15 Math Programs for High School Students in Alabama
- Stephen Turban
- 17 minutes ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in mathematics, structured programs can help you go far beyond the standard curriculum. Whether it’s tackling challenging problem sets, exploring topics like number theory or calculus, or engaging in mathematical research, these programs are designed to deepen your understanding and stretch your thinking.
Many math-focused pre-college programs offer exposure to proof-based learning, competitions, and collaborative problem-solving, giving you a taste of how mathematics is studied at higher levels. Along the way, you’ll build analytical skills, confidence, and clarity about where your interests lie, while also strengthening your profile for competitive college admissions.
What math programs are available for high schoolers in Alabama?
Alabama offers high schoolers interested in math a range of opportunities hosted by universities or nationally recognized organizations that emphasize problem-solving, research, and analytical thinking. These programs can help you deepen your mathematical foundations, access expert mentorship, collaborate with peers, and gain insight into STEM-related careers. As a participant, you may receive instruction focused on college-level math, exposure to competitive math, and opportunities to explore math applications in different fields.
Below, we have narrowed down 15 math programs for high school students in Alabama. Our selection focuses on programs that are academically rigorous, offer strong networking opportunities, are low-cost or offer waivers, are selective, and are hosted by prestigious institutions.
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.
Program 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 is a rigorous research opportunity for high school students who want to explore an area or topic of interest in depth. As a participant, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including mathematics. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper in mathematics! You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Mathematics and Statistics Department, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round; meetings typically on Mondays for 1 hour
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
This is a free math-focused program held in Mobile that allows you to join weekly sessions that follow the Mathematics Circle tradition originating from Hungary. You will participate in sessions led by professional mathematicians and tackle challenging problems outside the school curriculum. All program activities are sponsored by the Alabama Space Grant Consortium and the University of South Alabama Department of Mathematics and Statistics. This math circle also runs the Mobile Math Olympiad for middle and high school students. You can choose from and register online for sessions throughout the year.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program 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-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
Location: Online and Birmingham, AL
Cost: Most events and tutoring are free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round; summer camps and events vary annually
Application deadline: Varies by event; check program website
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Alabama Youth Math Club is a nonprofit that offers free tutoring, tournaments, and summer camps designed to help you dive into mathematics and boost academic skills. You can participate in summer camps taught by advanced math students in Birmingham, attend events and tournaments, and/or access free tutoring for math and sciences. In the process, you can explore topics like ciphering, competition math, SAT/ACT preparation, and coding to boost your problem-solving skills. The nonprofit periodically runs fundraising events, which you can attend to support the program and connect with the members.
Location: Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – June 6
Application deadline: Typically February–March; may extend based on demand
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders with a minimum ACT of 28 or SAT 1300; must reside in Alabama or Georgia
SSI is a free week-long program that allows you to dive into STEM while learning from Auburn University science and math research faculty. You will spend the week exploring advanced topics in math and science that go beyond the typical high school curriculum. In the past, the program has run activities focused on Earth systems, astronomy, chemistry, mathematical modeling, and human anatomy. As a participant, you will live on the Auburn University campus and connect with college students, peers, and expert research faculty.
Location: Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
Cost/Stipend: Free; transportation stipends provided
Dates: Academic-year Saturdays + six-week summer residential session
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: 9th and 10th graders from low-income, first-generation backgrounds at Carver High School, Central High School, or JAG
The Upward Bound Math and Science program is a free, federally funded program designed to help high schoolers strengthen math and science skills. During the academic year, you will attend sessions on Saturday and receive instruction in reading, writing, study skills, and mathematics. As a participant, you will also have access to tutorial services, mentoring, academic counseling, and assistance with college applications and financial aid. You will additionally attend pre-college seminars and educational/cultural field trips focused on career planning. In the summer, you will join a six-week residential program to experience life on a college campus and gain insights into post-secondary opportunities and college entrance exam prep.
Location: Bevill State Community College, Fayette Campus, Fayette, AL
Cost/Stipend: Free; monthly stipends provided
Dates: Year-round activities with a summer on-campus component
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from low-income backgrounds, potential first-generation college students, enrolled in select high schools in Marion, Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens Counties
Bevill State Community College also hosts Upward Bound Math and Science program, offering high schoolers instruction in math, laboratory sciences, foreign language, literature, and composition. As a participant, you will gain access to tutorials for academic subjects, career- and college- focused mentoring, college entrance exam prep, academic, personal, and career counseling, and financial aid assistance. You will also attend seminars on academics, social skills, health, lifestyles, and values, and gain exposure to academic and cultural events. If you are a graduating senior, you can enroll in summer college credit classes. Additionally, you will spend a few weeks in the summer at Bevill State Community College’s Fayette campus focusing on STEM preparation for post-secondary education and career.
