Summer can be more than just a break from school — it’s an opportunity for your child to grow, explore, and prepare for what comes next.
When choosing a summer program for middle school students, consider these common goals:
- Catching up on a specific subject to prepare for high school and beyond.
- Getting ahead of the school schedule, possibly through programs that offer credit for early graduation.
- Exploring unique interests and passions.
- Engaging in something productive and academic during the summer break.
Your choice of program will depend on these goals. For example, a remedial math program can help a student catch up on skills before the next grade, while early college-prep programs offer an opportunity to get ahead. The best program aligns with a student’s individual objectives.
In this article, we’ll explore a variety of summer programs for middle school students, ranging from free electives to credit-bearing academic courses, each designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire personal and academic growth.
Summer Programs with 1-to-1 and Small Group Learning
Fusion Academy
Fusion Academy is a private middle and high school built on the belief that each student’s learning journey should be as unique as they are. Students participate in one-on-one classes with instructors, allowing teachers to tailor the curriculum to meet each student’s individual needs.
This focused attention benefits all students, empowering those with big academic ambitions to excel and providing support for others to regain confidence and close gaps in their learning.
Fusion’s 1-to-1 model is especially beneficial for students with learning differences, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or executive functioning disorder, who may struggle in traditional school environments.
Traditional classrooms can be overwhelming or unstimulating, but 1-to-1 instruction allows teachers to adjust teaching styles, pacing, and curriculum to suit each student’s needs. Whether students learn best by moving, creating, or exploring subjects that ignite their interest, Fusion is a place where this growth can happen.
Fusion has campuses in 18 states across the country, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
Click here to explore our list of over 80 Fusion campuses and find the one closest to you.
Some parents prefer their children to learn online, whether due to frequent travel, having homes in various states, or a desire to maintain the remote learning experience they adopted during COVID. For these families, Fusion offers online courses through Fusion Global. A hybrid learning model is also available, blending in-person and online instruction.
Students can choose to attend Fusion either part-time or full-time, based on their needs. In addition to our middle and high school programs, Fusion provides private tutoring and post-secondary counseling.
Keep reading to discover more about the transformational summer programs that Fusion offers.
Fusion’s Summer Programs
Fusion offers multiple accredited summer programs for middle school students who want to catch up on lost learning from the previous school year or get ahead for the next one.
Summer Classes for Credit
Fusion offers over 300 core and elective middle and high school courses. Summer classes for credit can be completed in as little as four weeks, providing students with numerous options to gain extra credit. For example:
- Students who are behind grade level can catch up with core academic classes, such as Algebra, English, or Chemistry.
- Students looking to pursue their interests or re-engage with learning can take a class that matches a niche passion, like the new artificial intelligence course offered by Fusion.
- Advanced middle school students can take high school classes, honors classes, or even AP classes, which are college-level.
The courses are available 1-to-1 (one student with one teacher), and select courses are offered in small groups (2–5 students). Classes can be taken in-person, online, or in a hybrid format, depending on what works best for your summer plans.
Your student’s class schedule is fully customizable to fit your family’s needs, unlike the rigid schedules of typical summer programs.
Remediation and Enrichment
Since reading and math are fundamental skills for both school and life, it’s beneficial for students who are behind in these areas to seek out summer classes to catch up with their peers.
Fusion offers remedial summer courses in both reading and math. These courses combine self-study using a software solution and direct instruction from a qualified teacher. The direct instruction ensures accountability, while the software allows students to learn at their own pace, with course material that adapts to their individual knowledge level through machine learning.
For reading specifically, we also provide additional support for students in the 15th percentile or lower. This remediation program is based on the Orton-Gillingham methodology, originally developed for students with dyslexia, and incorporates kinesthetic learning aids, such as gel boards.
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Summer Tutoring
When students want to focus on building skills rather than earning credit, summer tutoring can be a great option.
1-to-1 or small group tutoring with subject matter experts helps address learning gaps from the previous school year and build a strong foundation for the upcoming fall. Popular tutoring subjects include history, biology, and study skills.
Tutoring is also a great way to re-engage students with learning and help them explore areas they’re passionate about. Subjects available in this category include psychology, programming, and graphic design.
Summer Post-Secondary Planning
For middle school students looking to get ahead in planning their future after high school, summer is an ideal time to work with a counselor and explore options. Fusion offers four specialized post-secondary packages designed specifically for summer.
For students on a college path, this stage is a great time to start selecting extracurricular activities that will make their application stand out. Some students may also benefit from resume creation.
