The Leading Directory for Teen Academic and Enrichment Opportunities:
Summer Programs, Gap Year Programs, Community Service and more.

13,000+ Experiences for Students in Grades 7-12.

Discover how spending time in the world outside the classroom can help teens do better in school, during the college admissions process and in their adult lives. Our mission is to connect students, parents and educators with the best experiential learning opportunities for middle- and high-school students.

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  Summer Programs

  Spend the summer expanding your horizons at one of thousands of summer programs for students entering 7th grade to college. Whether you're interested in rocket science, theater, or hiking up mountains, you'll find it here.

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  Gap Year Programs

  A gap year or semester before college can contribute to personal growth and build the life skills you need to succeed. Program offerings include big-city internships, foreign language immersion, outdoor adventure trips, and more.

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  Volunteer Opportunities

  Students who help others develop important life skills, such as empathy, cultural awareness, and a lifelong passion for service. There are hundreds of non-profits who welcome students under the age of 18 as volunteers.

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  STEM Summer Programs

  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics careers are on the rise. Get a head start on STEM studies with summer programs that teach coding, immerse students in forensic science, explore stem cell science, and more.

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  Arts Summer Programs

  Whether you want to dance, draw, sing, design, or direct, a performing or visual arts summer program can help you pursue your dream. With hundreds of programs to choose from, it is easy to find one tailored to your passion.

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  Academic Summer Programs

  Participate in an academic summer program to experience campus life, gain confidence, and boost your college applications. Explore hundreds of programs focused on subjects from economics to creative writing.

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  STEM Colleges

  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers are on the rise, and students who major in these subjects are are more likely to be hired in their field after graduation and earn higher incomes in their lifetime.

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  Performing & Visual Arts Colleges

  For students who want to pursue a career in the visual or performing arts, finding a school that nurtures their passions is essential. Explore colleges that will help you advance your art.

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  Colleges & Universities

  Begin your college search with our comprehensive college & university database. Find out which summer programs they offer! College is a big investment. We can help you try before you buy.

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  Boarding Schools

  Ready to combine learning and independence? With more than 400 listings for boarding schools in the U.S. and abroad, we can help you discover a learning community that will spark your success.

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  Private Day Schools

  Explore our more than 1,000 listings and discover the advantages of private school, from small classes to specialized approaches to learning. Find the school that offers the classes, extracurriculars, and philosophy you want.

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  Independent Advisors

  Choosing the right school, college or program can be overwhelming. A local independent advisor can help you navigate these important decisions. Find the best path for you and your personal goals, with their help.

Trending Posts on the TeenLife Blog.

• Online Gap Programs

  July 7, 2020, 7:35 a.m. by TeenLife

  A gap year is defined as a year or semester of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one's practical, professional, and personal awareness. Taking a gap year does not have to mean traveling far away from home. In order to adapt to these unprecedented times, many programs are being offered online. We have put together a list of online gap programs to help you learn more! These gap programs offer the chance to spend an academic year or semester exploring a career such as medicine, communications, health care, ...

• Free and Low Cost Online Summer Programs

  June 24, 2020, 6:16 p.m. by TeenLife

  Summer programs do not have to cost a lot of money. We have put together a list of free and low-cost options for Summer 2020. Our hope is that one of these programs may spark something that can become a lifelong passion. American University: Discover the World of Communications Cost: $350/class Ready to build your college portfolio, learn something new, or explore an area in communication that you’ve never had an opportunity to before? American University Discover the World of Communication pre-college program also has an online component. Taking the skills and instruction you need right to your computer...wherever you ...

• How Do We Plan for College Now?

  June 24, 2020, 2:30 p.m. by Jason Vallozzi

  College admissions has always been overwhelming and stressful to families. There is a new level of college stress for families stemming from so much uncertainty for underclassmen students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, when will students be able to take the SAT or ACT test? Will colleges even require SAT or ACT scores? How will activities be viewed when we are practicing social distancing? When will campus visits resume? And most importantly, what should we be doing now for our college planning? I believe time is a sacred resource for all families with college planning even during this ...

• 10 Ways Teens Can Help From Home in the Age of COVID-19

  June 18, 2020, 1:39 p.m. by Julia Lloyd

  Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we currently live in unprecedented times. While it seems as though daily life has been temporarily placed on hold, there are still countless people who need help and a variety of online volunteer opportunities for high school students to get involved in giving back. Face masks and social distancing have replaced handshakes, hugs, and life as we once knew it. Now is as important a time as ever to implement ways to help those in need, regardless of how little it seems we can do from home. For those looking to aid their community and beyond ...

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