Summer Springboard
ON THE CAMPUS OF
University of Michigan
Middle School
PICK A 1-WEEK MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE OF YOUR CHOICE; OR PICK MORE COURSES FOR A LONGER SUMMER EXPERIENCE.
Program Highlights
- Live on Vanderbilt’s campus and experience college-style dorm life with supportive supervision.
- Enjoy hands-on learning, interactive workshops, and engaging group projects throughout the program.
- Participate in fun, supervised activities and games during evening and free time.
- Explore Nashville with educational excursions to museums, landmarks, and local attractions.
- Build friendships and collaborate with peers from around the world in a welcoming environment.
- Develop independence, confidence, and teamwork skills in a structured, residential summer program.
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Campus Overview
Spend your summer exploring the University of Michigan, one of the nation’s leading universities, in the vibrant college town of Ann Arbor. Known for academic excellence, groundbreaking discoveries, Michigan offers an exciting setting for middle school students to discover new interests, build confidence and imagine what’s possible.
In addition to our morning academic courses, students spend the afternoons in skill labs working on hands-on projects or attending academic excursions that connect them with real-world professionals in their fields of interest. Students also participate in recreational activities, fostering a supportive, fun, and enriching summer experience.
RESOURCES
Apply Now
Click here to begin your application for this campus-based program.
Download Infosheet
Request a Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our campuses and courses.
Schedule a Call
Click here to schedule a call with our Admissions Team during a day and time that is most convenient for you.
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Dates & Tuition
| 2027 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 11 – June 16, 2027 |
Click here to enroll in this program using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $2,798* |
| Commuter Tuition: $1,398* |
| Deposit Due: $600 |
| Application Fee: $99+ |
*Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Campus: University of Michigan |
*Learn more about our campus partners and their relationship to our programs.
| Eligibility |
|---|
| Open to students between the ages of 12-14 that have finished 6th grade. |
| 3.0 Grade Point Average (or equivalent) |
One-Week Summer Program
Residential Students
- Includes: all meals, lodging, excursions, academic course, weekend excursions
- Excludes: optional airport pickup and drop-off service (available for an additional fee)
Commuter Students
- Includes: lunch, academic course, excursions, programming from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday
- Excludes: lodging, breakfast, dinner, weekend excursions (can be added on for $125 per day)
Supplements
- $250 tuition extra (mandatory) for the Robotics & Mechanical Engineering course
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Academic Courses
AI & Computer Science
What if you could design the city of the future? In this Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science program, students explore how AI and coding can solve problems and improve everyday life. Working in teams, they take on the Smart City Engineering Challenge to design and build projects that address issues like traffic, energy use, and water conservation.
Throughout the week, students build their coding and problem-solving skills while bringing their ideas to life. The program ends with a Smart City Showcase, where teams present their projects and show how technology can help create a smarter, more sustainable future.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Students will learn firsthand from business veterans about starting and running a business. Over the course of the program, they will develop a plan for a new venture and pitch their idea to real world investors. Along the way, meet with leaders from different areas of business and finance.
Nursing
Step into the world of nursing this summer with Springboard’s Nursing program and discover how compassion and science work together to care for patients and save lives. Through hands-on activities and guided simulations, students explore medical concepts and learn to think like nurses.
Students will practice essential care with simulated patients while learning about anatomy, physiology, vital signs, and health promotion. They will also develop decision-making, clinical reasoning, and communication skills in a supportive environment designed for all experience levels.
Robotics & Mechanical Engineering
Step into the exciting world of robotics and mechanical engineering, where creativity and innovation transform big ideas into moving, working machines. Students will build basic mechanical systems, assemble motorized robots, and explore how gears, wheels, motors, and movement work together. Through guided projects and team challenges, students will design, test, and improve their creations while developing hands-on problem-solving and engineering skills.
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Activities & Trips
Beyond the classroom, Ann Arbor is filled with beautiful art, food and culture, providing a summer filled with opportunities to explore, connect and see the world from a whole new perspective.
Students can also experience the excitement of the iconic Big House, the largest stadium in the USA!
Campus Tour
All students will go on a tour of University of Michigan’s campus, learning from current students and getting a feel for college life.
Big House - University of Michigan Football Stadium
Get to visit the largest stadium in the USA! Feel the excitement from the field and get a chance to explore the stadium.
Track-Specific Excursions
In order to take full advantage of everything the Ann Arbor area offers, each academic program may also take subject matter specific excursions to help round out the student experience.
