15 Summer Writing Programs for Middle School Students in Massachusetts
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 3
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 11
If you’re a middle school student in Massachusetts with a passion for writing, summer is a great time to sharpen your skills and explore new genres. Whether you're interested in poetry, storytelling, journalism, or nonfiction, summer writing programs can help you grow as a writer in a focused, supportive setting. These programs are typically hosted by universities, writing centers, and arts organizations across Massachusetts. Many offer small group workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and guidance from professional writers and educators. Unlike school-year extracurriculars, summer programs often provide intensive, week-long or multi-week experiences that let you dive deeper into your writing projects.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer writing programs for middle school students in Massachusetts. We focused on programs that are known for their academic rigor, competitive acceptance rates, networking opportunities, full or partial funding options, and strong reputations.
Here are 15 summer writing programs for middle school students in Massachusetts!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: The program typically runs for 8 weeks. Summer Cohort I start date: June 2 | Summer Cohort II start date: July 14.
Application Deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8) with a strong academic background are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is an advanced research experience for middle school students interested in creative writing, architecture, engineering, business, and more! You will collaborate with PhD mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale to develop independent research projects based on your interests. This program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and independent research, preparing you for academic competitions and future research opportunities. With expert mentorship and hands-on project development, JEP offers a personalized learning experience that nurtures young scientists' curiosity and analytical skills.
Cohort size: 30 students.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Babson College, Babson Park, MA.
Stipend: $15 per hour.
Dates: July 5 – August 11.
Application Deadline: Check here for updates.
Eligibility: Middle school students living in Boston and who are 14 years old are eligible to apply.
The Summer Journalism Institute is a six-week hybrid program that immerses Boston students in journalism through writing, multimedia projects, and cultural exploration. You will use journalism skills to engage with the city’s history, public spaces, and social narratives, reflecting on your own experiences and identities. The program combines workshops, site visits, and guest speakers to help you explore the role of journalism in society. You will also interact with professionals across fields like media, law, and the arts. By the end, you will produce a portfolio of published work and gain a deeper understanding of storytelling and its impact.
Location: Lawrence History Center, Lawrence, MA.
Cost: Free!
Dates: June 30 - July 18.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Lawrence students entering grades 5-7 are eligible to apply.
Rising Loaves is a three-week summer program hosted by the Lawrence History Center for middle school students interested in developing their writing and creative expression. Through poetry, narrative writing, and memoir, you will strengthen your skills while engaging in art, music, theater, photography, and local history. The program integrates place-based learning using historical sites in Lawrence and offers field trips to cultural institutions such as the Addison Gallery and Lawrence Heritage State Park. You will collaborate on a published anthology, create spoken word pieces, and interact with historical archives to inform your writing. Mentorship is provided by trained high school and college writers who offer one-on-one guidance.
Acceptance rate: 15%.
Location: Amherst College, Amherst, MA.
Cost: Residential Program: $3,220 | Day Program: $1,845. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: July 13 - 19.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Rising 6-8 grade students are eligible to apply.
The Writer’s Workshop is led by experienced faculty and supported by trained mentors. The program combines writing instruction with creative exercises to help you strengthen your voice, style, and technique across genres such as poetry, short stories, and personal essays. Each day includes seminars focused on key concepts like point of view, world-building, and narrative structure, followed by writing sessions, group activities, and peer collaboration. You will be encouraged to experiment with multiple genres, receive feedback through workshops, and refine your work through editing. The program concludes with a community sharing event that celebrates your writing.
Cohort size: 60 - 70 students.
Location: Grub Street Center for Creative Writing, Boston, MA.
Cost: Member: $715 | Non-Member: $750. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Session One: June 23 - July 3 | Session Two: July 7 - 18 | Session Three: July 21 - August 1 | Session Four: August 4 - 15.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 13-14 years are eligible to apply.
GrubStreet’s Teen Summer Writing Sessions offer you the chance to explore various genres and styles of creative writing in a supportive peer environment. Led by accomplished writers and performers, the program focuses on small, genre-specific cohorts, with opportunities for cross-group interaction and mentorship. Each two-week program includes instructor-led writing check-ins, open writing time with access to individual mentorship, guest author visits, an immersive day focused on college and professional writing, and an open mic event. You will also be invited to submit your work for publication in the YAWP Anthology, with a final, free anthology-focused session offered at the end of the summer.
Cohort size: 225 students.
Location: Camp Danbee, Peru, MA.
Cost: $4,200. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: August 11 - 22.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
WriCampia is a literary arts summer camp where you will engage in creative writing workshops each morning, led by published authors and playwrights. You will work in small, age-based groups to explore literary techniques and complete original writing projects. Many students also contribute to an annual anthology published in the Fall. Afternoons are reserved for a wide range of artistic and recreational electives, while evenings feature themed activities inspired by a selected camp book, including campfires, readings, and group events.
Location: St. Sebastian’s School, Needham, MA.
Cost: $360.
Dates: Session 1: July 7-11 | Session 2: July 14-18 | Session 3: July 21-25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school boys are eligible to apply.
