15 Math Programs for High School Students in Montana
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If mathematics is a subject you enjoy and want to pursue further, exploring it through a structured program during high school can be very useful.
Math programs allow you to spend time working through ideas and problems that go beyond the pace of regular classroom lessons. You may study topics such as mathematical proofs, number theory, or advanced problem solving, and also learn how to explain your reasoning clearly and think carefully about each step in a solution.
Montana offers opportunities for students who want to explore mathematics outside their school curriculum. Universities and organizations across the state host programs that give high school students the chance to study math in a more focused setting.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Participating in a math program allows you to explore mathematics more deeply and work on problems that require careful reasoning and persistence. This experience can help you understand whether you want to pursue mathematics or related fields later in college. It can also give you an advantage in college applications by showing that you actively pursued your interest in mathematics.
With that in mind, here are 15 math programs for high school students in Montana!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote, you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in a subject of their choice. Over 12 weeks, you are paired individually with a Ph.D. mentor who guides you through the research process from start to finish. You can choose from a range of disciplines, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. During the program, you develop a research question, review relevant literature, analyze information, and organize your findings with support from your mentor. By the conclusion of the 12 weeks, you will have completed a research paper that presents your work and reflects the skills you developed throughout the process. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of Montana campus, Missoula, MT (also online option)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: Thursdays 3:30–5:00 pm (e.g., Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19 tentatively)
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
The University of Montana, Missoula Math Circle offers after-school sessions for high school students interested in math puzzles and problems. Sponsored by the Mathematical Association of America, it connects students with university mathematicians. The program dates back to at least Fall 2015. You attend weekly after-school sessions on the UM campus or remotely with a teacher. You work on interesting mathematics problems and puzzles and solve challenges designed to excite interest in advanced math. Sessions encourage new ways of thinking about mathematics. Organizers Professor Fred Peck and Professor Ke Wu lead the activities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer,r and Fall cohorts
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here.
Horizon offers trimester-based research programs for high school students interested in data science, machine learning, political theory, and related fields. You begin by selecting a subject track that aligns with your interests and deciding whether to focus on quantitative or qualitative research. Once enrolled, you are paired with a professor or Ph.D.-level researcher who supports you throughout the project. During the program, you develop a focused research question, examine existing scholarship, and carry out a structured analysis of your topic. By the end of the trimester, you will produce a research paper of approximately 20 pages that presents your findings. Throughout the experience, you receive detailed feedback on your work, along with a letter of recommendation that outlines your research and participation in the program.
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Cost: Free (includes food, lodging, in-state transportation)
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: June 8 – 17
Eligibility: New students, grades 6–10 (Native American focus)
The MT AIMS Gatherings Program at the University of Montana is a two-week campus experience that combines math, science, and technology activities. One of the first tasks you complete is assembling a computer that you then use throughout the program for coursework and projects. Workshops introduce topics in mathematics, physics, and environmental science, while evening activities focus on group collaboration and campus life. The program also continues beyond the summer session. Staff visit your school during the year to check in on your academic progress and encourage continued participation in STEM programs.
Location: Science Math Resource Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Cost: Typically around $200
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Montana State University hosts a four-day Math Circle camp in Bozeman, where you spend time solving mathematical puzzles and exploring problem-solving strategies with university faculty. Instead of traditional lectures, sessions revolve around challenging problems that require careful reasoning and discussion. You also tour laboratories on campus and hear about mathematics competitions such as the American Mathematics Competitions. The camp keeps a fairly informal structure. Families who travel from outside Bozeman stay in campus housing and join portions of the program schedule.
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Cost: Free (includes food, lodging, in-state transportation)
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: Returning high school students,s grades 9–10 (Native American focus)
MT AIMS Pathways is designed for returning participants who want a deeper experience with programming and STEM coursework. Over twelve days, you work in teams on a programming project connected to a theme that changes each year. Alongside the project work, you attend classes in mathematics, science, and writing that support the technical work you are doing. The program takes place on the University of Montana campus with housing and meals organized throughout the session. The structure emphasizes collaboration, with small groups working together to develop and refine their projects.
Location: Montana Learning Center, Helena, MT
Cost: $650 (all-inclusive: lodging, meals)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 23
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9
Engineer It! is a five-day engineering camp held at the Montana Learning Center near Helena. Throughout the week, you tackle design challenges that require applying mathematical ideas such as ratios, measurement, and geometric reasoning. Projects begin with brainstorming sessions where you sketch possible designs before moving into prototype construction and testing. As each design is evaluated, you analyze performance data and revise the model/ Field visits to Canyon Ferry Dam and a Boeing facility provide examples of how engineering principles operate in real infrastructure and aerospace technology.
