15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students
Summer programs can play a big role in shaping your academic and career interests even as a middle schooler.
What do summer programs for middle school students look like?
Summer programs offer an opportunity to go beyond typical classroom learning and engage with subjects more interactively. Whether it’s science, business, writing, or technology, these programs let you test out different paths early on. You also get to build practical skills you can use in your own projects, from coding apps to launching small ventures.
Why participate in summer programs as a middle schooler?
Many programs include mentorship, group collaboration, and exposure to real-world tools, which can help you better understand how different fields actually work. Just as importantly, you get to meet like-minded peers and mentors who can guide your growth. Over time, participating in such programs can strengthen your profile for high school opportunities and, eventually, college applications.
For mentorship opportunities to build your business, you should have a look at this guide on building a business.
To help get you started, here are 15 summer programs for middle school students.
15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students
1. Johns Hopkins CTY Anatomy and Physiology
Location: Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth – Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Summer A and B: $7,801 Residential; $6,969 Commuter; Join Fee $55; In-Person registration fee $75; Online Registration Fee $15
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 - 20 students per class
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 7 - 8
In this intensive summer course, you explore the structure and function of the human body through a systems-based approach, covering everything from the nervous and cardiovascular systems to the immune and endocrine systems. You work with core concepts in cell biology and tissue structure, and understand how different systems interact. The program includes lab-based learning, discussions, and guided analysis, culminating in a fetal pig dissection to apply anatomical knowledge in a hands-on setting. You also learn foundational techniques used in health sciences, including observation, analysis, and scientific reasoning.
2. Junior Innovator Program
Location: 100% virtual, with one-on-one mentorship and interactive events
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible start dates; vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
The Junior Innovator Program is a virtual entrepreneurship incubator program where you develop an actual project that solves a problem you care about. Over the course of the program, you take your idea from curiosity to creation by applying principles of entrepreneurship, pitching, and business thinking in a structured, hands-on setting. You work through one-on-one mentorship sessions that cover ideation, market thinking, and foundational business concepts, while also participating in fireside chats, remote socials, and group discussions with a global cohort of student founders. Throughout the experience, you receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey, helping you understand how innovation and venture-building work in practice. You refine your communication and leadership skills by presenting your project and incorporating feedback from peers and mentors.
3. Wolfeboro Camp School Summer Program
Location: Wolfeboro Camp School, Wolfeboro, NH
Cost: $10,800 tuition + $1,800 student account
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4 - 5 students per class
Dates: July 1 – 22
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 5th - 7th graders
This program is a structured academic summer experience focused on small-group instruction and individualized learning. Classes are intentionally kept very small, allowing for close interaction with experienced teachers and consistent academic feedback. The curriculum is designed to build core academic skills and improve student confidence through focused coursework and guided practice. In addition to academics, the program includes recreational activities and a residential summer environment with limited screen time.
4. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
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.
5. Duke Pre-College Summer Programs (Middle and High School)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Residential: $6,050 (Middle or High) | Commuter: $3,950 (Middle School Only)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 13 – 24 | June 28 – July 9 | July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school and High school students
These pre-college summer programs offer you the opportunity to study advanced academic subjects in a university setting while living on campus. You take part in intensive courses across a range of disciplines, working with instructors that include PhD students, graduate scholars, and industry professionals. The program emphasizes collaborative learning, with students engaging in discussions, projects, and hands-on activities alongside peers from around the world. You also gain exposure to campus life by studying in academic buildings, dining on campus, and exploring university facilities.
6. Duke TIP Summer Studies
Location: Duke University Talent Identification Program – Duke University and partner university campuses
Cost: $2,500 – $6,500 (scholarships available; no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; qualification required through above-grade-level testing (~8,000 students annually across programs)
Dates: 1–3 weeks (typically summer sessions; exact dates vary by program)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from grades 4 - 11
In this program, you focus on a single subject in depth over a 2–3 week residential experience, allowing for sustained engagement with complex material rather than broad exposure. Courses emphasize discussion, inquiry, and exploration rather than traditional grading, encouraging intellectual risk-taking. You study alongside similarly motivated students, which often creates a strong academic peer environment not commonly found in regular classrooms. The residential setting also introduces you to college-style learning and independence while helping you build connections with students from diverse backgrounds.