Led by St. Sebastian’s faculty, this writing workshop is designed for motivated students who thrive in small group settings. With limited enrollment, it emphasizes individualized instruction, academic growth, and skill development. You will explore various writing forms, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive, while pursuing your own interests, from poetry to sports journalism. The program focuses on critical thinking, strengthens grammar and writing mechanics, and encourages peer feedback in a supportive environment.
Cohort size: 8 - 12 students.
Location: ASC A+ Academic Enrichment Program, Boston, MA.
Cost: $790 tuition and $60 material fee.
Dates: Session I: July 1 - 18 | Session II: July 28 - August 13.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The A+ Program offers a structured summer writing course for middle school students aimed at strengthening writing skills through consistent practice and guided instruction. You will learn to brainstorm, draft, revise, and refine your work while applying grammar, punctuation, and stylistic principles. The program covers various writing forms, including narrative and persuasive writing, and emphasizes clarity, structure, and creative expression. You will receive feedback from instructors and peers to improve your writing and build confidence.
Location: Middlesex Community College, Bedford, MA.
Cost: $389.
Dates: July 7 - 10.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12-14 years are eligible to apply.
The College for Kids summer program offers both half and full-day sessions that provide middle school students with opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills, consider career paths, build confidence, and connect with peers. One of the creative writing offerings centers on analyzing the songwriting and lyrical techniques of Taylor Swift. Using her music and lyrics as a foundation, you will examine the poetic elements behind some of her most well-known and lesser-known songs. The program encourages you to apply these techniques in your own writing through guided exercises, music and video analysis, and interactive activities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 18 students per class.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,095 tuition and $250 deposit. Limited scholarships are available to Yonkers Public School students.
Dates: July 7 - 11.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school seniors aged 14 years at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
Writers Week at Sarah Lawrence College is a week-long program for middle school seniors focused on creative writing and the performing arts. Each day begins with writing workshops led by Master of Fine Arts students, alumni, and Writing Institute instructors. You will explore various genres such as poetry, fiction, memoir, and speculative writing through prompts, peer sharing, and craft discussions. Afternoons include theatre workshops covering screenwriting, playwriting, musical songwriting, and more, taught by faculty, graduate students, and guest artists. The week concludes with student and faculty readings of the work produced during the program.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,795. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: Multi-length courses (1, 2, or 4 weeks) are available throughout the year, including summer.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 13 years and older are eligible to apply.
This online summer writing program for middle school students offers an exploration of fiction writing, focusing on key elements such as character development, plot structure, and narrative techniques. You will refine your storytelling skills and expand your creative range through interactive writing exercises and peer collaboration. By the end of the program, you will have completed a portfolio of original fiction, revised with feedback from instructors and peers. The course includes a final capstone project and offers mentorship. You will earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $920. Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates: July 14-18 | July 28- August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Rising 7th - 9th grade students are eligible to apply.
The Emerging Writers Institute offers you a creative writing experience through small-group seminars in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. It emphasizes writing as a process through daily workshops, peer feedback, and one-on-one instructor evaluations. You will explore new genres through elective sessions such as screenwriting, sci-fi, and travel writing. Reading exercises are integrated throughout to build analytical skills. Each student selects a focused area of study, called a Writer’s Block, where they read genre-specific works, refine their writing, and prepare pieces for publication and presentation. The program concludes with a literary magazine and an informal reading.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $650.
Dates: July 14 - 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th-grade students are eligible to apply.
This summer program encourages you to use writing as a tool for social and environmental change. Through reading and engaging with texts focused on nature and ecological issues, you will craft personal narratives and develop argumentative pieces that advocate for action. You will explore multiple genres, refine your writing style, and build confidence through both short and extended compositions. The workshop includes group sessions, peer feedback, independent writing time, and individual conferences with instructors. Virtual sessions combine live and self-paced components. You will also contribute to a student anthology and receive a certificate of participation.
Cohort size: 30 students.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $299.
Dates: July 21 - 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 13-14 years are eligible to apply.
This fiction summer writing program introduces you to key craft elements that make stories engaging, such as character development, voice, mood, conflict, dialogue, setting, and point of view. You will complete over ten writing exercises focused on these techniques and work toward producing a polished flash fiction piece. The program includes interactive sessions, peer reviews, and personalized instructor feedback. You will also engage in 1–2 hours of independent writing between sessions, guided by prompts and critique.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12-14 students.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $300.
Dates: June 9 - 20.
Application Deadline: May 16.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12-14 years are eligible to apply.
The Morehouse Summer Online Writing Camp is a two-week program to strengthen your critical thinking and writing skills across genres. You will join small-group, live sessions where you’ll engage in freewriting, respond to prompts, analyze readings, and exchange feedback with peers. You will write and share work daily, supported by experienced instructors who guide revision and help you recognize your strengths and growth areas. In addition to group workshops, each student receives one-on-one feedback through an individual conference with their instructor during the week. All instructors are experienced educators affiliated with Morehouse College’s Writing Center and Writing Program.
Bonus program - Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8. You can apply here
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects 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.
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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