15 Programs for Middle School Students in Virginia
Structured academic programs can be a useful way for middle school students to explore interests beyond the regular school curriculum. Many of these programs introduce practical skills through projects, workshops, and collaborative learning. You might spend time experimenting in science labs, building games through coding platforms, or working on creative design projects with guidance from instructors. These experiences can help you test out different academic paths early while also learning how subjects connect to careers. They also allow you to interact with peers who share similar interests and academic curiosity.
Why should you attend a program in Virginia?
Virginia hosts several respected universities and educational centers that run academic programs for younger students. Depending on the program, you might study topics like oceanography, physics, astronomy, game development, or computer programming while working on small projects and experiments. These experiences often involve collaborative learning, where you work closely with instructors and other students on problem-solving activities. Programs in Virginia can be especially convenient if you already live or attend school in the state, but they also attract students from other regions who want access to university-based summer learning opportunities.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed our list to 15 programs in Virginia open to middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Veritas AI’s Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) during the spring cohort; 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays) during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Trailblazers program introduces middle school students to the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning through guided instruction and hands-on projects. Over about 25 hours, you’ll start with Python fundamentals and then move into topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and ethical questions around AI. The program combines live lessons with small-group mentoring sessions, so you’ll have time to ask questions and get feedback on your work. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll receive close guidance while building your first AI-focused project. In past cohorts, students have created models that sort music by genre or tools that recommend educational content based on user preferences. By the end, you’ll have a working project that shows how you applied basic AI concepts in practice.
2. ELEVATE Summer Program – Newport News Public Schools
Location: Newport News, VA (multiple sites, including Discovery STEM Academy, Greenwood, Sedgefield, Gildersleeve Middle School, and Woodside High School)
Cost: Free for most programs; $50 per course for high school credit recovery/advancement (Outdoor Education courses have an additional $30 fee)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; some programs use a lottery system if applications exceed available spots
Program Dates: June 30 – July 24 (Elementary and Middle School); High School Sessions: June 23 – July 10 and July 14 – July 31; STEAM Camps: July 7 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 15 (STEAM Camps); other deadlines vary by program
Eligibility: Newport News Public Schools students in rising grades K – 12 (specific programs vary by grade level)
The ELEVATE Summer Program is a district-run initiative that provides academic support and enrichment across grade levels. Elementary and middle school students attend a four-week program with classes focused on strengthening reading, math, and core academic skills, while high school students can enroll in courses for credit recovery or credit advancement. There are also STEAM camps where you’ll spend your days working through hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math with peers. Some parts of the program are invitation-based and rely on school assessment data, meaning you’ll typically be selected or recommended by your school to attend. In the STEAM camps, you’ll work on collaborative challenges, hear from guest speakers, and participate in field trips and team projects.
3. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program gives middle school students a structured way to explore an academic interest while working closely with a dedicated mentor. You’ll meet regularly with mentors who are researchers and scholars from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE, and use those sessions to shape your learning and project ideas. If you choose a coding or computational track, you’ll spend time learning core programming concepts and applying them through small builds and exercises. The program is built around one-on-one mentorship, so your weekly work and discussions are tailored to the topic you want to explore. Toward the end, you’ll move into a project phase where you create a final product such as a digital tool, app, or simulation. You finish the program with a completed project that reflects the topic you explored and the skills you practiced during the eight weeks.
4. Gifted Visual Arts Program
Location: Virginia Beach, VA (Virginia Beach Middle School)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: During the academic year (embedded within the regular school schedule)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8 identified as gifted in the visual arts within Virginia Beach City Public Schools
The Gifted Visual Arts Program at Virginia Beach Middle School allows middle school students to develop their artistic skills while continuing their regular academic coursework. Instead of operating as a separate after-school program, the visual arts instruction is built directly into your school schedule. You’ll spend time working on artistic techniques and creative projects while balancing the standard middle school curriculum. The program is designed for students who have already been identified as gifted in the visual arts and want more structured time to develop their artistic abilities. School leaders created the program to help students manage both academic work and advanced art training during grades 6–8. By embedding the program into the school day, you can pursue deeper visual arts study without stepping away from your core classes.
5. Camp Launch
Location: Williamsburg, VA (William & Mary School of Education)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Two weeks (specific dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 6th-grade students from low-income households in Virginia who meet academic criteria, such as scoring at or above the 90th percentile on a standardized test or receiving a strong academic recommendation
Camp Launch is a two-week residential summer program designed for high-ability students from low-income households across Virginia. During the program, you’ll take part in classes focused on subjects like science, writing, and personal development, while also participating in group activities and enrichment sessions. Living on campus means you’ll spend the full two weeks learning alongside other students with similar academic interests and goals. Admission requires meeting both financial eligibility requirements and academic criteria, such as high standardized test scores or a strong recommendation. By the end of the program, you’ll have spent two weeks in a residential academic environment that combines coursework, collaborative activities, and social development.