7. Ulysses S. Grant Foundation Summer Program
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 30
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students from public and parochial schools in New Haven, Connecticut
This is a structured academic summer program focused on supporting middle school students through humanities courses, academic investigations, and enrichment activities. You participate in daily classes and group work designed to strengthen core academic skills and prepare for future educational pathways. The program is taught by undergraduate instructors and emphasizes consistent attendance, collaboration, and skill-building. In addition to academics, it fosters a community environment where students engage in shared learning experiences and extracurricular activities.
8. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer session: July (Monday–Friday, 10 AM – 2 PM); Academic year session: October – May
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school and High school students
This program is a structured academic enrichment initiative designed to prepare you for college-level work in science and medicine. You take courses in subjects such as chemistry, physics, anatomy, psychology, and higher-level math, building a strong academic foundation for STEM pathways. The summer session focuses on intensive weekday classes, while the academic-year component provides ongoing learning and SAT preparation. In addition to coursework, you participate in college readiness workshops, academic advising, and career exploration activities related to healthcare and science fields.
9. Physics Inside Out (Purdue University)
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited; selective based on application and teacher recommendation
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current grade 7 - 8 students
This program is a hands-on physics enrichment experience designed for middle school students, focusing on core concepts through lab-based learning and interactive activities. You work with faculty and research staff to explore topics such as magnetism, optics, astrophysics, and nanoscale materials using experiments and demonstrations. The curriculum emphasizes applying physics principles to real-world contexts, including activities such as analyzing laser wavelengths and studying motion and forces. You also gain exposure to research tools and techniques while learning about scientific pathways from instructors.
10. Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) – NYU Tandon
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering – Andries Hudde Magnet School of STEAM, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free (full scholarship; no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC middle school students
This program introduces students to foundational concepts in engineering, computer science, and urban sustainability through project-based learning. You work in teams to design and build solutions to real-world city challenges using tools such as electronics, sensors, and microcontrollers. The curriculum covers areas like circuitry, coding, and environmental science, with an emphasis on practical application. Students integrate hardware and software to create functional prototypes that address issues such as energy use, infrastructure, and safety.
11. NYU College & Career Lab (CCL)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in the 7th or 8th grade at a New York City public school
This is a long-term college and career exploration program that begins in middle school and continues through high school for selected participants. You attend summer sessions with college-style lectures and workshops across subjects such as business, law, neuroscience, and public service. The program includes mentorship, advising, and exposure to different career paths through interactions with professionals and faculty. In later stages, returning high school students can access more advanced opportunities, including deeper coursework and potential internships.
12. Sounds of New York City (SONYC) – NYU
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (full scholarship; no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 8 – August 4
Application Deadline: April 29 (final deadline)
Eligibility: NYC students aged 12–14 only
This program focuses on the science of sound and noise pollution, using New York City as a real-world research environment. You study concepts such as sound waves, acoustics, and environmental impact while collecting and analyzing audio data from local communities. The curriculum includes hands-on work with electronics, sensors, and microcontrollers to build devices that measure and respond to sound. You also explore how noise pollution affects public health and urban living, connecting STEM concepts to real-world challenges.
13. Forensics Investigators Program – Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $599 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-7
This program introduces students to forensic science through hands-on activities centered around crime scene investigation. You learn techniques such as evidence collection, fingerprint analysis, and basic DNA examination while applying scientific reasoning to solve cases. The curriculum integrates biological and chemical concepts with practical investigative methods, helping you understand how forensic science is applied in real-world scenarios. Activities focus on identifying, classifying, and analyzing different types of evidence in a structured lab environment.
14. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free (no stipend)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students per cohort
Dates: Summer Program: July 6 – 24 | Fall Program: August 26 – December 9
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6 or 7
This is an online academic enrichment program designed to prepare middle school students for rigorous high school pathways. You participate in a three-week summer course followed by ongoing weekly sessions during the fall, focusing on subjects such as academic writing, math enrichment, and high school planning. The program emphasizes live, interactive classes where you engage directly with instructors and a small cohort of peers. In addition to coursework, you receive guidance on applying to selective high schools and academic programs.
15. Harker School - Summer Institute - Techniques in Biotechnology
Location: The Harker School, San Jose, CA
Cost: $790 – $870
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 2 | July 6 – 17 | July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 - 8
This course introduces you to core concepts in molecular biology and biotechnology through hands-on lab-based learning. You study DNA structure and function, along with key techniques such as PCR for DNA amplification and CRISPR-Cas9 for gene editing. The curriculum connects these concepts to real-world applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. During the program, you engage in interactive experiments and explore how biotechnology is used in areas like diagnostics and genetic engineering.