For those considering options outside the traditional college route, Fusion counselors can help explore pathways like gap years, vocational school, military service, or transitional programs. Whatever path a student chooses, Fusion’s counselors will help them set goals and work toward making their future plans a reality.
Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers
At Fusion, we also offer week-long summer camps for middle school students. This part-time program allows students to spend half the day engaged in activities that foster creativity, learning, and social development.
These camps are hosted at Fusion Academy campuses across the country, with each campus offering unique activities.
For more information, reach out today.
Barnstable Academy
Based in Oakland, New Jersey, Barnstable Academy offers a range of 1-to-1 summer programs for students in grades 6 through 12. Options include:
- Studying to gain extra credit
- Taking electives not offered at your child’s school
- College prep courses
- Physical Education
- Creative pursuits, such as recording an album
- Remedial classes
Most classes are taught using Barnstable’s EDGE program, which provides gifted students with the space to challenge themselves while offering struggling students the extra time and attention they need to catch up. Some classes are available in small groups as well as 1-to-1.
Summer STEM Programs
MIT DynaMIT
DynaMIT is a week-long STEM program for middle school students in the Boston area, organized every summer by MIT. Completely student-led, current MIT undergraduates create the curriculum and plan the logistics over the course of the year. This well-established and reputable program has been running for over a decade.
DynaMIT is free for families, making it an excellent choice for low-income families with middle schoolers interested in STEM. The students running the program are passionate about STEM education and aim to inspire participants through challenging activities and hands-on experiments. This could be the start of your child’s STEM career!
Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program
The Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program is a two-week course in oceanography and marine biology, held twice each summer in Seal Harbor, Maine. The program is designed for students in 6th to 8th grade, with an advanced course available for high school students.
Students will have the chance to create their own saltwater tank to study various marine environments. The program includes hands-on activities involving local wildlife, such as whales and birds, including a visit to a bird rehabilitation center. Students will also explore tide pools and enjoy fishing boat trips. The event concludes with a family cookout on the final morning.
Free Summer Programs
Montgomery Can Code
Montgomery Can Code is a free, week-long coding program for middle-school students in Montgomery County, MD. Students will learn the Swift programming language, which is easy to pick up, so no prior coding experience is required — basic critical thinking and problem-solving skills are enough.
Participants can attend in person during one of the three weeks the program is offered or join online via Zoom. Each week includes a “career pathway day,” where students can talk to local IT businesses about potential future careers.
Parents can be assured of safety, as all mentors undergo a MCPS background check before being allowed to teach.
Piedmont Community College Summer Camps
Every summer, Piedmont Community College (PCC) puts on a range of free middle school programs. Held at PCC’s two campuses in Roxboro and Yanceyville, NC, these programs provide an immersive and educational summer experience for families.
Each course lasts about 4 days, with classes running for 3–4 hours daily, often in the mornings. The courses focus on exploring stimulating career paths that students may not have previously considered. Past topics include:
- Mechatronics
- Animation
- Welding
- Robotics
- Detective work
- T-shirt printing
Project-Based Summer Programs
Lumiere Junior Explorer
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week program for middle schoolers, where students can create a research project in an area they’re passionate about. Founded by Harvard and Oxford PhDs, Lumiere offers exceptional academic enrichment and mentorship. This access to leading scholars allows 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to produce high-school-level projects.
The program is completely virtual and enrollment takes place three times per year, including during the summer. Typical areas of research include:
- Data Science
- Astrophysics
- Healthcare
- Anthropology
- Computer Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Psychology
Ladder Internships
Ladder Internships offer students the chance to intern remotely with top startups and established companies like Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Students are expected to commit 10-15 hours per week to their internship. There are two types of internships: a startup internship lasting 8 weeks, and a research internship lasting 16–32 weeks.
In both cases, students contribute to meaningful, hands-on projects, such as a business plan, a go-to-market strategy, or a machine learning model. They often work directly with the founder or a senior management team member, typically individuals with backgrounds from places like Harvard Business School, Stanford, and Y Combinator.
Find the Right Summer Program for Your Child
We hope that you found a suitable program for your child in this list.
Fusion Academy’s summer programs stand out by offering deeply personalized learning experiences, tailored to each student’s unique goals, alongside a wide range of engaging topics that inspire growth and discovery.
Whether your child needs to catch up after the last academic year or get ahead for the next one, Fusion has something for you.
To find out more about Fusion Academy, reach out to us or schedule a visit to your local campus.
