15 Online Summer Math Programs for High School Students
Summer is the perfect time to strengthen your math skills outside of the classroom, and online programs make that opportunity more accessible than ever. Without the need for travel or housing, you can focus entirely on learning while still having flexibility in your schedule. These programs let you connect with mentors and peers from around the world, collaborate on projects, and tackle advanced topics that often go beyond what’s covered in school.
Because they’re virtual, many of these opportunities are also more affordable, while still being offered by respected universities and organizations. That makes them both practical and prestigious—helping you build confidence in problem-solving, computational thinking, and real-world applications of math.
To help you explore your options, we’ve pulled together 15 of the best online summer math programs for high school students, each designed to challenge you at the right level and give you a meaningful learning experience.
15 Online Summer Math Programs for High School Students
1. AwesomeMath Summer Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,275–$1,575 per course depending on payment deadlines; multi-course discounts are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / exact cohort size not publicly disclosed.
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 27; Session 2: June 30 – July 18; Session 3: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 27
Eligibility: Middle and high school students ages 12–18 who were accepted to the summer program (they have gone through the early, regular, or late applications process)
The AwesomeMath Summer Program is a three-week intensive program designed for middle and high school students who want to strengthen their mathematics foundation and sharpen problem-solving skills. Each course meets Monday through Friday with a 90-minute lecture followed by a 60-minute problem-solving session. You’ll receive daily graded homework and complete two Saturday assessments to track your progress. In addition to coursework, you’ll benefit from twice-weekly office hours for extra guidance and organized social activities to connect with peers worldwide. With courses in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics, you’ll be learning alongside motivated students preparing for contests like AMC, AIME, and USA(J)MO.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10-25% / 70-100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter); Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II: May 11 and June 23 respectively
Eligibility: High school students who can work 10–20 hrs/week for 8–12 weeks (open also to undergrads/gap-year students)
Ladder Internships allow you to apply math directly in a startup environment, tackling real-world challenges across deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, and more. Ladder’s global startups are backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies like Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You collaborate with company managers and a Ladder Coach, working on machine-learning modeling, analytics, or quantitative product features. This internship is a standout opportunity to connect mathematical learning with real-world startups. At the end of the internship, you present your work to the team, showcasing both portfolio material and professional experience. You can apply here.
3. PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual, mentored by MIT faculty and partners nationwide
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / About 12-15 students per year
Dates: January – December (year-long)
Application Deadline: November 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores | US resident outside of the Greater Boston area
At the PRIMES-USA program, you’ll be paired with a mentor, typically a graduate student or faculty member from MIT or partner universities, and spend the year working on original research in advanced mathematics. The program is structured in four phases: background reading, active research, summer independent study, and a final write-up with a presentation at the PRIMES conference in the fall. Expect to dedicate around 10 hours per week, with regular mentor meetings and independent study. By the end of the program, you’ll produce a research paper that may be submitted to national competitions or even professional journals. Students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 400+ students
Dates: Multiple cohorts: Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), Spring (March–June); Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II: May 11 and June 23 respectively
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week intensive research experience designed to introduce high school students to academic research. You’ll be paired 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor, who will guide you through designing and executing an independent project in fields like psychology, economics, physics, computer science, engineering, data science, or international relations. Over the course of the program, you’ll learn how to conduct literature reviews, formulate research questions, analyze data, and synthesize your findings. At the end, you’ll produce a formal research paper that demonstrates your independent work. Even though the program isn’t run by a university, completing it may make you eligible to receive UCSD credit.
5. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,580; additional course materials may cost up to $100; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective / 64 students
Dates: Online Session 1: June 16 – July 4 | Online Session 2: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (current grades 10–11)
Offered in both online and residential formats, SUMaC immerses you in advanced mathematics through daily lectures, problem-solving sessions, and guided research projects. The program emphasizes proof-based learning, the history and development of mathematical ideas, and connections to ongoing research. If you attend the residential option, you’ll also experience Stanford’s campus life, weekend field trips, and social events, while the online version provides virtual community activities and guest lectures. With small cohort sizes, you’ll work closely with instructors, teaching assistants, and peers equally passionate about mathematics. SUMaC gives you a taste of what it’s like to engage in mathematics at the university level.
