10 Applied Mathematics Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Applied math programs are a great fit if you enjoy figuring out how mathematics works in the real world, not just learning it for exams. Instead of following set formulas, you spend time solving open-ended problems, building models, and using analytical thinking to make sense of patterns, systems, and real-life scenarios. These programs are intentionally more rigorous than standard school math, pushing you to think deeply, explain your reasoning, and tackle unfamiliar challenges.
You work closely with experienced instructors who guide your thinking without giving away answers, helping you develop independence and mathematical maturity. Because these programs are selective, you’re surrounded by peers who are just as curious and motivated, making collaboration more meaningful and discussions more challenging. Below is our list of the 10 most selective applied mathematics summer programs for middle school students.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies. Financial aid available
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: June 23. Many cohorts run year round
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience tailored for middle school students who want to create an academic project in a field they’re passionate about. You’ll work closely with a mentor from universities like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford, who supports you throughout the research and project development process.
Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, think critically, and complete a final project that reflects your area of interest. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple application rounds during the year. Need-based scholarships are available, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to participate.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, test-based admission. Exact acceptance rate and cohort size are not publicly disclosed.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Paid program; tuition varies by session and number of courses.
Dates:
June 8–June 26 (Session 1)
June 29–July 17 (Session 2)
July 20–August 7 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: December 15–May 26 (multiple rounds with rolling deadlines)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students ages 12–18 with strong mathematical readiness; admission requires an application, teacher recommendation, and a qualifying admissions test (waived for returning students and USA(J)MO qualifiers).
The AwesomeMath Summer Program is a highly rigorous applied mathematics camp centered on problem-solving as a core learning tool. You work through carefully designed problems in algebra, number theory, geometry, and counting and probability that require translating abstract concepts into structured solution strategies. Each course combines live lectures with extended post-lecture problem sessions, daily graded homework, and weekly assessments that push analytical reasoning beyond standard curricula. Admission is selective and test-based, ensuring a peer group capable of engaging with advanced mathematical modeling and proof-oriented thinking. Instruction is led by international faculty with deep competition experience, and collaborative problem discussions reinforce logical precision and creative application. The program is particularly well-suited for students preparing for advanced math competitions or seeking sustained exposure to high-level mathematical reasoning.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
4. MathPath
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, merit-based admission. Exact acceptance rate and cohort size are not publicly disclosed.
Location: University of Portland, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $6,600. Need-based financial aid available up to full tuition; additional domestic travel support available for qualifying students.
Dates: June 28–July 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applications typically recommended by mid-February, with final deadlines announced once enrollment reaches 75–80%.
Eligibility: Students ages 11–14 (typically grades 6–8) with strong mathematical interest and persistence; admission requires a qualifying test, academic and personal recommendations.
MathPath is a four-week residential applied mathematics program designed for middle school students ready to engage deeply with non-routine mathematical problems. You work through challenging questions that emphasize problem-solving, abstraction, and analytical reasoning rather than acceleration through standard coursework. The curriculum is enrichment-focused, encouraging you to model ideas, construct arguments, and explore mathematical structures across multiple domains. Admission is highly selective and centers on performance on a demanding Qualifying Test that rewards tenacity and depth of thought over speed. Daily courses, lectures, and breakout sessions foster sustained inquiry and peer collaboration.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program with a capped cohort of approximately 76 students
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost/Stipend: $2,200; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 7–June 19
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1 and are reviewed on a rolling basis until the program fills.
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 6, 7, or 8 with a strong interest in mathematics; teacher recommendation required.
