The Leading Source for College Preparation:
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 for Teens

  Spend this summer expanding your horizons! Browse the thousands of summer programs for students entering 7th grade to college that allow you learn about yourself and experience the joy of learning. Whether you're interested in rocket science, musical theater, mastering a foreign language, or hiking up mountains - you'll find it here!

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  Gap Year Programs

  Find out more about how a gap year or semester before college contributes to personal growth and builds the life skills you need to succeed in college. Check out TeenLife’s gap year programs after high school, ranging from work internships to community service to premed programs to overseas and outdoor adventure trips.

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  Volunteer Opportunities

  Volunteer for a community service program to expand your world view, make a difference and feel good. Community service may also be a graduation requirement! Check out these nonprofit organizations that could use your help or connect you with a community service project.

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  STEM Summer Programs

  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers are on the rise, and students can start learning skills in STEM as early as middle school. Browse topic specific STEM summer programs.

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  Arts Summer Programs

  Colleges, gap year programs, and summer programs all offer summer opportunities in the performing & visual arts. Pursue your passions and grow your strengths with an arts summer program.

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  Academic Summer Programs

  Explore Academic Summer Programs on a college campus to get extra course credits, confidence, and inspiration for your major!

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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

  Interested in majoring in theater, dance, visual art, music, architecture, or design? These colleges are looking for creative students who are passionate about building their skills in these disciplines.

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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 school with independence? We list more than 400 listings for boarding schools and semester schools in the United States and abroad. Discover how a learning community focused on college prep or a particular interest sparks success. Many offer postgraduate (PG) years.

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  Private Day Schools

  Looking for a private day school that has the classes, extracurricular activities and educational philosophy that match your needs? Explore our more than 1,000 listings and discover the advantages of private school, such as small classes and specialized approaches to learning.

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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.

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  Therapeutic Schools

  Students who are experiencing a high level of stress, anxiety or depression may have needs that can't be met by a traditional school. Therapeutic day or boarding schools could be the solution.

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  Residential Treatment Centers

  Are you a teen or parent of a teen who is struggling with mental illness or substance abuse? Check out our listings of residential treatment centers that serve students under 18 to find the right path to a healthy and successful life.

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  Therapeutic Programs

  When your family is dealing with behavioral issues, mental health problems, or eating disorders, a specialized program can help you overcome the challenges you’re facing. Our program offerings will help you find the right experience for your teen.

Trending Posts on the TeenLife Blog.

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  Gap Years and Other Ideas For Teens Unsure About College

  Feb. 19, 2019, 8 a.m. by Suzanne Shaffer

  by Suzanne Shaffer Not every student is excited about going to college. Sometimes they need a little push; and sometimes college just isn’t in their headlights. The simple truth is: The four-year college plan isn’t for everyone. For some young adults, the thought of college terrifies them. If they have struggled in school, they know college is going to be more academically challenging. Other students are simply burned out and need a break. But, with all the talk about college during high school, other options are rarely discussed. My son never saw himself in college. He was an average student ...

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  4 Reasons to Explore a STEM Summer Program

  Feb. 15, 2019, 10 a.m. by Sarah Good

  Whether you’re completely set on pursuing an engineering degree, wavering between biology and art history, or just curious what oceanography is all about, the summer is the perfect time to turn your STEM daydreams into a reality. But why should you skip the summer job or the chance to hang out with your friends for a STEM program? Consider these benefits: Many summer STEM programs give students the opportunity to explore with the eyes of a scientist. So you won’t just be going somewhere new, you will be learning to see it in a new way. Always dreamed of climbing ...

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  5 Tips For High-Schoolers To Get Summer College Credit

  Feb. 14, 2019, 8 a.m. by Bill O'Neill

  Are you trying to decide whether you should spend next summer studying a textbook or rereading the Harry Potter saga? Spending time with the Hogwarts crew might sound like fun, but taking a college course for credit has some major upsides. “A college class can be a great option for students who desire a more rigorous academic challenge than what their high school offers,” says Nancy Polin, a college counselor who is the founder and president of Educational Excellence, which offers college planning and tutoring services. “It’s an opportunity for a student to get their first exposure to what a ...

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  These Documents Help You Advocate For Your Teen

  Feb. 12, 2019, 8 a.m. by Roberta Cannon

  Throughout childhood, you’ve been your child’s advocate, making health-care decisions, picking up prescriptions, making sure medication is taken and that instructions from the pediatrician and specialists are followed. That all changes when your child turns 18. It can be frustrating to parents, because health-insurance policies can cover young adult children until they are 26. Parents still get the bills but can’t call the physician’s office to ask any questions about charges related to their child. And young adults don’t always have the follow-through to sort out a billing mix-up. And if your teen suffers from addiction issues or mental illness, ...

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