The middle school years come and go quickly, and students develop physically, emotionally, and mentally during this time. These are critical years for major decisions. In many cases, students begin to firm up concrete decisions about career paths and habits as early as middle school.
With this fast-paced development in mind, this post is an updated exploration of pre-college enrichment programs that families can consider when thinking about encouraging children to become knowledgeable and comfortable with college-level academic demands and environments.
A number of linked opportunities in this post are also available free of cost and some are offered in online formats for greater accessibility.
Duke University
Duke University continues to be a leader among college residency programs for middle school students. Youth who are interested in this program can engage in a one-week or two-week option. Though the submission period for financial aid has passed for 2025, there are opportunities available for students to apply for scholarships for the program, as well.
At present, the cost of the one-week residency is $2580 and the cost of the two-week residency is $5640. These opportunities are open to students in grades 6-11 and students are required to maintain competitive GPAs and meet other benchmarks to participate.
The experience includes housing, meals, and airport transportation, as well as books and supplies. Participants can engage in classes each day with experienced instructors and teaching associates. Additionally, the experience includes College Connections seminars and additional club activities.
There are fifteen topic-focused course offerings for middle school students, including aerospace engineering and writer’s studio, among other topics. There is also an online option for engaging with the program.
dynaMIT
If cost is prohibitive, there are a number of free options for students to consider, as well. For students who are interested in STEM (science technology engineering math) pathways, MIT offers the dynaMIT program.
This is a free program interested middle school-aged students with a mission for “Igniting the STEM Interests of the Next Generation.” Those who wish to attend must arrange their own lodging and transportation, so is ideal for students in the Boston area. While the program is fee, donations are accepted. The event is held on MIT campus.
The organizers of dynaMIT have a particular interest in opening up opportunities for students who might have had access to other programs in the past. Though the 2025 application period has closed, interested families can plan on seeking more information in August.
S-PREP
Also operating as a free program, Columbia University hosts the State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP). The program is aimed for students in grades 7-12 who have an interest in medical and STEM fields. The program is offered during a summer session in July, as well as during the academic year from October to May.
A variety of course offerings are part of S-PREP, including Anatomy, Biochemistry, Ready for PreMed, Physics, and math-focused courses, among other options. Applications are based on maintaining competitive GPAs, student interest, student availability, and professional conduct as a member of a learning community.
In addition to the summer enrichment experience, S-PREP offers courses which focus on preparing to take the SAT and college preparation and career development workshops. Field trips and college tours are additional parts of program offerings.
SMSSP
For students interested in opportunities that are free of cost and online, Stanford offers the Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP). This program is designed with high school in mind with a focus on rigor and is offered in an online three-week format with additional afterschool online meetings through the fall semester. SMSSP is designed with students who have traditionally not had access to enrichment opportunities and who are in grades 6 and 7.
The program is tuition-free, features live online classes with 65% of the participating instructors holding Ph.D.’s in their respective fields, and includes topics like navigating high school, meeting demands of academic writing, math concepts, and developing a growth mindset.
Students enrolled in this program will focus on preparation for Stanford Online High School, as well as other rigorous high school settings. Interested families can explore the program’s website for more information, including a FAQ page.
Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
Finally, Northwestern University offers 3 Week Academic Summer Camps | Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD), which is tailored for middle school students. The program is open to students in grades 6-12 and offers both one-week and three-week courses for interested participants. Tuition ranges from $990-$6000 and financial aid support is available.
Courses are described as fast-paced and intensive, and are aimed at youth who are strongly motivated. Northwestern also notes the benefit of smaller class sizes for the program, with a host of course offerings from fantasy writing and worldbuilding to mock trials, as well as science and math-focused offerings.
As of the time of this writing, the application for the program is still open.
Finding the proper fit for a pre-college program can involve a search, but this post aims to demystify some of that process. A host of programs exist beyond what is listed here, with many focused on high school-aged students.
Need help finding the best summer program for your child? Crimson Rise's academic advisors are here for you. At Rise, our academic strategists chart a customized educational pathway based on your pre-teen's interests and strengths. Our experienced strategist will assist your middle schooler in selecting and applying to the best summer programs.
Book a free consultation call with our academic advisor to discuss your child's educational pathways.
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