15 Free Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Los Angeles
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 22
- 11 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you are a middle school student in Los Angeles looking for a way to learn beyond the classroom, a summer program can be a great way to spend your school break!
LA is home to many organizations and universities that offer free, fully-funded summer programs for middle schoolers. These programs can provide you with early exposure to advanced academics and campus life without the high costs associated with regular, lengthy programs.
Summer programs designed for middle school students can also provide opportunities to explore various subjects, including science, tech, math, engineering, business, arts, or niche topics. As a participant, you will also engage in group activities and discussions that can help you develop technical as well as leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
You may also get insights into various industries through real-world engagement opportunities like site visits, mentorship, and interactions with professionals.
To help you find the right opportunity, we have shortlisted 15 free summer programs for middle school students in Los Angeles. We have focused on factors like rigor, networking opportunities, full funding, and partnerships with leading institutions.
15 Free Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Los Angeles
Location: Online
Program dates: Eight-week sessions run throughout the year; Summer Cohort I begins June 2, Cohort II begins July 14
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines each year; the upcoming Summer Cohort’s applications are due on June 23. Apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8; no prior experience required
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program pairs you with a PhD-level mentor from a top university, drawn from a pool of over 1,400 experts across 35 countries. You can choose from 12 specialized tracks spanning tech, science, math, engineering, business, social sciences, and medical sciences. Each week follows a two-part structure: an “Exploration” module followed by dedicated project time, where you identify a research question and develop a high school-level deliverable, like a report, slide presentation, etc. The program helps you develop reading, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills within a structured timeline that mirrors college-level research. At the end of eight weeks, you will present your project to your mentor and peers and receive constructive feedback. The program is selective with a 13% acceptance rate; in the past, over 1,500 students applied for 200 spots.
Location: Online
Program dates: June 8 – August 10 (just weekends) | June 9 – 20 (weekdays) | July 14 – 25 (weekdays); 25 hours total, either spread across 10 weekend sessions or condensed into two weeks of weekday sessions
Application deadline: The applications for the upcoming Summer Cohort II close on June 22. Apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no prior experience required
The AI Trailblazers program allows middle schoolers opportunities to develop foundational skills in AI. Here, you will have access to mentors who will be PhD-level experts from top universities. During the program, you will spend the first few weeks learning about AI, data analysis, machine learning, and Python basics in small group classes. During weeks 3, 4, and 5, you will dive into deep-learning techniques and dataset analysis. In weeks 8, 9, and 10, you will finalize a group AI project, which can include designing a voice assistant for education, a crime-prediction model, or any other project of your choice. You will receive targeted feedback from your mentor and peers during the program. On completing Trailblazers, you will be eligible for the AI Junior Fellowship, where you will get to work one-on-one with an AI expert to develop an original model or research paper.
Location: University of Southern California (USC) main campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 14 – 25
Application deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising 6–8th graders with a minimum B average in science and math; priority consideration given to active Mission Science, MESA, and Engineering Transformers students, as well as USC K–12 STEM Center partner school students
The Summer Engineering Camp, conducted at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, offers 32 middle schoolers opportunities to explore various engineering fields. At camp, you will work alongside USC faculty and Northrop Grumman engineers on hands-on projects in aircraft design, structural modeling, circuitry, environmental systems, mechanical fabrication, and basic app development. Through these projects, you will get to learn about civil, electrical, aerospace, environmental, and mechanical engineering. Daily workshops will cover fundamental coding and engineering principles, while tours of USC research facilities will offer exposure to real-world engineering applications. At the end of camp, you will join your peers in a team-based design showcase that will be judged by industry professionals.
Location: Rise Kohyang Middle School in Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free (includes meals, transportation, and materials)
Program dates: June 23 – July 25
Application deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Low-income middle school students from Koreatown, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, South LA;
The Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM) is a non-profit initiative. Its Discovery program offers underserved high-potential middle schoolers from Los Angeles tuition-free, five-week immersions in advanced mathematics. Here, you will attend classes in four key areas: logical reasoning, math fundamentals, math team strategies, and applied mathematics, and spend “Open Math Time” tackling challenging hands-on math problems beyond the standard school curriculum. You will also participate in collaborative games and targeted exercises, and join occasional field trips and enrichment activities. BEAM also offers support after the program ends, providing you with academic enrichment, high-school advising, and ongoing STEM mentorship.
