12 Math Programs for High School Students in Mississippi
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re interested in math, you might be looking for ways to explore topics beyond what your high school classes cover. Structured academic programs can introduce you to more advanced material while providing exposure to college-level academics, mentorship, and collaborative learning environments. They also help you build skills in problem-solving, research, and analytical thinking in a more focused setting.
In Mississippi, math programs are offered through universities, residential camps, academic competitions, and statewide initiatives. These programs vary in format, including short-term camps, one-day events, and ongoing learning platforms, with some focused on advanced topics and others reinforcing core mathematical skills.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Participating in a math program during high school can help you build both depth and confidence in the subject. Rigorous programs challenge you with advanced topics beyond the standard high school curriculum, sharpening analytical thinking and preparing you for competitive STEM majors. They also offer meaningful networking opportunities with professors, researchers, and peers who are equally motivated .
In this blog post, we’ve compiled 12 math programs for high school students in Mississippi.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: June 7 – 12
Eligibility: Mississippi students entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade who did not receive a scholarship in the previous year
You attend this free residential STEM camp named after Dr. Mary Lofton Davidson, who taught at MSMS and emphasized problem-solving through scientific application. Math enthusiasts can explore math-focused courses like “Bet On It,” where you examine dice games and the associated probability math, and you decide when to roll again or cut losses. You could also select “The Face of STEM,” in which you study famous women in fields from math to astrophysics, and you conduct activities in chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science, mirroring their work. The camp honors Dr. Davidson’s legacy as Mississippi Teacher of the Year in 1991, and recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, and she served as a role model by interacting closely with students to help them reach their potential.
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
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 structured research opportunity designed for high school students who want to explore an academic subject in greater depth. In this program, you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to design and complete an independent research project over the course of 12 weeks. The experience is individualized, allowing you to focus on a topic that aligns with your interests and academic goals.
You can select from a wide range of subject areas, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. Throughout the program, you receive guidance on developing a research question, conducting analysis, and organizing your findings. By the end of the program, you will have written a research paper that reflects your work and learning during the term. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, MS
Cost/Stipend: Free (lunch/snacks provided)
Application Deadline: Not specified (limited spots)
Dates: June 9 – 13 (tentative)
Eligibility: Grades 7–12
In this camp, workshops rotate through aviation, robotics, electronics, and diagnostics, where math underpins circuit wiring, drone flight calculations, and engine troubleshooting. The instructors guide hands-on simulations that reinforce quantitative skills alongside technical trades. The group challenges participants to engage in collaborative problem-solving, with embedded math-like measurements and spatial reasoning, while access to college facilities exposes them to professional tools. The camp’s free structure encourages broad regional attendance despite quick fill-ups.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Application Deadline: 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- or 11th-graders! A few tracks require prerequisites; see here
Horizon runs trimester-length research programs for high school students in fields such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and related disciplines. You can choose a specific subject track based on your interests and decide whether to focus on quantitative or qualitative research methods. After you select a track, you are matched with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who guides you through the research process. Over the course of the program, you will define a research question, review relevant literature, and develop a structured analysis. By the end of the trimester, you are expected to complete a 20-page research paper. You may choose to submit your work to academic journals that accept high school research. Participants also receive individualized feedback on their projects and a letter of recommendation summarizing their work and progress in the program.
Location: Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS
Stipend: Free lunch for first 100 ($11 value); prizes include scholarships
Application Deadline: October 17 (tentative)
Dates: October 24 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students and teachers
This well-established program attracts 65–90 students from local schools through a no-calculator math competition exam that assesses problem-solving across high school topics. It is then followed by three interactive workshop sessions with games, puzzles, and practical applications rarely found in typical classes. A keynote address on subjects such as math in fiber arts links abstract concepts to creative disciplines, enhancing appeal beyond mere computation. The highest scorers are awarded MUW scholarships, which can be used during their first year.
