13 Math Programs for High School Students in Kentucky
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re in high school and math is one of the subjects you enjoy most, a math program can be a great way to explore it in more depth. Math programs allow you to work on complex problems, learn new mathematical ideas, and collaborate with peers who enjoy the subject. These programs can also help you understand where your interests lie. Some students become interested in advanced topics like number theory or combinatorics, while others enjoy seeing how math connects to technology, science, and engineering.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Across Kentucky, universities and educational organizations offer math programs designed for high school students. These programs often include lectures, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving sessions where you can engage with mathematics beyond the standard classroom setting. Joining one of these programs adds depth to your college applications by showing that you pursued challenging academic opportunities outside your regular coursework.
With that in mind, here are 13 math programs for high school students in Kentucky!
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring). Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, fully virtual research program designed for high-achieving high school students. You will be paired 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors to design and complete an independent research project in their chosen field. Subject areas span psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. Over the course of the program, most commonly 12 weeks, you’ll develop a substantial independent research paper. The program emphasizes rigorous academic mentorship, personalized guidance, and advanced scholarly exploration. It is well-suited for students seeking structured research experience and individualized academic mentorship. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Morehead State University, Morehead, KY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 200+ students
Dates: Fall term entry (two-year residential program during junior and senior years)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Kentucky residents who are high school sophomores
Craft Academy at Morehead State University is a two-year residential program where you take college-level mathematics courses while completing high school. You live on campus and attend classes taught by university professors. Your coursework can include subjects such as calculus, statistics, and other university mathematics courses. Over the two years, you can earn up to 60 college credits while studying advanced mathematics and STEM topics. The program also allows you to work on research projects that involve mathematical analysis or data work.
Location: Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY
Cost: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 26 students
Dates: June 22–June 29
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school
PAEMS at Georgetown College is an eight-day residential program where you explore mathematics topics through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities. During the program, you will attend sessions on statistics, computing, and mathematical problem solving. Faculty guide you through mathematical concepts and show how they are used in scientific and real-world contexts. The small group size allows you to spend time discussing ideas and solving problems with instructors. Living on campus for the week also gives you a short experience of studying mathematics in a college setting.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run 15 weeks; Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing (typically >3.67/4.0 GPA). Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks require prerequisites.
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a trimester-long virtual research program designed for high-achieving high school students interested in advanced academic research. You can pursue both quantitative and qualitative research across disciplines such as mathematics, data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry. Each participant is paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who provides individualized mentorship throughout the program. Students are expected to produce a 20-page research paper suitable for submission to academic journals. The program also provides detailed project feedback and a letter of recommendation upon completion. HARP is well-suited for students seeking structured, mentor-guided research experience in a flexible online format. Apply here!
Location: WKU’s campus, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Cost: Tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan fully funded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Students cover books, travel, and optional programs.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 95–100 students per annual cohort
Dates: Two-year residential program during junior and senior years of high school
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Kentucky residents who are current sophomores. Must complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or equivalent) before enrollment
The Gatton Academy is a two-year residential program located at Western Kentucky University, where you study mathematics at the university level while finishing high school. Instead of taking traditional high school classes, you enroll directly in college mathematics courses on the WKU campus. The curriculum requires advanced mathematics, including trigonometry and calculus, and you must complete mathematics credits through Calculus II. You attend lectures with university students and solve higher-level problem sets and assignments.
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky (Residential on KSU campus) or Virtual
Cost: Fully funded for residential participants
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 70 residential spots and 70 virtual spots (competitive selection)
Dates: Residential: June 7 – July 3; Virtual Options: Multiple terms (May–August; varies by A, B, Summer, and C terms)
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA.
The Summer STEM Momentum Program at Kentucky State University allows you to take college mathematics courses during a four-week program. Course options can include subjects such as College Algebra or Precalculus. You attend classes taught by university instructors and complete assignments and assessments just like a college course. If you successfully finish the course, you earn college credit. The program also allows you to experience a structured academic schedule while studying mathematics on a university campus.
