15 Online Learning Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
If you're in middle school and looking to explore something beyond your school curriculum, online learning programs can be one of the most practical (and affordable) ways to do that. These programs are a solid option because they give you access to advanced academics, practical skills, and industry exposure, without needing to leave home or spend a lot of money.
By online learning programs, we mean any educational experience delivered fully online. This includes short courses, guided project-based workshops, writing or research mentorships, or skill-building platforms. Some follow a fixed calendar. Others are self-paced. All of them are meant to help you build knowledge and confidence in a subject during your middle school years, from grades 6 to 8.
With that, here are 15 online learning programs you can explore as a middle school student!
15 Online Learning Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Financial aid is available
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort. Check here for cohorts and deadlines.
Eligibility: Grades 6 - 8; commitment of a minimum of 5 hours/week
Lumiere Junior Explorer is a fully remote, 8-week research program for middle school students in grades 6 to 8. You work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, or LSE to explore an academic field and build a personalized project. You meet weekly with your mentor to learn research skills, explore topics, and develop a final project. You can choose from tracks like biology, physics, chemistry, public health, AI, computer science, psychology, and more. You also join optional workshops on tools like R, Python, and research writing. Apply here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. More details here
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) or 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays during the summer)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
Veritas AI Trailblazers is a virtual, 10-week program for middle school students in grades 6 to 8. You learn the basics of Python, machine learning, and artificial intelligence through hands-on group projects and interactive lectures. The program is designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni. You attend weekly sessions that include 1.5 hours of academic lectures and 1 hour of small-group mentoring (5:1 ratio). You’ll explore topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You work with 3–5 peers to build a final project based on your interests. Check out the brochure here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 to July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 11
WASH SRI is a free, virtual summer research program for students in grades 6–12 who identify as female or non-male. You’ll choose from three course tracks; recent examples include microbiology/epidemiology, finance/computer science, and quantum physics. Each track includes weekly workshops led by mentors from top universities like Princeton, NYU, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. Throughout the six-week program (late June to early August), you’ll work on a capstone research project with guidance from your mentor. You’ll present your work at a virtual showcase, and may even get support for publication or future research opportunities.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 12
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Summer cohort (July 7 - July 25); Fall cohort (August 27 - December 10)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Grades 6 - 7, residing in and attending school in the U.S., should be from a family whose typical household income is under $90,000
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a free, online enrichment program for low-income students currently in grades 6 or 7. The program begins with a three-week summer course in July, where you join a small cohort for daily live classes led by Stanford Online High School instructors. From August through December, you continue with weekly after-school sessions focused on academic writing, math enrichment, logical reasoning, and research skills. You’ll also explore high school options and learn how to present your ideas clearly and confidently.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $3,080 + additional expenses up to $100 for some courses; financial aid offered (check details here)
Dates: June 16 - June 27 (Session 1); July 7 - July 18 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Grades 8 - 11
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (SPCS) offer a two-week online summer program for students currently in Grade 8. You choose one course to explore in depth through live, interactive classes with Stanford instructors and peers from around the world. Courses cover a wide range of subjects, including bioscience, product design, programming languages, creative writing, art, and the humanities. You’ll attend daily live classes for two hours, join a third hour of optional office hours, and complete asynchronous assignments to prepare for the next day’s session. You’ll receive a certificate of completion if you attend all sessions and participate fully. Explore the SPCS course catalog here.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 13 - 15
Cost/Stipend: $6,195 (single course); $18,580 (part-time, 2-3 courses); $30,970 (full-time, 4 or more courses). Need-based financial aid is available (check details here)
Dates: Vary, typically August - June calendar year
Application Deadline: January 9, with applications in the fall/winter before the desired academic year of entry
Eligibility: Grades 7 - 8 (check all criteria here)
Stanford Online High School (OHS) offers advanced academic courses for intellectually curious students in grades 7 and 8. You can enroll full-time, part-time, or take a single course based on placement tests and academic advising. Classes are taught live in a college-style seminar format by instructors, 65% of whom hold PhDs, and cover subjects like science, English, history, Latin, Chinese, computer science, and more.
As a middle school student, you’ll build critical reasoning, analytical thinking, and communication skills while engaging in rigorous discussions with peers and instructors. You’ll also have access to offline opportunities like instructor-sponsored clubs, meet-ups, and school activities, and can participate in competitions such as Olympiads and robotics. Check out enrollment options here.
7. MusiQuest
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies as per type of lesson, with subscription plans and direct purchase options available (check details here); reduced price/scholarship may be available soon
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 8 and up
MusiQuest is a cloud-based music learning platform designed for kids, teens, and adults to explore music creatively. You can choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels to learn about melodies, rhythms, musical notation, and composition. The platform lets you create your songs or dive into music-related topics that interest you. Using MusiQuest’s interactive keyboard, you can experiment with over 75 instrument sounds, including piano, accordion, xylophone, and more. Lessons are organized into “Quests,” each with 2–6 activities that build musical skills while integrating literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Live courses range $675–$1,395; self-paced courses range $195–$495
Dates: Year-round (online sessions begin within 2 weeks of application)
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Each course has specific eligibility criteria based on grades/age
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers online courses for academically advanced middle school students who want to explore subjects beyond the standard school curriculum. You can study topics like the science behind symptoms, cryptology, coding, fiction writing, and more. Courses are available in computer science, math, history, social science, languages, and other fields.
