10 Summer Humanities Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 38 minutes ago
- 7 min read
If you’re a middle school student with a curiosity about human culture, ideas, and expression, summer humanities programs can be a smart way to deepen that interest. Fortunately, these programs often mirror aspects of college‑level academics, giving you a feel for rigorous discussion, critical thinking, research, and presentation while still designed for younger learners. Beyond classroom work, you’ll develop practical skills — from essay writing and analysis to public speaking and collaboration — that matter in high school and beyond. Many options also provide exposure to professionals in fields like literature, history, theater, and law, helping you build early connections with peers and mentors.
Importantly, humanities summer programs for gifted middle schoolers don’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Some are free or offer robust scholarships, and many offer financial aid, so you can dive into learning without overwhelming cost. For this list, we’ve selected programs based on academic rigor, opportunities for networking and mentorship, scholarship or low‑cost options, and, where applicable, association with respected universities or institutions. What follows are descriptions of 10 noteworthy opportunities worth exploring if you’re serious about the humanities.
10 Summer Humanities Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $75; full scholarships and transportation assistance available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective, open to New Haven students only
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: Mid-January (exact date TBD)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9 in New Haven public or parochial schools
At this six-week academic program hosted on Yale’s campus, you’ll explore humanities topics like creative writing, visual arts, and literature in small classes taught by Yale undergraduates. Morning classes include grade-specific humanities and investigations courses, with topics ranging from poetry and art theory to artificial intelligence and logic. In the afternoon, you’ll take mixed-grade electives such as songwriting, letter writing, or language invention. Throughout the program, you'll work on creative projects, go on field trips, and collaborate closely with peers and mentors. Designed to support motivated students of all backgrounds, this program blends rigorous academics with a strong sense of community.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; cohorts of 12 students
Dates: July 6–24 (summer); August 26 – December 9 (fall weekly sessions)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S.-based students in grades 6 or 7 from low-income families (typically under $90,000 household income); must attend both summer and fall sessions
This tuition-free program introduces you to college-prep learning through a three-week summer course and a fall semester of weekly workshops. You’ll join a small, interactive online class taught by Stanford Online High School instructors, exploring topics like civil dissent, graphic novel history, and real-life math applications. During the fall, you'll attend weekly academic enrichment sessions and receive guidance on high school admissions, academic writing, and long-term planning. The curriculum is rigorous but accessible, and includes live discussions, reflection-based writing, and collaborative activities. If you’re looking for a humanities summer program for gifted middle schoolers that blends mentorship, critical thinking, and community-building, SMSSP is a strong contender.
Location: Stevenson University, Owings Mills, MD
Cost/Stipend: $400 early registration; $475 after May 15; full and partial need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: First-come, first-served until full
Dates: One-week sessions during summer (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders
This one-week program offers a hands-on introduction to creative writing for middle schoolers in a relaxed, outdoor-friendly campus setting. You’ll explore fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction through prompts, reading exercises, and small workshop groups led by Stevenson University’s writing faculty. The program encourages both writing and performance, with a culminating showcase event for family and friends. You'll also contribute selected work to the program’s literary magazine. With opportunities for hiking, reflection, and guided critique, it’s a focused but informal way to explore your voice as a young writer.
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes meals and MTA transportation
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; open to NYC public/charter school students
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31 at 11:59 PM
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th graders attending a public or charter school in NYC
CCL is a multi-year program that begins with a four-week summer session designed to help you explore academic interests in fields like anthropology, philosophy, law, business, arts, and health sciences. You’ll take part in college-style lectures, workshops led by NYU faculty, and field trips across the city. The program encourages you to connect with professionals and peers while developing soft skills like communication and goal-setting. As a participant, you’ll stay involved through weekend practice labs during the school year. If you're looking for a humanities summer program for gifted middle schoolers that offers long-term mentorship and college prep, CCL is a solid starting point.
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free or low-cost (details pending)
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open enrollment; serves rising 6th–12th grade students
Dates: TBD (Summer; typically held in-person)
Application Deadline: TBD (sign-up for notifications)
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th grade students (no prior debate experience required)
The AUDL summer workshops offer debate training for middle and high schoolers at all experience levels, hosted on Emory’s campus. You’ll learn the basics of structured argumentation, public speaking, and evidence-based reasoning in a supportive academic setting. The curriculum emphasizes research skills and persuasive communication—essential components of the humanities. These camps are a gateway to joining year-round debate leagues and tournaments, with chances to work alongside instructors, alumni, and peers. While dates and costs for the upcoming year are still unconfirmed, the program has a long-standing track record of accessibility and civic engagement.
Location: Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Astoria, Queens, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective, audition-based
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: NYC public school students entering grades 8–12
SAI is a four-week intensive arts program where you’ll major in one discipline—dance, theater, film, visual arts, instrumental music, vocal music, or strings. Taught by NYC DOE arts specialists and professional artists from organizations like Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic, the program blends studio work with field experiences. You’ll rehearse, develop technical skills, and explore creative expression through hands-on projects, performance opportunities, and cultural visits. The program culminates in a final showcase and exhibition of your work. If you’re focused on the arts as part of your humanities interests, SAI offers one of the most robust free summer programs for NYC students.
Location: Online (hosted by the New Haven Urban Debate League and Yale)
Cost/Stipend: $295; free for New Haven UDL students; financial aid available
Acceptance rate or cohort size: 80–100 students; rolling admissions
Dates: August 18 – 22
Application Deadline: June 1 (rolling admission—apply early)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–12; open to all experience levels
YSDP offers a focused five-day online program for middle and high schoolers interested in debate and public speaking. You’ll train in parliamentary debate, learning strategies for argumentation, rebuttal, and clear communication with direct coaching from Yale debaters and UDL instructors. The program includes daily electives on topics like sustainability, voting systems, and ethical reasoning, along with practice debates and a final camp-wide tournament. With a student-to-instructor ratio of 10:1 or better, you’ll receive plenty of feedback to refine your style and structure. It’s a strong option if you're looking for a humanities-focused summer program that builds confidence and critical thinking.
Location: The Taft School, Watertown, CT
Cost/Stipend: Residential tuition required (amount not publicly listed); includes meals and housing
Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; 12 students per section
Dates: July 13 – July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: U.S. residents entering middle school (typically grades 6–8)
Held on the Taft School campus, this two-week residential program blends writing, reading, and study skills in an immersive academic environment. You’ll take classes that emphasize grammar, composition, close reading, and literary analysis, all while building strong organizational habits. Each day features structured classroom time, athletics, and evening study sessions, giving you a well-rounded academic and social experience. The small class sizes allow for personalized instruction and feedback, and weekends include off-campus excursions and time to relax with peers. It’s designed for middle schoolers who want to strengthen their humanities foundation before entering high school.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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