15 Fall Leadership Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
Fall leadership programs can be a useful way to explore your interests and develop important skills outside the classroom. During the fall, many organizations offer structured programs that allow middle school students to participate in workshops, collaborative activities, and mentorship while the school year is underway. These experiences can help you build confidence and learn how to contribute to your school or community.
What are the benefits of a leadership program?
Leadership programs give you opportunities to practice speaking, organizing ideas, and working with others toward shared goals. Many also introduce topics such as civic engagement, entrepreneurship, public speaking, or academic exploration. Experiences like these can help you understand different leadership styles and begin developing skills that will be useful in high school and beyond.
To help you explore the best options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 fall leadership programs for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Varies by program type
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 - 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program allows you to explore an academic area of interest with a mentor matched to your selected track, guiding you through an independent research project. The mentors are research scholars from top universities, including Harvard, Yale, UCLA, MIT, the University of Michigan, and Oxford. You can explore tracks in STEM-associated disciplines such as Physics & Astrophysics, AI & Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and more, as well as in Humanities & Social Science. You will develop a range of leadership skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and a critical eye. The structured program includes learning to analyze real-world data, and the mentoring sessions foster curiosity and innovative thinking.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual and hybrid options available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: There is no information available
Dates: September - November
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Youth aged 11 - 18
The Platinum Reine Foundation's Empowered Threads Youth Innovators Program offers youth opportunities to explore STEAM-based solutions to real-world challenges through entrepreneurship training. Based on age, you will be part of a cohort of Mighty Leaders (11-13 years) or of Future Leaders (14-18 years). Alongside your peers, you will have hands-on sessions on projects that combine creative, innovative ideas with art and technology. You will attend training sessions to understand the business and marketing aspects of launching an innovative product or solution and get mentorship from industry experts and community leaders to fine-tune your project. You will develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, and professional communication. The program wraps up with a presentation event.
Cost: Free
Location: The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: Bi-monthly on Saturdays during the school year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Philadelphia area students in grades 6 - 8; preferably should demonstrate strength in math and science
PACTS (Partnership for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science), hosted by The Franklin Institute (FTI), a prestigious museum and science education center, is a year-round youth leadership program for middle schoolers that offers leadership experiences alongside STEM learning opportunities. You will participate in hands-on activities in science workshops, with three workshops scheduled twice a month during the school year. These workshops focus on robotics with mechanical and technological challenges, science in the city with architectural design challenges, and science investigators with investigative skills applied to environmental science, forensics, and other fields. You will also participate in peer-to-peer mentorship sessions with high school STEM scholar ambassadors of the Franklin Ambassador program and network with alumni to get guidance on academics. You may be eligible to receive financial support through the annual PACTS Alumni Association awards.
Cost: $345 + $25 out-of-council surcharge with early bird discount, financial assistance, and scholarships available
Location: Camp Kikthawenund, Frankton, IN
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: August 28 - 30 and September 11 - 13 (6-day course)
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: Youth in Scouts BSA (at least 13 years old) and Venturers (14 to 21 years old). Check all eligibility requirements here.
Crossroads of America Council's National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) program combines Scouting experience with leadership training. You will participate in a diverse range of activities, discussions, and games, attend presentations, and take on challenges. You will learn skills such as conflict resolution, team development, and effective teaching, and gain self-confidence and motivation to lead other youth. You will gain key leadership abilities and experience to lead your home troops and crews, as well as in other real-life situations requiring a leadership role. The training wraps up with a presentation of each patrol's vision of leadership.
Cost: There is no information available
Location: Centennial Recreation Center, Morgan Hill, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: There is no information available
Dates: September - June
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Teens in grades 6 - 12 in the Gilroy and Morgan Hill area
As part of the Friday Night Live (FNL) Council’s work with the Asian American Community Involvement (AACI), YMCA of Silicon Valley is hosting the fall teen leadership program. You will develop leadership skills by participating in civic engagement activities, planning projects, and setting goals to address problems in your community. You will participate in community events, public service announcements, or community provisions. As part of the immersive experience, you will discuss ideas, promote messages through shared experiences, and encourage students within the community.
