14 Programs for Middle School Students in Virginia
- Stephen Turban
- 7 minutes ago
- 9 min read
Participating in structured programs during middle school can help you explore your curiosity and begin shaping your academic interests early. These programs give you a space to try out new interests, meet motivated peers, and build practical skills you may not always find in a traditional classroom. They also encourage independence and confidence, preparing you for more advanced opportunities in high school and beyond.
Why should you attend a program in Virginia?
Virginia offers various programs for high school students, hosted by universities, nonprofits, and institutions, such as George Mason University. Some programs challenge you through advanced coursework and projects, while others connect you with mentors, researchers, or industry professionals, helping you build your network. Whether you live in Virginia or are visiting from out of state, you can find a program that fits your interests and develops your profile.
To help you navigate the options, we’ve curated a list of 14 programs for middle school students in Virginia.
If you are looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to the program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students a structured way to explore an academic interest while being guided by a personal mentor. The mentors are researchers and scholars from top institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. The program is academically rigorous and built around individualized support, allowing you to choose from multiple tracks, including options centered on coding and computational thinking. You’ll learn core programming principles and apply them to build digital tools, apps, or simulations as part of your coursework. The experience ends with a hands-on project phase, where you’ll bring your ideas to completion and walk away with a polished piece you can share.
Location: Gildersleeve Middle School, Newport News, VA
Cost: None
Dates: June 30 – July 24
Application Deadline: No deadline; students are enrolled based on assessment information and other criteria
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 9th graders enrolled in Newport News Public Schools, based on assessment data such as reading diagnostics
The ELEVATE Summer Program offers Newport News middle schoolers a structured and supportive four-week learning experience designed to boost academic confidence and skill development. Tailored for rising 6th through 9th graders, the program blends targeted instruction with hands-on activities in a small, focused environment. You attend in person at Gildersleeve Middle School, where the curriculum is guided by school assessment data to ensure each participant receives the type of support they need most. Alongside core academic enrichment, students also benefit from an engaging summer routine, daily meals, and reliable transportation. ELEVATE helps you stay motivated, build independence, and enter the school year better prepared.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Veritas AI’s Trailblazers program gives middle school students an early foundation in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over about 25 hours of guided learning, you’ll work through Python basics and begin exploring topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and the ethical questions surrounding AI. The program blends live instruction with small-group sessions, and the 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio ensures plenty of individual support. Previous cohorts have created projects ranging from models that sort music by genre to tools that recommend customized educational content.
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Cost: None
Dates: 4 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: No application deadline; invitations are extended to families based on academic data
Eligibility: Invitation-only rising 3rd–8th-grade students in Roanoke City Public Schools; participation is based on demonstrated academic needs in reading, math, or science
The STAR Program is Roanoke City Public Schools’ targeted summer learning initiative designed to support students who need focused academic reinforcement. You’ll receive four weeks of structured instruction in core subjects such as reading, math, and science, delivered through a student-centered, data-informed approach. The program operates with dedicated daily schedules for elementary and middle school cohorts and is crafted to give you meaningful, individualized support that helps close learning gaps and build confidence for the upcoming school year. Alongside STAR, RCPS continues to offer additional summer opportunities open to all students in grades 5–8, such as athletic camps, the Summer Stock Academy, and the division-wide Summer Reading Program.
Location: Virginia Beach Middle School, Virginia Beach, VA
Cost: None
Dates: Follows the regular school year schedule
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th grade students selected via the gifted identification process, who are residents of Virginia Beach
The Gifted Visual Arts Program at Virginia Beach Middle School offers artistically talented middle school students the chance to pursue advanced visual arts training as part of their daily academic schedule. Designed specifically to support those who balance rigorous coursework with creative development, the program embeds specialized art instruction directly into the school day. You’ll work with trained visual arts educators to refine foundational and advanced skills while exploring a range of artistic media and concepts. You’ll maintain individual portfolios, engage in hands-on studio work, and follow a thoughtfully sequenced visual arts curriculum aligned with your grade level.
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
Cost: Fully funded for eligible students
Dates: Two weeks typically between mid-to-late July
Application Deadline: Typically, March – April
Eligibility: Current 6th-grade students with family income at or below 185% of the U.S. HHS Poverty Guidelines | Must meet one academic criterion, such as scoring at or above the 90th percentile on a standardized test or submitting a strong educator recommendation with evidence of high performance
Camp Launch at William & Mary is designed to support high-ability middle school students from low-income households by giving them access to high-quality academic and enrichment experiences. This two-week residential program immerses you in courses built around science, writing, personal development, and enrichment, all created specifically to challenge you and give you access to advanced opportunities. You’ll live on campus, connect with similarly motivated peers, and engage in hands-on learning that strengthens your academic confidence and future orientation. The program places equal emphasis on intellectual growth and personal development, helping you build skills, self-belief, and a sense of belonging in academically rigorous environments.
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
Cost: $300 per week
Dates: July 6 – 10; July 13 – 17; July 20 – 24; July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: First-come, until seats are filled
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 11th graders for the current school year; available to FCPS, private-school, homeschooled, and non-Fairfax County students.
