10 Best Summer Math Programs for 6th Graders
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 18
- 6 min read
If you’re a 6th grader passionate about math, summer math programs may be a good option for you to explore your interests while enhancing your knowledge. Math programs typically introduce you to concepts not covered in school and are rigorous in nature. You will tackle advanced mathematical concepts and develop your problem-solving skills.
Because these programs are held in the summer, they will not interfere with your school year. Furthermore, free and paid options are available depending on your requirements. However, for each of the programs listed below, you must be prepared to encounter complex problems and topics. We have curated a list of 10 summer math programs for you to get ahead in the field.
10 Best Summer Math Programs for 6th Graders
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $2,690. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks starting June 2 (Summer Cohort I) or July 14 (Summer Cohort II)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is a virtual program for middle school students. A mentor will work 1-on-1 with you over 8 weeks. These mentors are from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. During this time, you will explore your academic interests and build a project you are passionate about. The Junior Explorer Program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. Financial aid is available upon meeting the required criteria. You can find the application in the brochure!
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12
Dates: July 7 – 25 (summer), followed by August 27 – December 10 (fall meetings)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students from low-income backgrounds in grades 6 or 7 who reside in and attend school in the United States
Stanford’s free program for middle school students, including 6th graders, allows you to engage with rigorous academics. In particular, the Real-Life Applications to Mathematics program draws a link between math and real-life cases. You will study modular arithmetic, progressing through Vigenere’s Cipher to Public Key Encryption, and gaining an introduction to the RSA cryptosystem. These topics in cryptography and financial mathematics teach you to solve practical problems and apply mathematical thinking to various contexts. This is a virtual program wherein you will attend live lectures in the summer and weekly meetings in the fall. The program also delves into high school options, academic writing, math enrichment, and a growth mindset.
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI; Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA; UC-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA; or Speyer School, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies by location but ranges from $3,959 to $7,501. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 14 – 16
Dates: Varies by location but typically held between June and August
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 and 6 who have completed CTY-level math
Johns Hopkins’s Center for Talented Youth offers various courses for middle school students. The Inductive and Deductive Reasoning program, as the name suggests, explored critical thinking, problem-solving, reasoning, logic, and more. You will learn how these techniques can be applied to math problems. Some topics covered in the course are algebraic and geometric concepts, patterns, and real-world questions that can be answered using inductive reasoning. Other reasoning styles, such as symbolic logic, truth tables, and syllogisms, teach you to construct arguments to reach valid conclusions. Thus, you will encounter a wide range of math topics.
4. MathPath
Location: Varies each year
Cost/Stipend: $6,300. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 27
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students aged 11 – 14 years old
MathPath is a 4-week program for students looking to enhance their knowledge of and skills in mathematics. You will discover the notable milestones in math history and mathematicians who contributed to the field. You will also hear from guest speakers on various math-related topics. Breakout courses run for a week and cover concepts like number theory, mathematical induction, combinatorics, and various geometries. You will be required to complete homework and participate in Math Conferencing Time to discuss homework problems. Other informal activities include games and puzzles.
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost/Stipend: $2,200. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20% (60 per cohort)
Dates: June 2 – 14 (tentative, based on the previous year)
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: 6th – 8th-grade students
This is an intensive math camp designed to make you a creative and critical thinker. The camp schedule involves math classes taught by university professors, study groups, social events, and outings. You will interact with counselors and other campers, thereby developing your social and communication skills. In the past, the following topics have been taught in the camp: Counting Techniques, Number Theory, Combinatorics, Advanced Geometry (similarities, mass-point geometry, etc.), Probability, and Advanced Algebraic Problem-Solving. You will learn what it takes to be a problem-solver and researcher.
Location: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, or Saint Mary's School, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $3,500. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Camp Conway: June 15 – 28 (Session 1) or June 29 – July 12 (Session 2) | Camp Sierpiński: July 6 – 19 (Session 1) or July 20 – August 2 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: May 11 (Camp Conway) or May 25 (Camp Sierpiński)
Eligibility: Students aged 11 – 14
The National Math Camps encourage mathematical exploration by teaching advanced topics. In this program, you will try your hand at challenging problems, discover complex ideas, and complete hands-on activities in math. The camp curriculum involves math and AI topics taught through practical activities and interactive classes. You will also enjoy outdoor events and activities with other participants, including talent shows and game nights. Throughout the camp, you will develop persistence, integrity, and problem-solving skills.
7. Epsilon Camp
Location: Varies each year
Cost/Stipend: $3250 + a non-refundable registration fee of $150. Financial aid covering up to full cost of attendance is available for eligible families based on adjusted gross income
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 27
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Students aged 7 – 12
Epsilon Camp is suitable for students passionate about mathematics. Participants are divided into various levels depending on their age. 6th graders, who are typically 11 – 12 years old, can expect to learn Advanced Set Theory, Fractals, and Symmetry and Orbifolds. Advanced mathematical concepts, such as group theory, knot theory, topology, and finite geometry, will be taught. You will attend three classes most days, continue exploring the topics in your free time, and partake in hands-on activities. Time is also available for fun and recreation. The camp ends with a closing ceremony.
Location: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Cost/Stipend: $500. Scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 through 8
Bard Math CAMP is a week-long camp for middle schoolers. It covers advanced topics not covered in a typical school math curriculum. Classes will be taught by experienced teachers and undergraduate math majors. You will develop skills in teamwork, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking. You will also discover how math is connected to art and computer science.
Location: University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, NM
Cost/Stipend: $1850 + $1,400 for housing. Financial assistance is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 12
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students aged 9 – 18
Campersand brings together mathematics and computer science. Using playful instruction, the program emphasizes going into the depths of mathematical concepts. The program is designed with morning and afternoon academic sessions. The courses offered vary each year, but some topics include graph theory, probability, Euclidean algorithm, calculus, and more. You can expect the program to be rigorous and challenging.
10. SigmaCamp
Location: Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, CT
Cost/Stipend: $1,850. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 – 48 (tentative)
Dates: August 2 – 9
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 12 – 16
SigmaCamp offers programs in different science fields. In the math track, you will tackle complex equations. A typical day in the program includes a semilab and lecture in the morning, another semilab in the afternoon, and workshops in the evenings. Semilabs blend theoretical and practical components in seminars and labs. You can also choose between 4 or 5 different lectures in math and science. SigmaTournament is a daily problem-solving tournament with math and engineering challenges to develop collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
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.
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