8 Free Fall Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
If you’re a middle school student looking to explore subjects that interest you, consider participating in a structured program. Fall programs offer an excellent opportunity for middle schoolers to continue learning beyond school hours. These programs can introduce you to advanced subjects within science, writing, or technology in a way that goes beyond regular school classes.
Some programs connect you with professionals, mentors, or organizations that can guide your future academic path. The programs on this list offer free admission or scholarships, making them more accessible. To make your search easier, we have narrowed down a list of 8 free fall programs for middle school students. We picked programs that are known for being rigorous, hosted by respected organizations, and have low acceptance rates.
8 Free Fall Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Dates: Summer, July 7 to July 25. Fall, August 27 to December 10
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: US based students in grades 6 and 7 from low income backgrounds
The SMSSP is a summer-to-fall semester program that offers a learning experience where participants engage in courses led by Stanford instructors during the summer, followed by weekly fall meetings to further explore subjects. This program aims to enhance critical thinking, research, and academic skills through an in-depth exploration of advanced topics. In addition to academic content, you'll receive guidance on applying to competitive high schools and planning for future academic goals. The program allows for focused instruction and regular interaction with mentors and instructors, with a small group of around 12 students.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Full financial aid available
Dates: 8 weeks in the fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience tailored for middle school students who want to work on an academic project in a field that they’re interested in. You’ll work closely with mentors (often affiliated with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) who guide you with project selection, research techniques, and the project development process. Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, practice logical and critical thinking, and do experiments. The program terminates with a final project. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple cohorts and application rounds during the year.
Location: The CCNY STEM Institute, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: September 13 to December 20
Application Deadline: August 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 12
The City College of New York offers hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math courses during the fall semesters. You can select from a variety of after-school or Saturday programs, including robotics, environmental science, and engineering. These programs offer hands-on projects, faculty mentorship, and the chance to connect with like-minded peers. It can be a great way to maintain engagement with science throughout the school year, with complimentary lunch and snacks provided. As the program is run by a STEM institute, some classes offer introductions to research facilities, professors, and local STEM networks.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on cohort
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 student projects 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.
Location: Lower East Side and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Saturdays during the school year, fall through spring
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students in the NYC area
This free Saturday program offers middle school students academic enrichment through group workshops and activities spanning sports, arts, and career exploration. Each student is matched with a dedicated mentor and placed in a small cohort, providing personalized support with homework, projects, and goal setting. Beyond academic assistance, the program aims to foster confidence, teamwork, and curiosity through collaborative activities.
Location: South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville, SC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 students
Dates: September 22 to November 10
Application Deadline: Not specified. Typically rolling until full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The ENGAGE Program is a free, in-person initiative for students in grades 6-8, designed to spark curiosity and build awareness of STEM topics. Held on several Mondays in the fall, the sessions focus on strengthening problem-solving abilities and applying critical thinking to challenges. You’ll explore the basics of how robots function and then practice coding in Scratch to give them instructions. By the end, you’ll see your robots follow your commands and come to life through your own programming.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Dates: Open throughout the year. Fall sessions run September to November
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
MIT's Middle School STEM Program lets you design and build your own engineering and science projects, such as musical instruments or circuits, with the help of maker kits and creative computer tools. You'll explore how engineers and scientists think through challenges and come up with solutions. Instructors will guide you in using platforms like Scratch along with tools like the Makey Makey board to create games, musical instruments, and interactive designs. The program is designed for beginners, so no prior experience is needed, and it offers multiple mini-courses throughout the year, including sessions in the fall.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Some programs are free or offer financial aid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program. Limited seats for certain courses
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
NYU provides a diverse list of programs for middle schoolers, covering many areas of interest such as college and career applications, STEM, and other topics. Some of the programs are: Sounds of NYC, Science of Smart Cities, and Robotics. Many of the programs are free or offer financial aid, making them accessible to a wide range of students. You'll attend classes in the late afternoon, evenings, or on weekends, allowing you to balance the program with your regular school schedule. You'll have the chance to work with NYU faculty and teaching staff, gaining exposure to college-level teaching and resources while deepening your skills in your chosen subject
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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