14 Fall Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 9 min read
Enrichment programs give middle school students the chance to go beyond the standard curriculum and engage in more exploratory learning. Whether it’s coding, science, debate, entrepreneurship, or the arts, these programs help you build skills, develop new interests, and connect with peers and mentors who share your curiosity.
While summer is a popular time for enrichment, fall programs offer something different. These programs, held after school or on weekends during the school year, offer flexibility without the need for full-day commitments or travel, allowing for continuous learning. For many students, fall programs are a more accessible way to stay engaged throughout the academic year.
In this list, you’ll find 14 fall enrichment programs for middle school students selected for their academic depth, skill-building, and mentorship opportunities.
14 Fall Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall (September – December)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Lumiere’s Junior Explore Program is an 8-week online mentorship program for middle school students. It allows you to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore academic interests and develop a project based on a topic you choose. During the program, you’ll begin by studying four subjects within your selected track, then focus on one area in greater depth. With your mentor’s guidance, you’ll plan and create a final project that reflects your learning. Mentors come from research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and the London School of Economics. STEM tracks include Mathematics, Engineering, AI and Data Science, and Physics and Astrophysics, among others. No prior experience is required to apply.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 20
Dates: Summer Program: July 7 – 25 | Fall Semester Meetings: August 27 – December 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 and 7 who reside and attend school in the U.S.; priority given to families with household incomes under $90,000
This free academic enrichment initiative from Stanford prepares middle schoolers for rigorous high school coursework. The program combines a three-week summer immersion followed by weekly academic-year meetings in the fall. Course topics include mathematics, democracy, and social movements, designed and delivered by Stanford Online High School instructors, many of whom have a doctorate. Small cohort sizes allow interactive group discussions and close connections with peer scholars and faculty. Curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, real-world application, and independent learning skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. Apply here!
Dates: AI Trailblazers : 25 hours over 10 sessions | AI Junior Fellowship: 12 weeks
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers two online programs introducing artificial intelligence to middle school students: the AI Trailblazers bootcamp and the AI Junior Fellowship. The AI Trailblazers bootcamp is intended for students new to AI. It covers the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Python programming. You’ll apply these concepts through guided projects in fields such as healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems, supported by mentors from universities including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. If you have prior experience with Python or have completed the bootcamp, the AI Junior Fellowship provides the opportunity to build on your skills. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work individually with a mentor to design and complete a project or research paper focused on an AI topic of your interest.
Location: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM), St. Michaels, MD
Cost: $150 (Suggested family contribution); $75 (partial program support); full support / no cost option available, based on family need
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays after school from September 16 – November 6
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 9
Rising Tide is a project‑based workshop where students in grades 6–9 meet twice per week after school over eight weeks. Participants learn how to plan, prototype, and execute projects while developing collaboration, tool use, safety practices, and design thinking. The mentorship and hands-on context allow students to engage with professionals or educators affiliated with the maritime museum. Students also gain exposure to scientific, environmental, and engineering themes tied to the museum’s mission. The program is local to Maryland but accepts students from nearby areas.
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Cost: Paid registration; 15% discount for Family-level members, scholarships available
Application Deadline: August 29 (last day for registration or until slots are full)
Dates: Begins in September, runs once weekly for 8 weeks
Eligibility: Elementary and middle school ages (see course levels; 9–12 eligible)
The Met offers a signature series of art classes each fall, both virtual and in-person, aimed at developing creativity and technical skills. Taught by experienced educators and teaching artists, classes are available for early, upper elementary, and middle school students, with age-specific groupings. Courses may include drawing, painting, composition, and exploring art history via the museum’s renowned collection. Class sizes are small to maintain individualized attention. These courses are known for linking hands-on art making with direct engagement with museum resources.
Location: Lake Travis Independent School District, Lakeway, TX
Cost: Paid registration (cost varies per course; late fee applies)
Application Deadline: September 7 (September 8 – 12 with late fee)
Dates: Begins on September 29
Eligibility: Pre K–12 students (check listings for middle school specifics)
Lake Travis ISD offers a robust selection of afterschool enrichment classes for PreK-12, including robotics, STEM, sports, fine arts, coding, and more. Middle school students can select courses tailored to their interests and develop skills under the supervision of district staff and contractors. The classes are generally scheduled after school, providing a structured and engaging supplement to regular coursework. These programs allow students to connect with peers in similar subjects and gain exposure to additional subjects not always covered during the day. Class sizes and costs vary, and registration is handled online with late fees applicable after the initial window.
Location: Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
Cost: $70 – $75, depending on class
Application Deadline: Registration classes open August 1 (varies by course)
Dates: September – October (varies by course)
Eligibility: Ages 6–14 (see listings for middle school age bands)
The Albuquerque Museum’s Museum School offers a rotating roster of fall art classes, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, and printmaking using local materials. Courses meet after school or on weekends, usually for six sessions. Class sizes are limited to ensure personalized attention from instructors and are scheduled by specific age groups. Students use diverse art techniques under the guidance of practicing artists and educators. Projects often draw inspiration from the museum’s exhibitions and incorporate culturally relevant themes.