Cost: $125 registration fee for Friday & Saturday; $80 for Friday Only Pass (Arizona members only) + hotel accommodation fees as applicable
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: There is no information available
Dates: November 7 - 8
Application Deadline: October 7 (registration typically starts on August 15)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in grades 5 - 9 who are FBLA members (requires FBLA local chapter adviser to be present with the cohort)
The FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference provides opportunities for middle and high school students to develop leadership skills, gain business knowledge, and network with professionals and industry experts. You will acquire an understanding of business principles, participate in leadership development activities, and attend workshops and seminars. You will also gain insight into college admissions and have discussions with fellow leaders. You will enhance key soft skills in communication, teamwork, and innovation through hands-on, interactive experiences and build self-confidence. You will get an opportunity to explore local attractions in Phoenix and tour local businesses and colleges, with an optional Friday night social activity.
Cost: $30 (+tax) per participant (student and adult) for AWSL Member Schools/$40 (+tax) per participant (student and adult) for non-member schools
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: September - October (one-day sessions) based on host site (check locations and dates here)
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 9 attending a middle school, junior high, or as part of a secondary school
The Fall Leadership Days hosted by the Association of Washington Student Leaders are workshops that provide middle schoolers and junior high students opportunities to explore diverse aspects of leadership. You will participate with your peers in school engagement strategies and setting goals. You will gain team-building and collaborative skills and enhance your leadership abilities. The one-day session provides you with insight into a leader's role and responsibilities as well as how you can create a positive impact in your school community.
Cost: $40 per participant + Theme Park admission ticket price (check pricing here)
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, FL/Disneyland Resort, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Minimum of 15 students required per organized group
Dates: As per calendar dates (check the schedule here)
Application Deadline: 60 days before arrival
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and college students (age requirements apply based on selected experience)
The Disney Imagination Campus leadership development program offers hands-on learning experiences that apply critical thinking and innovation to solving real-life problems through a specially designed leadership and innovation curriculum adapted for middle school students. You will participate in leadership-based activities, learn to assemble a team, and collaborate to address challenges with a positive attitude. You will interact with Disney leaders to learn effective strategies for achieving customer satisfaction and business goals. You will also attend workshops on enhancing personal leadership skills and effective communication skills.
Cost: As determined by the Rotary Club/District
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (find your local Rotary Club here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: Vary as per Rotary Club/District, with options of one-day seminar/three-day retreat/weeklong camp (typically 3 - 10 days)
Application Deadline: Varies as per Rotary Club/District schedule
Eligibility: Anyone in the age group of 14 - 30 is eligible, nominated by local Rotary clubs
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a learning experience that develops leadership skills through events such as a one-day seminar, a three-day retreat, or a weeklong camp. You will participate in activities with peers and attend workshops to discover your leadership potential. You will enhance communication, team-building, and problem-solving skills and learn the responsibilities of a leader in the school and community. You will have opportunities to attend presentations and participate in discussions with community leaders and peer mentors.
Cost: Varies by unit and specialty programs (typically $675 - $1,225 for the first year); financial assistance may be available for qualifying families (check fees here)
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (check locations here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: Vary, based on the unit
Application Deadline: Varies, based on the unit's program
Eligibility: Grades 5 - 8; should be at least 10 years old and in fifth grade; must be U.S. citizens/permanent legal residents
The Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle school students is a unit of the U.S. Sea Cadet Corps. You will attend a League Cadet Orientation (NLO), which focuses on basic military instruction and team-building, and participate in a local Unit Drill, typically one weekend a month. You will have opportunities to attend advanced training camps in diverse fields, including leadership, scuba diving, robotics, cybersecurity, and more. You will enhance key skills in collaboration and communication, as well as core personal values such as discipline, respect, commitment, and accountability.
