9 International Academic Programs for Middle School Students

Middle school students looking to pursue advanced academics and gain global exposure can consider international academic programs. Held abroad, you will engage with college-level academics while experiencing different cultures. These programs are a way to expand your horizons and meet peers from diverse backgrounds.

Participating in international programs can boost your profile, helping you stand out in your college applications. This is also an opportunity to form a global network and discover different subjects to determine your future academics and career. We have listed rigorous and selective international programs for you to choose from.

9 International Academic Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies, financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Eight weeks, varies by cohort

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is a prestigious research program for middle schoolers. You are paired with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects of your choosing and develop a research paper. Over the 8-week program, you will learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You will be part of an international cohort. You can build critical thinking and scientific communication skills with individualized feedback and writing-coach sessions. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.

2. Oxford Summer School

Location: Oxford University, Oxford, UK

Cost: £6,995

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: July 5–18, July 19–August 1, or August 1–15

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students aged 12–16

You can spend the summer at Oxford and encounter advanced academics with Oxford Summer School. The program is scheduled with 40 hours of teaching through engaging workshops, seminars and group projects. You will live on campus and get a taste of college life. Middle schoolers can opt for different subjects, including business, engineering, medicine, film, law, and more. Outside the classroom, you will explore the town, participate in extracurricular activities, and interact with peers. On the final Friday of the program, you will enjoy a themed party to celebrate your achievements.

3. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies, financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates:25 hours over ten weeks on weekends during the spring cohort25 hours over two weeks on weekdays during the summer cohort

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is an intensive program in AI and machine learning. In this program, you will learn the fundamentals of the subjects over 25 hours of instruction. The program covers topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. After learning these topics, you will apply the theory to a practical project to solidify your knowledge. The aim of the project is to solve a real-world challenge. Past students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.

4. Immerse Education’s Summer Schools

Location: Various locations

Cost: Varies by course, scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4 to 10 per class

Dates: Two weeks in January, June, July, or August

Application deadline: Varies by course

Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18

Immerse Education offers several residential summer programs in prestigious universities around the world. The program teaches around 30 subjects for you to choose from, such as medicine, engineering, international relations, creative writing, and more. You will explore historical and city landmarks through excursions. Scholars and business leaders provide insights regarding their academic and professional journey, helping you determine your career pathway. The program also includes group activities, sports, and games.

5. EdOdyssey Customized Study Abroad Programs

Location: Various locations

Cost: Varies by destination, financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Winter, spring break, or summer, depending on location

Application deadline: April 15 for fall or November 15 for spring, tentative

Eligibility: Middle school students

You can go on a study abroad trip with EdOdyssey. Cohorts are available in the winter, spring, and summer. The program is designed by educators to ensure you make the most of your study experience. The curriculum emphasizes experiential and hands-on learning to meet your learning objectives. You can expect to partake in activities that are not only related to an academic subject but also give you a cultural understanding of your host country. 

6. Global Leadership Adventures’ Middle School Service Adventure

Location: Costa Rica

Cost: $4,299; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 20–29 or July 3–12

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students aged 11 to 14

This middle school program in Costa Rica blends adventure and community service in the field. In this program, you will work on community development programs to support Costa Rican youth and sustainability goals. Thus, you will gain hands-on experience and practical skills in the field of conservation and environmental studies. Leadership workshops inculcate teamwork skills and introduce you to global issues. As part of the adventure component, you will go hiking, observe animals in their natural habitats, take a chocolate tour, and more.

7. ISSOS Summer School

Location: St. Andrews, Scotland

Cost: £7,900

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 150 students per campus; limited to 10% per nationality

Dates: June 28 – July 19 (Session 1) or July 22 – August 12

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18

This program, held at St. Andrews in Scotland, allows you to engage in academics and cultural activities. You can choose one core academic subject and one elective. Some of the academic subjects are Business and Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Debate, English Language, IB Extended Essay, Study Skills, and Youth Leadership. The electives include art, film, golf, tennis, and theatre. After attending classes during the day, in the evening, you will partake in activities and go on cultural trips to other cities.

8. Taunton School’s International Summer School

Location: Taunton School, UK

Cost: £3,595

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 per class

Dates: July 4 – August 15

Application deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students aged 8 to 12

Taunton’s Junior International Summer School is aimed at middle schoolers. Here, alongside academics, you will experience life at a boarding school. You can choose from 5 tracks, namely, Academic, English Enrichment, STEM, Cookery, and Multi-Sports. These are practical courses that involve hands-on activities. By going on trips and participating in activities such as archery, fencing, zorbing, and so on, you will interact and bond with your peers. Weekend trips take you to nearby towns.

9. Gordonstoun International Summer School

Location: Gordonstoun School, Elgin, Scotland

Cost: £4,650 (junior course), £6,750 (senior course)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Several 2- and 3-week sessions in the summer

Application deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Students aged 8 to 16

This summer school emphasizes internationalism and learning. The program offers diverse study options in addition to sports, drama, design, and creative arts. Junior students will be accommodated in the Cairngorm mountains. A typical day begins with classroom instruction, followed by sports, music, or other such activity. Workshops on design & tech are also available. Finally, outdoor adventures and weekend recreational trips expand your learning beyond the classroom. 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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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