14 Math Programs for High School Students in Missouri

Participating in a structured academic program during high school can be an effective way to experience college-level learning before you ever set foot on a campus. These programs immerse you in rigorous coursework, independent research, and aspects of college life such as living in residence halls or collaborating with peers from around the country. Beyond academics, they can help you build practical skills like problem-solving, communication, and time management, while also offering industry exposure through guest speakers, site visits, or mentorship. If your interests lie in math, a specialized mathematics program can help you sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while helping you explore the field in absolute detail.

Why should I join a math program in high school?

Math programs typically cover topics far beyond the standard high school curriculum, diving into aspects of number theory, combinatorics, or abstract algebra,  while helping you collaborate with experts and like-minded peers. For college applications, participation in such programs signals intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to thrive in challenging academic environments. 

If you live in Missouri or are planning to spend your school break here, math programs in the state offer various math exploration opportunities you can pursue. To help you get started, we have narrowed down 14 math programs for high school students in Missouri.

If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here. 

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program : Math Track

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered

Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year

Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.

Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0

This is a rigorous research program designed for high school students who want to explore an area or topic of interest in great detail. Over the course of 12 weeks or more, 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 math. 

2. University of Missouri–St. Louis Bridge Program Summer Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: Fully funded

Dates: June 22 – July 10

Application Deadline: May 22

Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th-grade students enrolled in St. Louis metropolitan schools with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher | Must be enrolled in or have completed Algebra

Hosted by the University of Missouri–St. Louis, the Bridge Program Summer Academy is a fully funded program designed to strengthen your foundation in mathematics and science. During the program, you will attend daily classes, guided career exploration, and workshops on math, writing, and science, and sessions on personal development. The setting is designed to reflect aspects of college life, helping you become familiar with expectations such as independent study and classroom participation. In addition to subject-specific instruction, you will participate in ACT preparation sessions and receive mentorship from instructors and staff. 

3. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) :  Math Track

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | Financial aid available

Dates: Spring and Fall: 15 weeks | Summer: 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 (above 3.67/4.0 GPA) | Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade | Some tracks have prerequisites

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in a variety of disciplines, including math and related areas. You will select a track that aligns with your interests and choose between quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Then, you will be paired with a professor or Ph.D. researcher who will provide guidance throughout the project. During the program, you will develop a focused research question, examine existing scholarship, and carry out a structured analysis to complete a 20-page research paper. The curriculum is organized to help you understand each stage of the research process, from planning to writing. You may decide to submit your paper to journals that consider work by high school students. In addition, you will receive detailed feedback on your project and a letter of recommendation describing your participation and progress. 

4. Upward Bound Math/Science (UBMS) @ Northwest Missouri State University

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO

Cost/Stipend: Free (federally funded) | Stipend up to $15 per week while on campus

Dates: Six-week summer residential program (dates vary) | Academic year program runs throughout the school year

Application Deadline: March 9

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Must attend a recruited school in Kansas or Missouri | Must meet low-income or first-generation criteria | Must have completed at least one unit of college-prep math (including Algebra I) and science | Reading at or near grade level required

This is a free, federally funded TRIO program for high school students from Kansas and Missouri who are interested in STEM careers. The program has two parts: an academic year component and a six-week summer residential program held on the Northwest Missouri State University campus. During the school year, you will receive tutoring, ACT prep, and one-on-one mentorship, and you can earn stipends based on your participation. Over the summer, you will live on campus, take science and math classes taught by university instructors, and go on weekend field trips to museums, science centers, and college campuses. You can also join the Bridge Program for graduating seniors, through which UBMS covers the cost of up to six college credit hours that you can transfer to the college you attend in the fall.

5. Washington University in St. Louis’s Summer Focus​

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: $4,800 stipend (pre-tax)

Dates: June 1 – July 24

Application Deadline: January 26

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from Missouri and Illinois

Summer Focus is an eight-week summer research internship for rising conducted at Washington University in St. Louis. During the program, you will be matched with a scientist, work on a laboratory-based research project, and access support from a tutor. The experience focuses on hands-on research in STEM disciplines, allowing you to apply mathematical concepts. In addition to your lab work, you will enroll in two courses focused on science communication and the college application process. The program is designed for motivated local high school students who are interested in gaining research experience. At the end of the internship, you will develop and present your research findings, gaining experience in explaining technical work to an audience.

6. WashU Math Circle

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: Free

Dates: Weekly Saturday sessions held multiple times each year

Application Deadline: No application required | Open enrollment or walk-in

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 | Parents and teachers can also attend

The Washington University Math Circle is a free weekly program where you will visit Washington University's campus on Saturday afternoons to explore math topics that go beyond what's typically covered in school. Sessions are led mostly by faculty and PhD students from the WashU Department of Mathematics and Statistics, as well as occasional speakers from fields like statistics, computer science, and physics. The program is split into two one-hour sessions: one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers. Topics vary each week and have included things like fractals, game strategy, logic puzzles, and number theory. The program also incorporates math competition prep, including activities connected to the American Regions Math League. 

7. Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Derivative of Thrills Summer Institute

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO

Cost/Stipend: Free

Dates: July 12 – 16

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 | Must have completed Algebra I and Geometry

The Derivative of Thrills Summer Institute is a structured one-week residential program open to 30 high school students interested in math. During the week, you will explore mathematical ideas through hands-on activities, learning from examples drawn from roller coasters and other real-world contexts. You will explore how math is used to design a roller coaster, calculate the velocity of a rolling body along a curved path, learning about the impact of friction forces. You will also work with a team of peers to build a functional roller coaster based on a mathematical model and compete against other teams. The curriculum is designed to help you see how mathematical concepts apply beyond the classroom through practical learning experiences.

8. Partners in Education Rockwood Summer Internships​

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Rockwood School District, St. Louis County, MO

Cost/Stipend: None

Dates: Six to eight weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: November 12

Eligibility: High school juniors in Rockwood

Partners in Education offers summer internships through partnerships facilitated by Rockwood School District. The program connects you with local organizations for hands-on work experience in your field of interest, which can be math, allowing you to work on internship projects. Math-related roles may involve data or analytical tasks. The schedule includes an orientation session, training, and workshops focused on career readiness. Successful completion of this program will earn you half of a CTE credit.

9. WashU High School Summer Scholars Program:  Math Track

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: $50 nonrefundable application fee | Online: $4,075 | Commuter: $4,075 for one course, $7,825 for two | Residential: $8,385 for one course, $12,135 for two | Need-based scholarships available

Dates: June 7 – July 11

Application Deadline: March 2 (early) | April 1 (regular)

Eligibility: Current high school juniors | Prefer rigorous coursework such as honors, AP, or IB | Course-specific prerequisites may apply

The High School Summer Scholars Program allows you to enroll in one or two credit-bearing undergraduate courses taught by WashU instructors, exploring disciplines like mathematics alongside humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. You can choose math courses like Differential Equations and Finite Mathematics, focused on discrete math, proofs, counting, and graphs. You can choose from residential, commuter, or online participation. Beyond coursework, you will participate in college readiness workshops, academic success activities, and community events. On program completion, your grades will become part of a WashU transcript, usable for pre-matriculation credit pending other universities’ policies. You will join small classes, made up of 5 – 20 students/course.

10. WashU Mathematical Excellence Competition (WUMEC) 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Washington University in St. Louis, Danforth Campus, St. Louis, MO

Cost/Stipend: $5 per person | $20 per team

Dates: February 7

Application Deadline: January 19

Eligibility: High school students

WUMEC is a one-day math competition that allows you to tackle advanced math problems individually or as a team at the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis. The event focuses on solving applied and theoretical problems within a set time limit, offering you the chance to practice reasoning and efficient problem-solving. While not a typical math program, WUMEC allows you to explore math topics and connect with mathematics faculty and current university students. The timed format and collaborative component are designed to help you strengthen both individual skills and teamwork. Top-performing participants receive prizes.

11. Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Cost/Stipend: $200 application fee | May be covered by schools or community sponsors

Dates: June 7 – 27

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Academically gifted rising high school juniors nominated by their schools

The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week residential experience hosted at the University of Missouri for academically strong high school juniors. As a participant, you will take two academic courses, a major and a minor, which may include advanced coursework in mathematics, science, or computer programming. The structure encourages you to explore subjects in depth while also engaging with peers who have a range of academic interests. Beyond academics, you can join activities like chorus, theater, community service, debate, journalism, and art workshops, creative writing classes, and exploration of archaeology and anthropology museums. In the evenings, you will attend the special Academy series of concerts, plays, social activities, presentations, and lectures featuring speakers from throughout the state and nation.

12. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

Location: OnlineCost: $3,750; financial aid availableDates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – 24Application deadline: February 2Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

SUMac is a rigorous program designed for students curious about advanced mathematics. At SUMaC, you will explore topics like abstract algebra and number theory through lectures, structured problem-solving, and guided research. The program exposes you to ongoing areas of mathematical inquiry, the development of key math theories, and math applications across scientific fields. You will pick one of two courses: one focused on algebra and number theory, and the other centered on algebraic topology, both of which link classical math to contemporary applications. The workload mirrors college-level expectations.

13. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Logic and Problem Solving 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Online

Cost/Stipend: $3,750 | Financial aid available

Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – July 24

Application Deadline: February 2

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer middle and high school students the chance to enroll in virtual college-level courses. The Logic and Problem Solving course allows you to spend two weeks exploring concepts like logic, combinatorics, inequalities, probability, number theory,  geometry, algorithms, and puzzles through live classes and exercises. Additionally, you will practice techniques and adopt problem-solving strategies to refine your logical thinking skills. You will also work on math problems and puzzles, engage in problem-solving with peers, and present your solutions. Assignments and projects are also a key part of the coursework.

14. George Mason University ASSIP: Math Track

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Virtual internships for Missouri students

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits | Fee waivers available

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old

ASSIP (Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program) offers remote research internships in various fields, including math, data science, and statistics. You can choose a mentor offering a remote math-focused research internship to dive into research design, data collection, and scientific writing over eight weeks. During the program, you will also learn about various STEM career pathways while connecting with professors and STEM professionals. The research program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the STEM research conducted at ASSIP over the summer. 

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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