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.

• Summer 2021 Programs That Are Still Open

  June 7, 2021, 3:10 p.m. by Janice Haller

  Had enough of the same routine? Whether it’s distance learning, socially distanced visits with friends, or missing out on that special summer adventure, most of us can agree: it’s time for a change. If you want to spend your summer coding, learning a new language, or embracing your inner-self, then check out some of these (still open) summer programs we list below. We went further to break them down by category and whether they are in-person, virtual, or both. A Bit of Everything Academics Arts Business Career Exploration Community Service Language Leadership Mental Health & Well-Being STEM Writing and Journalism ...

• Upcoming Virtual Events for Students and Parents

  June 7, 2021, 1:52 p.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 ...

• How To Pick A College During Covid

  June 3, 2021, 10 a.m. by Dr. Aviva Legatt

  The pandemic has wreaked havoc on college admissions and May 1’s National Decision Day, with selective colleges shutting out thousands more qualified applicants this year, longer than ever college waitlists, and a sense of unknown regarding on-campus safety in the wake of Covid-19. In my recent conversation with Leslie Davidson, vice president for enrollment at Beloit College on my podcast, College Admissions Real Talk, we shared strategies for students to pick a college during this unprecedented time. A: Davidson suggests looking up the campus’s Covid-19 response plan, such as this one at Beloit College. Ideally, this plan will include regular ...

• Fall 2021 Gap Programs That Are Still Open

  May 28, 2021, 11:29 a.m. by Janice Haller

  Gap programs have been gaining in popularity among rising college freshmen ever since COVID-19 forced colleges to go online, and the prospect of potentially losing that in-person, freshman year experience became real. Fortunately, gap programs have been quick to adapt. The “gap” usually refers to a year but now gap programs can run for a few weeks, three months, a semester, or an academic year. Since COVID-19, many more online programs have cropped up. A “gap year program” is now a catch-all term that gives high school graduates a chance to choose an option that fits their schedule and budget, ...

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