Building the Bridge to Stanford Online High School
When students become Stanford Middle School Scholars they develop skills to apply to and thrive at Stanford Online High School (OHS) and other academically rigorous high schools. Students engage with academic disciplines and build community with instructors and like-minded Scholars from across the United States.
Summer Course and Fall Semester Meetings
Scholars enroll in a three-week summer course in July with a cohort of 12 students. From mid-August through December, cohorts and instructors meet weekly to cover topics such as exploring high school options, academic writing, math enrichment, and growth mindset.
Live Online Classes
Scholars thrive as a result of their real-time interactions with instructors and other students. The SMSSP virtual classroom brings Scholars from different states and regions together in a lively learning community.
Instructors
65% of Stanford OHS instructors hold Ph.D.’s in their fields. Stanford OHS instructors work closely with Scholars to help them reach their full academic potential. Instructors introduce them to the skills needed to excel in academic subjects.
Tuition-Free
Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is tuition-free. We aim to increase access and opportunity for aspiring students from low-income backgrounds.
Explore Academic Opportunities
With support from our community of instructors and staff, Scholars consider a range of options for high school and academic enrichment programs, applying to at least one selective school or program.
Supporting Your Scholar
Collaboration between program staff, instructors, and families is essential to students' success. Parents and legal guardians attend at least one conference with program staff and are invited to attend parent and legal guardian outreach events.
Eligibility
- Grade Level: Students must currently be in grades 6 or 7.
- Location: Students must reside in and attend school in the United States.
- Attendance: Students must attend both the summer course and the academic year meetings.
- Admitted students’ families typically have household incomes under $90,000. The average household income of enrolled Scholars’ families has been $55,000.
Application Now Closed
Our application for the 2025 Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is now closed. To learn about future opportunities, join our mailing list.
2025 Program Dates
Summer Program:
July 7 - 25, 2025
9:30am–12:00pm Pacific Time, weekdays
Fall Semester Meetings:
August 27, 2025–December 10, 2025
Wednesdays, 4:15pm–5:15pm Pacific Time
July 7 - 25, 2025
9:30am–12:00pm Pacific Time, weekdays
Fall Semester Meetings:
August 27, 2025–December 10, 2025
Wednesdays, 4:15pm–5:15pm Pacific Time
Application Deadline
March 20, 2025
Admissions Notification
Mid-May 2025
When your admissions decision is ready, you will receive an email notification.
When your admissions decision is ready, you will receive an email notification.
In the time that I’ve been in this course, I’ve learned many new and great things. I’ve met new people with different backgrounds and I’ve participated in many of the student life activities.
Arnaldo
Stanford Middle School Scholar
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) inspires students from around the world to explore academically rigorous learning opportunities through online and residential enrichment programs. Committed to Stanford University’s ideals of academic excellence, SPCS fosters inclusive and accessible communities that enhance learning for the next generation of global citizens.