Location: Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA
Cost: $155 – $165, depending on course
Application Deadline: Varies, based on session start (typically early September)
Dates: Start September 16 or 17 (varies by course)
Eligibility: Age-dependent, includes 11–13 (see listings)
The museum’s fall arts curriculum includes drawing, painting, sculpture, and creative explorations for middle school students. Sessions are weekly or biweekly, after-school or weekends, run by local artists, and grouped by age level to ensure curriculum is developmentally appropriate. Each session blends hands-on artmaking with art appreciation, and many tie into current museum exhibitions. Schedules, topics, and fees are clearly posted on the website, with tiered age levels and detailed descriptions for each option.
Location: Maryknoll School, Honolulu, HI
Cost: Paid registration (fee varies by program)
Application Deadline: August 8
Dates: September – November
Eligibility: Grades K–8 (see specific programs for age bands)
Maryknoll partners with local providers to offer fall afterschool options in subjects like LEGO STEM, creative coding, dance, karate, and more. Courses serve as skill-development supplements, with class sizes and costs varying by topic. Students gain exposure to new interests and develop skills not always covered during the standard curriculum. Experienced teachers and vetted local instructors lead each group, many of whom have established connections with the school community.
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $395 per 6-week course
Application Deadline: Rolling, but Fall session deadlines typically in September
Dates: October 11 – November 15
Eligibility: Open to middle school grades 6 – 8
The Weekend Enrichment Program, offered by Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD), provides students the opportunity to engage with advanced academic content during weekends throughout the fall. The program is designed for academically advanced learners and features a diverse selection of courses that are structured to promote both independent problem-solving and collaborative learning. Students enrolled in WEP select courses by interest, working alongside peers of a similar age who also demonstrate high academic motivation. Course topics vary by session but typically cover STEM, humanities, and interdisciplinary subjects. Instruction is provided by experienced educators familiar with gifted education practices.
Location: Center for Gifted Education, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: $125 per Saturday class
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration strongly encouraged before October 25
Dates: Starting October 25 for Saturday classes
Eligibility: Students by current grade level (Courses available for middle school grades)
The Saturday Enrichment Programs (SEP) at William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education emphasize inquiry-based learning designed to challenge academically talented students without replacing their regular school curriculum. SEP provides opportunities for middle school students to explore advanced topics in science, math, humanities, and the arts in a single-day format. Each session runs from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, offering a range of specialized courses aligned with student grade-level capabilities. The program aims to deepen student engagement through focused content, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Class sizes are generally small to allow for more personalized instruction by experienced educators.
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: $39 per course (6-week session). The fee is used directly for scholarships back into the program, and financial aid can be requested upon inquiry
Application Deadline: August 25 for fall registration
Dates: Session 1: September 15 – October 20 | Session 2: October 27 – December 8
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8; Maryland residents prioritized, and students must commit to at least 5 – 6 classes offered in a session
STEM Academy Ignite offers middle school students project-based learning in STEM fields such as programming, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and various branches of science. The curriculum parallels topics found in high school STEM courses but is delivered in an age-appropriate manner to build a foundational STEM identity. Courses run for six weeks with an emphasis on exploration, curiosity, perseverance, and adaptability, using real-world examples to engage students practically. Participation requires students to attend at least five of six scheduled classes to qualify for a certificate of completion. Course offerings vary by instructor availability and rotate regularly throughout the year.
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 per course/session
Application Deadline: Rolling for fall sessions; classes start October 7
Dates: Various sessions from October 7 to December 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Science Alliance program for middle school students at AMNH offers a variety of science-focused classes in the fall semester. Courses include “Tiny Life” (microbiology), “Animal Prosthetics” (technology and 3D printing), “Astroexplorations” (introductory astronomy), “Evolution and the Diversity of Life,” and “Exoplanets,” each encouraging hands-on experiments and direct engagement with museum collections and experts. Classes run after school, typically from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on weekdays or longer sessions on Saturdays. Sessions emphasize inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and exposure to authentic scientific practices. Class sizes are limited to maintain quality, and students receive instruction from museum educators and collaborating scientists.
Location: Online or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $500/quarter (online) | $525/quarter (in-person)
Application Deadline: Registration opens 1–2 months before each quarter
Dates: 10‑week courses offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters
Eligibility: Students in grades 1–12
Stanford Math Circle offers structured, ten‑week courses that run through the academic year, including a fall quarter. The content is problem solving, deeper exploration beyond grade-level math, and exposure to new topics. The program is not deeply selective (courses are filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis), but because demand is high, spots may go quickly. The classes are conducted online (for most grade levels) and in person (for higher grades) with the expectation that students attend all sessions. For participants, opportunities include interacting with peers across the nation, working with instructors in the Stanford Pre‑Collegiate network, and enhancing their math skills in a structured format.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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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