13 Math Programs for High School Students in Washington State
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
If you’re interested in math, you might be looking for ways to go beyond what your high school classes offer. Structured academic programs can help you explore advanced topics while giving you exposure to college-level academics, mentorship, and collaborative learning environments. They also allow you to build skills in problem-solving, research, and analytical thinking in a more focused setting.
If you’re considering programs in Washington State, you’ll find a range of options that vary in structure, duration, and focus. These include university-hosted programs, competitions, and short-term academic experiences, each offering a different way to engage with math.
Why should I do a math program in high school?
Math programs allow you to study topics that go beyond the standard high school curriculum, including subjects like number theory, linear algebra, and statistical modeling. You’ll also develop key academic skills such as constructing clear mathematical arguments, approaching complex problems, and collaborating with peers. Participating in selective or research-focused programs can strengthen your college applications by showing initiative, intellectual curiosity, and readiness for advanced work.
To help with your search, here are 13 math programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Cost: Free (full scholarship for all accepted students)
Program Dates: July 5–10
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students (all eligible students welcome to apply)
The SEAS Summer Immersion Program (SSIP) at Gonzaga University is a selective, fully funded week-long experience designed to introduce high school students to engineering and computer science. Hosted by the School of Engineering & Applied Science, SSIP provides hands-on exposure to STEM fields through collaborative projects, lab-based activities, and guided exploration of professional pathways. Participants work alongside Gonzaga faculty and undergraduate students in state-of-the-art STEM facilities. Activities may include engineering design challenges, robotics programming, and applied problem-solving projects that mirror university-level coursework. The program also integrates campus tours, guest speakers, and insights into what daily life looks like for engineers and computer scientists.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program track | Full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, fall, winter, spring) | 12 weeks to 1 year options
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students demonstrating strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, mentor-driven research experience designed for high-achieving high school students seeking sustained academic rigor. In this program, you are paired one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and execute an independent research project in your chosen field. Over the course of the program, depending on your selected track, you develop a structured research paper grounded in formal methodology, analytical reasoning, and academic writing standards. If you are interested in mathematics, you can pursue topics such as applied mathematics, data science, quantitative economics, computational modeling, number theory, or other theoretical areas. The individualized mentorship format allows you to engage deeply with advanced concepts that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Savery Hall 260)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Spring (Sunday afternoons, 1–2 PM)
Application Deadline: Open attendance; no formal application
Eligibility: Primarily middle and junior high school students (Seattle area) | Families are welcome
The UW Monthly Math Hour is a free public lecture series hosted by the University of Washington’s Department of Mathematics. Held on Sunday afternoons during the spring, the program introduces students to advanced and engaging mathematical ideas through accessible, university-style talks. Designed primarily for middle and junior high students, the lectures explore “beautiful and exciting” areas of mathematics that extend beyond the standard school curriculum. Sessions typically include time for questions and informal discussion, giving students an opportunity to interact directly with mathematicians. Parents, teachers, and siblings may also attend.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by track | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Spring and Fall (15 weeks) | Summer (10 weeks, June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines for Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing (typically 3.67/4.0 GPA or higher) | Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade | Selected tracks have prerequisites
The Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) is a trimester-long virtual research experience designed for high-achieving high school students seeking sustained, rigorous academic engagement. After selecting a subject track, you are paired with a professor or PhD scholar who mentors you through the full research lifecycle, from refining a focused research question to applying appropriate methodology and producing a formal academic paper. The program prioritizes analytical precision, structured inquiry, and academic depth. If you are interested in mathematics or quantitative disciplines, you can pursue projects in applied mathematics, data science, machine learning, statistical modeling, or computational analysis.
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Cost: Free (tuition-free program)
Program Dates: June 25–July 22
Application Deadline: June 1 (student application) | June 8 (parent section and references)
Eligibility: Public school students in grades 7–12 from Tacoma and greater Pierce County who are from underrepresented minoritized groups, first-generation college backgrounds, and/or qualify under federal Free/Reduced Lunch guidelines | Full attendance required
The Summer Academic Challenge (SAC) is a four-week, project-based STEAM enrichment program hosted by the University of Puget Sound. Designed to expand access to advanced academic experiences, SAC immerses middle and high school students in interdisciplinary themes that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Students engage in hands-on learning through laboratory experiments, model-building, coding, field trips, and collaborative workshops focused on writing and oral presentation skills. Each year features distinct thematic tracks. Topics include environmental sustainability and salmon ecosystems in Puget Sound (Gold Group), probability and statistics through real-world data and game design (Green Group), and sustainable home design integrating engineering and budgeting principles (Blue Group). All tracks culminate in a substantial final project, such as designing advocacy campaigns, creating statistical analyses, or building architectural models grounded in STEAM principles.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 7 (held once a year, typically on a Sunday in early June)
Application Deadline: Registration opens on April 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–10
The UW Math Olympiad is an oral mathematics competition hosted by the University of Washington. This event emphasizes both problem-solving and mathematical communication. You begin by working independently on five challenging problems over a three-hour period. If you successfully solve at least three, you advance to an additional set of more difficult questions. After completing each problem, you present and discuss your solution with mathematician judges. Judges provide feedback and allow up to three attempts to refine your explanation, encouraging precision, clarity, and logical structure. This interactive format strengthens proof-writing skills and verbal reasoning-abilities that are critical in advanced mathematics.