6. VIP Summer Camp
Location: Annandale, VA (Poe Middle School; organized by Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services)
Cost: $100 for the full five-week program; scholarships available for financial hardship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 1 – July 31 (no camp on July 4)
Application Deadline: June 6 (payment and paperwork deadline after acceptance)
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th grade students living within the Glasgow, Holmes, Jackson, Kilmer, Poe, and Thoreau Middle School boundaries in Fairfax County
VIP Summer Camp is a five-week program for middle school students in Central Fairfax. During the day, you’ll rotate through activities like sports, fitness, games, art, and STEM projects while spending time with students from nearby middle schools. The program is run jointly by Fairfax County Public Schools after-school staff and community center staff from the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. The focus is on providing a structured environment where you stay active and explore different activities throughout the summer. In addition to daily activities at the campsite, you may participate in several optional field trips during the program.
7. Career and Technical Education Summer Academy (CSA)
Location: Fairfax, VA (Robinson Secondary School)
Cost: $300 per week; $150 per week for students eligible for reduced lunch; $30 per week for students eligible for free lunch
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Space is limited; registration is first-come, first-served
Program Dates: Weekly sessions: July 6 – July 10, July 13 – July 17, July 20 – July 24, and July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 11; open to public school, private school, homeschooled students, and non–Fairfax County residents
The Career and Technical Education Summer Academy (CSA) is a hands-on summer enrichment program where you explore different career-focused subjects through short classes and projects. Each day, you’ll take four classes that you select during registration, with options spanning fields like business and information technology, health sciences, engineering, marketing, and skilled trades. The courses are designed as introductions, so you don’t need previous experience to participate. Because you choose your classes in advance, you can build a weekly schedule around topics that interest you or skills you want to try for the first time. The program focuses on practical, project-based learning that introduces you to the types of courses and career pathways offered through high school CTE programs.
8. Weekly Acting Camps (Acting for Young People)
Location: Fairfax, VA (George Mason University, de Laski Performing Arts Building)
Cost: $425 per session; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Weekly sessions: June 29 – July 3, July 6 – July 10, July 13 – July 17, July 20 – July 24, July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: June 23
Eligibility: Students ages 5 – 18 (organized into age-based groups)
The Weekly Acting Camps offered through the Mason Community Arts Academy introduce students to acting techniques in a structured studio-style environment. Each week focuses on performance skills through group acting classes, exercises, and themed activities designed for different age groups. You’ll work with instructors who have experience in theater and film while practicing techniques such as character development, improvisation, and stage presence. Throughout the week, you rehearse and prepare for a final presentation to family and friends. Classes run Monday through Friday during the day, and students are grouped with peers of similar ages. The program combines acting lessons with hands-on performance practice, giving you the chance to try different acting styles and approaches in a short camp format.
9. Gifted Art Program Summer Camp
Location: Roanoke County, VA (Roanoke County Public Schools sites)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Admission requires acceptance into the Gifted Art Program
Program Dates: June 2 – June 5 or June 9 – June 12
Application Deadline: May 1 (summer registration deadline for accepted students)
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 8 who have been identified as exceptionally talented in art through the Roanoke County Public Schools screening process
The Gifted Art Program Summer Camp is an enrichment opportunity for students who have been formally identified as gifted in the visual arts within Roanoke County Public Schools. Before participating, you go through a screening process that includes nomination, portfolio-style drawing submissions, and evaluation by a committee of art professionals. During the camp, you’ll spend several days working on art projects designed to develop technical skills and creative thinking in a focused studio environment. Only students accepted into the district’s Gifted Art Program can register for the summer sessions. The program runs in two identical one-week sessions, and students choose one to attend. The camp builds on the district's broader gifted art curriculum and provides additional time during the summer to develop artistic techniques.
10. Middle School Improv Comedy Workshop
Location: Fairfax, VA (George Mason University, deLaski Performing Arts Building)
Cost: $495; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Space is extremely limited
Program Dates: June 22 – June 26 or August 3 – August 7
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 10 – 13
The Middle School Improv Comedy Workshop introduces students to improvisational theater through games, exercises, and collaborative performance activities. During the week, you’ll learn techniques used in both short-form and long-form improv while practicing how to build characters, develop scenes, and create comedic storylines. Instructors guide you through theater games and structured exercises inspired by classic improv styles. The workshop focuses on helping you think quickly, respond creatively to others, and develop confidence performing in front of a group. Sessions run full days throughout the week and emphasize teamwork as you build scenes and sketches together. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have practiced multiple improv formats and gained experience creating spontaneous performances with your peers.
