13 Mentorship Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student looking to get an early start on your future education or career, consider participating in a mentorship program for middle school students. Many mentorship programs tend to run during the summer and extend into the academic year (or vice versa), providing you with academic or career support.
They’re also often run by prestigious colleges or institutions, making them a great addition to your resume and an easy way to start making connections early. By participating in a mentorship program, you will also gain early industry exposure to your preferred field and the chance to start developing practical skills.
In this blog, we’ve listed 13 mentorship programs for middle school students that you can check out!
1. Lumiere: Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students the chance to work 1:1 with a mentor on a research project of their choice. The Lumiere mentors are all PhD scholars from prestigious universities, including MIT, Yale, Harvard, and others. As a participant, you will spend eight weeks first deciding the topic of your project, diving into research, and then building your project, all with the support of your mentor. Your research topics can be drawn from fields such as computer science, psychology, mathematics, engineering, economics, and more. You can find more information here and apply here!
2. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – 25 (summer); August 27 – December 10 (fall semester)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: 6th-7th graders in the U.S.; Must be able to attend both the summer and semester programs; Household income should be under $90,000
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is for middle school students from low-income families who are preparing for a rigorous high school education. The program includes a three-week online course in the summer, followed by weekly online after-school meetings every week in the fall semester. During the program, you will meet with your cohort and instructor and explore academic writing, improve your math skills, look at high school options, and so on. Some of the courses you will get to attend in the summer include Democracy & Dissent, Real-Life Applications to Mathematics, and History through Graphic Novels. Your instructor will act as a mentor and introduce you to the skills you need to excel in academia.
3. Veritas AI's Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Dates: Varies by cohort (multiple in a year)
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduates, offers programs for middle school students looking to learn more about artificial intelligence and data science. The AI Trailblazers program is for students just starting with AI and will introduce you to the fundamentals of Python, machine learning, and AI. On the other hand, the AI Junior Fellowship program will give you the chance to work independently on a novel AI project for over 12 weeks. During this time, you will also get one-on-one guidance from an experienced mentor. They will help you evaluate the feasibility of your project, offer support when you encounter challenges, and help develop your ideas.
4. TEAK Fellowship: Middle School Programs
Location: Varies by student’s location
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Opens after September 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current 6th graders in NYC; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 90% or above in all classes; Should meet financial requirements
TEAK Fellowship offers competitive programs for middle school students in NYC who demonstrate strong academic achievement, financial need, and leadership potential. Throughout the program, you'll develop skills and strategies to prepare for competitive high school admissions and future academic pursuits. During the school year, you'll enhance your research and writing abilities, among other skills, while working on student-led projects. In addition to being an after-school program, you will participate in a five-week summer program after grades 6-8. There, you'll take challenging classes in subjects like math, English, Latin, history, and science. You’ll also begin preparing for high school admissions, go on field trips, and attend guest lectures. When you’re in the 7th-8th grade, you will be matched with an adult professional who will act as your mentor and guide you throughout the fellowship program.
5. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus, New York, NY
Cost: $350; Fee waivers available if eligible
Dates: Cohorts in the summer & fall/spring; July 1 – 31 (summer dates)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; April 25 (summer deadline)
Eligibility: 8th graders with a B average in math, science, and English; 7th graders can apply to the academic year cycle
NYU’s STEP is a pre-college program for middle school and high school students looking to get into selective colleges. During the program, you will attend workshops, courses, and supervised training in the various aspects of STEM. You will join seminars that explore different careers in STEM, attend panel discussions with industry professionals, and even benefit from college test prep. As a participant, you'll be mentored by academic tutors guiding you toward a STEM career. You'll also engage in project-based learning and supervised research activities.
6. National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) PDX: Architecture Summer Camp
Location: National Organization of Minority Architects, Portland, OR
Cost: Free
Dates: June 26 – 28
Application Deadline: Rolling until space is full
Eligibility: Middle school students between the ages of 11-14
This Architecture Summer Camp is a three-day program aimed at middle school students from backgrounds often underrepresented in architecture and design. Participants will experience every stage of the design process and learn hands-on skills such as model making, sketching, and diagramming. The camp also includes site visits for practical exposure. As a participant, you will be mentored by local architects and designers, which will help you better understand how to develop projects that tackle community issues.
