10 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in the Bay Area
- Stephen Turban
- May 12
- 8 min read
If you're a middle school student in the Bay Area, summer is a good time to take a deeper dive into your interests and find out where your passion lies. The Bay Area is home to some prestigious institutions that give you a chance to explore new ideas, challenge yourself, and build real skills.
Most worthwhile summer programs are selective in their admission process, bringing together students who are curious and serious about learning, making it a ripe opportunity for you to network with peers. These programs not only set a rigorous curriculum but also encourage you to make the most of the practical experience made available to you, with ample funding options to help you enrol in a program of your choice. You can expect to build on your theoretical knowledge while solving problems, building a mini creative or business project, or even learning how to code.
In addition, you’ll connect with mentors and maybe even get a head start on what you want to do later in life. If this sounds interesting, here are our picks of the top summer programs for middle school students in the Bay Area.
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 a rigorous, fully virtual research program for middle school students who want to explore academic subjects in depth and build a project based on their passion. It is highly selective and offers 1-on-1 mentorship from PhD scholars from top universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Founded by a Harvard and Oxford PhD duo, the program runs across 8 weeks and gives you the chance to choose your own subject—anything from artificial intelligence to history—and complete an advanced research project under expert guidance.
Along the way, you’ll develop high-level research skills, gain confidence in critical thinking, and learn to approach complex topics with both creativity and independence. The program provides need-based financial aid for students who qualify. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
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: 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 virtual summer program that helps middle school students gain foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning through 25 hours of interactive learning. With a strong focus on hands-on experience, students explore topics such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The curriculum is taught via engaging lectures and group sessions, supported by a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio that ensures personalized guidance from mentors affiliated with leading global universities. You apply your knowledge by working on collaborative projects that connect AI to real-world fields like gaming, healthcare, and sports.
Past student projects have included building music genre classifiers and recommendation systems for educational content. The program concludes with a project showcase, helping you strengthen your communication skills and build confidence in presenting technical work.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 to 24 students per class
Dates: 4-6 weeks between June 16 – July 25 (meeting 2-3 times per week)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-11 (6th graders who have previously attended the program are eligible for consideration if they submit a very strong application)
Cost: Application fee is $50 for domestic students and $90 for international students. And the program cost is $750 – $1,250, depending on the course (need-based financial aid is available)
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP) - Secondary Division is a competitive summer program for advanced middle and high school students who are ready to take on college-level coursework. Hosted on the UC Berkeley campus, ATDP has more than 20 different courses on topics like natural sciences, computer science, literature, and social sciences.
Over several weeks, you’ll engage in rigorous study alongside like-minded peers and learn from instructors who are experts in their fields. Class sizes are capped at 20-24 students per class, emphasizing the quality of instruction. You will engage in website design, mock trials, or neuroscientific projects and presentations. Admission is based on strong academic records and teacher recommendations, with the option to enroll in 2 courses if you demonstrate a strong academic background and your interest in doing so in your accompanying letter of interest.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions between June 23 – July 25 (weekdays only)
Application deadline: Session I: June 16
Sessions 2, 3 and 4: June 29
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-12
Cost: $1,465 per session (need-based financial aid available; financial aid applications are now closed, with pending decisions being sent on a rolling basis)
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The Summer Teen Research Programs at the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, offer middle school students an opportunity to engage in STEM research in a university lab. These programs are designed to provide you with practical scientific challenges alongside UC Berkeley students and educators. Over several weeks, you’ll work as part of a team to investigate scientific topics related to computer programming, biomedical innovations, electrical engineering, and more.
In addition to gaining practical research experience, you will learn how to collect and analyze data, and design and even build your own projects. The program helps you build confidence not only in science but also in collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. It’s a non-residential program, with the option of a residential add-on for those interested in taking a closer look at campus life.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 48 students admitted during the summer
Dates: Week-long sessions that typically run from late June to mid July
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Students residing in the Bay Area and entering grades 6-8 (or homeschool equivalent) in the fall
Cost: $850 (full and partial scholarships are available)
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The Girls in Engineering (GiE) summer program at UC Berkeley is a highly selective summer program that introduces middle school students to the world of STEM. The 1-week program exposes you to engineering challenges through hands-on projects and problem-solving activities led by UC Berkeley staff, faculty, and students. You’ll get to experiment with everything from coding and robotics to environmental and biomedical engineering, all while working in teams and building your confidence as an upcoming innovator.