11. Filmmaking Workshop for Middle School
Location: Fairfax, VA (George Mason University, Art and Design Building)
Cost: $980; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 13 – July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 11 – 14 (rising grades 6 – 8)
The Filmmaking Workshop for Middle School introduces students to the full filmmaking process over a two-week program. You’ll learn how films are developed from early planning to final editing, with lessons covering pre-production, filming, and post-production. Along the way, instructors teach practical skills such as directing, videography, recording location sound, and editing with professional software. You work in small groups to plan, shoot, and edit your own short films under instructor supervision. The program is collaborative, so you’ll rotate through different roles as you build a project with your team. At the end of the workshop, the completed films are screened during a final showcase on the last day.
12. Camp Ignite
Location: William & Mary Center for Gifted Education, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: $5,299 residential (early) / $5,599 residential (regular); $2,199 day (early) / $2,399 day (regular)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 5 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders with qualifying ACT or SAT scores (ACT: Science ≥20, Math ≥20, English ≥18, or Reading ≥20; SAT: Math ≥530 or Reading/Writing ≥480)
Camp Ignite is a two-week academic program where you spend most of the day in a single advanced course while living and learning with other academically motivated middle school students. You’ll choose a subject like physics, astronomy, or oceanography and spend about six hours each day working through experiments, discussions, and inquiry-based projects. Classes lean heavily on hands-on work, from modeling planetary motion to investigating ocean ecosystems or testing physics concepts through experiments. The program expects you to arrive with strong academic readiness, which is why admission requires above-level ACT or SAT scores through the Youth Talent Search. Outside the classroom, residential students live on campus and participate in activities and field trips alongside their cohort. It’s designed for younger students who want an early experience with advanced coursework and a structured academic summer environment.
13. Mason Game & Technology Academy (MGTA) Summer Prep Program
Location: Fairfax, VA, and Manassas, VA
Cost: $695 per class
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Weekly sessions from June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 12–17
The Mason Game & Technology Academy Summer Prep Program runs short, one-week commuter classes focused on game design, programming, and digital art. Each class runs Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and you’ll spend the week working hands-on with tools used in the gaming industry. Course topics rotate each week and include Python programming, Unity and Unreal game design, 3D modeling with Blender, digital art for games, and web design with JavaScript. The program is taught by a mix of George Mason University faculty, graduates, and advanced students, so you’ll learn directly from people who study or work in game development and related fields. By the end of the week, you’ll typically have a small project or prototype that demonstrates what you learned during the course. Because sessions last only five days, this works best if you want a short introduction to game development tools or coding rather than a longer research or academic program.
14. Students Thriving and Rising (STAR) Program
Location: Roanoke, VA (Roanoke City Public Schools sites)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Invitation-only based on academic data
Program Dates: June 15 – June 25 and July 6 – July 16 (Monday–Thursday)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 3rd – 9th-grade students in Roanoke City Public Schools who are invited based on academic data
The Students Thriving and Rising (STAR) Program is a summer academic support initiative run by Roanoke City Public Schools. Over four weeks, you’ll attend morning or midday sessions focused on strengthening core academic skills, particularly in reading, math, and science. Students are invited to participate based on school assessment data, so the instruction is designed to address areas where additional support may be helpful. The program focuses on targeted academic instruction in small classroom settings, helping you review key concepts before the next school year begins. Classes run Monday through Thursday, with schedules that vary by grade level. Because participation is invitation-only, the program is structured to help selected students build stronger academic foundations during the summer.
15. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition-free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohorts of about 12 students
Program Dates: July 6 – July 24 (summer course); August 26 – December 9 (weekly fall meetings)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S.-based students currently in grades 6–7 from low-income backgrounds
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program combines a short summer course with ongoing academic support during the fall semester. In July, you’ll join a small cohort for a three-week online class that meets weekday mornings and focuses on academic skills like analytical thinking, writing, and discussion. After the summer session ends, the same group meets weekly from late August through December for one-hour online sessions that cover topics like math enrichment, exploring high school options, and developing study strategies. Each cohort is intentionally small, which means you’ll spend a lot of time interacting directly with instructors and classmates in live online discussions. Instructors are part of the Stanford Online High School teaching community, many of whom hold PhDs in their fields.