15 Math Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re interested in mathematics, participating in a structured program can help you explore concepts that extend beyond the standard high school curriculum. These opportunities introduce you to topics such as number theory, combinatorics, mathematical modeling, proof-writing, and quantitative research while strengthening logical reasoning and analytical thinking. They also provide opportunities to learn alongside peers who share a strong interest in mathematics and related STEM fields.
In Massachusetts, math programs are offered through leading universities, research initiatives, enrichment organizations, and academic outreach programs. These opportunities range from residential summer experiences and research programs to competition-focused training, pre-college courses, and year-round enrichment programs, with options for students at different levels of mathematical experience.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Math programs allow you to engage with challenging problems and advanced ideas in ways that are often not possible in a traditional classroom setting. Depending on the program, you might work on mathematical proofs, explore research questions, study topics connected to computer science and artificial intelligence, participate in collaborative problem-solving sessions, or develop computational models using programming tools. These experiences can help you deepen your understanding of mathematics, build confidence in tackling complex problems, and prepare for future study in quantitative disciplines.
To help with your search, here are 15 math programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote (accessible worldwide)
Cost: Varies by program track; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, fall, winter, spring); 12 weeks to 1 year options
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, mentor-driven research experience designed for high-achieving high school students. In this program, you are paired 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor to design and execute an independent research project in your chosen subject area. Over the course of the program, typically 12 weeks, with extended options available, you develop a structured research paper grounded in academic methodology and critical analysis. If you are interested in mathematics, you can pursue topics such as applied mathematics, data science, quantitative economics, computational modeling, or theoretical research. By the end of the program, you will produce a polished research paper that can strengthen college applications, demonstrate subject depth, and potentially support submissions to competitions or journals.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (no tuition); $75 application fee (fee waivers available for demonstrated financial need)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: <3%; approximately 100 students per cohort
Program Dates: 6 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who will be at least 16 years old by July 1
The Research Science Institute takes place on the MIT campus and is widely considered one of the most selective research programs for high school students interested in mathematics and science. The program begins with a week of advanced seminars where MIT faculty introduce topics across mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science. These sessions move quickly and assume strong mathematical preparation. After the seminar week, you spend five weeks working on a research project under the supervision of a scientist or researcher. The work often involves reading technical literature, building mathematical or computational models, and presenting the final results in a formal research paper.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by track; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Spring and Fall (15 weeks); Summer (10 weeks, June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing (typically 3.67/4.0 GPA or higher); most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade; select tracks have prerequisites
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a trimester-long virtual research experience that allows high school students to pursue advanced projects across disciplines, including data science, machine learning, applied mathematics, and related quantitative fields. After selecting a subject track, you are paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who mentors you throughout the research process. The program emphasizes sustained academic inquiry and methodological rigor rather than short-term enrichment. As a participant, you design and complete a substantial research paper using either quantitative or qualitative methods, depending on your chosen focus area. Students pursuing mathematics-related tracks may engage in statistical modeling, computational analysis, or theoretical problem-solving frameworks.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (fully funded)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: July 1 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High-potential high school students with a strong interest in mathematics
√mathroots is a two-week mathematics program hosted at MIT that focuses on creative problem solving and advanced mathematical thinking. Each day includes lectures, collaborative problem sessions, and extended discussions around difficult mathematical questions. The program emphasizes tackling unfamiliar problems and building solutions step by step through logical reasoning. Many of the exercises resemble olympiad-style problems that require patience and experimentation. Throughout the program, you work closely with instructors and peers while exploring mathematical ideas that rarely appear in standard high school courses.
Location: Phillips Academy, Andover, MA
Cost: Fully funded (no tuition or fees; transportation included)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Program Dates: June 30 – August 2 (5 weeks each summer; three consecutive summers)
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Academically talented students entering after 9th grade; interest in math- and science-related careers
Phillips Academy’s (MS)² Program is a three-summer residential program designed for students who want sustained academic exposure to mathematics and science. Each summer lasts about five weeks and takes place on the Andover campus, where you live and study alongside other scholars in the program. The curriculum includes mathematics, science, English, and structured college preparation sessions. Classes run alongside leadership activities, workshops, and academic advising that continue across all three summers. Over time, the program builds a strong academic routine that prepares you for advanced coursework and competitive college applications.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (housing, meals, and up to $500 airfare covered)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: July 10 – July 26
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: Female and non-binary students entering Grades 9–12 (at least 14 years old by program start); must be U.S./Canadian citizens or residents, or attend school in the U.S./Canada
The G2 Math Program is a residential summer program hosted at MIT that focuses on olympiad-level mathematics for female and non-binary students. Participants are grouped by experience level and spend each day working through advanced topics such as number theory, combinatorics, geometry, and algebra. The schedule usually includes two extended classes followed by problem-solving sessions where you discuss solutions with instructors and peers. Many exercises resemble USA(J)MO-style questions that require careful reasoning and multiple attempts. Evening seminars sometimes introduce research topics or deeper theoretical mathematics.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fully funded (tuition, housing, meals covered; students pay transportation to/from MIT)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective national program
Program Dates: Six weeks (late June – early August)
Application Deadline: Fall of junior year (exact date varies annually)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; current high school juniors
MITES Summer is a six-week residential program at MIT where high school juniors take a full schedule of college-level STEM courses. Each participant studies mathematics alongside courses in physics, life sciences, humanities, and a project-based elective such as machine learning or engineering design. The pace is intentionally demanding and often resembles a condensed college semester. Coursework is combined with lab visits, admissions workshops, and seminars led by scientists and engineers. By the end of the program, instructors provide written evaluations that many students later include in their college applications.
