13 Programs for Middle School Students in Washington, D.C.
If you are in middle school and want to learn something new, it is never too early to start exploring structured learning opportunities outside the classroom. Programs can give you early exposure to practical skills, a variety of subjects, and mentorship that you might not usually experience in school. Many structured opportunities allow you to experiment with subjects like medicine, computer science, government, entrepreneurship, engineering, and public speaking. Through workshops, simulations, field trips, and collaborative projects, you will get a clearer sense of what different academic paths feel like.
Why should you attend a program in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., offers a learning environment quite different from that of most other U.S. cities. The city is home to major schools like Georgetown and American University, as well as national museums, policy organizations, and research centers that regularly host student programs. These programs include activities such as mock trials, engineering challenges, diplomacy simulations, museum visits, and startup pitch presentations. Programs for middle school students in Washington, D.C. often take advantage of the city’s unique setting, offering experiences within or focused on its museums, government institutions, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Students living in the D.C. can benefit from proximity to these programs, while students from other regions can choose from residential programs in the city.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down 13 programs for middle school students in Washington, D.C.
If you’re looking for online camps, check out our blog here.
1. Tools of the Trade: Teen Workshop Series @ District Architecture Center
Location: District Architecture Center, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $240 for non-members | $180 for AIA|DC members | $120 per teen for siblings; 50% need-based scholarships available (costs are based on past sessions and are subject to change)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four Saturday workshops between November and May; dates vary by year
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school teens
Tools of the Trade is a four-part workshop series run by the District Architecture Center that introduces students to architecture through a progressive set of skills built across the year. Each workshop focuses on a theme, includes a local field trip, and helps build a specific skill, such as sketching, photography, digital design, or model-making, and ends with a presentation for family members. The series is designed so that each session builds on the previous one, offering you a more complete picture of what architecture involves over time. You will register for all four workshops at once to access the full series throughout the school year.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort | 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 program is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like regression, data analysis, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects have included developing a machine-learning model to categorize music genres and building a machine-learning algorithm to generate a list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
3. Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers
Location: Multiple college campuses in the U.S., including Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three- to four-week sessions in June or July (varies by year) + school year workshops
Application deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8 who are residents of D.C., Maryland, or Virginia
This is a free summer program hosted on partner university campuses in the U.S., with each session running for three to four weeks. As a participant, you will learn about STEM topics, like robotics, virtual reality, design thinking, 3D printing, augmented reality, drone technology, and social entrepreneurship. You will learn about these concepts through hands-on activities. Tours of campus labs, classrooms, and facilities are built into the schedule. At the end of the program, you will present a project you have developed over the weeks, using the technologies you learned to address a real challenge. The program also includes two full-day STEM workshops in the fall and spring for summer alumni.
4. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Eight weeks; dates vary by cohort (summer sessions available)
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You will begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and being matched with a Ph.D.-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you will receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you will conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
5. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual and in-person camps, including in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12 | July 6 – 17 | July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps are free, two-week programs for middle and high schoolers interested in learning how to code. You will join a focused track from options such as AI/ML, data science, or web development. Over two weeks, you will learn how to work with SQL and Python, code with languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or use algorithms and natural language processing. Beyond track-specific learning, you will attend a speaker series featuring women in tech, who will offer insights into careers in the field. Additionally, you will gain access to the broader Kode With Klossy alumni community upon completing the camp.
6. Hirshhorn Museum’s Teen Studio Program
Location: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Every Saturday during the school year
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; registration required
Eligibility: Teens, ages 13 to 19
Hirshhorn Museum’s Teen Studio is a free drop-in art-making program held every Saturday during the school year. Teen Studio sessions cover different art styles every session, including painting, 3D design, sculpture, animation, and more. Each workshop will offer a mix of time in the museum galleries and time in Hirshhorn Art School, where you will experiment with new media and materials. You will use materials and techniques inspired by artists whose work is on view at the Hirshhorn. Teen Studios typically caters to students with varying levels of experience.
7. Summer@GDS Camp Explore DMV
Location: Georgetown Day School, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $1,275; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Camp Explore DMV is a two-week day program designed for middle school students who enjoy exploration and outdoor learning. You will spend most of the program visiting museums, historical sites, and neighborhoods around D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Daily activities will include team challenges, group games, and creative problem-solving exercises that encourage collaboration. You will also work on small projects and participate in guided discussions related to the places you visit. You will get to places through the metro and walking tours, which will help you become familiar with the city and the surrounding regions.
