15 Programs for Middle School Students in New York City (NYC)
If you are a middle school student looking to explore your interests, consider applying to a structured program. Hosted by universities and institutions, these programs help you learn directly from experts, work on projects, and connect with peers who share your interests. Whether you're drawn to medicine, computer science, or environmental studies, these programs let you experiment with tools and ideas that go beyond the standard classroom experience.
Why should you attend a program in NYC?
New York City stands out for its access to institutions, including universities, museums, tech labs, and nonprofits, that offer immersive programs designed specifically for middle school students. For students who live in the city, these programs offer an accessible and exciting extension of your academic year. For those visiting from outside NYC, they provide a chance to experience the city’s fast-paced, opportunity-rich environment while diving into subjects you care about.
To make things easier, we’ve pulled together a list of 15 programs for middle school students in New York City.
If you are looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. NYU Science of Smart Cities
Location: Select local schools in New York City
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 6th-7th graders who are NYC residents
NYU’s Science of Smart Cities program gives middle school students a practical look at how engineering and technology shape urban systems, from transportation to energy use. During the program, you work with circuitry, sensors, and microcontrollers to understand how digital tools help cities operate more efficiently. Teams design and prototype devices that respond to issues like traffic flow, environmental sustainability, or waste management, grounding your work in real-world challenges. Alongside the technical material, you learn coding fundamentals and apply them directly through hands-on experiments and project building. This selective program for middle school students in New York City also integrates public speaking and improv workshops, recognizing that communication is central to sharing engineering ideas.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance rate: Moderate
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
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour online program that introduces middle school students to fundamental concepts in artificial intelligence through structured lessons and small-group mentorship. You learn the basics of Python and then move on to techniques such as data analysis, regression, image classification, and neural networks, seeing how these tools work behind the scenes in common technologies. The program also includes discussions on AI ethics, encouraging you to think critically about how machine learning decisions affect people and communities. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you get steady support as you test ideas and ask questions in real time. Past participants have created projects like music-genre classifiers or systems that recommend educational resources.
3. NYU Sounds of New York City (SONYC)
Location: New York University + Other institutions in NYC
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: To be announced
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising 7th-8th graders who are NYC residents
The SONYC program introduces middle school students to the study of urban noise pollution by combining scientific investigation, engineering, and communication training. You explore sound waves and their public health implications, collecting audio samples from real environments and analyzing their impact on community well-being. Participants build sound-monitoring devices using microcontrollers, sensors, and basic electronics, learning how data is collected and how technology can support noise management efforts. Theater-based workshops led by Irondale are woven into the curriculum to help you strengthen your presentation skills and express scientific ideas more clearly. As the program progresses, you use your findings to design smart-city tools to address noise-related challenges in NYC, which are then presented at an end-of-program showcase.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year; you can apply here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week online research experience that pairs middle school students with PhD mentors to help them develop an independent academic project. During the early weeks, you survey several fields such as biology, computer science, or social sciences to identify the topic you want to explore in depth. Weekly one-on-one meetings guide you through research methods, source evaluation, and analytical writing, allowing you to gradually shape your work into a structured project. By mid-program, you focus on a single subject area and begin refining a research question with your mentor’s support. The final weeks are devoted to producing a research paper, case study, or multimedia presentation that reflects your findings.
5. 4-H Programs
Location: Various locations nationwide
Cost: Typically low or no cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; club sizes vary by county
Dates: Available year-round
Application deadline: Rolling (sign up at your local 4-H office)
Eligibility: Students ages 8–18
4-H programs provide middle school students with hands-on learning opportunities in STEM, agriculture, healthy living, and civic engagement through a network of university-supported clubs. Participants join local groups that typically meet weekly or biweekly during the school year, allowing you to work steadily on long-term projects. Under the guidance of trained volunteers and mentors, you might take on activities like building a robot, raising an animal, completing an environmental science project, or practicing public speaking. Each club offers flexibility in choosing focus areas, so your involvement can match your interests and goals. Many projects culminate in demonstrations or entries in county and state fairs, giving you a chance to share your work with the community.
6. NYU College and Career Lab
Location: NYU Washington Square campus, New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th graders attending a New York City public school can apply to the Exploratory Stage
NYU’s College and Career Lab is a free six-year program that begins in middle school and provides long-term academic and career exploration through summer sessions and year-round workshops. Each summer, students spend four weeks on campus attending classes taught by NYU faculty in subjects such as neuroscience, law, business, and public health, giving you exposure to multiple academic pathways. This pre-college program for middle school students in New York City includes field trips, meetings with professionals, and activities designed to help you understand different careers from a practical standpoint. During the school year, monthly Saturday Practice Labs support college readiness through activities like résumé writing, mock interviews, and networking exercises. CCL is organized into an Exploratory Stage for younger students and an Immersive Stage for older students, allowing you to progress toward more specialized coursework over time.
7. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP), Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Summer Session: Classes are held Monday through Friday (10 am – 2 pm) in July | Academic Year: Classes are held on Saturdays (9 am – 3 pm) from October to May
Application deadline: Typically due in mid-May
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Grades 7 to 12 | A New York State Resident or a Permanent Resident residing in the state | Economically disadvantaged, or Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian; and will benefit from academic enrichment.
Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free academic initiative for those who are considering STEM or health-related careers. Participants take courses in subjects such as anatomy, chemistry, physics, psychology, algebra, and calculus, either during the summer session or on Saturdays throughout the academic year. The program also includes PSAT and SAT preparation, as well as college counseling and workshops on academic planning and career exploration. Students take part in field trips and college tours that broaden their understanding of potential educational pathways. Throughout the year, academic advisors help you track progress and plan next steps in STEM preparation.
8. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Remote and in-person options available across various locations
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1–2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12
Girls Who Code Clubs are free programs that introduce middle school students to computer science through project-based learning in a collaborative environment. Meetings take place online or at local schools, libraries, and community centers, giving you flexibility in how you participate. Younger students often begin with block-based coding to learn the fundamentals, while older or more experienced participants can explore Python, JavaScript, web development, or game design. Each club follows a curriculum that links coding skills to real-world issues, allowing teams to build websites, apps, or interactive stories on topics they care about. Mentors and facilitators support students as they debug, test, and refine their projects. Some clubs also introduce AI literacy modules that explain how algorithms and machine learning appear in everyday life.
9. Bootstrap’s Data Science Course
Location: Offered through participating schools and educators
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all students at participating schools; not selective
Dates: Varies by school or district; can run for several weeks or a full semester
Application deadline: No formal application; students participate through their school.
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12; typically offered in math, science, or computer science classes
Bootstrap’s Data Science Course is a classroom-based curriculum for students in grades 5–12 that teaches data analysis and computational thinking through subjects like math, science, and social studies. Trained schoolteachers teach the course and introduce you to concepts such as data visualization, measures of center, and the interpretation of real-world datasets. Students learn to write code that helps answer questions grounded in familiar topics, such as sports statistics, civic trends, or environmental patterns. Because the program for middle school students in New York City integrates directly into existing classes, teachers can use it as a short module or a complete unit, depending on their goals.
10. American Museum of Natural History – Science Alliance Middle School Program
Location: New York City
Cost: $1000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by session; Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer cohorts
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Local students in grades 6–8
The Science Alliance program at the American Museum of Natural History gives middle school students the chance to study topics such as anthropology, astrophysics, evolutionary biology, Earth science, and conservation through hands-on learning. Classes take place after school on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays, allowing participation without interfering with regular coursework. Throughout the program, you conduct investigations in museum classrooms, handle real specimens, and use exhibits as part of your scientific learning process. Some sessions help you develop ideas for science fair projects, while others focus on understanding how researchers generate and interpret scientific data. During the summer, a separate four-week academy introduces a different scientific discipline each week, encouraging broad exposure.
11. NYU’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus, New York, NY
Cost: $350; Fee Waivers available for eligible students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: View here
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: New York State residents with a B average in Math, Science, and English; Must meet income criteria and be enrolled in grades 8-12
NYU’s STEP is a year-round program designed to strengthen STEM skills for students from underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with summer components that introduce more intensive coursework. Middle and high school participants take classes in subjects such as algebra, geometry, biology, and English, building foundational academic skills under the instruction of NYU faculty and students. Afternoon electives allow you to explore fields like engineering, internet technologies, clinical medicine, and design, linking classroom concepts with practical applications. As students progress into the later grades, STEP offers opportunities to conduct supervised scientific or technological research at NYU facilities, culminating in presentations at the statewide STEP conference. This program for middle school students in New York City also incorporates seminars on communication, college readiness, and career exploration.
12. New York Tech Middle School Summer Maker Academy
Location: New York Tech’s Long Island campus or New York City campus
Cost: $250/program or session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies by program
Application deadline: May 6; Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The New York Tech Middle School Summer Maker Academy introduces students to engineering and design through two weeklong tracks centered on global sustainability challenges. One track focuses on clean water and sanitation, where you work in teams to design a vehicle capable of transporting water across a constructed obstacle course. The second track in this tech program for middle school students in New York City examines sustainable cities, guiding students through the process of building small-scale structures that come together to form a functional “Smart City.” Both tracks draw directly from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and incorporate practical skills such as 3D modeling, 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, PCB design, and Arduino programming. Participants collaborate closely with instructors as they develop prototypes that translate abstract sustainability concepts into working models.
13. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Online
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~12 students per cohort
Dates: July 7 – 25 + weekly online sessions in the fall
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students from low-income backgrounds in grades 6–7 who reside in and attend school in the U.S.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program combines a three-week online summer course with weekly virtual meetings from August through December to help students prepare for academically rigorous high school programs. Participants join a small cohort and work with instructors on academic writing, math enrichment, and sessions that outline selective high school options. The summer portion provides real-time instruction and collaboration, giving you space to ask questions and practice new skills with peers from different regions. During the fall meetings, the curriculum expands to topics such as growth mindset, study strategies, and planning for competitive admissions. Families participate through conferences and informational events that keep them updated on student progress.
14. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; Financial aid offered
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Available year-round
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers online courses that allow middle school students to study advanced topics outside their regular school curriculum through self-paced, structured, or live formats. The subjects encompass areas such as astronomy, engineering, computer science, mathematics, creative writing, and history, with each course featuring assignments, discussions, and feedback from instructors. Students might explore areas such as space science, environmental design, number theory, or narrative writing depending on the course they choose. Instructors guide you through problem-solving tasks and projects that encourage independent thinking and deeper engagement with complex material.
15. Foundations of Medicine - Pre-college Program at Rice University
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Acceptance rate: Not selective
Dates: Multi-length courses available between June and August, details here
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
The Foundations of Medicine course at Rice University introduces students to human physiology through 20–30 hours of online instruction that explains how major organ systems function individually and together. The curriculum covers the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, examining topics such as neuron signaling, muscle contraction, blood circulation, and gas exchange. Students also study principles like electrical conduction, flow and resistance, and membrane transport to see how physics and biology intersect in medical contexts. Practicing physicians contribute to the course by discussing what happens when these systems malfunction and how clinicians respond to those conditions. You complete a final project that models interactions between the systems.
Image source - RICE University