7. Morehouse College Summer Academy: Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) Stem Achievers
Location: Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 10 – 28
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 6th graders in the Atlanta metropolitan area; More details here
The Verizon Innovative Learning (VIL) Stem Achievers program offers hands-on mentorship and training in STEM to elementary and middle school students. As a participant, you'll get practical experience with a range of tools used in current technology research, industry, and innovation. You will learn about various technologies, including AR/VR, block coding, 3D modeling, and rendering. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Metaverse and learn about the technology used by unmanned ground and aerial vehicles.
8. Stanford Math Circle
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Stanford Historical Main Campus or the Stanford Redwood City campus
Cost: $500 per quarter or $1,485 for all 3 quarters
Dates: Fall, winter, and spring quarters; September 30 – December 11 (fall quarter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Registration opens 1-2 months before each quarter
Eligibility: Students in grades 1-12
The Stanford Math Circle program is for students interested in exploring complex mathematical topics. During the program, you will be guided and mentored by mathematicians, educators, and Stanford scholars. As a middle school student, you can either participate in the grades 5-6 level or the grades 7-8 level. In grades 5-6, you'll learn problem-solving techniques and concepts like divisibility, counting, invariants, and symmetry. Homework is a big part of the curriculum. Whereas, as part of the grades 7-8 level, you move on to more advanced topics that would typically be introduced to you in high school.
9. UMBC: Summer Enrichment Academy
Location: Virtual + in-person on the UMBC campus
Cost: $299 – $599; Early bird discount of $50 available until March 31
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions from June to August
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Rising 6th-8th graders
UMBC’s Summer Enrichment Academy is designed for middle to high school students seeking a hands-on learning experience during the summer. As a participant, you will get to explore your interests in various fields, whether it’s science, technology, arts, leadership, etc., develop new skills, and form connections with peers and instructors. During In the program, you'll join engaging workshops, work on hands-on projects, and participate in discussions led by industry experts. You'll also receive mentorship from these professionals. Course options include Creative Coding for Data Visualizations, Build Your Own AI-Powered Virtual Assistant | AI Hackathon, Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy, and many others.
10. Vanderbilt University: Rising Experts: Mini Mentor Immersion (Grades 7-9)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $550; Financial aid available
Dates: January 25 – February 25 (spring); October 18 – November (fall)
Application Deadline: October 8 – 10 (spring); August 26 – 28 (fall)
Eligibility: Students in 7th-9th grade
Vanderbilt University's Rising Experts: Mini Mentor Immersion program matches around 10 students with a mentor who is a specialist in their field. Mentor groups tend to be small to ensure a more personalized experience for students. Throughout the program, you'll spend a month exploring your selected field and learning about related career options. Mentors, typically college students, will share insights into what it takes to succeed in their area and how you can get involved. Near the end, you'll collaborate with your mentor on a small project aimed at giving you a real sense of what working in that field is like. Your mentor will guide you in developing a well-crafted project or product, similar to how a professional or college student would approach it.
11. Boston Public Schools: Academic Mentorship Program
Location: Boston (in-person or remote)
Cost: Free
Dates: During the academic year
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12
The Academic Mentorship Program pairs students with mentors who offer support and guidance throughout the school year. As a participant, you can specify the type of mentor that would be most helpful for you. You will then meet with your mentor for at least an hour each week, either remotely or in person. During these one-on-one meetings, your mentor will provide career advice, academic resources, emotional support, and assistance with homework.
12. Apex for Youth: Mentoring Program
Location: Lower East Side, Manhattan, or Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Cost: Free
Dates: 2 Saturdays a month from June – September
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 6-12
In the Apex Mentoring Program, you will be assigned a dedicated mentor within a small group setting to ensure personalized support and guidance. This will also give you the chance to develop meaningful connections with your peers. During the program, you will gain real-world experience through hands-on workshops, field trips, and other activities. You’ll also get the chance to explore various career paths in fields you’re interested in. You’ll participate in various team sports, enhance your teamwork skills, and improve your physical well-being. You’ll also benefit from mental health services like talk therapy, art therapy, and more.
13. Space Center Houston: Girls STEM Academy
Location: Space Center Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Not mentioned
Dates: February – May (tentative)
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Elementary, middle school, and high school girls
The Girls STEM Academy is a part of Space Center Houston's six-phase initiative, Girls STEM Pathway. The program aims to support middle school girls in developing their STEM skills through mentorship and hands-on and inquiry-based learning experiences. During the program, you will engage in problem-solving, experiment with engineering challenges, and enhance your construction skills. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore robotics, engineering, and technology through hands-on tasks.