With campers from over 60 different schools in the Bay Area, the program offers an inclusive space for students to access learning spaces in engineering while connecting with people with shared interests. Full or partial scholarships are available for families that qualify, with more information available here.
Dates: Week-long sessions from July 13 – August 8
Application deadline: Applicants are admitted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 4-12 graders
Cost: Day camp: Starts from $1,735 | Extended day camp: Starts from $2,065 | Overnight camp: Starts from $2,480(Need-based financial assistance is available)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
The Education Unlimited programs give middle school students the chance to experience advanced academics in a stimulating and competitive environment at Stanford University. These on-campus summer camps are sought-after and cover a wide range of subjects, including public speaking, creative writing, computer programming, robotics, and astrophysics. Each program helps you strengthen your theoretical knowledge base while giving you a glimpse into life at one of the world’s leading universities.
You’ll learn from expert instructors, take on interactive projects, and apply what you study in meaningful, practical ways, whether that means publishing your literary piece, putting self-built robots to the test, or dissecting organs. The programs are fast-paced but encouraging, with workshops, guest speaker sessions, recreational activities, and off-campus excursions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 9 – 20
Application deadline: Applicants are typically admitted on a rolling basis until early March
Eligibility: Middle school students
Cost: Application fee: $80 | California residents: $3,640 | Others: $4,160
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (commute-only program)
The B-Bay Middle School Entrepreneurship Program at UC Berkeley is a 2-week, immersive summer experience for middle school students who want to learn entrepreneurial, marketing, and business skills. Hosted by the Berkeley Business Academy for Youth at the Haas School of Business, program sessions are led by faculty, PhD candidates and undergraduate students, along with occasional corporate guest speakers. You’ll learn how to conduct market research, prepare financial reports, complete a SWOT analysis, and more.
The program is highly interactive, with a focus on collaboration and creative problem-solving. By the end, you will build the vocabulary and confidence to present your learnings in a top-tier university setting. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is limited, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as you can.
Dates: 5 weeks between June 16 – July 25 (for Bay Area locations)
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April, with the remaining admitted until sites are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-8 with limited access to summer enrichment programs
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple Bay Area locations; more details here
The Aim High Summer Program is a free summer program for students in grades 5-8 across Northern California, including the Bay Area. Designed for students who have limited access to learning opportunities during the summer, Aim High focuses on building academic confidence through enrichment activities, such as storytelling, designing, experimenting, and performing.
Subjects offered include sports, math, engineering, social sciences, as well as dance, theatre, and arts, with opportunities for learning through field trips and building your own projects. Aim High focuses on individual strengths and recognizes each child for their unique potential that is realized through a mix of experiments and critical thinking. You can attend the program for up to 4 summers throughout middle school, allowing for sustained growth and development.
Dates: Week-long camps between June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 7-17
Cost: From $1,355 for students aged 10 and above (payment plans available)
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
iD Tech Camps at Santa Clara University provide middle school students with an engaging opportunity to delve into technology and innovation on a collegiate campus. There are more than 15 week-long camp courses to choose from. You can learn 3D printing, animation, game design, Python, and more, allowing you to explore your interests while building practical skills.
The camp maintains a team of high-quality instructors who bring strong credentials from education institutions like Stanford and NYU along with first-hand experience on the field. Students collaborate with peers who share their enthusiasm for technology, fostering both technical and interpersonal skills. While tuition varies by course and duration, payment plans are available to make the programs more accessible.
Dates: 10-day sessions between June 16 – August 1
Application deadline: Registrations are currently open with an unspecified deadline
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-9
Cost: Half-day: $792 | Full-day: $1,584(Early bird discounts, sibling discounts, and scholarships are available)
Location: College of San Mateo, San Mateo, CA
The Bay Area Pathways Academy (BAPA) at the College of San Mateo offers a dynamic summer program for students entering grades 6 through 9. It has a blend of academic, enrichment, and fitness classes tailored to middle schoolers seeking both challenge and well-rounded development opportunities.
Students can customize their schedules by selecting from a variety of subjects, including math, science, graphic designing, coding, public speaking, dance, and more, along with career exploration classes. Each day is structured into 8 periods, allowing participants to opt for a half-day (morning or afternoon) or a full-day experience. Classes are led by experienced instructors who use a project-based learning approach, with the lessons tailored for your grade level.
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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