10 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Los Angeles
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
If you’re a middle school student in Los Angeles looking for a way to spend your summer in a productive way, summer programs can help you try out new skills and discover what you enjoy!
You can learn to code, design projects, speak confidently, or work with a team. These experiences can give you a clearer idea of what interests you and get you ready for high school.
Some programs cover topics you might not see in school, like building robots, writing stories, leading groups, or exploring nature and science. Taking part in these programs can help you grow skills and find your path. Plus, being part of a selective program can give your future school applications an edge.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 10 summer programs in Los Angeles made for middle school students like you.
10 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Los Angeles
Cost: $2400, with need-based financial aid offered to students whose families make less than $50,000 per year (US applicants) or INR 15 lakh per year (Indian or non-US applicants).
Location: Virtual
Cohort size: 1-on-1 mentoring
Dates: 8-week program scheduled for summer, spring, and winter cohorts during different parts of the year. You must commit to a minimum of five hours per week of work.
Application Deadline: Summer Cohort I - Early Admission - February 9, Priority Admission - March 9, Regular Admission I - April 13, Regular Admission II - May 11, Summer Cohort II – June 23.
Eligibility: Students of Grades 6-8 (Rising 9th graders may consider applying for Lumiere's other research programs.)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week remote research program where you work on a project in a subject you choose. You get paired with a volunteer mentor who guides you through the research process. Mentors are research scholars from Harvard, Yale, MIT, UCLA, Michigan, and Oxford.
You can choose from 8 STEM tracks like Physics, Engineering, AI, Data Science, and Math. There are also 4 tracks in Humanities and Social Sciences, such as History, Economics, and International Relations.
You’ll learn how to build a research question, analyze real data, and write about your findings. You’ll also practice communication, writing, and problem-solving. Your mentor helps you refine your project step by step. The program ends with a completed research paper.
Cost: $1,790 with need-based financial aid available
Location: Virtual
Cohort size: 5
Dates: Vary, with 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) or 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. The deadline for the summer cohort is May 25.
Eligibility: Students in Grades 6 - 8
Veritas AI's Trailblazers program is a virtual program over 25 hours that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In the initial weeks, you will learn the basics of data analysis, regression, and classification problems. In weeks 6 to 10, you will explore more advanced topics such as image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
You will attend online academic lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio and work on a group project with your peers. Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Cost: $769 - $1,099 (varies as per type of camp)
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cohort size: Each camp will have students split into groups of 4 to 8
Dates: June 16 to August 22 (each camp is a one-week program)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill up
Eligibility: Children aged 6 to 16 years
Lavner Camp Tech Revolution at UCLA is a summer program where you learn by creating. You can build robots, design games, code apps, write stories, or even make YouTube videos. It takes place on the UCLA campus and is made for middle school students who want to try new tools and explore real-world tech.
Groups are small, so you get plenty of support. You work on hands-on projects and move at your own pace. When the camp ends, you get a certificate, a T-shirt, a lanyard, and you take home your final project.
Cost: Day Camp - $1,698 with Tutoring or $1,549 without, Overnight Camp - $3,148 with Tutoring or $2,999 without. Early bird discounts and need-based financial aid are offered.
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cohort size: Typically 10 to 30
Dates: July 21 - 25 (day camp), July 20 - 26 (overnight camp)
Application Deadline: June 13, with enrollment typically accepted up to June 20
Eligibility: Ages 11–13 for middle school camp. Separate camps for high school and advanced students (ages 13–17). International students with a travel visa and WHO-approved vaccines can join.
Model United Nations (MUN) Institute at UCLA is a one-week summer program where you learn how to speak, debate, and think like a diplomat. You take part in simulations that mirror real-world global discussions. You practice public speaking, write short speeches, and learn how to build strong arguments.
You work with experienced MUN mentors and get feedback as you improve your communication and leadership skills. You also take part in group activities like games and movies in the evening. By the end of the week, you will lead a final simulation where you represent a country, give a speech, and help shape a resolution.
Cost: Varies as per type of camp, starting from $275 to $2000
Location: Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles County, CA
Cohort size: Information is not available
Dates: Summer Path - June 16 - July 28, Passport Week - June 16 - June 20, Encore Week - July 28 August 1, Hilltop Sports - June 23 - July 25
Application Deadline: Till spots fill up
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 6 - 8 in the fall
Chadwick Summer Programs offer middle schoolers a five-week experience with choices in academics, arts, and sports. You can join one of four tracks: Summer Path, Prep Plus, Arts Unlimited, or Hilltop Sports. One-week options are also available.
In Summer Path, you can take classes like algebra and geometry. Prep Plus lets you try hands-on subjects like coding, drones, and ocean tech. Arts Unlimited includes activities like dance, cartooning, ceramics, and fencing.