Location: Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – 25 (tentative)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: 7th – 12th grade students from select local schools
Auburn University at Montgomery runs a range of STEM and arts programs for middle and high school students each year. Its grant-supported STEAM Camp is an opportunity to boost scientific inquiry and creativity while exploring topics in math, science, arts, tech, and engineering. Over the course of three weeks, you will engage in instruction and hands-on STEM and arts activities at Auburn University’s Montgomery campus. The program is designed to help you explore the intersection of science and fine arts.
Location: Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Cost: $130 (meals included)
Dates: July 7 – 10
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12
This Shelton State camp is a four-day opportunity for school students who want to explore topics in STEAM. At camp, you will join a peer group based on your grade level and engage in e problem-solving and creative activities focused on STEM and the arts, with a focus on robotics. The camp sessions will be led by Tuscaloosa County School System teachers, who can offer guidance and support throughout the program. The experience can help you explore the intersection of science, tech, and the arts while connecting with like-minded peers.
10. MIT’s PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Year-long
Phase I: January 1 – Pi Day
Phase II: Pi Day – June 15
Phase III: June 15 – August 31
Phase IV: September 1 – December 31
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and sophomores or home-schooled equivalents with exceptional math ability
MIT PRIMES-USA is a year-long, free program that allows you to work on unsolved problems in pure or applied mathematics, including theoretical computer science and computational biology, under faculty or graduate student mentorship. If you are a high school junior, you can pursue individual or group projects; if you are a sophomore, you will work on group projects. You will start by completing advanced readings recommended by your assigned mentor, which will be followed by an active research phase. You will continue working on your research and connecting with your mentor during the year. In the last phase, you will finalize your project, present it at the mid-October PRIMES conference, and write a final paper, which will be posted on the PRIMES website and can be submitted to competitions/journals.
Location: Lee High School, Huntsville, AL
Cost: Free
Dates:
June 2 – 6 and June 9 – 11 for rising 11th–12th graders
July 7 – 11 for rising 8th–10th graders
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 8th–12th grade students
This free program, part of the Cap and Gown Project, allows you to spend one or two weeks in the summer boosting your ACT preparation, exploring STEM topics, and improving college readiness. You will take ACT prep lessons in all subject areas and engage in hands-on STEM work, including team projects and industry visits. You will also spend some time on college-selection research, writing resumes and essays, and college and industry tours. Additionally, you will connect with local STEM professionals, work on assignments, and present your projects during the program.
Location: Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham, AL
Cost: $650 ($350 for incoming ASFA Math-Science students)
Dates: June 1 – 18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 7th–12th graders who have completed Pre-Algebra
Alabama School of Fine Arts runs a wide range of summer camps open to its own students and students from other schools. The Fundamentals of Algebra 1 camp covers major topics part of a first-semester Algebra 1 class. It can serve as an opportunity to review the coursework or earn 0.5 high school credits. You will work on math problems using computers and a graphing calculator.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,750; financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SUMaC is a selective program designed for high school students who want to dive into advanced mathematics over the summer. As a participant, you will study mathematical concepts such as abstract algebra and number theory by attending lectures, participating in group problem-solving sessions, and conducting research. Your workload at SUMaC will mirror college-level expectations. You will choose one of two structured academic tracks: one focused on algebra and number theory, and the other on algebraic topology. Both tracks are designed to introduce you to ongoing math inquiry, the development of key mathematical theories, and applications of math across STEM fields.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,700 + $35 application fee; financial aid available
Dates: Summer, spring, and fall sessions available; 6–9 hours/week for spring and fall, 9–12 hours/week for summer
Application deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
This program allows you to take advanced online courses in math and physics and earn Stanford Continuing Studies credits and a transcript. The curriculum offers nine math courses covering Multivariable Differential Calculus, Modern Algebra, Number Theory, and Real Analysis, and topics like vectors, partial derivatives, linear algebra, abstract algebra groups, complex functions, differential equations, and Fourier series. The courses cover Stanford’s undergraduate curriculum, offering you exposure to advanced math and physics. You will complete the courses at your own pace and gain access to office hours for additional support.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300 + additional fees (details TBA)
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders, ages 14–17
Each summer, Illinois Tech runs in-person and virtual programs for high school students interested in exploring key STEM areas. Its Math in Action program is a virtual program that lets you dive into the applications of mathematics. Through demonstrations, problem-solving exercises, and practical exposure to real scenarios, you will learn how concepts in math are used to solve various problems. Over five days, you will also develop a deeper understanding of how abstract math thinking connects to practical situations.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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