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Student Life
Living on Central Campus, students will be right in the heart of the university, surrounded by the energy, traditions ad excitement that make Michigan so special. From enjoying meals in the dining hall to settling into the residence hall, students will discover what it’s like to live and learn on a real college campus.
TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE
8:00am Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with your fellow students as you get ready to start your day on-program. Most meals will be in the on-campus dining hall.
9:00am Academic Course
Take part in your selected academic course. This college-style learning experience is designed to give students hands-on exposure to a specific field of study.
12:00pm Lunch
Enjoy lunch in the campus dining hall, which offers a wide variety of fresh and flavorful options. The menu is designed to accommodate all kinds of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, and common food allergies—ensuring every student can find something satisfying and safe to eat while connecting with friends over a great meal.
1:30pm Recreational Activity or Academic Excursion
At Summer Springboard at University of Michigan, academic excursions are off-campus field trips that connect directly to each course, giving students real-world insight into their chosen field. Recreational activities offer fun and social ways to unwind, explore the area, and build friendships through beach outings, campus games, local attractions, and more. Together, these experiences enrich both learning and student life in a vibrant, hands-on way.
3:30pm Academic Skills Lab
Students will participate in academic skill labs, where they’ll have extra time to develop their final projects. Whether preparing for a mock trial or refining their business pitches, this dedicated time allows them to collaborate and bring their ideas to life.
5:00pm Free Time
Students enjoy structured free time between Academic Skills Lab and dinner, with opportunities to relax, play games, or socialize with friends.
6:00pm Commuter Students Depart
For those students that have selected the commuter option, they will depart campus for the day while residential students prepare for dinner and evening activities.
6:00pm Dinner
It’s been a long, eventful day! It’s time to head to the dining hall or other dining location and eat well to restore your energy reserves before taking part in clubs or other nighttime activities.
7:00pm Evening Actvities for Residential Students
In the evenings, residential students participate in fun, supervised activities such as talent shows, trivia nights, and karaoke. These activities build community, encourage teamwork, and give students a chance to relax after a full day.
8:30pm Back in the Dorm
All students return to the dorms by 8:30pm to wind down and prepare for the next day.
9:30pm Mentor Check-In for Residential Students
Residential students will turn in for the night to rest in their dorm rooms and get ready for the big day ahead tomorrow.
Travel Logistics
Summer Springboard offers an optional airport transfer service to help students arrive safely and confidently on campus. For an additional fee, our staff will meet students at the airport, assist them with the transition to campus and escort them directly to their residence hall. Families can feel comfortable knowing their student is in good hands, without needing to travel alongside them. For more information on travel, visit our Travel Logistics FAQ.
Housing
At the University of Michigan, Summer Springboard students live in traditional-style residence hall rooms, with one roommate per room. Students share a room with a fellow participant and have access to communal bathroom facilities. Rooms are assigned by gender. Basic linens are provided, including a flat sheet, blanket, pillow, pillowcase, and towel.
Living on campus is a great opportunity for middle school students to experience college life, build independence, and make new friends in a supportive environment. Summer Springboard staff members live in the residence halls and help foster a welcoming community through activities, guidance, and day-to-day support.
Security
The dorms are access-controlled, and students need their individual access-cards to get into the residence hall and their suite.
University of Michigan Security operates 24/7 and makes regular patrols of the campus and residence halls. Students are required to be in the building no later than 9:30 pm.
Facilities
Each dormitory has laundry facilities, lounges, and WiFi throughout. There is also a water filtration station, and students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and hydrate regularly.
Dining
Most meals will be in the on-campus dining hall. The dining hall offers a wide selection of food, accommodating a variety of diets – including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, and specific food allergies.
Summer Springboard on the campus of
University of Michigan - Middle School
Testimonials
Please note that activities, courses and other items on the itinerary for this program are subject to change. This video may reflect an older version of this program. Please refer to the program infosheet and this website page for the most up-to-date information on this campus-based program.
“SSB has been an amazing experience and has opened so many doors for me. I will forever cherish the people I have met as well as the content I’ve learned. SSB has helped me learn more about myself as a person and grow exponentially.”
– Paige S. | Alumni Student
“It’s been my dream to visit the USA. I’m so happy that I completed the program and that I got opportunities to make new friends, study international relations, and practice English”
– Zhozefina Z. | Alumni Student
“I loved this experience and recommend to anyone considering their post-secondary pathways! The instructors were highly experienced and the course was well structured.”
– Elisa C. | Alumni Student
*Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, NYSID and UW Foster which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.