10 After-School Math Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Middle school students looking to enhance their math knowledge and skills can consider enrolling in after-school math programs. These programs provide exposure to advanced coursework while developing your problem-solving skills. You will explore math concepts in depth by engaging with challenging problems.
After-school math programs typically cover topics outside the school curriculum, allowing you to get a step ahead and stand out from the crowd. We have narrowed down our list to the top 10 after-school math programs for middle school students. These programs are rigorous, selective, and help you develop crucial skills that support you throughout school.
10 After-School Math Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks (varying with cohorts running year-round)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Students grade 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is a virtual program designed for middle school students. Over 8 weeks, you will work with a mentor assigned to you. These mentors are from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. The program allows you to explore subjects you are interested in and build a related project. The Junior Explorer Program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. You can find the application here!
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12
Dates: July 7 – 25 (Summer Course) and August 27 – December 10 (Fall Semester Meetings)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 or 7. Admitted students’ families typically have household incomes under $90,000
SMSSP is a rigorous program that runs in summer and fall. After completing the summer program, you will continue meeting instructors weekly in the fall. Middle school students interested in math can opt for the Real-Life Applications to Mathematics track. This track covers cryptography, modular arithmetic, and financial mathematics. By the end of the program, you will learn to solve real-world math challenges. In addition, you will also attend workshops and sessions on exploring high school options, academic writing, math enrichment, and growth mindset.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The course introduces you to Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics over 25 hours of programming. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you will attend lectures and group sessions. In previous years, students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and created a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Virtual or in-person in several locations
Cost: Varies by location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Depends on the location. Classes are held twice a week
Application Deadline: Depends on the location
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 12
Kumon’s math program is an after-school program held twice a week. Here, middle school students learn concepts like algebraic equations, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics. In addition to classes, daily practice exercises can help build a solid mathematical foundation. You will also develop logical and critical thinking skills. You will not only build confidence but also prepare for advanced coursework.
Location: Several locations
Cost: Varies by location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 per class
Dates: Classes are held once a week
Application Deadline: Depends on the location
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Russian School of Mathematics focuses on algebra and geometry for middle school students. You will learn geometry through formal proofs. You will use logical arguments and scholarly discourse to prove your ideas. The course aims to help you develop abstract thinking skills and mental flexibility. The skills you develop through this program will help you in exams and math competitions.
6. Mathnasium
Location: Online or in-person in various locations
Cost: Varies by program and geographic area
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by location; students typically attend twice a week
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Middle school students
Mathnasium’s after school math program offers personalized learning plans for middle school students to meet your needs and requirements. You will complete an initial assessment to determine your math level and approach to the subject. You will engage with topics like rational numbers, pre-algebra, fractions, equations, and expressions. You will learn these concepts through mental, verbal, visual, written, and tactile teaching techniques. The program provides support for math homework and preparing for tests.Â
Location: Online
Cost: $1,000 + $50 application fee; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: February 8 – May 3 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current middle school students in grades 7 and 8. Applicants must have strong arithmetic skills and basic experience with algebra
NYU’s Center for Mathematical Talent offers math enrichment courses to middle school students. The math instruction imparted through this program aims to improve your mathematical reasoning, problem solving, and logic abilities. The spring program runs for 13 weeks and involves hands-on group work and problem-solving activities. You will learn topics outside the school curriculum. You will also participate in weekly meetings with a Courant faculty and teaching assistant.
Location: MathAltitude School of Mathematics, Worcester, MA
Cost: $66.00 (per class) or $2,376 (annual tuition)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 9 per class
Dates: 36 weeks
Application Deadline: August 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Middle school students
This math program emphasizes logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and independent learning. Middle school students learn geometry and pre-algebra. The pre-algebra component covers decimals, fractions, percent, ratios and proportions, linear equations, inequalities, linear functions, and more. The geometry component covers basic Euclidean principles, postulates, and theorems. You will delve into these topics in depth to build confidence by solving challenging problems. This programming helps you prepare for Center for Talented Youth programs at John Hopkins University and the AMC-8 contests.Â
Location: Online or in-person in Oakland/Piedmont, Berkeley, Lafayette, Castro Valley, or Alameda, CA
Cost: $525 (in-person) or $450 (online)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small classes
Dates: Classes begin January 13
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
Firecracker Math offers an after-school enrichment program for middle school students. The program uses classical methods to teach math and problem-solving techniques. You will learn through theoretical instruction as well as practical activities like chess, brain teasers, and logic puzzles. You will study topics such as number theory, geometry, combinatorics, probability, and more. The program is designed to foster discussion and teamwork. Thus, you can expect to build a foundational understanding of mathematics.
10. IDEA MATH
Location: Online or in-person in Plano, TX, or Lexington, MA
Cost: $1865 (tentative)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 – 20 per class
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: August 15
Eligibility: Rising 5th – 12th graders
IDEA MATH covers a variety of math topics such as introductory algebra, counting, and geometry. Middle school students will also encounter more advanced concepts at the Olympiad level. The program is structured with seminar-style teaching. You will develop problem-solving skills by either experimenting with smaller cases or working backwards from results. This rigorous program will inculcate critical and analytical thinking.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
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