Location: Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
Cost: $800 (scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Spaces filled on a rolling basis
Dates: June 7 – 12
Eligibility: Rising 8th, 9th, and 10th graders
This six-day residential math camp offers an engaging and well-rounded academic experience for high school students by blending mathematics with disciplines such as engineering, cryptography, coding, forensic science, photography, and even poetry. Because of this interdisciplinary approach, you can see how mathematical thinking connects to both technical fields and creative expression. While the program centers on math, it also encourages you to apply concepts in practical and unexpected contexts, which makes the learning experience more dynamic.
Location: Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS
Cost: $50 registration fee per team
Application Deadline: January 31 (preregistration earlier via ORAU system)
Dates: February 20
Eligibility: Teams of 9th-12th graders (max 3 teams per school, 24 total)
This tournament challenges 9th-12th graders through rapid-fire toss-up and bonus questions spanning math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, earth science, and computer science. Teams buzz in during qualifying rounds before advancing to single-elimination playoffs, and the high-stakes format demands quick recall under time pressure, sharpening mental agility across 7-hour sessions. Past events drew 111 students from multiple schools, with strong showings from teams like MSMS and Hartfield Academy, while regional winners secure an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., and individual high scorers earn MUW scholarships for standout math/science performers. Math questions integrate seamlessly with the sciences through problems on calculus applications, geometry in physics, and statistical reasoning, and the event fosters peer networking among Mississippi’s top STEM students despite its one-day intensity, which tests preparation depth over weeks of practice.
Location: Trotter Convention Center, Columbus, MS
Cost: $15 per student
Application Deadline: January 23
Dates: February 26
Eligibility: High school students statewide (MSMS students do not compete)
The annual MSMS Mathematics Tournament takes place in the spring, bringing together over 600 students from 30 high schools across the state to compete for awards in individual and team categories. The competition includes ciphering rounds, written tests, a mini-interschool event, and a potpourri round, covering subjects such as Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Each student pays a $15 fee by the deadline.
9. DeltaMath
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Year-round resources
Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
DeltaMath is an online platform that offers math practice and assessment tools for high school students. You can work on topics ranging from introductory algebra to calculus, depending on your course level and goals. The site provides targeted problem sets that focus on specific skills, allowing you to practice particular concepts in a structured way. As you complete exercises, you receive immediate feedback, which helps you identify mistakes and revisit areas that need more attention. DeltaMath is commonly used in classroom settings, but you can also use it independently to reinforce coursework.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $50 a week
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Dates: Typically meets once a week at a set time of your choosing.
Eligibility: High school students
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is an online learning platform designed for students who want to study mathematics in greater depth. Its courses and materials extend beyond a typical high school curriculum, covering subjects such as number theory, combinatorics, and advanced algebra. You can enroll in structured online classes or use textbooks and problem sets to guide independent study. The platform also includes discussion forums where you can post solutions, ask questions, and review different approaches to challenging problems. In addition, you have opportunities to prepare for and participate in math competitions through targeted practice.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: None; available year-round
Dates: Online, year-round program without formal courses
Eligibility: All ages
PhET Interactive Simulations, created by the University of Colorado Boulder, provides interactive simulations to help students learn math and science concepts. You can explore topics in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics by adjusting variables, running virtual experiments, and observing the outcomes on your screen. These simulations give you a way to experiment with ideas that are often difficult to visualize in a traditional classroom. By manipulating various factors, you can see how changes affect results in real time, which helps clarify concepts such as circuits, forces and motion, chemical reactions, and mathematical relationships.
12. CueThink
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: There is no application deadline
Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
CueThink is an online platform that helps high school students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through collaborative math activities. On the platform, you work through challenging problems using a structured approach, documenting your reasoning and exploring different solution strategies. CueThink provides digital whiteboards for visually organizing your work and explaining each step of your process. You also have the opportunity to interact with peers and mentors by reviewing their solutions, offering feedback, and discussing different methods.
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.
Image Source - Horizon Academic Research Program logo