Start exploring Leadership & Gifted summer programs for middle schoolers

Dates:

Jun 27 – Jul 3, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week examining the three branches of government, political parties, public opinion and interest groups through lectures, debate exercises and congressional simulations, with visits from elected officials, Capitol Hill staff, lobbyists and policymakers.

Dates:

Jul 11–17, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week on how democracies handle conflict, covering elections and electoral violence, democratic endurance and erosion, polarization and populism, with a crisis simulation and talks from professors, activists and policymakers.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 20–Jul 24, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week exploring the international system, instruments of foreign policy, international law, terrorism, nuclear weapons, global health and development with Georgetown faculty, specialists and practitioners.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 20–Jul 31, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week introducing jurisprudence and how laws are adjudicated, covering constitutional law, the jury system, sentencing and Supreme Court controversies, with legal professionals and a mock criminal trial.

Dates:

Jul 18–24, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week on homeland security, cybersecurity, arms proliferation and how intelligence is collected, analyzed and disseminated, with tours of government institutions and meetings with civilian, military and intelligence officers.

Dates:

Jul 25–31, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$3,095–$3,725

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

A week on America's role in a changing world, from Congress, the presidency and the press in foreign policy to the Atlantic Alliance, great-power competition and the future of American foreign policy.

Dates:

Jun 13–26, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,075–$6,465

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Two weeks taking a business idea from design thinking and prototype testing through market research to a business plan, with guest entrepreneurs, communication and networking practice, and a final team pitch competition.

Dates:

Jun 20 – Jul 3, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,075–$6,465

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Two weeks on marketing fundamentals from traditional campaigns to social media and data analytics, with industry speakers and a marketing firm visit, ending with students creating and pitching their own campaigns.

Dates:

Jun 13–26, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$5,075–$6,465

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Two weeks behind the scenes of the sports business, covering sports law, marketing, sponsorships, contract negotiation, facility and brand management, with industry executives and panel discussions.

Dates:

Jul 18 – Aug 7, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,085–$9,085

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Three weeks covering business decision-making, investing, strategy, finance, marketing, ethics and AI for business, with daily business briefings, McDonough School of Business faculty, D.C. business experts and a hands-on capstone.

Dates:

Jun 27 – Jul 17, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,085–$9,085

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Three weeks applying economics and political science to real-world policy problems, from microeconomics, trade and foreign aid to poverty, inequality and fiscal and monetary policy, with field trips and workshops.

Dates:

Jul 11–31, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,085–$9,085

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Three weeks on how U.S. foreign policy is made, combining lectures, talks by policymakers, visits to foreign embassies, crisis simulations and discussion of defense policy, terrorism, NGOs, think tanks and trade.

Dates:

Jun 27 – Jul 17, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,085–$9,085

Location:

Washington, DC (Georgetown University campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Early bird Jan 31, 2027 · Final May 15, 2027

Three weeks on international business, from globalization and financial markets to institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and WTO, with investment challenges, case studies, field trips and a startup simulation.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 21–Aug 6, 2027 (1 week and 3 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–3 weeks

Cost:

$2,883–$6,381

Location:

New York, NY (Columbia Morningside campus)

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Commuter

Deadline:

Early registration Feb 1, 2027 · Final Apr 1, 2027

Students take one intensive non-credit course at Columbia's Morningside campus, choosing from courses across art and architecture, business and economics, creative writing, humanities and philosophy, journalism, law, marketing, mathematics, neuroscience, physical sciences, politics, science and medicine, social impact, psychology, and technology.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 21–Aug 6, 2027 (1 week and 2 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–2 weeks

Cost:

$2,868–$4,018

Location:

Online

Grades:

Rising 9th graders through graduating seniors (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Online

Deadline:

