7 College Courses for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student eager to expand your academic horizons, this blog is for you! Today, select college-level courses are opening up opportunities for younger students like you to dive deep into fascinating topics while getting a head start on advanced learning. These programs aren’t just about challenging yourself—they’re about discovering new passions, honing valuable skills, and even exploring potential career paths.
By participating in these college courses, you’ll have the chance to learn from esteemed professors and industry professionals while connecting with peers who share your curiosity. Engaging with college-level content at an early age will help you develop critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving skills—all of which will serve you well as you progress through your educational journey.
To get you started, we’ve put together a list of 7 college courses for middle school students ready to learn beyond the classroom! From coding and creative writing to law and engineering, these courses offer a unique glimpse into college life and a chance to gain expertise in fields that matter to you.
Location: Duke University Marine Lab, Beaufort, NC
Cost: $2,250 for tuition, plus $850 for room and board (covers 6 nights and 7 days of meals)
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025 (tentatively, April, based on previous years)
Program Dates: TBA for 2025 (tentatively, July, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Duke Marine Lab Pre-College Program offers an immersive, hands-on learning experience for middle and high school students passionate about marine science. Located on the coast of North Carolina, this program allows students to live and learn on-site, providing access to labs, research vessels, and expert faculty. Participants explore marine biology, sustainability, and conservation through engaging labs and research in the surrounding estuaries.
Through engaging field trips, lab work, and interactive activities, you'll gain practical scientific skills and experience marine ecosystems up close. These courses not only deepen your understanding of marine life but also open doors to potential careers in environmental science and marine research.
2. Introduction to Computer Science – Harvard University (CS50x)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to audit; $219 for a verified certificate
Application Deadline: Open enrollment (self-paced course)
Program Length: 11 weeks, with an estimated 10–20 hours of work per week
Eligibility: Open to all students, majors, and non-majors, with or without prior programming experience
CS50x, Harvard University’s renowned introduction to computer science and programming, is a self-paced course designed for learners of all levels. Whether you’re new to programming or have some prior experience, this course, taught by Professor David J. Malan, offers a broad and robust understanding of key computer science concepts. You will learn how to think algorithmically and solve complex programming problems efficiently, covering topics such as abstraction, algorithms, data structures, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. The course also familiarizes you with a variety of programming languages, including C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
Beyond technical learning, CS50x provides the opportunity to engage with a global community of like-minded learners and collaborate on real-world problem sets inspired by areas like biology, finance, cryptography, and gaming. As a final milestone, students develop and present a programming project to their peers, solidifying their skills and creativity in a practical, hands-on environment.
3. Young Scholars Program – University of Chicago
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Sliding scale fee based on family income:
Less than $75,000: $250 (Financial aid is available for eligible students)
$75,000 - $150,000: $600
More than $150,000: $1,000
Application Deadline: April (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising 7th to 12th graders from the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs
The University of Chicago's Young Scholars Program invites mathematically talented students in grades 7 through 12 to explore advanced concepts in Number Theory. This four-week, highly selective day camp includes lectures by faculty, small group problem-solving sessions, and the opportunity to engage deeply with mathematical concepts beyond the traditional school curriculum.
Participants will engage in problem-solving activities that enhance their critical thinking and connect them with peers who share their passion for mathematics. Though primarily for local students, those from outside the area can apply if they arrange their own lodging.
4. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Varies based on the cohort applied for
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 or 7 who live in the United States and are enrolled in a school there are eligible to apply.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is designed to equip students for a rigorous high school experience. This program offers a three-week summer course followed by weekly after-school meetings in the fall semester. Specifically tailored for students from low-income backgrounds, the program offers a diverse range of subjects, including both humanities and sciences. This year's course offerings feature topics such as Democracy & Dissent, U.S. Social Movements through Graphic Novels, Media Literacy in the Post-Truth Era, and Real-Life Applications of Mathematics.
The program seeks to transcend conventional educational boundaries and thinking patterns. Additionally, it provides targeted workshops during the fall semester to help students prepare for high school and apply to Stanford’s own High School programs, as well as similar opportunities. Participants will benefit from the program's prestige, alongside access to a network of motivated peers and valuable resources to support their future success.
5. College Academy At College Gate
Location: Stonehill College, Easton, MA
Cost: $1,100
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
Program Dates: July & August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students in grades 4 to 8
The College Academy at College Gate is designed for students looking for challenging academic experiences in a high-intensity setting. Its summer programs focus on STEM subjects and creative disciplines like robotics, marine biology, and graphic design.
With a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the program ensures active participation and positive peer interaction, promoting teamwork on projects. The goal is to enhance students' skills through research, preparing them with practical abilities and skills that will prove useful for both college and future careers.
6. Middle School Program at Stanford Online High School
Location: Virtual
Cost:
Full-Time (4 or more courses): $29,850
Part-Time (2–3 courses): $17,910
Single Course: $5,970
Application Deadline: January 9, 2025
Financial aid application deadline - January 16, 2025
Financial aid document deadline - January 22, 2025
Program Dates: August - June, 2025 - 2026
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7-12
Stanford Online High School offers a dynamic middle school program designed for academically motivated students. The curriculum provides college-style courses in subjects like physics, mathematics, and expository writing, ensuring a rigorous academic experience. The program is fully virtual, offering flexibility while maintaining a high standard of personalized instruction.
Middle school students can enroll in single or multiple courses, with financial aid available to eligible families based on need. This program provides an excellent foundation for future academic endeavors and prepares you for the complexities of high school coursework.
7. Engineering Camp at Oregon State University
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: $320 (Need-based scholarship available)
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 to 8
The Engineering Camp at Oregon State University provides middle school students with a week-long, hands-on exploration of various engineering disciplines. Campers will dive into activities like building solar cars, experimenting with chromatography and chemical reaction cars, reverse engineering super absorbent polymers, and working on 3D design and printing. Additional challenges include working with Ozobots and constructing with K'NEX.
This camp introduces students to key engineering concepts while fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. Through engaging projects, students explore STEM subjects in a fun and educational environment, preparing them for more advanced studies in high school.
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