIT students providing close mentorship and guidance throughout. dynaMIT especially encourages participation from students who might not otherwise have access to enrichment programs, creating an inclusive community of young innovators. Through experimentation, collaboration, and creativity, you’ll gain early exposure to the scientific mindset that defines MIT’s approach to learning.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $75 with full and partial scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small class sizes of 7–14 students
Dates: June 22–July 30
Application Deadline: Applications open mid-January
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders enrolled in New Haven public or parochial schools; must attend all sessions
The Ulysses S. Grant Foundation Summer Program is a six-week educational summer program for middle school students operated in partnership between Yale University and New Haven public schools. You’ll spend weekdays on Yale’s campus taking three daily classes: two core courses in Humanities and Investigations and one elective of your choice. Topics range from creative writing and coding to art, artificial intelligence, and discrete mathematics, all designed and taught by Yale undergraduates. Through a mix of hands-on projects, group discussions, and field trips to local museums, you’ll strengthen your academic skills and explore new areas of study in a supportive environment. The program fosters both intellectual curiosity and community, encouraging you to collaborate with peers while gaining confidence in academic expression. With a small class structure and personalized attention, it offers an engaging introduction to college-level learning in a nurturing, local setting.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY (Districts 13, 17, and 22 partner schools)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited to NYC students only
Dates: July 6–July 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th grade students who live in New York City
The NYU Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program is a four-week educational summer program for middle school students that immerses you in STEM fields through project-based learning focused on urban sustainability. You’ll explore engineering, computer science, and environmental technology while building smart city prototypes that address real-world problems. The program includes instruction in coding, circuitry, and microcontroller programming, along with workshops in urban and environmental science. Working in small teams, you’ll design, test, and present your final projects on solutions aimed at making cities safer and more efficient. A unique feature of SoSC is “Irondale,” a theater-led workshop that develops your communication and public speaking skills through improv exercises. By blending creative collaboration with technical learning, the program helps you see how STEM innovation can shape the future of city life.
Location: United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; national applicant pool
Dates: June 1–5 (middle school session for 6th–7th graders); June 8–12 (high school session for 8th–9th graders)
Application Deadline: January 5–February 15
Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently in grades 6–9 with strong academic records and interest in pursuing college education
The West Point Summer STEM Program is a week-long educational summer program for middle school students that gives you an inside look at science, technology, engineering, and math through a military academy lens. Hosted by the Center for Leader Development in STEM (CLDSTEM), the workshop focuses on inquiry-based projects such as robotics, fuel cell engineering, bridge building, and environmental science experiments. You’ll stay on campus in the cadet barracks, supervised by West Point cadets and faculty, and participate in daily activities that emphasize creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The program aims to inspire students from across the U.S. to envision futures in STEM fields. By engaging directly with West Point’s academic departments and mentors, you’ll gain exposure to college-level STEM concepts and leadership development in a hands-on setting.
Location: Multiple sites in New York and Southern California (college campuses)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; approximately 120 students attend BEAM Summer Away each year
Dates: Three-week residential session during summer (specific dates vary by site)
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Rising 8th graders (students who have completed 7th grade), primarily from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds with strong interest and potential in mathematics
The BEAM Pathway Program is a long-term, multi-year educational summer program for middle school students that begins with BEAM Summer Away, a three-week residential camp where you explore advanced, proof-based mathematics in an engaging, hands-on environment. You’ll take daily math courses, choosing from topics such as number theory, graph theory, and combinatorics, and participate in projects, field trips, and guest lectures from mathematicians and STEM professionals. Classes are small and interactive, encouraging you to think creatively and develop independence while living on a college campus. Beyond the summer, BEAM continues to support your academic journey through high school and college, offering advising, tutoring, and enrichment opportunities to help you pursue STEM pathways. This long-term approach makes BEAM one of the most comprehensive math advancement programs available to middle school students.
Location: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spaces per grade level
Dates: July 6–July 31 (summer session, Monday–Friday 10 AM–2 PM)
Application Deadline: April 15 (summer session)
Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12 who are economically disadvantaged or underrepresented in STEM, maintain at least an 80% GPA (especially in math and science), and can commit fully to the schedule
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a tuition-free educational summer program for middle school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, research, or STEM. You’ll take enrichment courses in subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, algebra, and geometry, along with workshops on college preparation and career development. Taught by Columbia faculty and professionals, the curriculum emphasizes scientific literacy, academic confidence, and early exposure to health sciences. Beyond coursework, you’ll have opportunities to join special initiatives like BRAINYAC and YES in the Heights, which provide research experiences in neuroscience and biomedical fields. Through its focus on mentorship and access, S-PREP aims to strengthen your academic foundation and help you envision future pathways in STEM and healthcare.
10. TEAK Fellowship
Location: New York City, NY (multiple partner sites including Saint Ann’s School, Fordham Preparatory School, and Kew Forest School)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; approximately 45 students admitted each year
Dates: Multi-year program beginning spring of 6th grade; includes academic year and five-week summer institutes
Application Deadline: Round 1 applications due January 23
Eligibility: Current NYC 6th graders with 90%+ grades, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and demonstrated financial need (typically below $162,000 for a family of four)
The TEAK Fellowship is a free, long-term educational summer program for middle school students that supports high-achieving, low-income youth from 6th grade through college graduation. After a rigorous six-month admissions process, you begin programming in the spring of 6th grade, focusing on academic enrichment, leadership development, and cultural exposure. During the summer, you participate in a five-week Summer Institute featuring classes in English, math, Latin, science, and history alongside workshops in test prep, arts, and social justice. Year-round courses continue through 7th and 8th grade with mentoring, SHSAT and SSAT preparation, and high school placement support. You’ll also attend field trips and speaker events that expose you to careers in law, journalism, technology, and the arts. Through sustained mentorship and academic guidance, TEAK helps you gain admission to selective high schools and top colleges, building confidence, community, and long-term opportunity.
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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