15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Massachusetts
If you are a middle school student in Massachusetts and want to explore your interests over the summer, summer programs are a great way to learn while connecting with experts, mentors, and peers. Whether you're into science, art, coding, or just exploring new things, summer programs for middle school students in Massachusetts offer valuable learning experiences. These programs go beyond the classroom; they help you build new skills, meet people with similar interests, and even get a glimpse of college life.
Across Massachusetts, you can access opportunities provided by academic and professional organizations. These experiences can help you build confidence and benefit from local resources. Many programs give you the chance to work with expert mentors, use advanced tools, and present what you've created at the end. Some run for a week or two, while others take place throughout the summer, with a couple extending into the school year.
Here are 15 summer programs for middle school students in Massachusetts that you can check out!
15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Massachusetts
1. MIT’s dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: August 11 – 15 (rising 6th/7th graders); August 18 – 22 (rising 8th/9th graders)
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 9th graders
At dynaMIT, you’ll spend a week at MIT exploring different areas of science and engineering through hands-on experiments and problem-solving challenges. This is a student-run summer program for middle school students in Massachusetts, designed and led entirely by MIT undergraduates, who also serve as your mentors throughout the week. You’ll go through several experiments, where you’ll take part in building, testing, and learning by doing. Each activity is meant to help you understand real scientific concepts in a way that’s engaging and practical.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
If you're curious about how artificial intelligence actually works, Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program is a great place to start. This 10-week course introduces you to Python, data analysis, and machine learning concepts like regression, classification, and neural networks. You’ll spend roughly 25 hours a week building knowledge through lessons and hands-on group projects. The program ends with a group project with 3-5 peers that tackles a realistic problem.
3. MITES Saturdays
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Saturdays during the school year
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: 7th-10th graders attending public schools in Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, with a strong academic record and an interest in science, engineering, and technology; Students in the program are expected to maintain letter grades of A and B
While not a summer program, MITES Saturdays is a free, multi-year academic enrichment program hosted on MIT’s campus for students from Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence public schools. You’ll dive into topics like robotics, biological engineering, and data visualization through hands-on, collaborative projects while building communication and leadership skills along the way. Every semester includes a STEM course and an Academic Mentoring Seminar to help you prepare for high school, college, and life beyond. You'll also get a written evaluation at the end of each term, which many students include in their college applications.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong middle school students
Students in grades 6-8 can participate in the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program, an online, one-on-one research experience. Over eight weeks, you’ll work with a PhD mentor from top institutions like Harvard, MIT, or Stanford to explore a topic that genuinely interests you, from AI and environmental science to history or entrepreneurship. This program teaches you how to ask meaningful questions, organize your research, and present your findings like a real scholar. With weekly sessions, you’ll build a project step by step, culminating in a unique research paper.
5. Harvard’s Summer Explorations
Location: Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 6th to 8th graders who are members of the Ed Portal (membership is free for Allston-Brighton residents and families of the Gardner Pilot Academy)
Summer Explorations is an in-person summer program for middle school students in Massachusetts that offers weeklong activities from basketball to science and game design. One option takes you to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where you’ll learn how plants and animals reach remote islands and create your own board game to model how ecosystems grow. Another (exclusively for rising 6th graders) lets you sharpen your basketball skills with Harvard’s coaching staff during the Crimson Kids Hoops clinic. You can also join sessions that help you explore Harvard’s campus or investigate the natural world.
6. EXPLO’s Middle School Summer Enrichment Programs
Location: Wellesley College, Norwood, MA
Cost: $3,695 – $11,270, depending on format and length (Discounts and financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Session 1: Overnight: June 29 – July 12; Day: June 30 – July 11 | Session 2: Overnight: July 13 – 26; Day: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically late November
Eligibility: Middle school students who are at least 13 years old
EXPLO at Wellesley College offers a wide-ranging summer program for middle school students in Massachusetts who want to explore different interests in an interactive environment. The core program, EXPLO 360°, lets you mix and match subjects like fashion illustration, engineering, codebreaking, and architecture while also taking part in outdoor activities and weekend trips. You can also choose a focused path like Medical Specialties or Veterinary Science, where you’ll work alongside professionals and practice skills like reading X-rays, diagnosing illnesses, and even suturing. The classes are led by instructors trained to support middle schoolers through both academic challenges and personal growth.
7. Boston Leadership Institute Pre-High School Programs
Location: Olin/Wellesley, Gann/Bentley, Waltham, MA
Cost: $699 (tuition) + $699 (residential); Limited scholarships are available
Cohort Size: Each class has around 15-20 students
Dates: Several sessions across June – August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 8th graders
At the Boston Leadership Institute, you can explore STEM topics through hands-on, project-based learning in a setting designed specifically for middle schoolers. This summer program for middle school students in Massachusetts includes a wide selection of short-term courses like Mini Med School, Marine Bio: Aquarium, Crime Lab, and Intro to Sports Statistics that go beyond what’s typically offered in a school setting. Each session is built to introduce advanced concepts in a way that’s interactive and age-appropriate, whether you're designing boats, diagnosing pet illnesses, or analyzing game data. Programs run during the day with flexible options for extended time or overnight stays.
