10 Summer Political Science Programs for Middle School Students in New York
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
Summer political science programs can be a useful way to explore government, law, public policy, diplomacy, and civic leadership before high school. Through these programs, you can practice practical skills like research, public speaking, debate, persuasive writing, collaboration, and policy analysis while learning how decisions are made in real communities and institutions. Many programs also give you access to college-style academics, mentors, hands-on projects, and peer networks without requiring a long-term commitment or the cost of a full pre-college residential program.
If you live in New York, you have access to a strong mix of local, national, and online opportunities. Some programs take place in New York City, while others are virtual or based at major universities and are open to students across the U.S. This list of summer political science programs for middle school students in New York includes options focused on research, civics, Model UN, trial law, international relations, and debate. We narrowed down these summer political science programs for middle school students in New York by considering academic rigor, mentorship, selectivity, financial aid, hands-on learning, and whether the program is hosted by a university, nonprofit, or established education organization.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies, financial aid available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Eight weeks; timing varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students who want to explore an academic field in depth. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as social sciences, humanities, STEM, or another area of interest, and you are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. If you are interested in political science, you can use the program to build a research question around government, elections, public policy, international relations, civic engagement, or law. Over eight weeks, you receive structured guidance on academic reading, research design, outlining, writing, and revision. A key feature of the program is the one-on-one mentorship model, which gives you individualized feedback as you develop an independent research project. By the end, you produce a formal research paper or project that can help you practice college-style writing before high school.
Location: Online
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small online cohorts
Program Dates: July 6-July 24 for the summer course; August 26-December 9 for the fall component
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6 or 7 who live in and attend school in the U.S.; family income requirements apply
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a tuition-free academic program for high-achieving middle school students from low-income backgrounds. You participate in a three-week online summer course and continue into a fall component that includes academic and college-preparation support. The program has offered a course titled Democracy & Dissent, which is especially relevant if you are interested in political science, civic participation, justice, and democratic ideas. You can expect discussion-based learning, close reading, writing, and structured engagement with complex academic questions. Because the program is fully funded and hosted by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, it is one of the more selective summer political science programs for middle school students in New York who are eligible. It is a strong option if you want a rigorous online experience without program tuition.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies, financial aid available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio in group sessions
Program Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks on weekends during the spring cohort; 25 hours over 2 weeks on weekdays during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8; no coding experience required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a virtual program that introduces middle school students to artificial intelligence, machine learning, Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. While it is not a traditional political science program, it can be useful if you want to explore how data and technology shape civic life, elections, public policy, education access, or government decision-making. You learn through lectures and small-group work, then collaborate with three to five peers on a final AI project. No previous coding experience is required, though you should be ready for a fast-paced course. Past projects have included machine-learning models for music classification and tools that recommend educational resources based on selected criteria. Among summer political science programs for middle school students in New York, this is a good interdisciplinary option if you want to connect policy questions with AI and ethics.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $1,798 commuter tuition
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited availability noted by the program
Program Dates: June 22-June 26; June 29-July 3; July 6-July 10; July 13-July 17; July 20-July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students
Summer Springboard’s Middle School Future Changemakers program at NYU focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how young people can respond to global and local challenges. You participate in simulations, debates, role-playing exercises, and team-based activities that ask you to negotiate international solutions and design a new SDG proposal. The program also includes exposure to NYC organizations, sustainability initiatives, and urban projects, helping you see how policy ideas connect to real communities. You work toward a final Global Summit-style presentation where you share your proposal and action plan. Skills you can build include research, negotiation, critical thinking, public speaking, and collaboration. This is one of the most directly New York-based summer political science programs for middle school students in New York.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $1,798 commuter tuition; $99+ application fee; $600 deposit
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited availability
Program Dates: June 22-June 26; July 20-July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 11-14 who have finished 5th grade; 3.0 GPA or equivalent
Summer Springboard’s Middle School Trial Law program at NYU introduces you to the legal profession through a one-week commuter experience in New York City. You step into courtroom roles such as defense attorney, prosecutor, witness, juror, or judge while working through mock trials inspired by real New York cases. The program emphasizes evidence research, argument-building, witness examination, and public speaking. You also meet NYC-based legal professionals, including civil rights lawyers, criminal defense attorneys, and felony prosecutors. The program includes visits to local courtrooms, legal institutions, and a New York City law school, giving you a practical look at legal careers. If you are comparing summer political science programs for middle school students in New York, this is a strong local option for exploring law, justice, and civic systems.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Day camp starts at $1,550; tutoring add-on available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; 1:12 staff-to-student ratio
Program Dates: July 13-July 17; July 20-July 24
Application Deadline: First come, first served; sessions may sell out
Eligibility: Ages 11-13 for the middle school track; advanced track requires prior Model UN experience
The Model UN Institute at Columbia University gives you a New York-based introduction to diplomacy, global politics, public speaking, and negotiation. You represent countries, research international issues, write speeches, debate with peers, and collaborate on resolutions. The middle school track is open to students new to Model UN, while the advanced track is designed for students with previous MUN camp or conference experience. A standout feature is the guided tour of the United Nations building, which connects the camp’s simulations to a real international institution in NYC. You also receive daily feedback from trained MUN mentors as you build confidence and refine your speaking style. This is one of the most directly relevant summer political science programs for middle school students in New York if you are interested in international relations.