Location: PCC Community Education Center in Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 23 – August 1
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders with demonstrated proficiency in math
Math Academy is a free opportunity to attend daily, in-person sessions on the Pasadena City College campus and build foundational and intermediate math skills. The program offers access to problem-solving labs and exam-style practice. You choose from different courses, including math basics, pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry, and get to explore math concepts specific to the chosen topic in a class of 25 students. The program will cover concepts like integers, word problems, variables, graphing, polynomials, the Pythagorean theorem, 2D and 3D figures, exponents, etc. Each class meets once or twice weekly. By the end of the program, you receive a letter grade reflecting your progress. This experience can help you get insights into college-level coursework and campus life at no cost.
Location: Los Angeles, CA + festival days at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free program; all travel, lodging, meals, instruction, and faculty mentorship covered
Program dates: July 28 – August 13 | Session One (Overture Chamber Music Program): July 28 – August 5 | Session Two (Overture Orchestra): August 5 – 13
Application deadline: Priority deadline: March 3; Final deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Middle-school musicians (aged 12–14) enrolled in an El Sistema-inspired or another youth development program
The YOLA National Festival offers a series of programs for budding musicians. Every summer, for up to two weeks, the program offers structured orchestra training. As a participant, you will enter the program through the Overture Orchestra or, if you rank among the top applicants, the Overture Chamber Music Program, which is a week of chamber-ensemble coaching followed by a week in the full orchestra. You will have the opportunity to rehearse under the guidance of world-class faculty, take masterclasses with LA Phil artists, and perform alongside guest conductors at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The program can help you build ensemble skills and musical understanding. You will also get to build a connection with mentors and fellow musicians during the program.
Location: All Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school sites; in-person and online programs available
Cost: Free; breakfast, lunch, and bus passes/school bus transportation covered
Program dates: Core academic classes run June 20 – July 19 (tentative); Beyond the Bell enrichment for UTK–8 students: June 17 – July 16; virtual enrichment for UTK–12: June 20 – July 19 (tentative)
Application deadline: Open enrollment; registrations begin April 9
Eligibility: All LAUSD students in grades K-12, including 6th–8th graders
LAUSD’s Summer of Learning programs offer middle- and high-school students a mix of academic support and enrichment at no cost. On your school campus, you will get to attend core academic classes designed to reinforce math and English skills lost during the school year. You can also join the Beyond the Bell enrichment program, which combines academic, physical, creative, and social-emotional learning activities in small, teacher-led groups. Another option is the Virtual Enrichment Program, offering live classes in subjects such as guitar, game design, animation, dance, music, world languages, and STEM. Incoming sixth-graders can benefit from the Summer Bridge orientation workshops, which will offer exposure to the middle school campus layout, teachers, and daily routines before the fall term begins. Social-emotional learning is a key focus area here, with programs offering structured mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and peer collaboration opportunities designed to build confidence.
Location: School and community sites throughout LA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Typically June - August; exact schedules vary by site. You can check the local ASAS chapter’s website for details or check with your school.
Application deadline: Varies by location; you can check the local ASAS chapter’s website for details, or check with your school
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Title I middle schools (where 50% or more students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the federal program)
After-School All-Stars offers free summer programs in five areas: STEM learning, visual and performing arts, health and wellness, career exploration, and academic support. Here, you will join a small group at a local school or community center and cover daily modules on topics like basic coding and robotics, simple filmmaking or dance practice, sports drills or mindfulness exercises, and career panels with local professionals. Each session is project-based, with social-emotional skills integrated into the tasks. You will work in a small group, getting access to direct, personalized feedback from instructors. At the end of the summer session, you present your project, which will reflect the skills you learned during the program.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: Summer session: July 7 – 25 + Weekly fall semester meetings: August 27 – December 10
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students entering 6th and 7th grades who are U.S. citizens; priority given to applicants from low-income households
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program offers free education and career readiness opportunities to middle schoolers. During this program, you will attend an intensive three-week online course covering advanced math concepts, problem-solving, and logical reasoning exercises. Then, you will join weekly virtual seminars from late August through December that help you build upon your summer coursework. You will get access to writing modules that help you structure clear, evidence-based arguments and analyze various texts. You will also engage in research sessions to learn how to assess information critically and work on collaborative projects. Throughout the program, you’ll receive feedback from Stanford instructors and get opportunities to connect with peers across the country and prepare for a successful transition into high school.
