10 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in New Jersey (NJ)

If you are a New Jersey middle school student looking to make the most of your break, a summer program can be a great stepping stone. The right program can spark long-term interests and even guide future career paths. Beyond exploring advanced academics, these programs help develop transferable real-world skills, build confidence, and form meaningful connections with peers with shared interests, while being affordable.

Our picks of summer programs for middle school students in New Jersey are hosted by respected institutions, offering networking opportunities and a rigorous learning experience. In addition to adopting a thoughtful screening process, the programs are accessible with ample funding options and provide solid mentorship.

Here are the 10 summer programs for middle school students in New Jersey that can inspire lasting academic and personal growth.

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1:1 student-to-PhD-mentor ratio

Dates: 8-week program: Summer I: Starts June 1 | Summer II: Starts July 14

Application deadline: Summer I: May 11 | Summer II: June 23

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Cost: $2,400 (need-based financial aid is available)

Location: Virtual

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an intensive and highly selective research program providing middle school students the chance to undertake advanced research. The program provides 1-on-1 guidance from PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. You are encouraged to pick your subject of interest, which can range anywhere from artificial intelligence to history. Over 8 weeks, this virtual program lets you dive deep into your chosen subject, build high-standard research skills, and complete your own project by the end. Beyond gaining specialized knowledge, you also build the confidence to think critically, innovate, and approach both theoretical and practical academic endeavors with independence. 

2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio

Dates: Cohort I: 25 hours over 10 weekends | Cohort II: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)

Application deadline: June 23

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid is available)

Location: Virtual

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a summer program that introduces middle school students to the core concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will engage in interactive lectures and group sessions, exploring topics like data analysis, regression, neural networks, AI ethics, and more. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, culminating in a collaborative project built by you, exploring the intersection of AI in a field such as gaming, sports, and healthcare. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, participants can expect dedicated guidance from mentors affiliated with top universities. The program concludes with students presenting their projects, cultivating communication skills and confidence. 

3. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Early College Preparatory Programs 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective

Dates: July 7-August 7

Application deadline: May 9

Eligibility: Students in grades 4-10 with a minimum of B grade average or a teacher recommendation letter 

Cost: Application fee: $70

Full Tuition Cost: $1,525 (scholarships available)

Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

The New Jersey Institute of Technology’s (NJIT) Early College Preparatory Programs (ECPP) offer dynamic, in-person summer programs for middle school students in New Jersey. You are offered a range of STEM disciplines like computer engineering, aeronautical engineering, robotics, and sustainability to choose from. Over 4 weeks, you collaborate with like-minded peers, learn while experimenting, and develop advanced technical skills. Participants also benefit from field trips and the chance to present their own projects, helping them build confidence in public speaking and deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. Guided by NJIT faculty and college mentors, the curriculum balances academic rigor with recreational activities, offering a well-rounded introduction to college-level STEM education.

4. ​The Academy at Rutgers for Girls in Engineering and Technology

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective

Dates: 1-week program between June 23-July 11

Application deadline: April 20

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-11

Cost: $400-$500 (scholarships available)

Location: Busch Campus, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

​The Academy at Rutgers for Girls in Engineering and Technology (TARGET) is a week-long summer program designed to introduce middle and high school students to various engineering disciplines. Hosted on Rutgers' Busch Campus, the program offers workshops, lab experiments, and team-based projects led by engineering faculty and student mentors. Participants engage in activities that utilize the engineering design process, promoting problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. By providing exposure to real-world engineering challenges, TARGET aims to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify, ensuring accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds.

5. iD Tech Camps at Princeton

Dates: Week-long camp between June 30-August 15

Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis

Eligibility: Students aged 7 and above

Cost: Starting from $1,229 (payment plans available)

Location: Mackay Campus Center, Princeton, NJ

​iD Tech Camps offer immersive summer programs for middle school students in New Jersey on a first-come-first-serve basis, with a strong focus on STEM disciplines such as robotics, game development, and AI. The week-long sessions combine hands-on learning with activities like campus tours (including the Ivy League Princeton University), outdoor games, and themed events, providing a balance of education and exposure. Students work on projects that enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills, guided by instructors from top universities like Stanford and NYU. Along the way, you build portfolios, test your ideas in collaborative settings, and present your work, encouraging both technical skills and communication confidence.