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: $4,119 (Residential) | $2,299 (Commuter)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: Varies by pre-college admissions cycle
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through seniors; strong algebra skills required
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers the course Discovering Mathematics Through Computer Experiments as a two-week pre-college program that explores mathematical systems through coding. The course uses Python to study mathematical ideas such as dynamical systems, probability, and pattern formation. You write programs that simulate mathematical processes and generate visual results. Lectures are combined with coding exercises and small-group exploration sessions. The program ends with student presentations where you explain the experiments you ran and the patterns you discovered.
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost: $4,119 (Residential) | $2,299 (Commuter)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: July 12 – July 25
Application Deadline: Varies by pre-college admissions cycle
Eligibility: Rising sophomores through seniors; no prior computer science or advanced math experience required
Math Puzzles for Computer Science is a two-week pre-college course at UMass Amherst that uses logic puzzles and structured challenges to explore ideas from computer science and mathematics. The program introduces problems such as Sudoku variations, geometric puzzles, encoding challenges, and inductive reasoning tasks. Each puzzle becomes a way to discuss algorithms, pattern recognition, and logical deduction. Students spend much of the program working in groups to analyze strategies and document their reasoning. The final project usually involves designing an original puzzle or building a simple program that solves one.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 (noncredit)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (Harvard Pre-College admission required)
Program Dates: July 6 – July 17 (Pre-College Session II)
Application Deadline: Varies by Harvard Summer School admissions cycle
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a first course in calculus
Harvard Summer School offers Mathematical Elements of Artificial Intelligence as a short pre-college course focused on the mathematics behind machine learning systems. The course connects calculus, geometry, probability, and statistics to algorithms used in modern AI tools. Lectures examine how neural networks process information and how predictive models analyze patterns in data. Students also work with Mathematica to train simple neural networks and test their accuracy. The course shows how mathematical models influence technologies such as recommendation systems and image recognition tools.
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Tuition-based; generous need-based financial aid available (up to full cost)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: 6 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: Varies annually (student application currently open)
Eligibility: Strongly motivated high school students with demonstrated interest in mathematics
PROMYS at Boston University is a six-week residential mathematics program known for its intense focus on proof-based reasoning and number theory. You will spend much of each day working through long problem sets that require developing original proofs and mathematical arguments. Lectures introduce new ideas, but the majority of learning happens through independent problem solving and discussion with peers. Graduate students and mathematicians guide conversations when solutions become difficult. Over several weeks, the program builds a mathematical community where persistence and careful reasoning are central.
Location: Worcester Public Library (Main Branch), Worcester, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open community program
Program Dates: Select Saturdays throughout the academic year (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Application Deadline: Not required (public drop-in event)
Eligibility: K–12 students
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science hosts STEM Saturdays at the Worcester Public Library as a community outreach program that introduces young learners to science and mathematics concepts. The sessions run for about two hours and include demonstrations, experiments, and short interactive activities. Many events connect mathematics with engineering or technology topics that appear in everyday life. Families are welcome to attend, which makes the environment informal and accessible. The program is designed to give younger students early exposure to STEM ideas outside the classroom.
Location: Multiple locations across Massachusetts (center-based model)
Cost: Tuition-based (varies by center)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 3 through high school
Kumon Math Program operates through learning centers across Massachusetts and follows a mastery-based system built on consistent daily practice. You will attend a Kumon center several times a week and complete additional worksheets at home on other days. The curriculum progresses gradually from basic arithmetic through algebra, trigonometry, and calculus-level topics. Advancement depends on demonstrating mastery of each concept before moving to the next stage. Over time, the repetition and structured progression strengthen calculation speed, accuracy, and long-term familiarity with mathematical procedures.
Location: Worcester, MA (in-person and online options available)
Cost: Tuition-based; varies by course and format
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; small class sizes
Program Dates: Academic year and summer programs available
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Preschool through high school students
MathAltitude is an after-school mathematics enrichment center based in Worcester, Massachusetts, offering both in-person and virtual instruction. The program serves students ranging from early elementary through high school, with pathways designed for enrichment, remediation, competition preparation, and advanced study. Students can enroll in small group classes or one-on-one sessions, depending on their academic goals. For high school students, MathAltitude provides structured coursework beyond the standard curriculum, including advanced algebra, problem-solving workshops, and preparation for national competitions such as AMC and Math Kangaroo.
Location: Newtonville, MA (in-person and online options available)
Cost: Tuition-based; varies by course and format
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; small classes (typically no more than six students)
Program Dates: Year-round, including summer programs
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 5–17
MathPlus Enrichment Program is a small mathematics learning center based in Newtonville that focuses on problem-solving and advanced conceptual work. Classes are intentionally limited to about six students so instructors can follow each student’s progress closely. Older students often prepare for competitions such as AMC 8 or Math Kangaroo while also studying advanced topics from algebra and geometry. Lessons frequently include puzzles and structured challenges that require step-by-step reasoning. The program runs year-round with additional sessions offered during the summer.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.