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Cost: Free (includes all programming)
Application Deadline: May 22 (must be accepted into the program)
Dates: Six-week residential academy
Eligibility: Incoming juniors/seniors from Big Sky, Browning, Heart Butte, Hellgate, or Sentinel High Schools; first-generation/low-income; GPA 2.5+; age 13–19
TRIO Upward Bound at the University of Montana serves 77 high school students from target schools with free academic support. You live on campus during the six-week Summer Academy. You take courses preparing for the upcoming school year, which may include math or related topics, and earn a 2-credit College Success course at no cost as an incoming junior or senior. You also participate in experiential activities like high ropes courses, whitewater rafting, and local events. After-school tutoring occurs at your high school during the year. You attend monthly workshops on high school success and college enrollment. College tours take place during breaks. All services remain completely free. It targets first-generation and low-income students.
Location: Carroll College, Helena, MT
Cost: $845 (includes $50 non-refundable fee). Financial assistance is available to qualifying families.
Application Deadline: June 1 (recommendations)
Dates: Unspecified (one week, Monday-Friday)
Eligibility: Gifted students entering 5th-9th grade
The Carroll College Summer Gifted Institute is a one-week residential program where you choose four short academic courses to study during the week. Each course meets daily for ninety minutes, which allows you to explore several subjects in a condensed schedule. Depending on the year’s offerings, you may select mathematics courses alongside other academic areas. Outside the classroom, the program includes organized group activities and outdoor events that give the week a camp-like atmosphere while still maintaining an academic focus.
Location: University of Montana
Cost: Free to attend; optional campus dining tickets available for purchase (about $7)
Application Deadline: September 17
Dates: October 24
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Math Day at the University of Montana is a one-day event held on the Missoula campus for anyone who enjoys puzzling through mathematical problems that rarely appear in regular school classes. The day is built around a series of hands-on workshops led by university professors and graduate students, each exploring a different mathematical idea or challenge beyond the usual curriculum. You spend the morning rotating through sessions where problems are presented, tested, and debated rather than simply solved on paper. Some activities lean toward logic puzzles and pattern discovery, while others connect mathematics to real applications such as computing or data analysis.
Location: Regional contest sites across Montana
Cost: $4 per participant
Application Deadline: Varies by regional site; typically early March (for example, some sites list deadlines around March 1)
Dates: Regional contests are usually held in March each year; the exact date depends on the regional host site
Eligibility: Montana public school, private school, and homeschool students can participate; high school students compete in the 9–10 or 11–12 grade bands
The Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Math Contest is a statewide competition where you solve challenging math problems alongside students from across Montana. Schools register through regional contest sites, and you compete in grade divisions such as 9–10 or 11–12. The contest has three parts: a numerical-response round, a multiple-choice test, and a team round. Your individual score comes from the first two sections, and the combined result determines rankings at the regional level. The questions are based on Montana math standards, but usually require more careful reasoning than typical classroom assignments. You might work through algebra problems, geometry questions, or logic-based challenges that test how you approach unfamiliar situations.
Location: Flathead High School, Montana
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Not publicly specified
Dates: Late spring (school-level contest typically scheduled by the host school during the spring term)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled at participating schools; part of the National Society of Professional Surveyors Trig-Star program.
Flathead High School hosts several math competitions where you solve timed problems and compete with other students in the region. Events include contests such as the Northwest Regional MCTM Math Contest, where you complete short individual tests and then work with a small team to solve a set of problems together. The school also participates in competitions like the TrigStar Contest, which focuses on practical trigonometry questions, and the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), a national exam that tests mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. These contests usually take place during the school year, and registration is handled through the school’s math department.
13. CueThink
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: There is no application deadline
Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
CueThink is an online program that helps high school students practice problem-solving and critical thinking through math activities. You work on challenging problems using a structured process, recording your reasoning and exploring different ways to reach a solution. The platform includes digital whiteboards where you can organize your work and explain each step clearly. You can also view solutions from peers and mentors, provide feedback, and discuss alternative methods. This collaborative setup allows you to compare approaches, refine your thinking, and improve how you communicate mathematical ideas.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $699 - $1,099 per 12-week trimester
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Typically meets once a week at a set time of your choosing.
Eligibility: High school students
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is an online platform for students interested in studying mathematics beyond the standard high school curriculum. You can take structured online classes or use textbooks and problem sets for independent study in topics such as number theory, combinatorics, and advanced algebra. The platform includes discussion forums where you can share solutions, ask questions, and see different approaches to problems. It also provides resources and practice for math competitions if you wish to participate. By engaging with challenging problems and collaborating with other students, you can develop analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and persistence in tackling complex mathematical tasks.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $238 per 0.5 credit ($476 per full year credit)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on program. See here for more details
Dates: Dates vary depending on which program you choose
Eligibility: High school students
The American Academy Online Math Program offers an online math curriculum for high school students at various levels. You can study topics from algebra and geometry to trigonometry, calculus, and more advanced subjects based on your goals. The program includes interactive lessons, practice exercises, and assessments to help you develop and reinforce your skills. Instructors provide guidance and feedback, and multimedia resources, virtual labs, and real-world examples show how math concepts apply beyond the classroom. You can progress at your own pace, focusing on areas that need improvement while strengthening both understanding and problem-solving abilities.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.