13 Math Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re interested in math, you might be looking for ways to go beyond what your high school classes offer. Structured programs can introduce you to advanced topics like number theory, combinatorics, and mathematical modeling while helping you build skills in logical reasoning and problem-solving. They also provide opportunities to explore how math connects to fields like computer science, engineering, and economics.
In New Jersey, math programs are offered through universities, research initiatives, academic organizations, and statewide programs. These opportunities include summer courses, research programs, competitions, and long-term academic experiences that vary in intensity and focus.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Math programs allow you to explore concepts that go beyond the standard curriculum while developing a stronger foundation in analytical thinking. You might work on proof-based problems, collaborate on challenging problem sets, engage in research projects, or study advanced topics with guidance from instructors and mentors. Over time, these experiences can help you build confidence in your abilities, deepen your understanding of mathematics, and prepare for further study in quantitative fields.
We have narrowed down this list of 13 math programs for high school students in New Jersey.
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Location: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Jan 8
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Eligibility: New Jersey residents in their junior year; must be nominated by their high school
This residential program immerses New Jersey's top students in a rigorous scientific and mathematical curriculum that far exceeds the standards of standard high school honors tracks. You will learn to navigate advanced topics in mathematics, physics, and anthropology through courses led by distinguished faculty from academia and industry. You will also gain significant research experience by working in small teams on a guided project that culminates in a formal scientific symposium presentation. The program offers a professional atmosphere through evening colloquia, where you interact with scientists from government and industry.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Spring of freshman year
Dates: Three summer institutes (6.5 weeks each) plus year-round sessions
Eligibility: Freshmen at specific partner high schools in Ewing, Lawrence, Hamilton, Trenton, and Princeton
The Princeton University Preparatory Program is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative designed to prepare high-achieving students for admission to highly selective colleges. During the intensive summer institutes on the Princeton campus, you will learn to master advanced mathematics, writing, and critical thinking skills within a high-pressure academic environment. The program provides deep immersion in the college atmosphere, offering year-round support, including weekly after-school sessions and local research events. You will gain hands-on experience in collegiate-level discussion and study habits while receiving personalized guidance through the complex college application and financial aid processes.
Location: Virtual
Cost: 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 a GPA above 3.67 can apply; most accepted applicants are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have formal prerequisites, outlined here in further detail
Horizon offers high school students the opportunity to participate in trimester-long research programs in fields such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and more. After selecting a subject, participants are paired with a professor or Ph.D. mentor from a top university. The goal is to produce a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted to scientific and academic journals. After culmination, the program provides mentor recommendation letters and feedback, both extremely useful for future projects and college applications.
Location: Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $4,800 (Limited need-based scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Priority consideration by the end of February
Dates: July 6 – 31
Eligibility: High school students with strong mathematical interest and ability
This four-week residential program focuses on the mathematics of the digital age, encouraging you to go beyond basic calculations to formal proofs and logical reasoning. Through faculty-led instruction, you will explore the core concepts of combinatorics, graph theory, number theory, and cryptography. The program emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, in which small groups defend their mathematical reasoning before peers and undergraduate mentors. It bridges the gap between high school and professional mathematics by featuring guest speakers from the academic and industrial sectors. Living on campus allows you to experience college life firsthand while learning the fundamental discrete structures of modern computer science.
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,900
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in math and acoustics
This interdisciplinary program explores the technical intersection of wave mechanics and musical theory. You will learn to apply the wave equation to physical systems such as vibrating strings and air columns to predict harmonics and frequencies. You will gain hands-on experience in acoustic modeling and geometric prototyping through a collaborative design challenge in which you build a mathematically inspired instrument. The experience includes a site visit to the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in NYC, providing direct exposure to physical phenomena in action. This program offers a specialized college atmosphere in which you synthesize frame geometry and string tension to create innovative acoustic designs.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: $2,600
Application Deadline: Regular admission: January 15
Dates: February 27 – March 1 | March 27 – 29 | April 24 – 26
Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, or juniors with a "B" average and upper-quarter class rank
The Engineering Academy at the DuBois Institute is designed to foster analytical thinking through an intensive STEM-focused curriculum. You will explore the fundamental principles of mathematical modeling while seeing how they relate to real-world engineering problems. Through 120-minute sessions, you will gain hands-on experience in a college setting that emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. The program fosters a professional environment by addressing social stratification and global issues, offering a comprehensive STEM education. Working on the Princeton campus provides exposure to a top-tier academic atmosphere that promotes curiosity and strategic career development in engineering.
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Cost: Fee required (includes housing and meals)
Application Deadline: Rolling review
Dates: July 12 - July 19
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
This residential program emphasizes the mathematical and analytical aspects of the business world. Participants will learn to use quantitative reasoning in key areas like finance, accounting, and marketing analytics. They will also collaborate in small teams to create a comprehensive business plan, which they will present in a competition judged by local business leaders. The program creates a professional environment by involving industry experts and faculty at every stage of the business modeling process. This short-term intensive offers a valuable opportunity to see how mathematical logic relates to entrepreneurship and organizational management.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course | Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Eligibility: High school students meeting CTY testing requirements
Johns Hopkins CTY offers a wide array of advanced online courses that let you customize your mathematical journey. You will benefit from exploring subjects such as cryptography, logic, and game theory that are often omitted from standard high school curricula. The courses combine guided online lectures with collaborative problem-solving clubs to prepare you for competitions like the AMC. You will develop practical skills in mathematical reasoning via structured assignments and peer discussion forums. Whether you're aiming for enrichment or accelerated credit, these courses offer a top-tier framework to enhance your quantitative skills from home.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free | Financial aid covers 100% of costs for eligible students
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors
SUMaC is an intensive online math enrichment program designed for highly motivated high school students with strong quantitative backgrounds. You will benefit from choosing between two advanced tracks: Abstract Algebra and Number Theory, or Algebraic Topology. The camp focuses on pure mathematics, where you will engage in daily live discussions and solve stimulating problem sets that go far beyond standard classroom proofs. You will gain hands-on experience collaborating with Stanford teaching assistants and attending guest lectures from mathematicians who use these abstract concepts in research and industry. With limited enrollment and selective admissions, SUMaC is considered one of the most rigorous virtual math programs available to high school students in Florida and worldwide.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long (January to December)
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the US outside the Greater Boston area. Check other eligibility criteria here
PRIMES-USA is a year-long online research program that matches talented students from across the country with MIT faculty and graduate students. You will benefit from mentored research in advanced mathematics, beginning with a focused reading phase to build the necessary theoretical foundations. Over the course of the year, you will develop original questions and analyze complex problems, leading to a final research paper. You will also gain practical experience in academic communication by presenting your work at the annual PRIMES Fall Conference.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,700 per course | Need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: May 11
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies offers rigorous online mathematics courses that mirror undergraduate-level instruction. Available subjects include Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Number Theory, and Differential Equations. Courses are taught in small cohorts with structured assignments, instructor feedback, and regular deadlines. You work on proof-based problem sets and develop formal mathematical reasoning skills similar to those used in university mathematics programs. Every course completed earns Stanford Continuing Studies credit and provides a formal university transcript for your college applications.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders
The Math in Action program at Illinois Tech introduces students to advanced mathematics through engaging lectures and guided problem-solving sessions. Topics might cover number theory, mathematical modeling, and how math applies to physics and computer science. The instruction emphasizes the development of logical reasoning and proof skills beyond typical high school levels. Students participate in collaborative exercises and learn how abstract concepts relate to real-world problems. Faculty-led sessions provide insight into university-level mathematical thinking.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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