13 Math Programs for High School Students in Nevada
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student interested in mathematics, participating in a structured math program can help you deepen your understanding of the subject beyond what is typically offered in school. These programs introduce you to advanced concepts such as proof writing, discrete mathematics, statistics, and applied problem-solving while helping you strengthen your logical reasoning and quantitative thinking. Many also provide opportunities to learn from university faculty, researchers, or experienced instructors who can guide you through challenging material and introduce potential academic pathways in mathematics and related STEM fields.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Math programs allow you to explore topics that go beyond standard classroom curricula while building analytical and problem-solving skills that are useful across many disciplines. Through research projects, advanced coursework, mentorship, or collaborative problem-solving activities, you can gain exposure to how mathematics is used in areas such as engineering, computer science, economics, and data science. Participating in a structured program can also help you prepare for college-level coursework, connect with peers who share your interests, and strengthen your academic profile for future STEM opportunities.
To help with your search, we have curated a list of 13 math programs for high school students in Nevada.
If you’re looking for online STEM summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly 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 tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can choose research topics from subjects such as math, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Email sistem@unlv.edu for updates
Application Deadline: Spring: February 1
Eligibility: High school students in Southern Nevada are eligible to apply
The Student Interactions with STEM program is a free academic outreach initiative open to high school students across Southern Nevada that introduces them to STEM fields through a structured series of talks and interactive sessions led by professionals. Hosted on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the five-week program, offered each spring or fall, focuses on expanding awareness of academic pathways and careers that typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher. They provide you with exposure to research areas and real-world applications within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 200 students each year
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, and fall cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply; Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across a wide range of disciplines, including math, engineering, data science, machine learning, and more. One of the program’s distinguishing features is the option to pursue either quantitative or qualitative research, depending on the chosen subject track. After selecting a field and research approach, you will be matched with a faculty member or PhD scholar from a reputed university who provides sustained mentorship throughout the research process. You will be expected to complete a substantial research paper of approximately 20 pages, suitable for submission to academic journals. The program also provides detailed written feedback on the project and a letter of recommendation.
Location: High schools across Nevada
Cost: $110 per course; Students should inquire with their high school about any available scholarships for Jumpstart courses
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: January 20 – May 17
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Local high school students at participating high schools are eligible to apply. A grade of C or better in MATH 95 or a satisfactory ACT/SAT/Placement Test score is required
The Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program collaborates with local high schools to enable students across all grade levels to take college-level courses at reduced cost, allowing them to begin earning credits while still enrolled in secondary school. The instruction is delivered on the high school campus by teachers approved by the relevant academic departments at the College of Southern Nevada. One offering, Fundamentals of College Mathematics, introduces practical quantitative concepts applicable to everyday decision-making, including consumer mathematics, measurement, modeling, probability, and statistics, with an emphasis on applied problem solving and real-world relevance.
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Check here for updates
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-19 years old from target schools are eligible to apply
Upward Bound is an academic enrichment initiative focused on expanding educational access by equipping students with the preparation and skills needed for postsecondary study. Its specialized track, Upward Bound Math and Science, emphasizes strengthening your quantitative and scientific abilities and encourages you to pursue related degrees. Designed for first-generation and income-eligible students from designated schools, the program is federally supported through the U.S. Department of Education and provided at no cost. You will receive academic-year instruction virtually, at school sites, and on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, along with the option to join a six-week residential summer session that includes coursework, mentoring, cultural activities, college exposure, and experiential learning opportunities intended to support high school completion and college success.
Location: University of Nevada, Reno, NV.
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Check here for updates
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: High school students aged 13-19 years old attending Edward C. Reed High School or Earl Wooster High School are eligible to apply
The University of Nevada, Reno administers three traditional Upward Bound initiatives and one Upward Bound Math-Science program that provide year-round college-preparatory instruction to 246 income-eligible, first-generation students from eight partner schools across Washoe and Lyon Counties. You will receive tutoring from university students and certified teachers both on campus and at designated schools, along with guidance in coursework, study and test-taking strategies, academic planning, critical thinking, and literacy development. The program also includes monthly college-readiness workshops and regular counseling sessions focused on goal-setting, skill-building, and informed planning for postsecondary pathways.