At Mathworks’ Junior Summer Math Camp – Residential, you spend two weeks immersed in a full-time applied mathematics environment designed specifically for middle school students. You attend daily mathematics classes taught by university faculty, alongside structured study groups that emphasize problem-solving, reasoning, and mathematical communication. The program focuses on developing creative and critical thinking rather than accelerating through standard coursework. Living on campus allows you to collaborate closely with peers who share a strong interest in mathematics while participating in guided research-style exploration. The tightly structured schedule limits outside commitments, reinforcing sustained intellectual focus.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small, nationally selected cohort
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: July 1–July 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Advanced middle school students with strong mathematical ability; emphasis on students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds
At √mathroots @ MIT, you spend two weeks immersed in an intensive mathematical environment designed to stretch your problem-solving and analytical thinking far beyond standard school curricula. You work through challenging, proof-based problems that emphasize creativity, logical reasoning, and mathematical communication rather than routine computation. The program introduces you to advanced mathematical ideas through guided exploration, team-based problem solving, and structured discussions led by MIT-affiliated mentors. You are encouraged to approach problems from multiple perspectives, developing resilience and flexibility in your thinking. Learning alongside a small cohort of highly motivated peers fosters sustained intellectual engagement and collaboration. By the end of the program, you gain early exposure to the depth and rigor of university-level mathematical reasoning.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; admission based on Math Activity Packet\
Location: Bard College
Cost: $550; need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: August 3–August 7
Application Deadline: Interest form required; Math Activity Packet released by March 3
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9 (typically grades 5–8 at time of application)
At Bard Math Circle’s CAMP, you spend a week exploring mathematical ideas that go far beyond standard school curricula. You work through creative and analytical problems designed to strengthen logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and problem-solving flexibility. The program emphasizes hands-on exploration, collaboration, and discussion, encouraging you to experiment with ideas and learn from multiple solution paths. Instruction is led by experienced educators and undergraduate math majors who focus on building mathematical thinking. You also explore connections between mathematics, art, and computer science through puzzles and group activities. CAMP is well suited if you enjoy playful but intellectually serious math in a supportive academic setting.
8. Epsilon Camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact acceptance rate and cohort size are not publicly disclosed.
Location: Utah State University, Logan, UT
Cost/Stipend: $3,250; need-based financial aid available up to full cost (including housing and meals for one accompanying adult).
Dates: July 19–August 2
Application Deadline: January 15 (priority) – February 28 (final)
Eligibility: Students ages 7–12; first-time applicants typically ages 7–10, with demonstrated exceptional mathematical ability and maturity.
At Epsilon Camp, you engage with mathematics through deep, open-ended problem-solving that emphasizes analytical reasoning, abstraction, and clear mathematical communication. You work on exploration problems designed to reveal how you think, not how quickly you compute, and are encouraged to explain your reasoning both in writing and verbally. Admission is highly selective and evaluates diagnostic assessments, extended problem work, references, and overall cognitive readiness. You learn alongside a small cohort of highly motivated peers, supported closely by professional mathematicians. While the program skews younger than most middle school offerings, it can be a strong fit if you are a middle school–age student operating well beyond grade-level expectations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 50–60 students selected nationally each year
Location: United States (national program; summer experiences vary by year and placement)
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; includes financial support for multiple summer programs and academic enrichment
Dates: Multi-year program with required summer participation across five years
Application Deadline: Applications typically reopen in early February
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students (or entering 8th grade) in the U.S. with exceptional academic performance and demonstrated financial need
As a Cooke Young Scholar, you join a five-year academic enrichment pathway that includes required summer programs, funded opportunities, and long-term advising. Across multiple summers, you participate in rigorous math, STEM, and enrichment programs selected to stretch your analytical thinking well beyond standard middle school coursework. The program emphasizes problem-solving, long-term intellectual growth, and strategic academic planning, with summers used as intensive learning periods. You also receive sustained mentorship and advising to help you choose advanced coursework and selective summer programs that align with your strengths.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Placement-based admission; cohort size varies by course and location
Location: Multiple U.S. locations (Plano/Frisco, TX; Greater Boston Area; California Bay Area) and online
Cost: Paid program
Program Dates: Summer sessions (exact dates vary by location)
Application Deadline: Rolling; placement tests required for new students
Eligibility: Grades 4–12; students are placed based on academic background and placement tests
IDEA MATH’s summer program is designed for students who want to deepen their mathematical thinking beyond the standard school curriculum. You are placed into a course that matches your background, covering areas such as algebra, geometry, combinatorics, number theory, and Olympiad-style problem solving. Instruction follows a seminar-style format, where you work collaboratively, present solutions, and refine your reasoning through discussion rather than lectures. The curriculum includes both computation-focused tracks and proof-oriented courses, allowing you to build skills useful for contests as well as long-term mathematical rigor. Assessments are used as learning checkpoints instead of competitive evaluations, keeping the focus on growth and mastery. This program is best suited if you enjoy challenging problems, structured progression, and sustained engagement with advanced mathematics.
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.
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