6. LSU Virtual Math Circle
Location: Virtual; hosted by Louisiana State University Department of Mathematics
Cost: $1,200 per session, with a $300 deposit required at registration; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified / Typically low student-to-mentor ratios for personalized guidance
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 28; Session 2: July 14 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until research groups are filled
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
In this program, you are placed in small groups of four, meeting daily for 2–3 hours to learn advanced math topics and conduct guided research. Past projects have included areas like Markov chains and machine learning, hyperbolic functions in engineering, prime number analysis, and game theory applications. At the end of the session, you’ll present your work in a 45-minute poster session, building valuable skills in mathematical communication. Projects may evolve into science fair entries, conference presentations, or even published work, offering meaningful opportunities for academic growth. Additionally, students may opt to earn one hour of LSU college credit (Math 1999) by continuing their project into the academic year and presenting at LSU Discover Day.
7. IDEA MATH Summer Online Advanced Studies Program
Location: Online (live, interactive instruction via Zoom).
Cost: $1,995 (early enrollment); $2,195 (regular enrollment); a $100 tuition scholarship/discount
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 16 – 20 students per section
Dates: June 24 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
This program has courses such as XC9 (Accelerated Championship Series) and MO1/MO2 (Math Olympiad Series), covering algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory at a deep level. Classes are seminar-style, with students expected to present solutions, collaborate on problems, and complete about three hours of weekly homework. With 50 hours of live instruction across six weeks, the program balances conceptual learning with Olympiad-style problem solving. Instruction is led by a distinguished faculty, including Dr. Zuming Feng (Academic Director of IDEA MATH, former director of the USA Math Olympiad Summer Program), along with experienced instructors and former Olympiad medalists. The program emphasizes discovery-based learning, student leadership, and mathematical creativity.
8. Zearn Summer Math Program
Location: Remote (self-paced digital lessons)
Cost: Free for individual teachers and classrooms (up to 35 students per teacher). Schools and districts can purchase paid accounts with additional features, reporting, and professional development.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / No specific cohort size
Dates: 4 to 6-week series of daily digital lessons during June–August
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; teachers and families can sign up anytime.
Eligibility: Rising 1st through 9th graders.
The Zearn Summer Math Program offers a flexible, digital learning series designed to prepare students for success in the upcoming school year. Lessons are tailored for each grade level, covering key concepts such as addition and subtraction for younger students, fractions and decimals for upper elementary, and proportional reasoning and linear equations for middle schoolers. Each grade-level track includes 20–53 interactive lessons, depending on grade, with built-in adaptive support to guide students through challenges. Teachers receive instructional resources and progress tracking tools, while students engage independently in conceptual and procedural math practice. The program can be used in school-based summer programs, tutoring sessions, or at home, making it adaptable to multiple learning environments.
9. Pearson Online Academy Summer School
Location: Fully online (accessible worldwide).
Cost: Original Credit, Honors, and NCAA-eligible courses: $435/course (0.5 credit); $870 for A&B combined courses; state-funded education assistance is available subject to eligibility
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / Not specified
Dates: June 2 - August 1
Application Deadline: June 27 (final enrollment date).
Eligibility: All high school students
Pearson Online Academy’s Summer School offers over 100 online courses, including original credit courses for acceleration, honors-level courses to boost GPA, and credit recovery options to help high schoolers get back on track. You can participate in Summer Smarts Math and Reading programs, which begin with a pretest and adapt activities to each child’s skill level. High schoolers can choose from a wide range of math, science, English, social studies, and elective courses, many of which are NCAA-approved for student-athletes. With live enrichment sessions, flexible scheduling, and rolling start dates, the program is designed to meet each student’s academic needs while fitting seamlessly into busy summer schedules.
10. Illinois Tech’s Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving
Location: Virtual (hosted by Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL)
Cost: $300; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 100 students per year
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: All high school students
Illinois Tech’s Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving is a one-week virtual summer program that connects abstract mathematical concepts with real-world applications. Through interactive Zoom sessions, you’ll explore how mathematics applies to challenges in science, engineering, and everyday life. The program includes problem-solving workshops, demonstrations, and collaborative activities, designed to help you see the practical side of higher-level math. You will gain exposure to applied mathematics techniques and real-world modeling, offering insights into how math underpins innovation across industries. The short, intensive format makes it a valuable enrichment experience for students looking to apply mathematical thinking beyond the classroom.
