13 Online Programs for Middle School Students
Participating in academic programs as a middle school student gives you the chance to dive deeper into topics you care about. From science and technology to creative arts and leadership, these programs help you develop problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and confidence in applying what you learn. Many of these programs are run by reputable universities and organizations, providing you with guidance from experienced instructors, access to modern learning tools, and opportunities to build meaningful connections that can shape your academic interests and future aspirations.
Online programs make these experiences even more flexible and accessible. You can join interactive classes, complete real projects, and connect with mentors and peers from across the globe, all without leaving home. The online format allows you to balance academics with creativity while benefiting from the resources of established institutions.
To make it easier to find engaging and enriching opportunities, we’ve narrowed down our list of 13 online programs for middle school students.
1. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Virtual + in-person options
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1-2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 3-12
Girls Who Code Clubs are free online or in-person programs that teach computer science through hands-on, project-based learning. As a participant, you will learn coding at your own pace using self-guided tutorials or instructor-led sessions that cover topics such as web development, game design, and artificial intelligence. Younger members often start with block-based coding to understand computational logic, while older students work with text-based programming languages. Each project connects coding skills to real-world issues, helping you see how technology can be used to solve meaningful problems.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (rolling)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour virtual program that introduces you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through hands-on coding and project work. You’ll start by learning Python and gradually explore how AI systems analyze data, classify images, and make predictions. Topics like regression, neural networks, and ethical AI are covered in small, mentor-led groups, typically with five students per instructor. As you progress, you’ll complete projects that apply what you’ve learned, such as building a program that categorizes music genres or designing personalized study tools. Alongside technical learning, you’ll discuss how AI impacts daily life and the importance of using technology responsibly. You can apply to the program here.
3. Women’s Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute (WASH SRI)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly sessions from June 22 – July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-11
WASH SRI is a six-week virtual program designed to introduce students to advanced topics in science, technology, and research. During the program, you will meet once a week in interactive workshops led by mentors who will guide you through subjects such as number theory, computational neuroscience, and deep learning. Each session blends theoretical learning with hands-on practice, allowing you to explore how concepts like modular arithmetic, neural networks, and data modeling work in real-world contexts. Throughout the summer, you will also develop individual research projects, completing checkpoints and receiving feedback from mentors. The program concludes with a virtual science showcase where you will present your work and potentially explore further publication or continuation opportunities.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (rolling); you can apply using this application link
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week online research experience where you work one-on-one with a mentor from a leading university such as Harvard, MIT, or Stanford. During the first part of the program, you explore different academic areas within your chosen track—whether in science, technology, or the humanities—before narrowing your focus to a specific topic. You’ll then conduct guided research, developing skills in analysis, critical thinking, and writing as you work toward completing a final project such as a paper, case study, or presentation. Meetings with your PhD-level mentor happen virtually each week, allowing for consistent feedback and discussion. By the end, you’ll have created a finished research project.
5. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: U.S. students from low-income backgrounds in grades 6-7
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a prestigious, tuition-free online initiative that helps you build the academic and organizational skills needed for selective high schools. It begins with a three-week virtual summer course in July, where you’ll study alongside a small group of about a dozen peers from across the country. After that, the program continues into the fall semester with weekly meetings focused on academic writing, math enrichment, growth mindset, and exploring high school opportunities. Instructors guide interactive sessions that encourage discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking. Families also take part through conferences and progress updates.
6. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Johns Hopkins CTY offers flexible online courses designed for students ready to explore advanced subjects at their own pace. You can choose from areas like astronomy, engineering, creative writing, computer science, or mathematics, and select between self-paced, structured, or live course formats. Each option includes assignments, projects, and instructor feedback to help you understand complex topics and develop strong study habits. Many courses integrate real-world applications, encouraging you to connect what you’re learning to scientific or creative challenges. The online environment also allows you to engage with a global community of peers who share similar interests.
7. Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego
Location: Virtual + in-person options
Cost: $275 – $320; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Starts in January
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego features week-long workshops that allow middle school students to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through hands-on learning. Workshops center on different themes, such as marine biology, robotics, coding, virtual reality, or creative writing, encouraging you to think like scientists and innovators. You’ll engage in projects that may include coding interactive games, building virtual simulations, or studying environmental systems, all under the guidance of experienced instructors. Many sessions also highlight the achievements of women in STEAM fields.