Location: Chance Theatre, Anaheim, CA (30 minutes away from LA)
Cost: None
Program dates: June 23 – July 25 (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) + tech rehearsals: July 28 – August 1 + performances: August 2 and 3
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 9
Chance Theatre offers a fully funded summer theatre camp to middle and high school students each year. During the program, you will get to learn about and practice ensemble-building techniques, improvisation, and playwriting, and explore what goes into developing a play. You will get to practice acting, directing, designing, and writing. You will also explore concepts like script analysis, character analysis, objectives, and actions through hands-on exercises. The experience can help you develop storytelling and performance skills and learn from Chance Theatre artists.
Location: Online via Beanstack; available to all LA County Library cardholders
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2 – August 10
Deadline: Rolling; sign up any time before August 10 at beanstack.org/la-county-library
Eligibility: Young learners (0-5 years) and children who are 6–12 years old
The LA County Library’s Summer Discovery program is a county-wide summer reading and learning challenge. It invites students (and families) to read books, complete educational activities, and attend special library events to earn prizes. While not a traditional program, it allows middle schoolers to be creatively engaged over the summer. Here, you will learn how to set and track reading goals, record details about each book (title, author, pages read), and log minutes spent reading. You’ll practice reflecting on what you read by writing a summary or review for each book, and complete simple creative activities like drawing a scene, making a character map, or answering a prompt related to the story. Over eight weeks, you will build consistent reading habits and digital literacy skills by navigating the Beanstack app to earn badges and view your progress, and see how individual effort contributes to a larger community goal of logging 50,000 books. You will also have the chance to attend STEM workshops and author visits at local branches.
Location: Partner school campuses and DIY Girls Makerspace, San Fernando, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Year-round workshops with dedicated summer cohorts; dates vary by school partner and are available on the website closer to their running dates
Application deadline: Varies; typically, applications open in the spring and are available on the website closer to their running dates
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive students in grades 6–8 from low-income San Fernando Valley communities
DIY Girls’ middle school track lets you explore STEAM through simple, hands-on projects that combine art and engineering. You’ll spend each session learning how to read basic schematics, troubleshoot circuits, and build small electronics, such as LED art installations or sensor-powered wearables. You will gain step-by-step guidance on projects, so you gain technical know-how without feeling lost. As part of a small group, you will get direct feedback from mentors as you test and refine your designs. Additionally, you will have the chance to join a community of peers who share your interests and develop creative confidence and practical skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 to 18 years old
Kode With Klossy, a non-profit, offers various programs to help middle and high school students develop coding skills. The organization’s Summer Camp is a free two-week program that offers insights into and hands-on exposure to coding as well as machine learning and programming languages. As a participant, you will learn how to code through one of the four tracks—web development, machine learning, data science, or mobile app. If you are assigned the web development track, you will learn how to work with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to create an online site. In the data science track, you will explore concepts like data visualisation. In the mobile app track, you will learn coding in Swift, which is Apple’s programming language, using the SwiftUI framework, and develop an iOS mobile app. Finally, the machine learning track covers AI/ML basics like natural language processing, algorithms, and data sets.
Location: Session I: Echo Park, LA | Session II: Mar Vista, LA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Session I: June 16 – 18 | Session II: July 14, 16, and 18
Registration deadline: Session I: June 17 | Session II: July 13
Eligibility: Students aged 12 – 18; no prior experience required
Run by the local chapter of the nonprofit 826 National, this summer writing workshop allows students to meet twice weekly over two weeks and engage in writing exercises. Here, you will join a group of up to 15 peers to work through a theme, mystery, fantasy, or personal narrative, and complete short assignments like writing dialogue, plotting a story, and peer-editing in real time. Each session mixes a brief lesson (on character, setting, or voice) with hands-on writing time in breakout rooms. Professional teaching artists will guide you through drafting, revising, and polishing a one- to two-page story that you’ll share at a final virtual reading. You will finish the session with a piece that will be published and become a part of the cohort’s online anthology.
Location: Inner-City Arts campus, Downtown LA, CA
Cost: $20 registration fee + $200 tuition; full fee waivers available for students from qualifying families
Program dates: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: April 12
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th graders from LA schools
Inner-City Arts offers middle and high schoolers two-week Summer Institutes, which are programs focusing on visual, media, and performing arts. You will choose from focused workshops in arts like ceramics, rock band, digital media, screenwriting, and theatre, and learn from professional teaching artists in a small cohort of 15–20. You will engage in mid-program showcases and a final “open studio,” which will let you present work to peers, mentors, and family. You will also receive one-on-one mentorship on portfolio building and career paths in the arts. The experience can help you sharpen your artistic skills, expand your creative network, and learn how to pursue arts opportunities. You can find more details on all the available classes here.
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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