10 Online Summer Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle schooler, online summer programs are a great option for you. These programs offer you the opportunity to dive into focused topics, gain practical experience, and learn from experts in fields ranging from science and technology to arts and leadership. These programs often focus on practical skills and industry exposure, allowing you to work on projects, develop problem-solving abilities, and build valuable connections that can guide future academic and career choices.
Many online summer programs for middle school students are designed to be accessible and cost-effective, making them an appealing alternative to more expensive in-person options. Several prestigious universities, educational nonprofits, and leading organizations offer these experiences, ensuring high-quality learning and mentorship.
To help you get started, we’ve listed the top 10 online summer programs for middle school students.
10 Online Summer Programs for Middle School Students
1. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; Financial aid offered
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University offers online courses for students who are ready to go deeper into their favorite subjects or explore something completely new. Topics range widely, from space science and engineering to crime scene investigation, creative writing, and advanced math. You can choose from different formats: Session-based courses with set deadlines, individually paced courses you can work through on your own schedule, or LIVE courses with real-time online classes and discussions. In each format, you’ll work with experienced instructors who provide feedback and help you tackle challenging material. Many courses include projects, experiments, or problem-solving activities that connect what you’re learning to real-world contexts.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type; Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
If you are curious about how artificial intelligence works, the AI Trailblazers program introduces you to both the coding and the concepts behind it in a 25-hour virtual course. You’ll start with the basics of Python and move on to topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The small-group format, with about five students per mentor, gives you the chance to ask questions and get help as you work through coding exercises. Throughout the program, you’ll complete projects that put what you’ve learned into action, such as creating a program to sort music by genre or designing a tool that recommends educational resources based on specific criteria. You’ll also get insight into how AI is used in everyday life and the challenges involved in using it responsibly.
3. Women’s Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: Weekly sessions from June 22 – July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-11
This free, six-week virtual program gives you the chance to explore advanced STEM topics that go beyond what you might see in your regular school classes. You’ll meet once a week online with other students and instructors to learn in small, focused courses such as number theory, computational neuroscience, or deep learning. Each topic is taught through guided lessons and activities, with time to ask questions and discuss ideas with your group. In the number theory course, for example, you might explore prime numbers and modular arithmetic, while in computational neuroscience, you could model brain activity using Python. You’ll also complete a mini research project in your chosen area, gaining experience with how real research is planned and carried out.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial assistance is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary for each cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
In this eight-week program, you work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university to explore a variety of academic topics before creating a research project of your own. During the first four weeks, you try out different areas within your chosen track, such as artificial intelligence, technology, or another specialized field, so you can figure out what interests you most. In weeks five and six, you choose a focus area and start developing a high school-level project, like analyzing a dataset or designing a small AI application. The last two weeks are dedicated to finalizing and presenting your work, with your mentor helping you refine it along the way. You’ll meet weekly with your mentor online, so you can participate from anywhere while still getting personalized guidance. By the end, you’ll have completed a structured research process from start to finish.
5. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: U.S. students from low-income backgrounds in grades 6-7
If you want to prepare for a challenging high school experience, the Stanford Middle School Scholars Program offers a tuition-free path to build the skills you’ll need. You’ll begin with a three-week online course in July, working closely with a small cohort of about a dozen students from across the country. Then, from August to December, you’ll meet once a week with your group and instructors to cover topics such as academic writing, math enrichment, and how to choose and apply to selective high schools. Many instructors hold PhDs, and sessions are interactive, giving you the chance to collaborate and share ideas. Families are also involved through conferences and events, so your support system is part of the process.
6. GirlsWhoCode: Clubs Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1-2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 3rd-12th graders
The Girls Who Code Clubs Program is for students who want to learn coding while working on projects that address real-world problems. If you’re in middle school, you can choose your own learning path from a collection of video tutorials that teach coding languages and topics such as web development, game design, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. You’ll work at your own pace but also connect with peers and mentors in a supportive, online environment. Activities are project-based, so you can immediately apply what you learn to something you care about. The curriculum includes both coding fundamentals and units on emerging technology, with activities that help you understand how these tools are shaping the world.
7. Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego
Location: Virtual options available
Cost: $275 – $320 (tentative); Scholarships available
Dates: July 7 – 25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: May 24 (tentative)
Eligibility: All middle school students
At the Sally Ride Science Academy, you can spend a week exploring science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through workshops hosted virtually by UC San Diego. This summer program for middle school students focuses on specific topics, such as marine biology, robotics, geology, space science, coding, or creative areas like virtual reality and screenwriting. You take on the role of a scientist or creator by completing projects, running experiments, or designing and coding your own ideas, guided by experienced instructors who also share stories of real scientists working in these fields today. Many activities let you work with specialized tools like robotics kits or coding platforms while practicing creative problem-solving.
8. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500; Up to 100% financial aid available
Dates: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early Decision: February 28 | Regular Decision: July 10
Eligibility: Middle-school students who identify as girls and are 11-14 years of age
The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp is a one-week, online program where you’ll learn how to code using the Wolfram Language while practicing computational thinking. Each day combines instructor-led lessons, guest talks from experts, and challenges that ask you to apply your new skills. You might work on projects that range from analyzing real-world data to solving puzzles using algorithms, all while building your confidence with problem-solving. The program also includes social activities like trivia sessions, live coding challenges, and group discussions, so you can connect with peers outside of class time. As you progress, the focus shifts from direct instruction to more independent workshops, giving you space to develop and explore your own ideas.
9. Virtual Public Speaking & Debate Camp – Capitol Debate
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,999
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: June 30 – July 11 | Session 3: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Virtual Public Speaking & Debate Camp by Capitol Debate connects you with instructors and peers online to develop skills in argumentation, speech structure, and effective communication. You’ll take part in live, interactive sessions where you practice building logical cases, delivering speeches, and engaging in cross-examinations. Coaches provide feedback through both group and one-on-one sessions, helping you strengthen areas like vocal delivery, body language, and persuasive closing statements. The online summer program for middle school students includes activities that simulate real debate situations so you can apply techniques in a practical setting.
10. Berkeley Coding Academy’s Summer Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost: Ranges from $2,089 – $4,897; Limited scholarships are available
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
This three-week online program is designed to help you build strong skills in Python, data science, and artificial intelligence while working in a small group matched to your age and experience. You’ll learn how to use coding libraries like pandas, matplotlib, and seaborn to organize and visualize data, and then apply these tools to create and train your own machine learning models. Lessons are interactive, so instead of just watching, you’ll be coding alongside your instructor and saving your work in personal coding notebooks you can keep. Each student develops an AI-focused project to complete by the end of this online summer program for middle school students, giving you a concrete example of your skills. Mentors are available for one-on-one guidance to help with coding issues and project design.