Cost: $300 (early applicants)/$400 (regular); scholarships offered
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15 - 20
Dates: October 18 and 19 / October 25 and 26 (two sessions each)
Application Deadline: October 10
Eligibility: Grades 8 - 12
Middle schoolers in Grade 8 keen to learn about business fundamentals could consider the virtual Future Entrepreneurs Program on the Learn with Leaders (LwL) platform. You will learn how to start a business through lectures, discussions, projects, and workshops. Learning modules include generating an idea for a start-up, making strategic decisions for planning and development stages, acquiring funds, and more! You will get access to LwL webinars and master classes and gain key skills in leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional communication. You will receive a certificate of participation on completion.
Cost: Free
Location: Cross Keys High School, Sequoyah Middle School, and Path Academy in DeKalb County; Lilburn Middle School and Radloff Middle School in Gwinnett County
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: Throughout the school year with a summer component
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 12; must be attending a LYLA partner school
The Latino Youth Leadership Academy offers a year-round after-school program for middle and high school students to prepare for college and learn about scholarships and financial aid. You will attend classes in diverse fields such as social studies, science, and language arts, and participate in cultural and physical activities. You will develop leadership skills, acquire digital literacy, receive tips on test preparation, and so on. You will also gain insight into career paths through field trips and networking opportunities with professionals and community leaders during career day sessions.
Cost: Based on shared administrative and operational costs by families
Location: Fully virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: Multiple cohorts with fall (September – December), spring (January - May), and summer (June - August)
Application Deadline: One month before the program start (typically August 1 for the fall cohort)
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 - 8
The Global Youth Excellence & Leadership Program (GYEL) is a virtual program designed for middle school students to gain insight into the United Nations (UN) and acquire skills to become future global leaders. You will attend live lectures led by mentors from Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford for an immersive educational experience. The curriculum includes topics such as principles of effective leadership, effective presentation delivery, understanding facilitation techniques for in-person and virtual teams, cross-cultural leadership, and so on. Furthermore, you will receive intensive mentorship, interact with U.N. officials, and gain practical leadership knowledge through sessions on U.N. diplomacy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will work on group projects or written assignments and submit a capstone project at the end of the program. You will receive a certificate of completion and can request LORs from GYEL leaders.
Cost: $199 + $50 resource fee
Location: GEM Multicultural Center, Plano, TX
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Dates: September 27, October 26, November 9, December 7, January 11, February 8, April 12, May 3 (8 sessions)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in grades 8-12
The GEM Multicultural Center, a unit of the non-profit GEM Advisers, hosts the Civic Youth Leadership Program (CYLP) for middle and high schoolers to learn about civics and how the U.S. government works while gaining key skills to become successful civic leaders. You will participate with peers in training sessions, civic events, and activities to gain leadership skills and make meaningful contributions to local communities. You will attend sessions of guest speakers who are elected and appointed officials to gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of leaders. You can also participate in optional opportunities such as an internship or volunteer activity.
Cost: $60 every six months + a one-time $25 new member fee
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. (check locations here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25
Dates: As scheduled by the local Toastmaster club during or after school/on weekends (typically 8 sessions)
Application Deadline: As determined by the local Toastmasters club
Eligibility: Youth ages 14 - 18; should be selected by a sponsoring Toastmasters club or by a cooperating organization (such as a school)
The Youth Leadership Program, hosted by Toastmasters International Clubs across the U.S., provides youth, including middle schoolers aged 14, with opportunities to develop communication and leadership skills through self-paced programs that include immersive practical experiences. You will receive guidance from experienced club mentors and constructive peer evaluations to enhance communication and presentation skills. You will practice public speaking, give impromptu talks, take on club or leadership roles, and gain confidence in your presentations. You will also get access to online learning materials and gain networking opportunities with global members.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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