If you want to focus on sports, Hilltop Sports gives you training in basketball, soccer, and pickleball. All gear is provided.
Cost: $895
Location: Torrance, Los Angeles County, CA
Cohort size: 6
Dates: Intro to Cell Biology - July 7 - 11, July 28 - August 1; Stem Cells and Biotechnology - July 14 - 18, August 4 - 8; Stem Cell Research Program - July 21 - 25, August 11 - 15
Application Deadline: Rolling dates up to one week before the start of the program
Eligibility: Grades 6-9, Age 11-15 for Intro to Cell Biology and Stem Cells and Biotechnology; Grades 7-9, Age 12-15 for Stem Cell Research Program
Pathways to Stem Cell Science offers summer programs for middle school students to explore careers in bioscience through hands-on lab work. You do not need any previous lab experience. You will work with real scientists in a professional biotech lab, using stem cells to learn about biology and research.
Programs include options like Intro to Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Biotechnology, and a Stem Cell Research Program. Each one includes experiments, lab skill training, and lessons that build your understanding of how science works. You will earn a certificate when you finish.
7. Camp Integem
Cost: From $500 - $1,499 with early bird discounts and scholarships available + extra charge for purchasing a robot/drone if required
Location: Schools in LA South Bay, LA Westside, LA Eastside (check locations here)
Cohort size: 8 students per teacher
Dates: June through August, dates vary as per specific program and location
Application Deadline: Rolling dates
Eligibility: Ages 10-14 (Teen Group programs)
Camp Integem gives you a chance to try tech subjects like AR coding, robotics, game design, drones, animation, and digital art. You do not need to know how to code or use robots before joining. You will use software like Adobe and AR tools, and depending on the course, you may get a robotics or drone kit to work with.
You can create your own AR games, design lifelike characters using AI, build animated stories, or explore how robots use AI hardware. You will also take part in group games and indoor or outdoor activities. Everyone receives a completion certificate, and in some courses, students aged 10 to 18 can also earn an NVIDIA AI certificate.
Cost: Varies, in the range of $120 - $1000+ with a $75 non-refundable registration fee
Location: Harvard-WestLake School, Middle School Campus - Los Angeles, CA / Upper School Campus - Studio City, Los Angeles, CA
Cohort size: Varies as per program
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: May 31 for programs starting in June, June 17 for programs starting in July, July 22 for programs starting in August
Eligibility: Grade level for each course varies (the grade the student will enter in fall is considered). Students of any school are eligible, and international students must have the relevant Visa or travel documents + English skills at the advanced or college prep level.
Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs offer different tracks for middle school students to try new subjects or build on existing interests. You can choose from Coldwater Prep, Coldwater Arts, North Faring Exploration, Homework Online, Debate LA, or Wolverine Sports.
You can learn how to play an instrument like the violin, design graphics for clothing or blogs, write a fantasy or sci-fi story, create manga, explore fashion or costume design, or practice your debate skills. If you are interested in sports, you can work on building athletic skills. Homework is given only in academic credit classes and Debate LA.
Cost: Varies as per location and type of activities, starts at $119 - $200+ with financial aid offered and discounts for YMCA members at some locations
Location: Various locations in LA, CA
Cohort size: Typically 10 - 20 with one teacher, 6 for swimming/aquatic activities
Dates: Vary by YMCA branch, typically starting from June 2 (weekly camps)
Application Deadline: May 30 or till spots fill up
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 6-9 in the fall
YMCA Summer Day Camps across Los Angeles offer weekly programs for middle school students at various branches under YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles. Camps include indoor and outdoor activities, with some locations also offering swim lessons and weekly off-site trips.
Each day, you will take part in group activities that build social and leadership skills. You can choose from sessions in sports, STEM, creative arts, and other interest-based activities. Every Monday, you will get a project to finish by the end of the week.
Cost: $445 per week, Extended Care: $75 per week ($15 daily), $50 fee for Friday field trips (optional) with early bird, multi-week, and all-summer discounts, and sibling discounts available
Location: Various venues in Mid-City LA, West LA, and the West San Fernando Valley
Cohort size: 125 per location, per week, with up to 10 per teacher/coach
Dates: Vary, starting June 12 through August
Application Deadline: Till spots fill up
Eligibility: Middle Schoolers can enroll for the ‘Veterans’ Group (age 11-13)
Got Game Summer Day Camps let middle school students join for one or more weeks during summer, with extended hours available. The program focuses on helping you build confidence and teamwork through group activities, while giving you the freedom to shape your schedule based on what you enjoy.
You can pick from two main tracks: “Active,” which includes sports and camp games, or “Creative,” which offers project-based activities. Each day, you get to choose four activities from options like arts and crafts, science, talent shows, scavenger hunts, theatre, and more. On Fridays, you can join an optional field trip to places like a water park, stadium, or movie theatre.
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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