8 Online Business Programs for Middle School Students
Middle school is a great time for students to explore their interests and develop new skills, and online business programs offer an exciting opportunity to do just that. These programs introduce you to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, marketing, and problem-solving, empowering you to think creatively and strategically from an early age.
By participating in online business programs, you will not only gain practical knowledge but also build key skills such as communication and critical thinking, all before high school.
These virtual experiences can help you finalize your high school trajectory and stand out on future applications to high school programs, showcasing initiative, passion, and a proactive approach to learning.
How did we shortlist the following online business programs for middle school students?
We have shortlisted these programs based on the following criteria:
Rigor of content
Offered by legitimate institutions
Opportunities for networking and mentorship
Here is a list of 8 online business programs for middle school students!
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
During this program, spanning weeks 1 to 4, you will delve into different topics and tracks. In weeks 5 to 6, the focus narrows as you explore a specific topic. Finally, weeks 7 to 8 are dedicated to project implementation, with you receiving guidance and support from your mentors as you work on your final submission. You can find the application form here.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $2400. Need-based financial aid is available.
Program Dates: The program has a Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohort.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Middle School After School (MSAS) Program is an online experience designed for middle school students.
Guided by BerkeleyHaas faculty, industry experts, and college teaching assistants, you will collaborate in teams to address social impact challenges using your newly acquired knowledge. Each year, the program focuses on a unique theme, and the topic is Artificial Intelligence (AI). You will explore AI’s history, its transformative role in business, and its potential for innovation. Through interactive workshops, you will develop creative AI-driven solutions to real-world problems while sharpening critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,768.
Program Dates: February 3 – April 16.
Application Deadline: January 10. You can apply here!
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
The Startup Business Camp offers middle school students an introduction to business and entrepreneurship. Over daily three-hour Zoom sessions, you will work in teams, brainstorm business ideas, and present them to a panel of judges.
You will meet seasoned entrepreneurs, and be paired with a mentor to guide you through turning your ideas into reality. By the end of the camp, you will have developed a tangible business plan and pitch deck, gained the confidence to promote your venture, and pitched your idea in a “Barracuda Tank” experience.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $325.
Program Dates: The program runs multiple week-long sessions between June and August. Check the full schedule here.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can register here.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
The Discover Business Academy is a two-week online program for middle school students, offering an understanding of business and economics. Led by Gerard H. Dericks, PhD, from the London School of Economics, the curriculum covers key topics such as business principles, macroeconomics, finance, marketing, business law, and leadership.
You will explore the roles of various businesses in the global economy, the influence of laws on business, and essential study strategies. Through interactive lessons and practical activities—like creating advertisements and debating leadership theories—you will gain a deeper understanding of marketing, branding, and leadership. The program culminates in a business start-up challenge, providing you with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $2,795.
Program Dates: June 9 - June 20.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply here!
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12-14 years are eligible to apply.
Prequel Explore is an eight-month online program designed for middle school students to develop business and leadership skills through weekly 90-minute workshops. Program alumni have launched small-scale businesses, including AI-generated coloring books, board games, and pet apparel.
The program is divided into four courses, each lasting two months, and you can choose to participate in one or all four. Each course is built around a hands-on project:
Entrepreneurship: Create a business that earns $100 in profit. Alumni have launched pop-up stalls, sold handmade items on Etsy, and started apparel ventures.
Communication: Interview someone you admire. Alumni have started newsletters or contributed to school publications.
Leadership & Teamwork: Conquer the Harvard Business School teamwork simulation, mastering collaboration and strategic decision-making.
Resourcefulness & Grit: Design a video game using AI, honing problem-solving and perseverance skills.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $850 for one course and $2,975 for all four courses. Some financial aid is available.
Program Dates: The program starts from October 1.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply here!
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 10-13 years are eligible to apply.
This online business course offers a thorough introduction to business, entrepreneurship, and economics, requiring no prior experience. You’ll design a business plan and pitch your ideas, sharpening your presentation and communication abilities. Upon completion, you’ll earn a Certificate of Achievement and a personalized Letter of Recommendation from your tutor, outlining the course content and your strengths.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $877 for the week-long course and $1256 for the two-week course.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for one to two weeks between June and August.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply here!
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12-14 years are eligible to apply.
R.I.S.E. is a youth-led initiative committed to making business education accessible to middle school students. Through a free and inclusive curriculum, R.I.S.E. offers students an introduction to the world of business, covering essential topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance. The program also includes a business competition designed to help you apply your knowledge in practical, engaging ways.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Fully-funded
Program Dates: The program is self-paced.
Application Deadline: There is no deadline. Students can start the course anytime.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
Middle School C.E.O. by Project ECHO is a semester-long online business program that fosters creativity while teaching practical skills. You will be guided through the entrepreneurial process, right from brainstorming ideas to planning and final execution.
You will collaborate in teams to develop comprehensive business plans, learning age-appropriate concepts such as market research, financial planning, marketing strategies, and product development.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $650.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for a semester.
Application Deadline: Project ECHO collaborates directly with middle schools to offer this program. School personnel and community leaders who are interested in bringing this program to their campus can enroll here.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.