Early registration Feb 1, 2027 · Final Apr 1, 2027

Students take a live, small-group online course taught by Columbia instructors on weekdays, with discussions, debates, simulations and projects, plus online student-life workshops. Course areas include art and architecture, business and economics, creative writing, humanities and philosophy, journalism, law, marketing, mathematics, neuroscience, physical sciences, politics, science and medicine, social impact, psychology, and technology.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 8–Jul 28, 2027 (2 weeks and 3 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks–3 weeks

Cost:

$4,725–$6,725

Location:

Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica (with excursions)

Ages:

14–18; all Spanish levels, beginner to advanced (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority · Registration Apr 1, 2027

Students live with a host family in Santo Domingo de Heredia, where Spanish is spoken at home, take afternoon Spanish and cultural classes, volunteer with local children, and take excursions that include Manuel Antonio and Arenal Volcano.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 18–Jul 7, 2027 (2 weeks and 3 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks–3 weeks

Cost:

$4,825–$6,550

Location:

Cuenca, Ecuador (with excursions)

Ages:

14–18; all Spanish levels, beginner to advanced (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority · Registration Apr 1, 2027

Students live with a host family in Cuenca, where Spanish is spoken at home, take Spanish and cultural classes, volunteer in the community, and take day trips to Ingapirca and Cajas National Park.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 18–Jul 28, 2027 (4 weeks and 6 weeks options)

Length:

4 weeks–6 weeks

Cost:

$8,995–$12,250

Location:

Cuenca, Ecuador and Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica

Ages:

14–18; all Spanish levels, beginner to advanced (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority · Registration Apr 1, 2027

Students split the program between a host family in Cuenca, Ecuador and a host family in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, with Spanish and cultural classes, community service, and excursions in both countries.

Dates:

Jul 19–23, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$1,000

Location:

Garden City, NY

Grades:

Rising 9th–12th Graders (completed grades 8–11)

Format:

Commuter

One-week commuter academy on Adelphi's Garden City campus. Students spend full days on hands-on projects and career exploration in one focus, with professional mentorship.

Dates:

Jun 21–25, 2027

Length:

5 days

Cost:

$885

Location:

Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Grades:

Entering high school in fall 2027 (completed grade 8)

Format:

Commuter

Five-day commuter program at Washington University in St. Louis for St. Louis-area students about to start high school, with daily leadership and academic-planning workshops and afternoon sessions exploring literature, art, history, and the environment.

Residency restriction: St. Louis area students only

Dates:

4 sessions between Jul 11–Jul 23, 2027 (5 days and 6 days options)

Length:

5 days–6 days

Cost:

$2,799–$3,199

Location:

Bentley University, Waltham, MA

Grades:

Students currently in grades 5–6

Format:

Residential / Commuter

Leadership program for students finishing grades 5–6 on a college campus, with hands-on challenges such as running mock presidential campaigns and building advocacy projects, plus visits to local landmarks, offered residential or as a day program.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 27–Jul 2, 2027 (5 days and 6 days options)

Length:

5 days–6 days

Cost:

$2,799–$3,199

Location:

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Grades:

Students currently in grades 5–6

Format:

Residential / Commuter

Leadership program for students finishing grades 5–6 on a college campus, with hands-on challenges such as running mock presidential campaigns and building advocacy projects, plus visits to local landmarks, offered residential or as a day program.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 20–Jul 2, 2027 (5 days and 6 days options)

Length:

5 days–6 days

Cost:

$3,199–$3,499

Location:

University of California, Berkeley, CA

Grades:

Students currently in grades 5–6

Format:

Residential / Commuter

Leadership program for students finishing grades 5–6 on a college campus, with hands-on challenges such as running mock presidential campaigns and building advocacy projects, plus visits to local landmarks, offered residential or as a day program.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jul 11–Jul 30, 2027 (5 days and 6 days options)

Length:

5 days–6 days

Cost:

$2,899–$3,299

Location:

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Grades:

Students currently in grades 5–6

Format:

Residential / Commuter

Leadership program for students finishing grades 5–6 on a college campus, with hands-on challenges such as running mock presidential campaigns and building advocacy projects, plus visits to local landmarks, offered residential or as a day program.