Location: English-Speaking Union HQ, 144 E 39th St, New York, NY
Cost: $1,400; $200 deposit required to secure a spot if admitted
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; students are placed by experience level
Program Dates: July 6-July 10; July 13-July 17; July 20-July 24; July 27-July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 5th-9th graders; fundamentals labs for rising 5th-7th graders and accelerated labs for rising 7th-9th graders
The ESU-New York Debate League Summer Institute is a week-long debate program for students who want to strengthen public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking. You are placed into either a fundamentals or accelerated lab depending on your age and debate experience. In the fundamentals lab, you learn cross-examination, rebuttals, research, and evidence use, while the accelerated lab moves faster into case writing and strategic refutation. The program includes a cultural component with visits to nearby embassies, the United Nations, and lunchtime talks with diplomats. You work toward an end-of-camp debate tournament where you apply the skills you practiced during the week. For students interested in policy, current events, and civic discourse, this is a practical New York-based addition to the list.
Location: St. Francis College, 179 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; suggested donation of $1,000 for middle school camp if families are able to contribute
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; application required
Program Dates: July 6-July 17 for the middle school session
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: Rising 6th-12th graders; middle school session available for rising middle school students
Brooklyn Debate League’s Summer Camp is a free speech and debate program with a middle school session in Brooklyn. The current theme focuses on the future of New York City, so you debate local policy questions such as housing, public transportation, congestion pricing, and police budgets. You receive academic and socio-emotional instruction, practice structured argumentation, and participate in a camp tournament with individualized feedback. The program also includes an end-of-camp showcase where families and guests can watch student performances. Lunch, snacks, and a BDL t-shirt are included. This is a strong fit for summer political science programs for middle school students in New York because it connects debate skills to real public policy issues in the city.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $449 currently listed; regular price $599
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15-June 19; June 22-June 26; June 29-July 3; July 6-July 10; July 13-July 17; July 20-July 24; July 27-July 31; August 3-August 7; August 10-August 14
Application Deadline: First come, first served; limited availability
Eligibility: Ages 9-18
The Virtual Model UN Institute is a remote option for students who want to study global affairs, diplomacy, and debate from home. You meet Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. ET and participate in live Model UN activities focused on public speaking, collaboration, and global problem-solving. The program is designed for a broad age range, so middle school students can use it as an accessible entry point into international relations and civic leadership. You learn how to represent a country, discuss global issues, write solutions, and work with peers in a structured online format. Because it is virtual, it is especially useful if you live in New York but want a flexible program that does not require commuting or travel. It can also prepare you for school-year Model UN clubs, debate teams, and future political science coursework.
Location: Online
Cost: $700 early bird tuition; $725 after the early bird deadline; need-based financial aid may be available, but summer aid can run out
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective based on CTD eligibility tier
Program Dates: June 10-July 1
Application Deadline: One week before the start date, if space is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 to 11 who meet CTD Emerald tier eligibility criteria
Northwestern CTD’s United Nations course is an online option for academically advanced students interested in international relations, negotiation, and global justice. You study how countries and institutions balance competing priorities while responding to complex world issues. The course emphasizes discussion, negotiation, communication, and collaborative problem-solving, which are central skills in political science. Because CTD uses eligibility tiers, you may need qualifying scores, prior CTD coursework, or an approved portfolio to enroll. The online format makes it accessible if you live in New York and want a structured course without traveling. As one of the online summer political science programs for middle school students in New York, it is especially relevant if you want to study diplomacy and the UN through a shorter summer course.
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.