The CTE Summer Academy is a hands-on enrichment program where middle school students can explore a wide range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields. The academy is designed for those who want to experiment with new skills, understand different career pathways, and get early exposure to the types of electives available in high school. All courses are introductory, making this a welcoming option for those who have no prior experience in the subject area. You can also personalize your schedule by selecting the classes that match your interests, allowing you to experience topics across technology, design, business, health, trades, and more.
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: Day Camp: $800; Residential Add-on: $300
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: Around early June
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th grade students
Mason Summer Band Camp is George Mason University’s weeklong music program designed for middle and high school musicians who want to build their instrumental skills in a supportive, arts-focused campus environment. You’ll join Mason faculty, professional teaching artists, and experienced music educators for six days of ensemble rehearsals, technique sessions, and music workshops. The program blends skill development with creative expression, allowing you to advance your musicianship while connecting with peers who share the same artistic interests. Held on Mason’s Fairfax campus, the program offers a mix of structured learning, collaborative music-making, and performance opportunities.
Location: Roanoke County, VA
Cost: $75
Dates: Summer camps held during the two weeks following the end of school
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–8 identified as gifted in the visual arts
The Roanoke County Public Schools Gifted Art Program offers middle school students with exceptional artistic talent a chance to stretch their skills through both after-school sessions and a dedicated summer camp. You’ll begin with a nomination and screening process that includes submitted drawings and an evaluation by professional artists. Once identified, you’ll take part in weekly enrichment classes during the school year and later enroll in the district’s summer art camp. The program focuses on nurturing artistic potential through structured studio time, exposure to new techniques, and opportunities to create a range of visual art projects. Summer camp sessions give you several days of hands-on work and culminate in taking home your completed pieces.
Location: Fairfax, VA
Cost: Varies depending on the program selected
Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the summer; exact dates differ by camp
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle school students, specific grade bands vary by program, typically ages 11+ or grades 6 – 8
The academic enrichment opportunities at George Mason University give middle school students an early window into university-level learning. You can explore topics such as STEM, game design, mathematics, debate, world languages, and space science through hands-on instruction led by Mason faculty, researchers, and professional educators. The programs emphasize skill-building, collaboration, and problem-solving, making them a strong fit for curious learners who want to stretch beyond their regular school curriculum.
Location: William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: Day Program: $2,199–$2,399; Residential Program: $5,299–$5,599
Dates: Summer, two-week sessions
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 7th – 9th grade students with qualifying ACT or SAT scores: ACT: Science ≥ 20, Math ≥ 20, English ≥ 18, or Reading ≥ 20 | SAT: Math ≥ 530 or Reading/Writing ≥ 480.
Camp Ignite is part of William & Mary’s Youth Talent Search Program (W&M-YTS), an initiative designed to help academically advanced middle schoolers stretch beyond grade-level content. You’ll spend two weeks exploring high-level subjects taught by expert instructors, building confidence, analytical skills, and meaningful peer connections. The program offers a mix of rigorous, inquiry-based classes. Examples from the upcoming summer include Dive Into Oceanography, which pairs hands-on experimentation with advanced study of geological, chemical, physical, and biological ocean systems, and Physics, a deep dive into mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Location: Poe Middle School, Annandale, Virginia
Cost: $100
Dates: July 1 – 31
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders who live within the boundaries of Glasgow, Holmes, Jackson, Kilmer, Poe, or Thoreau Middle Schools
The VIP Summer Camp is a long-running partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, offering an affordable, activity-packed summer for middle school students. This five-week program blends fitness, recreation, arts, STEM, and team-based activities led by trained FCPS after-school specialists and Teen Center staff. You engage in active recreation, including basketball, soccer, and general fitness challenges. Some camps divide the day into a half-day of sports and a half-day of other enrichment activities. In addition to the daily schedule, the VIP camp typically includes weekly field trips to locations like a water park, bowling alley, or a professional baseball game, though these require an additional fee.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Dates: Summer: July 6 – 24; Fall: August 26 – December 9
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students currently in grade 6 or 7, residing and attending school in the U.S. | Must commit to both summer and fall components
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a fully online enrichment experience designed to support motivated middle schoolers from low-income backgrounds as they prepare for more rigorous high school pathways. The program begins with a three-week summer course, where you’ll learn in small cohorts of around 12 peers and gain exposure to advanced academic thinking. When fall begins, you continue meeting weekly through December, exploring topics like high-school planning, academic writing, math enrichment, and mindset development. A hallmark of the program is its interactive virtual classroom, which brings you and your peers from different states for live sessions with Stanford Online High School instructors.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course length and subject area; financial aid is available
Dates: Offer year-round, with various formats having different registration and start dates
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8 who meet CTY eligibility requirements through qualifying test scores (e.g., SCAT, PSAT).
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs allow you to dive into subjects that go far beyond the typical school curriculum, from astronomy and coding to scientific problem-solving. You’ll learn with the support of experienced instructors, participating either in real-time classes or through flexible, independent modules. Discussion boards connect you with peers worldwide, and instructors provide detailed, individualized feedback to help you improve. Whether you prefer a structured weekly schedule or the freedom to work at your own pace, there’s an option that fits your style. As you move through the program, you’ll sharpen your study skills, think more analytically, and experience the excitement of learning something new.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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