14 Math Programs for High School Students in Connecticut
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 15
- 9 min read
If you enjoy math and are starting to think about how it connects to what comes after high school, then exploring structured programs can be a smart next step!
A math program gives you exposure to topics and ways of thinking that school classes often don’t have time for. You might explore proof writing, encounter abstract concepts in number theory or combinatorics, or work on modeling problems that connect math to science, economics, or technology.
What math programs are available for high schoolers in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s universities, community organizations, and regional networks offer programs tailored to motivated students. These range from summer camps and enrichment workshops to research-oriented opportunities and competitive problem solving. Choosing programs close to home can also make them more accessible while letting you stay grounded in your school and community.
Participating in a math program can help you refine your reasoning, test your curiosity, and get a better sense of whether you want to study math or mathematically-oriented fields in college. That kind of experience also gives you concrete examples to discuss in college essays or interviews.
With that, here is a curated list of 15 math programs for high school students in Connecticut!
14 Math Programs for High School Students in Connecticut
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program. Full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program designed for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, 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 math. 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! You can find more details about the application and available program formats here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Six-week academic summer program from mid-June – late July, plus mandatory monthly Saturday meetings
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students in 9–11 grade in the fall of the year of applying are eligible to apply. Applicants must attend Middletown High School and meet the U.S. Department of Education requirements of low-income (taxable income) and/or first-generation college student status.
Wesleyan’s Upward Bound Math-Science Program runs as a six-week summer session combined with year-round academic support. The summer component includes structured instruction in mathematics and science, alongside writing and language development. You attend daily classes and receive after-school tutoring during the academic year. The program also integrates mentoring, college advising, and financial literacy guidance. Field trips and STEM-focused activities expose you to potential academic and career paths. Staff maintains regular contact to track progress and provide continued support.
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.
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: Various high schools in Connecticut
Cost: $150 for 3-credit courses and $200 for 4-credit courses
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Semester- or year-long courses
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
UConn’s Early College Experience allows you to take official UConn math courses at your own high school. Classes follow university standards, and you earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Coursework includes exams, problem sets, presentations, and longer assignments aligned with UConn’s academic expectations. You receive an official transcript as a non-degree student. The program gives you exposure to college-level pacing without leaving your school environment. Credits are widely transferable depending on the receiving institution.
Location: Mathnasium, West Hartford, CT
Cost: Typically $149 (often waivable). Check here for updates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Check here for updates
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Mathnasium’s summer program provides individualized math instruction based on an initial assessment. You work one-on-one with instructors following a customized learning plan tailored to your strengths and gaps. The curriculum focuses on computational accuracy, number sense, logical reasoning, and application-based problem solving. Sessions may also include math games and STEM-oriented activities to reinforce understanding. Some locations offer transition-focused “Jump Start” programs for students entering new grade levels. The format centers on consistent practice rather than lecture-based teaching.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $5480. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 25 - June 26
Application Deadline: Priority: February 20 | Regular: March 13
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start date are eligible to apply. Prerequisites: ECON 1108, 1110, 1115, or completed AP Microeconomics with a score of 4 or 5
This course examines the foundations of behavioral economics by exploring how real-world decision-making departs from the assumptions of full rationality commonly used in standard economic models. The course analyzes how modifying rationality assumptions alters economic predictions and interpretations. You are introduced to major cognitive biases that influence individual choices, including present bias, loss aversion, and the decoy effect, along with their implications for classical economic theory. The course awards you 1 Yale College Credit.
Location: Your home school or Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT
Cost: Free for partner schools and districts
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Check here for updates
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school seniors and rising seniors with a minimum 3.40 GPA maintained through the end of the junior year are eligible to apply
Southern Connecticut State University’s Early College program allows eligible high school students to enroll in college-level courses, including math, and earn transferable college credit while still in high school. You will apply and register individually, with certified high school teachers or university faculty delivering approved coursework and school counselors supporting coordination. The program enables you to explore subjects not typically available in high school, including health care, business, education, science, and the arts, through classes offered either at your home school or on the SCSU campus. You may earn up to 30 college credits toward a degree.