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost: Private school tuition (varies by enrollment; financial aid available through the school)
Program Dates: Academic year
Application Deadline: Determined by school admissions cycle
Eligibility: Enrolled in Upper School (grades 9–12)
University Prep’s High School Mathematics Program is part of its Upper School academic curriculum and is designed to develop analytical reasoning, problem-solving fluency, and mathematical communication skills. The program emphasizes conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, and collaborative learning, with opportunities for students to express mathematical ideas both orally and in writing. The required sequence includes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a semester of Introduction to Statistics. Beyond these core requirements, students can pursue advanced coursework such as Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry, Applied Calculus, Calculus I and II, Advanced Statistics, Advanced Topics in Mathematics, and Mathematical Finance. Placement is based on prior preparation, and courses often include students from multiple grade levels.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (in person)
Cost: $1,450 tuition (includes $50 non-refundable registration fee)
Program Dates: June 30–July 23
Application Deadline: Lottery-based admission | Lottery open February 15 (4 PM) – February 28 (4 PM)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 7–10
Summer Stretch, hosted by the UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars, is a four-week academic enrichment program designed for highly motivated middle and high school students. The program offers both accelerated coursework and enrichment-focused classes, allowing you to explore subjects, including mathematics tracks such as algebra, geometry, and precalculus, as well as data-focused courses. Classes are held in small groups and taught by subject-matter specialists, creating an intensive and interactive learning environment. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on exploration, intellectual challenge, and active participation. Students attend four days per week on the UW Seattle campus, gaining exposure to a university academic setting.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (in person)
Cost: $885–$995 (plus $50 nonrefundable registration fee)
Program Dates: June 29–July 10 | July 13–24 | July 27–Aug 7
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Incoming 9th–12th graders with a foundation in algebra
Introduction to Math Modeling is a pre-college course offered through UW’s Youth & Teen Programs that explores how mathematics is used to analyze real-world systems. You study how mathematical models explain and predict phenomena in science, engineering, finance, and public health, such as disease spread, ocean waves, aerodynamics, and market behavior. The course combines lectures, guided discussions, and hands-on problem-solving activities. You learn core modeling terminology, including differential equations, and strengthen algebraic, graphical, and geometric reasoning skills. A final project allows you to investigate or extend a model introduced during the course, reinforcing conceptual understanding and analytical thinking.
Location: Administered at accredited schools, universities, math circles, and learning centers (U.S., Canada, and internationally through AMC International)
Cost: Registration fees determined by the hosting institution (students register through a school or competition manager)
Program Dates: AMC 10A/AMC 12A – November 5 | AMC 10B/AMC 12B – November 13 | AMC 8 – January 22–30
Application Deadline: Set by the hosting school or competition manager
Eligibility: AMC 8: Grade 8 or below (under 15.5 years old) | AMC 10: Grade 10 or below (under 17.5 years old) | AMC 12: Grade 12 or below (under 19.5 years old)
Founded in 1950, the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) program is the premier K–12 mathematics competition series in the United States. Each year, more than 300,000 students participate, using the AMC as a platform to strengthen problem-solving skills and deepen their interest in mathematics. The AMC 8 introduces middle school students to structured problem solving beyond the classroom, covering topics such as counting, probability, geometry, and early algebra. The AMC 10 and AMC 12 extend this experience to high school students, testing algebra, geometry, number theory, probability, and (for AMC 12) trigonometry and advanced algebra. Each contest consists of 25 multiple-choice questions completed under timed conditions. Performance on the AMC 10 and AMC 12 can qualify students for subsequent competitions such as the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination), which ultimately feeds into the selection process for international competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free | Open-access materials and resources
Program Dates: Self-paced | Available year-round, including summer
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all students | Content aligned with U.S. high school math
Math Planet is a free online platform where you can study core high school mathematics, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. The platform also provides targeted practice for standardized exams such as the SAT and ACT, making it a practical tool for reinforcing concepts or preparing for college admissions testing during the summer. Lessons combine clear explanations, worked examples, and structured exercises aligned with U.S. high school curricula. While the content is designed around U.S. standards, students from any country can access and benefit from the materials.
12. DeltaMath
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Year-round accessibility
Application Deadline: Open access
Eligibility: High school students seeking supplemental math practice
DeltaMath is an online platform that provides structured, skill-based practice across a broad spectrum of mathematics topics, ranging from foundational algebra to advanced calculus. Each problem includes instant feedback, allowing you to quickly identify errors, correct misconceptions, and refine procedural accuracy. You can complete teacher-assigned modules or independently select targeted practice sets to reinforce specific concepts. The platform is widely used in high schools for its automated grading system, detailed performance analytics, and organized progression through topics.
Location: Online or in-person at Stanford, CA
Cost: Online: $3,750 | Residential: $8,950 | Financial aid available
Program Dates: Session One (Online): June 15–July 3 | Session One (Residential): June 21–July 17 | Session Two (Online): July 6–24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (grades 10–11 at the time of application)
SUMaC is an intensive summer program designed for high school students ready to engage with advanced, proof-based mathematics. The curriculum emphasizes abstraction, formal reasoning, and theoretical depth, often mirroring the structure and rigor of first-year university mathematics courses. You will study topics such as algebraic structures, number theory, and formal logic, working through carefully structured lectures and challenging problem sets. Instruction is complemented by collaborative discussions and guided proof development, reinforcing mathematical precision and analytical clarity.
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