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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  Online Summer Programs

  Interesting online courses and virtual ways of meaningfully engaging middle and high school-aged students.

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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.

• College Applications During a Pandemic

  Oct. 28, 2020, 10 a.m. by Joyce Slayton Mitchell

  Change. Change is and will be the action word in your life now and for the next few academic years. “Oh no! I’m a senior – my last year of high school. Senior year is supposed to be my big, happy (after I get into college) last year of high school. It’s supposed to be the time when I figure out where in this whole country I want to apply to and go to college. I’ve been thinking and dreaming of my senior year all through high school.” As have all seniors… and so let’s think together of how to ...

• Upcoming Virtual Events for Students and Parents

  Oct. 16, 2020, 9:57 a.m. by Marie Schwartz

  As the world of education goes increasingly virtual, events and fairs are too. This is great news for families with teens because there is no travel involved - and most of these virtual events are free to attend by parents and students. Our team at TeenLife is on the lookout and will share the most interesting fairs, panel discussions, webinars that are taking place in the weeks and months ahead in this blog. Be sure to bookmark this post! We will also share a link in our monthly newsletter, so sign up if you are not already on our email ...

• Young Voices: New Year, New Me

  Oct. 1, 2020, 10 a.m. by Adeleine Halsey

  "2020 will be my year!" As is the annual tradition, my family exclaimed this with great confidence in late December. We made our New Year's resolutions. We read the "New year new me!" posts on Instagram. Many recounted the dreadfulness of 2019 and rejoiced in the great relief of the turning of the decade. The allure of a new year lay in the promise of bright and unlimited possibilities - a chance to kiss your old-year self goodbye. It represented something exciting: a whole other 365 days to see what this dear old world throws our way. The beginning of ...

• Three Things You Need to Know If You’re Learning Online

  Sept. 28, 2020, 11:04 a.m. by Ulrich Boser

  The debate over the benefits and limitations of online vs in-person learning has raged for decades. Past research has found that online learning can be just as effective a traditional classroom learning. Still, for some students, online classes are the last resort. For others, online learning offers exactly the type of flexible and self-guided learning they prefer. Now, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual classes have become the norm for many students for the foreseeable future. Whatever side of the online vs offline learning debate you land on, the reality is that many of the skills and tools ...

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