Summer Springboard

Exploratory Pre-College Summer Programs on University Campuses for Middle Schoolers

PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

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Summer Springboard
Pre-College Programs for Middle School Students

Summer Springboard invites pre-teens to join us for a summer program on a prestigious university campus in locations across the United States this summer, in a field of interest relevant to their future college or career ambitions.

Our middle school one-week program locations include Berkeley, Georgetown, NYU, UC San Diego, Vanderbilt and the University of Washington. These programs combine academic courses, interactive labs, and recreational activities to give middle school students a supportive, fun and enriching summer experience.

These programs operate separately from Summer Springboard high school programs with separate staff, accommodations, schedules, classes, activities, and a more structured environment.

A middle schooler should attend a Summer Springboard program because it gives them a massive head start, both academically and personally, before high school even begins.

It’s a chance to explore real-world subjects like medicine, engineering, business, law and more hands-on, not just read about them. Students get to test-drive potential interests, build confidence, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had, all while having an unforgettable summer on a top-tier college campus.

They start developing independence, leadership skills,and academic curiosity in a supportive environment designed just for motivated young teens. It’s not just summer enrichment. It’s an early launchpad that helps them grow, shine and see what’s possible for their future.

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Summer Springboard

Schedule a Call with Us

Summer Springboard’s expert Admissions Team is here to help you plan your summer program every step of the way.

Pre-College Summer Programs Designed with Middle Schoolers In-Mind

At the heart of your Summer Springboard program is the academic track you choose. Depending on your field of interest, you will take a course, led by an expert instructor, that is designed to give you an early taste of the real-world college experience at a competitive university.

Each course is one-week long and is designed by educators and real world experts to allow middle school students to quickly grasp core concepts in an easy and enjoyable way.

Our Mission and Values

Our mission at Summer Springboard is to help students increase their self-awareness so they can make decisions about college selection, academic majors, and careers that reflect their personal vision for success.

Summer Springboard has adopted six key values from the African Leadership Academy that sit at the heart of our mission.

ALA is at the root of the journey that eventually led to the formation of Terra Education and its programs around the world, including Summer Springboard, and these values continue to embody everything Summer Springboard represents as an organization.

Integrity: We are a people of our word, with the courage to do what is right.

Curiosity: We challenge the status quo and take the initiative to pursue new Ideas.

Humility: We are thankful for opportunities and are aware of our limitations.

Compassion: We empathize with and care for those around us.

Diversity: We respect all people and believe that difference should be celebrated.

Excellence: We set high standards for our own achievement and celebrate the achievements of others.

Why Start in Middle School?

While most Summer Springboard programs are designed exclusively for high school students, our summer programs for middle schoolers are curated for ambitious and curious students in this younger age range.

Middle school students should join a Summer Springboard program because it transforms an ordinary summer into a launchpad for BIG possibilities. Instead of waiting until high school to explore their interests, they get to jump in early, trying out exciting fields, tackling real-world challenges and discovering what truly sparks their curiosity.

It’s the perfect mix of independence, adventure and growth, all set on inspiring college campuses that make them feel like they’re stepping into their future. With new friends, new skills, and a huge boost in confidence, students “level up” while on campus.

Summer Springboard

Get Your Free Program Catalog

The Summer Springboard program catalog is your best go-to resource for exploring programs by campus, course and more. We’ll send you one at no cost!

About Summer Springboard

On a Summer Springboard pre-college academic program, teens are invited to explore a major and find a future career path, on elite university campuses in the United States and abroad.

We are proud to host our programs at some of the nation’s – and world’s – leading colleges and universities to offer students a rich taste of life on a major campus.

Each campus has been selected for our programs based on outstanding academic excellence and rigor, reputation for safety and comfort, and capacity to inspire students to reach their full potential. With an outstanding university as your home and real-world classroom for two weeks, you’ll experience a true taste of college student life.

Each instructor has been chosen for their expertise in their field of study, their academic achievement, and their exceptional ability to teach and connect with high-achieving, college-bound high school students. Whether you’re working with a professor from the university, a scientist who runs their own lab, or any other number of extremely qualified instructors, this is a learning experience not to be missed.

Hands-on Learning

Dive deep into our academic immersion courses taught by industry professionals. Imagine learning Law from someone who argued before the Supreme Court or writing under the guidance of a published author.

Career Exploration

Beyond theory, there will be excursions and guest speakers for students to hear firsthand from experts in their field of interest. Past company visits included Google, Bloomberg, and the United Nations Foundation.

College Prep

Through campus visits and enrichment electives, we provide a deeper understanding of the college admissions process. Students also make new friends from around the world and learn to live as a college student.

Summer Springboard

Save Your Spot on This Program

Enrolling in this program or any other Summer Springboard program is quick and easy! Simply navigate to our online application form to get started.

Curate Your Summer Springboard Experience

At Summer Springboard, both Commuter and Residential options are available.

If you live within the area, you can opt to be a commuter student. Each day, simply arrive at campus for the start of the program, and depart from campus when your course and activity schedule is complete. This is a phenomenal option for local families. You can even save on program tuition if you choose this option.

Whether you’re a local or live far away from campus, you can choose to be a residential student. Live full-time on-program and experience campus life, while staying overnight in our dorms. Residential students enjoy additional weekend excursions included with program tuition!

Choose a Campus

Summer Springboard hosts summer programs at the following university campus and city locations:

• Yale University
• Berkeley
• Duke University
• UCLA
• Georgetown University
• UC San Diego
• Barnard College, Columbia University
• UC Santa Barbara
• Georgia Tech
• Cal Poly
• University of Michigan
• University of Washington
• New York School of Interior Design
• UW Foster School of Business
• NYU
• Oxford, UK
• Vanderbilt University

Select an Academic Track

You can choose from these Academic Tracks when you attend a campus-based program:

• Business & Law
• Computer Science
• Engineering & Science
• Humanities & Liberal Arts
• Media & Design
• Medicine & Healthcare

Consider an Online Program

Choose one of our top courses that has been transformed into a customized and dynamic online learning experience. Discover your academic passions with a real-world professional, engage in interactive online learning, and learn about career paths for this major.

Summer Springboard

Get Your Free Program Catalog

The Summer Springboard program catalog is your best go-to resource for exploring programs by campus, course and more. We’ll send you one at no cost!

Campus Partners
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.