8. DACkids Summer Camp
Location: District Architecture Center, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $425 for non-members | $350 for AIA|DC members; $250 for siblings; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students/session
Dates: Session 1: July 13 – 17 (ages 8–10) | Session 2: July 20 – 24 (ages 11–14)
Application deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Children, ages 8 – 14 in the D.C. metropolitan area; Session 1 is for ages 8–10, and Session 2 is for ages 11–14
DACkids Summer Camp is a five-day architecture and design camp run by the District Architecture Center. The program is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation. You will attend sessions led by professional architects, engineers, and designers and engage in hands-on activities. Each day, you will explore a different topic: introduction to architecture on Monday, urban planning on Tuesday, fundamentals of engineering on Wednesday, interior design on Thursday, and an exhibition for families on Friday. Each session has a distinct theme: Session 1 focuses on what makes a community, while Session 2 challenges campers to design a sustainable community for the next 100 years. The camp also includes walking tours and field trips during the week.
9. Design Like a Girl Program @ District Architecture Center
Location: District Architecture Center, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $125 for all four workshops (tentative); 50% need-based scholarships available Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four workshops held across the academic year, with dates falling on select Fridays and Saturdays between October and April
Application deadline: September 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Girls, ages 11 – 14, in the Washington, D.C. area
Design Like a Girl pairs middle school girls with female mentors from architecture, construction, and engineering to introduce them to these careers firsthand. The program is run by the Washington Architectural Foundation and supported by a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The schedule consists of four full-day workshops during the academic year, each focusing on a different theme such as sustainable design, interior architecture, theater set design, or memorials. Each workshop includes a field trip, a design project with drawing and model building, and a presentation of your work. The first workshop focuses on the fundamentals of architecture, covering tools of the trade, architectural vocabulary, and basic design concepts, while the remaining three explore different aspects of design careers.
10. DCPS Middle School Summer Learning
Location: DC Public Schools in Washington, D.C.
Cost: Not specified; typically free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 6 (multiple programs within this window)
Application deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Current DCPS middle school students in grades 6 to 8; some programs have additional eligibility requirements
DCPS Middle School Summer Learning is an umbrella of programs offered to current DC Public Schools students over the summer, covering both enrichment and academic support. Options include the CTE Enrichment Program, which gives you hands-on experience in robotics and healthcare, and Outdoor Pursuits, a full-day program involving hiking, rock climbing, swimming, parkour, and team challenges. If you are entering 6th grade, you can attend the Summer Bridge program in early August, a four-day orientation that helps you get to know your new school through team building, scavenger hunts, and creative projects. If you need academic support, the Acceleration Academy provides ELA and math instruction, followed by afternoon enrichment. The English Learner Summer Academic Program (ELSAP) serves newcomer Multilingual Learners, developing their English proficiency through language and literacy instruction.
11. Career Ready Early Scholars Program (CRESP)
Location: Across Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free; incentives offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school D.C. scholars, ages 9 – 13
CRESP is a free career exploration program for younger students in Washington, D.C. You will attend hands-on workshops covering STEM, culinary arts, public speaking, and creative arts. Programs are hosted across multiple learning centers throughout the city, allowing you to explore different educational environments. The schedule includes teamwork activities and leadership development sessions. You will also engage in experiences to boost your financial literacy and college readiness.
12. Summer@GDS Robotics Camp
Location: Georgetown Day School (GDS), Washington, D.C.
Cost: $545; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8; open to GDS and non-GDS students
The Robotics Camp at Georgetown Day School introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of engineering and programming. Over the course of five days, you will build robots using LEGO-based robotics systems while learning about motors, sensors, and coding basics. Through hands-on projects, you will design and test your own robotic creations. The camp emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and teamwork. By the end of the week, you will have built working robots and foundational knowledge in robotics and mechanical design.
13. Virginia Tech DC Area Middle School Summer Programs
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One, Alexandria, VA (22 minutes away from Washington, D.C.)
Cost: Not specified; you can contact k12initiatives@vt.edu for details.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: June 23 – 26 | Explore the Future Through Data and Sensor Technology: July 20 – 24 | Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Virginia Tech’s DC-area programs offer middle schoolers three one-week, hands-on STEM experiences focused on emerging tech. The AI and Robotics program is a 40-hour experience in which you will build and program a VEX IQ robot modeled after a NASA Mars Rover, developing foundational engineering and programming skills while exploring STEM career paths. The Data and Sensor Technology program is a half-day experience that explores how sensors work, introduces the basics of coding, and applies data science concepts to areas such as healthcare and environmental monitoring. Flight Lab will introduce you to aerial robotics through daily challenges and hands-on exploration of drone technology, flight, and coding. All three programs are held at the Virginia Tech campus in Alexandria and require attendance at a mandatory virtual orientation session before the camp starts.
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI.