10 Online Courses for Academically Advanced Middle Schoolers

Advanced students can benefit from advanced programs that are challenging and introduce them to higher-level topics. As a middle schooler, you can get a head start on your academics by enrolling in such programs. You learn from experienced faculty and have access to a range of educational resources.

Online courses typically offer flexibility to complete the coursework at your own pace. Furthermore, participating in online courses helps save on costs related to travel and board. We have compiled a list of 10 such online programs that you can choose from.

10 Online Courses for Academically Advanced Middle Schoolers

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies, financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Eight weeks, varies by cohort

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8

Academically advanced middle schoolers can consider taking up a research project with Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program. You will be matched with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton. With their support, you will expand your academic knowledge and develop a research paper. Participating in the 8-week program enables you to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. Individualized feedback and writing-coach sessions help develop critical thinking and scientific communication skills. Whichever subject you are interested in, you can conduct research in that field with this program. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.

2. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program

Location: Online

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12

Dates: Three weeks in July and fall semester from mid-August to December

Application deadline: March 20

Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6 or 7 residing in and attending school in the U.S., with family income under $90,000

SMSSP is for ambitious middle schoolers to explore various subjects. In this virtual program, you will participate in the summer session where you receive instruction through interactive classes. Thereafter, during the fall semester, you will attend weekly online meetings that consist of discussions regarding your chosen track and workshops. The classes are at a high-school level. In addition to improving your math and writing aptitude, you receive guidance on high school options and applying to selective programs. At the end of the program, you earn a certificate of completion.

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

To build an understanding of technology, Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program may be a suitable option. Providing instruction at a middle-school level, you will encounter the basics of AI and machine learning. Designed for beginners, you will establish foundational knowledge of AI and machine learning. The program covers topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Besides theoretical lessons, you will complete a practical project where you apply and test all that you have learned. You are required to develop a technological solution to a real-world issue in a field of your interest. 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. Johns Hopkins CTY’s Online Programs

Location: Online

Cost: Varies by program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 12–16 per class

Dates: Several sessions in the summer

Application deadline: December 15 for courses starting the week of January 26 or February 17 for courses starting the week of March 23

Eligibility: Varies by program

Johns Hopkins CTY offers several online and on-campus programs for middle schoolers looking to get ahead academically. Typically held over the summer, you can opt for a course that resonates with your interests, such as medicine, biology, environmental science, coding, creative writing, and more. The classes are taught by expert instructors and cover a curriculum beyond traditional schools. You can also choose from different formats, whether you want to study at your own pace or benefit from live classes. Weekly club meetings give you the chance to meet with fellow students.

5. Northwestern CTD’s Online Honors

Location: Online

Cost: $835 (1 credit) or $1,425 (2 credits); financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: September 10 – January 1 (fall 1 credit), September 10 – May 2 (fall 2 credits), January 21 – May 20 (winter 1 credit), January 21 – August 14 (winter 2 credits)

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8; additional criteria vary by track

If you’re looking for a rigorous course with asynchronous classes, Northwestern CTD’s Online Honors program might suit your needs. These challenging courses are available in a range of subjects and can be personalized depending on your strength areas. Advanced students who qualify can also partake in the accelerated track. Instructors provide individual feedback to ensure your learning progresses as per the objectives. Successful completion of the course earns you high school credit.

6. Davidson Explore

Location: Online

Cost: $2,000 per course; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Weekly sessions throughout the year

Application deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Gifted students aged 9 to 13

Gifted students can choose from a range of subjects to study with Davidson Explore. You can study single-subject courses in math, science, and humanities. Blending live and self-paced classes, the program offers flexibility. The live classes are held once a week throughout the academic year. You will also meet with other advanced students to boost learning as well as your social skills.

7. Online Summer School for Middle School Students

Location: Online

Cost: $335 per course

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Flexible start dates

Application deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Middle school students

Pearson’s Online Summer School allows you to get a head start in your academics by offering classes that prepare you for the following academic year. You can sign up for Language and Math classes. The Summer Smarts program begins with a pretest to determine your academic level and curate the classes to ensure maximum learning. In addition to classes, you can join live enrichment sessions throughout the week and interact with instructors as well as peers. Spanish is available as an elective.

8. Women’s Alliance STEM & Humanities (WASH) Summer Research Institute

Location: Online

Cost: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 22 – July 27

Application deadline: May 21

Eligibility: Motivated students in grades 6 to 11

This 6-week program is available for free for motivated students. You can delve into STEM fields by choosing from different tracks. The program has 3 offerings, namely, Introduction to Number Theory, Computational Neuroscience, and Demystifying Deep Learning. Thus, these tracks cover a range of topics such as arithmetic, cryptography, data science, coding, and AI. Although you do not need prior experience, you can expect the courses to be rigorous. You will attend weekly meetings, where each week explores a different topic.

9. Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science: The AI Journey

Location: Online

Cost: From $2,699

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 8 students

Dates: July 14 – August 1

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students aged 12 to 18 with basic knowledge of Python

If you are considering a career in data science and AI, this might be a suitable program for you. In this program, you will develop technical skills in Python to understand AI. You will attend classes and be grouped in small cohorts for personalized learning. Additionally, 1-1 support is available. Hands-on activities include creating data visualizations, building machine learning models, and developing relevant AI applications. Thus, you will complete the program with a portfolio as well as coding notebooks, which help boost your profile. You also receive a Data Science Scholar Certificate. 

10. Davidson Academy Online

Location: Online

Cost: $13,000; tuition waived for Nevada residents

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Academic year enrollment for full-time students; single-course enrollment also available

Application deadline: January 15

Eligibility: Students in 5th grade or higher who meet qualifying test scores and demonstrate an advanced middle school or higher academic level in core subjects for the Davidson Academy Online curriculum

Gifted students can benefit from this accredited program. Classes are grouped by ability instead of age. You can create an individualized study plan that meets your ability and goals. Courses are available in English, math, history, science, world languages, and electives. You can opt for several or a single course. At the end of the program, you earn academic credit.

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.

Image Source - Stanford University logo