CTY offers three formats to match your learning style and schedule. Session-based courses follow a structured timeline with assignment deadlines and optional virtual meetings. Individually paced courses let you work at your speed with personalized instructor feedback. Live courses include real-time sessions with instructors and classmates.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by the type and length of the program, with financial aid available (check fee structure here)
Dates: Vary with summer, fall, winter, and spring sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 4 - 8, with test scores or an admission portfolio for most courses (check all eligibility criteria here)
The Northwestern University Center for Talent Development (CTD) offers a wide range of online programs for middle school students in grades 6 to 8 who want to explore advanced topics and build academic skills. You can choose from enrichment, honors-level, and credit-bearing courses in areas like math, science, technology and engineering, English and language arts, entrepreneurship and economics, leadership and service, and the humanities.
Courses are available in different formats to match your learning style and schedule. You can enroll in structured session-based courses with assignment deadlines, flexibly paced courses customized to your abilities, or live courses with real-time interaction. Options include pre-med, AI and the future of technology, writing workshops, and more. Explore courses and schedules here.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $700 with need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 11 - August 13 (summer), January 15 - March 19 (winter)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 7 - 11; should have good communication, reading, and writing skills + plus additional requirements as indicated here.
The Leadership Intensive Series is a weekly online program for middle school students in grades 6 to 8 who want to build leadership skills and explore what it means to be a socially responsible leader. You’ll attend live, instructor-led sessions once a week and complete independent coursework between classes. Recordings are available if you miss a session or want to review. During the program, you’ll analyze leadership concepts through academic research, engage in topic-focused presentations, and participate in discussions with peers to broaden your perspective.
11. MIT App Inventor
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all, including middle school students
MIT App Inventor is a free, web-based platform developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). It’s designed for middle school students to learn how to create, test, and share mobile apps using a simple, block-based programming language. With easy-to-follow tutorials, you can design apps for Android and iOS devices, such as games, maps, charts, or tools that address real-world issues like poverty or climate change. Most users can build their first app in under 30 minutes. Beginners can initially use the Hour of Code tutorials to build a basic app and then advance to using graphics, sounds, and colours.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Courses offered as per Grade level (Elementary K-5, Middle School 6 - 8, High School 9 - 12)
Acellus Academy is a fully accredited online private school for students in grades K–12, offered through the Acellus Learning System by the International Academy of Science. Middle school students in grades 6 to 8 can enroll at any time of the year and learn at their own pace through video lessons and interactive coursework. In Grade 6, you’ll study math, language arts and reading, science, and history/social studies. Grade 7 includes math, language arts and reading, history/social studies, and optional science courses. Grade 8 covers core subjects like math, language arts, and science, with history/social studies available as an option.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Any time!
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Courses are specific to Grade levels and age
Code.org is a free, web-based platform that offers computer science and artificial intelligence courses to students in grades K–12. As a middle school student, you can explore topics like programming, game design, app creation, cybersecurity, art and design, web development, and AI. You can choose from self-paced courses or interactive activities like “Dance Party: AI Edition” and “AI for Oceans,” which introduce you to machine learning and ethical AI use through fun, hands-on projects. The curriculum is designed to be engaging and accessible, with lessons mapped to national standards and available in over 67 languages. Explore the curriculum catalog here.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Age 6 - 24
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers a free virtual learning platform called MyFuture, where you can join live and on-demand classes in areas like multimedia, sports, science, education, visual arts, and more. You’ll build digital literacy, create content, and earn recognition through badges and certificates for completed activities. As a middle school student, you can explore coding from beginner to advanced levels, learn dance moves, improve your sports skills, or even boost your vocabulary through music. You can upload and share creative projects, participate in challenges, and attend live events with peers across the country. Explore all lessons and activities here.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 100 seats available for Summer 2025 (pilot year)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Program goes live June 9; self-paced (complete in 4–6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Pre-registration required; enrollment is open until all seats are filled
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5–8 from any location (with emphasis on Rhode Island and Mississippi, but open internationally); students entering grade 9 in the Fall are also eligible
Environmental Explorers School is a self-paced online summer program for middle school students interested in environmental science and public health. You’ll go through 25 modules covering air and water quality, noise pollution, transportation, and other local environmental issues. Each module includes videos, short quizzes, and hands-on activities you can do in your neighborhood. You’ll build skills in science, data collection, and problem solving, while seeing how these topics connect to real-life challenges in your community.
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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