Location: ECTC campus, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Cost: Free (federally funded TRIO program); students receive participation stipends.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 60 students served annually
Dates: Year-round academic support + Summer Academy (annual)
Application Deadline: Rolling / Immediate openings available
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 (ages 13–19); Must attend one of five target high schools (LaRue County, Nelson County, North Hardin, Thomas Nelson, Washington County)
Upward Bound Math and Science at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College helps you strengthen mathematics skills throughout the year. You will attend tutoring sessions, mathematics workshops, and ACT math preparation sessions. During the summer academy, you study subjects such as algebra and other math topics used in college preparation. The program focuses on building problem-solving skills and improving math performance. You also receive guidance on preparing for college mathematics courses.
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Cost: Tuition-free; meals and transportation included
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 17 (six-week summer program)
Application Deadline: May 1 (for Summer)
Eligibility: Students entering 6th–9th grades; (9th graders are only eligible if they have previously completed at least one summer at Breakthrough)
Breakthrough Louisville runs a six-week summer program where you attend daily classes, including mathematics. In math sessions, you will practice core topics such as algebra, problem solving, and quantitative reasoning. Classes are small, so instructors can guide you through exercises step by step. The program focuses on strengthening mathematical understanding before high school coursework becomes more advanced. Daily lessons and assignments help reinforce the concepts you learn.
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky (Residential on WKU campus)
Cost: $4,200 registration fee; Need-based financial assistance is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Classes are capped at 16 students
Dates: June 21 – July 11 (three-week residential program)
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until classes fill; Financial Aid Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students completing grades 7–10; qualifying ACT or SAT scores required
VAMPY is a three-week residential program at Western Kentucky University where you take one intensive academic course that meets several hours each weekday. Mathematics courses focus on advanced problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. Instructors guide you through challenging topics that require careful logical thinking and structured solutions. You spend time solving complex problems, discussing strategies, and completing assignments during evening study sessions. The program is designed for learners who want deeper mathematical challenges during the summer.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,750 (Online). Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 64 participants
Dates: Session One (Online): June 15 – July 3; Session Two (Online): July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Academically advanced high school students with strong mathematical preparation
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a highly selective summer program for advanced high school students passionate about higher-level mathematics. You can enroll in an intensive course, such as Abstract Algebra & Number Theory or Algebraic Topology, and participate in live instruction, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and a final research presentation. The residential program includes supervised housing, meals in Stanford dining halls, weekend field trips around the San Francisco Bay Area, and airport transportation at designated times. Online participants engage in synchronous coursework and structured academic activities designed to foster collaboration and intellectual community. Financial aid is available for both domestic and international students based on demonstrated need, and applying for aid does not affect admissions decisions.
11. PRIMES-USA
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 32 students
Dates: Year-long program (January 1 – December 31)
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores (or homeschooled equivalent) residing in the United States outside the Greater Boston area
PRIMES-USA (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science) is a rigorous, year-long research program in mathematics for exceptionally advanced high school students. Participants work on original research problems, often unsolved, in pure or applied mathematics, including areas such as theoretical computer science and computational biology. You will be mentored remotely by MIT graduate students, faculty, or partner university researchers through regular teleconferencing and online collaboration tools. The program progresses through four phases: advanced reading, active research, independent study, and final paper write-up and presentation. Students present their results at the PRIMES conference in October and submit a final research paper that may be entered into national competitions or professional journals. Admission is highly competitive and based on demonstrated mathematical ability, research potential, and commitment to independent study.
Location: Online
Cost: No cost, except the $25 application fee
Application Deadline: Early February
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Eligibility: Applicants must be 15 years or older by June 18th of the application year. A few research labs may be unavailable for non-US citizens
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers a virtual research-focused internship for high school students interested in advanced mathematics and its applications in STEM fields. You will work with faculty mentors on research projects in areas such as mathematical modeling, cryptography, machine learning, data science, and computer simulations. You will gain hands-on experience using mathematical software, coding for data analysis, and applying techniques for modeling real-world systems. These skills are essential for physics research.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,500 (financial aid available, covering up to 100% of tuition)
Application Deadline: Early April
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-August
Eligibility: High school students, at least 14 years old; completion of Algebra II recommended.
PROMYS Online is a six-week summer program for high school students who want to explore advanced math from home. You’ll focus on number theory through daily lectures, problem sets, and small group seminars. You’ll work with other students and mentors to build proofs, ask questions, and think in new ways. Topics include modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations, and other ideas not usually covered in school. The program also brings in guest speakers and ends with a final session where you can share what you’ve learned.
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.
Image Source - Horizon Academic Research Program logo