11. New York Math Circle High School Summer Program (HSSP)
Location: Remote
Cost: Remote: $975; Zoom: $795; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Around 100-120 students split across different levels and delivery formats
Dates: July 22 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
The New York Math Circle High School Summer Program (HSSP) is a three-week intensive mathematics enrichment experience in which you can attend in-person at NYU, through Zoom sessions connected to live classes, or in fully remote classes. Collaborative lessons, lectures, and problem-solving sessions run each weekday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays feature mathematical games, team-building, and unorthodox problem-solving activities, making the experience both rigorous and engaging. Instructors and teaching assistants foster a collaborative, open atmosphere, encouraging students to approach problems from multiple angles. The program emphasizes creative problem-solving and deep exploration of mathematics beyond the high school curriculum.
12. IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp (University of Minnesota)
Location: In-person at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis campus); limited online slots available for Minnesota students outside the Twin Cities
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Approximately 30-40 students per summer
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31 (may close earlier if filled)
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus by the end of the school year
The IMA–MathCEP Math Modeling Camp introduces high school students to mathematical modeling in solving real-world problems. Over the course of one week, you’ll explore how math is applied to challenges such as traffic flow, climate change, population dynamics, and resource management. Working in collaborative teams, you’ll develop models, analyze data, and present solutions under the guidance of University of Minnesota faculty and graduate students. The camp emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and mathematical communication, with projects designed to connect abstract math to concrete, impactful issues. While the program is not residential, students in the Minneapolis area commute daily, and limited online slots are reserved for Minnesota students unable to attend in person.
13. MathQuantum High School Fellowship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective / 10 students
Dates: Two weeks from the middle/end of July
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: All high school students | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The MathQuantum High School Fellowship is a two-week intensive summer program supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Research Training Group in Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Information. In this program, you’ll study the mathematical and computational foundations of quantum information science (QIS). The program blends coding labs, mentor-led discussions, and a final mini-project, covering topics like linear algebra, quantum mechanics, cryptography, and the ethics of QIS. You’ll also gain exposure to real-world research tools such as ion traps and QLab, while developing teamwork and presentation skills. In addition to technical learning, the fellowship provides career development sessions and may include participation in the Qubit by Qubit summer camp.
14. Thinkster Math
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $68/month for the complete program; traditional tutoring typically costs $200+/week for 1-2 hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / No specific cohort
Dates: Year-round (ongoing enrollment).
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
In this program, you receive a customized learning path tailored to your strengths, weaknesses, and pace, covering everything from foundational math to advanced high school topics. Some of its key features include individualized learning plans aligned with student goals (school support, enrichment, or standardized test prep), one-on-one live tutoring sessions with experienced coaches, AI-driven practice and progress tracking that adapts in real-time, regular feedback from tutors and progress reports for parents, and support for standardized test preparation (SAT/ACT) in addition to academic coursework. Unlike competitive, cohort-based summer camps, Thinkster Math is an ongoing tutoring solution that can be started at any time, making it extremely flexible for interested students.
15. LIVE, by Po-Shen Loh
Location: Virtual
Cost: Just under $23/hour; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / Around 30 students
Dates: Beginner Booster: June 17 – August 25 | Advanced Modules (2 days/week): June 24 – August 29; 1 day/week: June 22 – November 2 | Summer School (once per week): May 4 – November 1
Application Deadline: Rolling, until courses fill.
Eligibility: Grades 5–11
This program’s curriculum, developed by Carnegie Mellon professor and former USA Math Olympiad coach Po-Shen Loh, introduces you to mathematical creativity through live video sessions. You first brainstorm your own approaches and then refine them into formal solutions under expert guidance. By combining systematic coverage of algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory with an engaging delivery style, LIVE helps students understand math in an exciting and creative manner. While the courses significantly improve contest performance on exams like MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8/10/12, and AIME, the environment is intentionally non-competitive and designed to inspire a wide range of students, including those who may not be focused on contests.
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