6. Model United Nations (MUN) Camp at Rutgers

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No more than 26 students per class with a 1:10 staff-to-student ratio

Dates: July 28-August 1

Application deadline: Open until seats are full

Eligibility: Students aged 11-13

Cost: Without tutoring: $1,549 | With tutoring: $1,698 (Financial aid available)

Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

The Model United Nations Institute at Rutgers University is a 5-day summer camp where you explore leadership, public speaking, and diplomacy through immersive, role-based simulations. Acting as UN delegates, participants tackle real-world issues while developing negotiation and communication skills under the guidance of experienced MUN professionals from leading universities. This summer program for middle school students in New Jersey blends academic rigor with engaging activities like improvised games, trivia, debates, and campus tours. Social events aid in building connection and collaboration, creating a supportive environment for students to become confident, informed global thinkers.

7. Rowan University’s Attracting Women into Engineering

Acceptance rate/cohort size: No more than 25 students

Dates: July 14-17

Application deadline: June; while current registration has reached capacity, students can still apply and join the waitlist

Eligibility: Girls currently in middle school

Cost: $200 (scholarship available)

Location: Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Glassboro, NJ

​Rowan University’s Attracting Women into Engineering (AWE) is a 4-day, non-residential summer program for girl middle school students in New Jersey that aims to spark interest in engineering through applied and experiential learning. Participants engage in interactive projects across various engineering disciplines, such as constructing concrete canoes in civil engineering, participating in a water filtration project in environmental engineering, and designing soft robotics in mechanical engineering. The program includes lab tours and demonstrations, providing insights into real-world engineering applications. Guided by faculty, staff, and current engineering students, AWE has a supportive, mentorship-driven environment. With its cohort capped at 25 students, the program also ensures personalized attention and encourages peer collaboration.

8. Camp Premiere’s Theatremakers by Kean University

Dates: July 7-18

Application deadline: June 27

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8

Cost: $350 (limited scholarship options available)

Location: Nathan Weiss East Campus, Kean University, Hillside, NJ

Camp Premiere’s Theatremakers at Kean University is a 2-week summer theater program available for all students entering grades 6-8. Campers create original stage pieces through improvisation, storytelling, and theatrical games, resulting in a final show for friends and family. Guided by theatre professionals from Premiere Stages—the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean—students receive mentorship that builds their creative expression and confidence. The program emphasizes collaboration and self-expression, providing a supportive environment for young performers to explore theatre arts. With a tuition of $350 and available scholarships, Camp Premiere is among some of the most accessible summer programs for middle schoolers in New Jersey interested in the performing arts. ​

9. NJ GEAR UP 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective

Dates: 6 summer weeks (dates vary as per offering institution)

Application deadline: Varies as per offering institution

Eligibility: Students in grade 7 or above in a target school

Cost: Free

Location: One of the listed partner NJ institutions

The NJ Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a comprehensive, government-funded initiative aimed at low-income students in grade 7 or above, to prepare them for college success. You will engage in a 6-week summer program on a college campus, featuring rigorous academic instruction, mentoring, campus activities, and more, as well as a 20-week academic-year program that includes after-school instruction, field trips, and other support services. You’ll also benefit from academic and personal counseling, test preparation for exams like the NJSLA, PSAT, and SAT, and assistance with college applications and financial aid forms. The summer program for middle school students in New Jersey includes exposure to a range of resources, career choices and cultural enrichment activities, providing you with the tools and confidence needed to pursue higher education.

10. Kean University’s CREATE at the Galleries

Dates: Summer I: July 14-17 

Summer II: July 21-24

Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12

Cost: $375 for one week

Location: Kean University, Union, NJ

CREATE at the Galleries by Kean University is a dynamic summer art program running across 2 summer sessions. Participants engage in diverse artistic disciplines, including drawing, digital art, and sculpture art, through hands-on workshops that encourage self-expression and creativity. The summer program for middle school students in New Jersey includes outdoor excursions, mentorship from visiting artists and Kean faculty, and insights into artistic careers. Moreover, collaborative projects and art history critiques enhance your critical thinking and communication skills, culminating in a gallery exhibition that allows you to present your work to the community. With a tuition of $375 per week and all art supplies provided, CREATE offers an accessible opportunity for young artists to develop their portfolios and prepare for future academic pursuits in the arts.

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.

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