8. Dive In Commonwealth
Location: Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Cohort Size: Typically 10 students per grade
Dates: July 7 – August 15 + select Saturdays during the school year
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High-achieving middle school students from low-income families living in and around Boston
This multi-year summer program is designed for middle school students in Massachusetts who are looking for an environment that will challenge them but also encourage them to do their best. During the six-week summer session, you'll take core classes in English and math alongside electives like computer science, theater, and biology. The program is also paired with Saturday sessions during the school year, offering continuity and extra support as you prepare for competitive high school admissions. You’ll also go on field trips, participate in art classes, and have time for sports and social activities.
9. Phillips Academy’s Andover Summer: Lower School Institute
Location: Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
Cost: $10,850 (residential) + $2,170 nonrefundable tuition deposit; $7,400 (day students) + $1,480 nonrefundable tuition deposit; Nonrefundable $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 1 – August 3
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until April 30
Eligibility: 7th and 8th grade students
At Phillips Academy’s Andover Summer, students entering 7th or 8th grade can join the Lower School Institute (LSI), a five-week academic program that aims to blend structure with independence. You’ll choose an interdisciplinary course such as marine biology and math, engineering design, archaeology, or creative performance that you’ll explore in depth with experienced teachers. While you’ll share the broader campus with high school students, LSI has its own tailored schedule, cohort, and residential community. Outside of class, you’ll engage with supervised study halls, social events, and afternoon activities like swimming, hiking, or dance.
10. Bridgewater State University’s Summer Science Academy
Location: Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA
Cost: $300 (early registration, sibling, multiweek, and BSU faculty/staff discounts are available, along with scholarships)
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment; Low selectivity
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: One month prior to the start of the program
Eligibility: Rising 7th to 9th graders
The Science Academy at Bridgewater State University offers week-long, hands-on STEM programs where you’ll take on the role of a scientist through experiments, projects, and collaborative challenges. It focuses on science and problem-solving, whether you’re exploring biotech, cybersecurity, or environmental engineering. In “CyberTank,” you'll design tech projects with built-in cybersecurity features and present them to a panel in a Shark Tank-style showcase, while also learning about digital citizenship and data protection. Another session, “Avoiding a Campus CATastrophe,” uses a fictional stray cat scenario to introduce you to biotechnology techniques, veterinary science, and shelter design.
11. College Academy
Location: Stonehill College, Easton, MA
Cost: $1,100 (day program), $1,400 (day and extended program)
Cohort Size: 10 students per course (tentative)
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 25; Session 2: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 4th to 8th grade students
College Academy offers a summer program for middle school students in Massachusetts that blends STEM, arts, and creative exploration. Whether you're learning about artificial intelligence, building robots, dissecting marine specimens, or recording your own podcast, the program emphasizes small group collaboration, project-based learning, and personalized instruction in a non-competitive environment. You will get to explore everything from game design and animation to mock trials, physics experiments, and entrepreneurship.
12. Youth Musical Theater Summer Program
Location: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
Cost: $1,100 + $50 nonrefundable registration fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Limited capacity
Dates: Week 1: July 28 – August 1; Week 2: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Students aged 12-14
The Youth Musical Theater Summer Program is a one- or two-week program designed to build foundational skills in acting, singing, dancing, and playwriting. Each day covers group warmups, theater games, and hands-on workshops that encourage you to collaborate and express yourself. You’ll work closely with peers in small group sessions and ensemble activities, all leading up to a final performance for family and friends. This is one of the more arts-focused summer programs for middle school students in Massachusetts, allowing you to explore musical theater while meeting others who share your interests.
13. MCC’s College for Kids
Location: Middlesex Community College, Bedford, MA
Cost: $259 – $389
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment; Low selectivity
Dates: 4-day camps from July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 8-17
Middlesex Community College’s College for Kids allows students to try something new every week. This series of half- and full-day courses gives middle schoolers the chance to explore interests ranging from science experiments and game design to cupcake decorating and improv theater. Whether you're diving into beginner coding or learning how to edit films, every class is interactive, hands-on, and led by experienced instructors. The flexible weekly schedule means you can sign up for one course or several.
14. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 12 students per cohort
Dates: July 7 – 25; The Fall Semester Meetings: August 27 – December 10
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: 6th or 7th graders in the U.S. with household incomes under $90,000 who can attend both the summer course and school-year meetings
SMSSP helps you prepare for more challenging academic environments by offering 3-week summer courses followed by weekly sessions in the fall. You’ll explore subjects like academic writing, math enrichment, and the high school admissions process. The instructors focus on helping you build the habits and thinking skills needed to succeed at schools like Stanford Online High School or similar selective programs. You’ll also connect with students from other states and get guidance from both instructors and program staff.
15. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500 (Financial aid is available)
Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students are accepted
Dates: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 28 (early decision); July 10 (regular decision)
Eligibility: Students aged 11-14 who identify as girls, gender–nonconforming, or were assigned female at birth
The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp is a remote, one-week program focused on coding, computational thinking, and problem-solving. This summer program gives you the chance to learn Wolfram Language through interactive workshops, peer collaboration, and expert-led sessions. You'll work on mini-projects and coding challenges that introduce you to concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and algorithmic design. Instructors guide you through hands-on activities designed to build both your technical skills and your confidence in applying them.