15 Programs for Middle School Students in California
Middle school is a key time for exploration, and attending a structured program can help you learn about your academic interests and develop skills for high school. Strcutured programs give you the chance to dive into subjects you are interested in, build confidence, and learn in environments that go beyond the classroom. These programs often blend classroom learning with activities and give you early exposure to industries such as medicine, computer science, engineering, law, and environmental science.
California is uniquely positioned to give middle school students a great learning experience. Top-ranked universities, such as Stanford and UC Berkeley, offer academic programs that provide you access to cutting-edge instruction, exposure to industry leaders, and opportunities for meaningful networking. These programs are great for local and visiting students who want to experience learning in a creative and exciting environment.
To help you find the best options, we’ve rounded up 15 programs for middle school students in California.
1. Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 32 students
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders with a minimum B average in science and math classes
In this program, you’ll get an inside look at several engineering fields like aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical. Through hands-on activities, you might build rockets, design bridges, or test out simple circuits to understand how these disciplines connect to real-world design. You’ll also learn the basics of computer science and get experience writing your own code and simple apps. The program draws on the expertise of Northrop Grumman engineers and USC Viterbi faculty, who guide you through practical experiments. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of how engineering concepts work together to solve complex problems.
2. Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies (full financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program introduces you to the foundations of Python programming and the key ideas behind artificial intelligence. You’ll explore how computers learn from data through projects in regression, classification, and image recognition. Throughout the program, you’ll move from learning about data analysis and neural networks to understanding how AI ethics shapes technology. Each week includes lectures and small-group sessions where you collaborate with mentors and other students. You’ll finish by building a group project that applies what you’ve learned to a real-world problem.
3. Pasadena City College’s Math Academy
Location: PCC Community Education Center in Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 25 students/class
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders who are proficient in math
At Math Academy, you build a stronger foundation in key math concepts through college-based courses designed for middle school students. The program covers topics like Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry while giving you a supportive space to develop problem-solving and reasoning skills. Classes emphasize confidence-building and practical learning rather than rote memorization. You’ll learn strategies for tackling complex equations and see how different math ideas connect across subjects. This math-focused program for middle school students in California helps you approach high school coursework with more assurance and curiosity.
4. Lumiere's Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1:1 - one student is paired with one Ph.D
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
In the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program, you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to explore academic interests and develop an independent project. Over eight weeks, you’ll research different topics, refine one area of focus, and produce a final project that could take the form of a research paper or case study. You’ll also receive individual writing support to help structure and communicate your ideas clearly. The program is designed to help you experience the research process at your own pace, from discovery to project creation. It’s an introduction to self-guided learning that helps you build curiosity and academic confidence early on.
Location: College campuses in Southern California
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 120 students
Dates: 3 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Students who have just completed the 7th grade and reside in Los Angeles
At BEAM Summer Away, you spend three weeks living on a college campus and exploring advanced mathematics through proof-based lessons. As part of the BEAM Pathway Program, this program for middle school students in California focuses on long-term STEM development. The program emphasizes logical reasoning and creative problem-solving, allowing you to study topics like number theory, combinatorics, and graph theory in depth. Days are filled with interactive sessions, guest talks from mathematicians, and time to connect with peers who share your interest in math. Outside of class, you’ll take part in sports, arts, and group activities that balance academic intensity with fun.
Location: 603 Mason St., San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $300 stipend (will be forfeited if you miss the last day)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 13 students per group + 1 adult educator
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: Middle schoolers from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds
Urban Trailblazers allows you to learn about environmental stewardship and leadership while exploring local, state, and national parks. Over six weeks, you’ll spend time outdoors hiking, camping, and participating in hands-on lessons about ecosystems, conservation, and teamwork. You’ll also develop skills in communication and problem-solving as you take part in group projects and shared experiences. For middle school students in California who enjoy outdoor learning, this program provides a grounded way to understand the relationship between people and the natural world.
Location: Various locations in Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; serves nearly 150,000 students annually across all chapters
Dates: Typically during the school year including summer camps
Application Deadline: Varies by school and chapter; you can check your local chapter’s website for details
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders attending Title I middle schools
After-School All-Stars is a nationwide nonprofit program that offers summer and after-school programs that combine academics, arts, and wellness for low-income students primarily in Title I schools. You’ll participate in activities that develop teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, from robotics and coding to sports, film, and design. The curriculum integrates academic support with hands-on enrichment, helping you apply what you learn in school to practical settings. There’s also a focus on health, mindfulness, and community engagement, giving you space to explore new skills in a supportive environment.
8. The Lawrence Hall of Science’s Summer Teen Research Programs
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,465 + $1,255 optional residential costs; financial aid is available for Bay Area teens
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 – 24 students per session
Dates: Several weeklong sessions across June 23 and July 25
Application Deadline: Session 1: June 15; Sessions 2,3, & 4: June 29
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9; certain tracks may have specific requirements
These programs for middle school students in California allow you to experience scientific discovery in a real research environment at UC Berkeley. Each one focuses on a different area of STEM, from animal behavior and biomedical innovation to nanosatellite coding and solar engineering. You’ll design and test experiments, apply what you learn to real-world challenges, and explore how research methods work in practice. Instructors guide you through hands-on projects that show how science connects to technology and everyday problem-solving. Whether you’re analyzing data, programming satellites, or studying energy systems, you’ll gain a clearer view of how scientists think and work.
9. UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP)
Location: Virtual/University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $750 – $1250 (including application fee); financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 – 24 students/class
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 23 (rolling deadline)
Eligibility: Academically advanced students entering grades 7–11
The UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP) is a prestigious and rigorous summer program that offers challenging, advanced classes to high-achieving and highly motivated young scholars from grades K through 11. You can take advanced courses that deepen your understanding of a single academic subject. Classes range from half-year to full-year equivalents and often move at a university-level pace, offering a serious academic challenge. You’ll engage in live discussions, independent study, and interactive projects that emphasize critical thinking and subject mastery. The program suits students ready to explore more demanding topics while gaining insight into the discipline and time management that advanced study requires.
10. UCSD ForMIDABLE PREP for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual/San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $25 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size varies by session
Dates: Fall: October 25 – November 22; Summer: June 21 – July 26; Spring: February 13 – March 13, followed by two in-person meetings
Application Deadline: Varies as per session
Eligibility: Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
ForMIDABLE PREP introduces you to computer science, robotics, and engineering through a blend of virtual and hands-on learning. You’ll start by learning Python programming online, then move on to in-person sessions where you build and test robots for friendly competitions. Weekly tutorials highlight different branches of engineering and show how programming and design come together to solve technical problems. Mentors and instructors help you connect abstract coding concepts with real-world applications. This California-based program builds both teamwork and technical fluency in a practical, project-based setting.
11. Inner-City Arts' Visual, Media & Performing Arts Institutes
Location: Inner-City Arts campus, Downtown LA, CA
Cost: $250 per class + $20 registration fee; fee waivers available for low-income students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; more than 1,000 students annually
Dates: Saturdays from February 14 – May 2
Application Deadline: In-person enrollment on February 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Inner-City Arts offers workshops where you explore visual, media, and performing arts through guided instruction and studio practice. You’ll choose from classes in areas like ceramics, digital media, screenwriting, and theatre, each led by professional artists. Sessions balance individual work with group collaboration and critique, helping you refine both technical and creative skills. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in showcases and receive feedback that supports portfolio or performance development. It’s a space to experiment with artistic expression while learning how professional artists build and share their work.
12. CSUN Summer Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP) – Middle School Programs
Location: California State University, Northridge, CA
Cost: $950; partial scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; typically limited cohort size
Dates: June 16 – July 11
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; registration opens March 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–9
CSUN’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program introduces you to college-style learning through a wide mix of courses in arts, science, technology, and language. You’ll choose three subjects each day, with classes ranging from video game development and robotics to creative writing, culinary arts, and foreign languages. The program builds on what you learn during the school year while giving you room to explore new interests. Teachers focus on reinforcing academic skills and encouraging curiosity rather than testing or competition. You will develop communication, creative expression, stage presence, and collaboration skills.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, LA
Cost: $850 + $75 for Extended Care; full scholarships are automatically granted if your family qualifies for a government assistance program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 75 students
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 11; Session 2: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders of all gender identities who live in the San Francisco Bay Area
Girls in Engineering combines design thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving in week-long sessions led by UC Berkeley faculty and engineers. You’ll explore engineering principles through lab tours, design challenges, and group projects that encourage you to think like an innovator. Sessions focus on three areas: leadership, design, and learning in context, helping you strengthen both communication and technical skills. Every day brings a mix of guided experiments, discussions, and small-group collaboration. For middle school students in California, this program provides a practical way to understand how engineers use creativity to address real-world issues.
14. Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: Virtual/University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $175 – $450; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; 1,400 – 1,500 students served annually
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: Open enrollment, opens in January
Eligibility: K-12 students
The Sally Ride Science Academy is a STEM/STEAM educational program based at UC San Diego designed to inspire and educate students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. You’ll take on the role of a scientist or engineer as you design robots, study marine ecosystems, or experiment with digital media and entrepreneurship. The program’s instructors share stories of researchers and innovators, showing how science connects to people’s everyday lives. Each workshop emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages you to make connections between disciplines.
15. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students
Dates: Summer: July 7 – 25; Fall: August 27 – December 10
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Low-income students in grades 6–7 who reside and attend school in the U.S.
This program prepares you for the challenges of high school academics through a summer course followed by weekly sessions during the school year. You’ll study topics like academic writing, math enrichment, and developing a growth mindset, all while exploring how to plan for high school and beyond. Live online classes let you connect with instructors and other students in real time, building a sense of community and accountability. The program also introduces you to selective school and enrichment options, helping you make informed academic choices.
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