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs/Mansfield, CT
Cost: $3,500 (Early Bird by March 1) or $4,000 (Standard). Financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 12 – 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Any high school (including home school) student who will be entering 9th – 11th grade in the Fall is eligible to apply
Explore Engineering is a two-week residential summer program for rising high school students that provides an introduction to a range of engineering disciplines. The program combines hands-on activities led by undergraduate engineering students with faculty-led presentations from UConn. A central component is the Grand Challenge Project, a multidisciplinary, project-based experience in which you will work on applied engineering problems for approximately 21 hours over the two weeks. Current themes include engineering for accessibility, rescue, human performance, and revitalization. You will also engage in guided major exploration sessions featuring faculty and industry speakers, followed by practical activities that reinforce key concepts.
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition: $5480 | Technology Fee: $85. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 25 - June 26
Application Deadline: Priority: February 20 | Regular: March 13
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start date are eligible to apply. Prerequisite: MATH 1150 or AP BC Calculus with a score of 4 or 5. 1 Credit
Yale’s Linear Algebra with Applications is a college-level online course covering core concepts such as vector spaces, linear independence, bases, and dimension. You work through matrix representations of systems, Gaussian elimination, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and diagonalization. The course also includes orthogonality, least-squares approximation, and matrix differential equations. Assignments require proof-based reasoning and computational accuracy. The structure follows a university syllabus and awards one college credit upon completion. Prerequisite knowledge in calculus is required.
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition: $5480 | Technology Fee: $85. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 25 - June 26
Application Deadline: Priority: February 20 | Regular: March 13
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start date are eligible to apply. Prerequisite: Basic calculus
Engineering Improv introduces mathematical modeling as a flexible and iterative process. You study how governing equations are derived from first principles and learn to examine assumptions, constraints, and degrees of freedom. Topics include dimensional analysis, scaling methods, and approximation techniques. Rather than memorizing formulas, you work through how models are built and adjusted. The course connects mathematical reasoning with engineering contexts. A background in calculus is required.
Location: Online
Cost: Tuition: $5480 | Technology Fee: $85. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: May 25 - June 26
Application Deadline: Priority: February 20 | Regular: March 13
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program's start date are eligible to apply. Prerequisite: Pre-calculus required; calculus recommended
Mathematical Tools for Computer Science introduces discrete mathematics, propositional logic, and linear algebra within a computing context. You study recurrences, graph traversal, algorithmic sorting, and Gaussian elimination. The course focuses on formal reasoning and the mathematical structure underlying computer science. Assignments focus on problem-solving and analytical thinking. A background in pre-calculus is required, with calculus recommended. The class awards one college credit.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 15–19
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising ninth graders through 12th graders are eligible to apply
Elevate College Prep’s virtual programs provide high school students with remote access to the academic experience offered through Illinois Tech summer programming. Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving is an online course designed for high school students interested in exploring how mathematical concepts are applied beyond the classroom. Through interactive problem-solving sessions, virtual demonstrations, and real-world case examples, you will examine how abstract mathematical ideas translate into practical solutions. The program emphasizes analytical reasoning and application-based learning to illustrate the role of mathematics in addressing everyday problems.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,365. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment
Dates: Summer A: June 17 – July 22 | Summer B: July 13 – August 17
Application Deadline: Summer A: May 11 | Summer B: June 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 are eligible to apply
This course offers an overview of core mathematical concepts and problem-solving methods commonly featured in high school competitions such as the AMC 10 and AMC 12. You will build foundational skills in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics through guided instruction, collaborative problem-solving, and analysis of non-routine questions. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking, along with an introduction to contest structure, time management, and test-taking strategies. Through discussion and comparison of multiple solution approaches, you will strengthen your ability to communicate mathematical ideas clearly while developing confidence and a sustained interest in advanced mathematical enrichment.
Location: Avon, Greenwich, Rocky Hill, and Stamford in CT
Cost: $41 to $110 per class, scaling strictly by grade level and subject complexity
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students per class
Dates: Held over 6 weeks during the summer, with 2 classes per week
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th-grade students are eligible to apply
Russian School of Mathematics offers a six-week summer course focused on strengthening Algebra I and Algebra II foundations. Instruction covers polynomials, factoring, algebraic fractions, functions, quadratic equations, and introductory trigonometry. Classes are small, with around twelve students per section. The course can serve as a standalone enrichment or preparation for more advanced coursework. Students continuing within RSM may advance into higher-level precalculus. The structure emphasizes systematic problem-solving and conceptual clarity.
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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