Location: University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Eligibility: Nevada high school juniors and seniors, particularly girls and young women, are eligible to apply
The Women in STEM initiative at the University of Nevada, Reno, supported by the U.S. Department of Education, is a year-long outreach program for Nevada high school students that promotes equitable access to STEM pathways, with particular attention to students who have faced barriers to participation. You will receive mentorship, networking opportunities with professionals, and a personalized collegiate planning framework, while also attending structured events such as campus lab tours, lecture series, career panels, and advising sessions. The program integrates career exploration, academic planning, and community building to help you better understand STEM study options and prepare for postsecondary education.
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Cost: $599
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Session I: June 8 – July 2 | Session II: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
The UNLV STEM Institute offers high school students experiential learning opportunities across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through modules such as robotics, cybersecurity, programming, artificial intelligence, and advanced mathematics. Delivered by instructors from the UNLV College of Engineering, the program runs year-round with summer intensives and weekend workshops during the academic year. Its curriculum emphasizes applied learning, enabling you to work on practical projects – such as coding, engineering challenges, and technical problem solving – designed to build both conceptual understanding and real-world skills.
Location: University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Cost: $215
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 29 – 30
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17 years are eligible to apply
This camp provides interactive learning experiences designed to strengthen students’ foundations in mathematics and science while introducing them to the engineering design process in a collaborative setting. Led by faculty, university students, and industry professionals from the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering, the programs maintain a 6:1 student–teacher ratio and emphasize applied learning. One offering, the Aerospace Engineering Mini-Camp, is a two-day intensive in which you will explore aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, and emerging technologies through hands-on challenges, team-based design projects, and iterative testing activities that model real engineering practice.
Location: University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Cost: $250
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17 years are eligible to apply
The Civil and Environmental Engineering camp introduces you to the principles behind infrastructure design, environmental systems, and public safety through structured, hands-on learning. Guided by faculty and students from the University of Nevada, Reno College of Engineering, you will engage in interactive labs and projects such as constructing a concrete canoe, using driving simulators, and experimenting with 3D printing, while also visiting sites like water treatment facilities and construction projects to observe engineering applications in real-world contexts. Alongside technical exposure, the program emphasizes skill development in critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,750; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 64 students
Dates: Session I: June 15 – July 3 | Session II: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application submission who are at least 15 years old during the program are eligible to apply
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp, hosted by Stanford University, is a selective program for rising high school juniors and seniors worldwide that provides intensive exposure to advanced mathematics through lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem solving. You will examine contemporary research topics, historical mathematical developments, and interdisciplinary applications within a focused academic environment. The instruction takes place through live online sessions, supported by teaching assistants and guest speakers who demonstrate how mathematical concepts are used across professional fields.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,365. Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Summer A: June 17 – July 22 | Summer B: July 13 – August 17
Application Deadline: Summer A: May 11 | Summer B: June 8
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8-11 are eligible to apply
This course presents a structured introduction to mathematical concepts and problem-solving methods commonly assessed in secondary-level competitions, with emphasis on algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. Through guided instruction and collaborative analysis, you will practice solving nonstandard problems using logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking while improving accuracy and confidence. The curriculum also familiarizes you with competition formats and expectations, including pacing, solution strategies, and effective test-taking approaches, while fostering clear mathematical communication and sustained intellectual curiosity.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition: $3,900 | Application Fee: $35; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: January 26 – May 15
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 5
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. An interest in higher-level abstract mathematics and experience reading and writing mathematical proofs is required
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Immersive provides rigorous virtual mathematics courses for high school students, with participants earning five units of transcripted credit. One offering, Discrete Mathematics, introduces the theoretical foundations, structures, and methods central to this field, highlighting connections to areas such as number theory and abstract algebra as well as applications in computer science, optimization, and engineering. The course emphasizes mathematical reasoning, proof construction, conjecture development, and pattern analysis, helping you build the conceptual depth and analytical maturity needed for advanced study. Topics include enumerative combinatorics, graph theory, introductory discrete probability, applied problem solving, and exploration of open questions in discrete mathematics.
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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