8. Berkeley Coding Academy’s Summer Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: Ranges from $2,089 – $4,897; Limited scholarships are available
Cohort Size: 6 students per cohort
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
Berkeley Coding Academy’s Summer Academy is a three-week online program focused on developing practical skills in Python programming, data science, and artificial intelligence. You will learn how to work with data using coding libraries such as pandas and matplotlib, then progress to building and training machine learning models. Each day includes interactive lectures followed by collaborative cohort work, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to personal or group projects. Cohorts are kept small, allowing for individualized attention and one-on-one mentorship. The program concludes with the completion of a data-driven portfolio project, which may include visualizations or AI applications. In addition to coding, you will gain experience in data analysis and problem-solving that can serve as a foundation for further study in computer science.
9. Northwestern CTD’s Online Enrichment
Location: Virtual
Cost: $575; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 3-8; See eligibility section for more requirements
Northwestern University’s CTD offers Online Enrichment courses for middle school students interested in pursuing advanced subjects at their own pace. These flexible, interdisciplinary courses are designed to encourage curiosity and critical thinking through weekly lessons, assignments, and discussions. You can explore diverse topics such as aerospace mechanics, machine learning, or creative writing, depending on your interests. Each course includes two live online sessions to promote peer interaction and engagement, with instructors providing ongoing feedback and pacing guidance. You will be expected to dedicate a few hours each week to coursework, and upon completion, you will receive personalized evaluations highlighting your academic growth.
10. Dartmouth University – Regenerative Medicine: Healing with Science
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
The Regenerative Medicine course at Dartmouth University introduces students to the science of repairing and regenerating human tissues and organs. Through virtual sessions, students study the fundamentals of stem cells, tissue engineering, and organ regeneration, exploring how these innovations address challenges like organ shortages and disease treatment. The curriculum integrates topics such as 3D bioprinting, biomaterials, and the role of biotechnology in advancing modern medicine. Lessons combine case studies and interactive activities that show how regenerative medicine connects to fields like precision medicine and space biology. The program concludes with a capstone project that allows students to apply their learning to a real-world concept.
11. MIT Raise Workshops
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced program; Takes over 10 hours
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Upper elementary and middle school students
MIT’s RAISE Workshops introduce you to artificial intelligence and its societal implications through interactive, project-based learning. You will explore the “Five Big Ideas of AI”—perception, representation and reasoning, learning, natural interaction, and societal impact—using tools like Scratch, App Inventor, and Jupyter Notebooks. Activities are tailored to different experience levels, helping you understand how AI systems are built and how they make decisions. Ethical discussions around algorithmic bias, transparency, and fairness encourage students to think critically about the impact of technology on society. Team-based projects allow you to design AI-powered applications that address real-world issues, combining creativity with technical exploration.
12. APP1300: Middle School Engineering
Location: Virtual
Cost: $279.50/month; Check out the fee page for more details
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 18 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 8th-grade students who have completed MAT0700; 7th graders should be comfortable solving one and two-step equations
APP1300: Middle School Engineering is a semester-long virtual course introducing students to the Creationeering™ process, which blends engineering design with entrepreneurial principles. The program teaches age-appropriate concepts from civil, electrical, mechanical, and industrial engineering while emphasizing problem-solving and innovation. You’ll use LEGO® blocks and an at-home lab kit to perform experiments that apply physics and design fundamentals to real-world scenarios. Lessons are structured to develop skills in analysis, product design, and systems thinking, all while integrating scriptural perspectives on intelligent design and creativity in engineering. You’ll also build and test your own prototypes, gaining early exposure to the engineering design process.
13. Rice University Pre-College Programs – Physiology: The Foundations of Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Foundations of Medicine: Physiology gives you a structured introduction to how the body’s organ systems function and interact. The course covers the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, explaining concepts such as neuron signaling, muscle contraction, and blood flow regulation. You’ll learn about physiological mechanisms like flow and resistance, active and passive transport, and the role of ions in cell communication. Real-world insights from practicing physicians help connect theory to medical applications, illustrating how imbalances in these systems can lead to health conditions. Lessons also incorporate key scientific laws, such as Boyle’s Law, to explain the physics behind breathing and circulation. Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate from Rice University.
Image Source - Darthmouth University Logo