10 Free Math Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student passionate about mathematics, free programs are a valuable way to access advanced learning without financial barriers. These opportunities not only provide exposure to higher-level math but also open doors to mentorship, projects, and collaboration with peers who share similar interests.
Free math programs often take place at top universities or through respected organizations, giving you a chance to experience academic environments and professional networks early on. Some of these initiatives also incorporate real-world applications, ranging from problem-solving in data science to participating in research under the guidance of faculty mentors. These free programs are accessible to all students, regardless of their background, and allow you to pursue your interests comfortably.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 free math programs for high school students.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~100 students admitted worldwide
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors with strong grades and test scores; at least 740 in PSAT math and 700 in reading, or 33 in ACT math and 34 in verbal
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is one of the most prestigious free summer programs for high school students interested in advanced mathematics and science. During the first week, you will take intensive coursework in STEM subjects, followed by five weeks conducting original research under the guidance of MIT faculty and scientists. Projects often involve mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, or theoretical problem-solving, giving you direct exposure to graduate-level research. The program culminates in a written research paper and oral presentation.
2. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Cost: Fully funded program
Eligibility: High school students or rising college freshmen with strong academic records
Deadline: January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), November (Winter)
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project over 12 weeks. In the Math Track, you will work one-on-one to design and complete a project in an area such as algebra, number theory, applied math, or data-driven modeling. With multiple cohorts each year, you can choose a timeline that works for you and gain experience that strengthens both your academic and personal growth.
3. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Varies by NASA center; some positions are virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: February 28 (Summer) and May 16 (Fall)
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens in high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
The NASA OSTEM Internship program allows you to apply mathematics to real-world challenges in space exploration and research. Depending on your placement, you may work on modeling spacecraft trajectories, analyzing mission data, or developing algorithms for robotic systems such as those at the NASA Ames Astrobee Facility. Projects often involve applying calculus to orbital mechanics, utilizing statistics for data interpretation, and working with programming tools such as Python or MATLAB. Internships may be either virtual or in-person, depending on the NASA center. The program is designed for motivated students who want to explore how math directly supports groundbreaking work in aerospace and planetary science.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts with individualized mentorship
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts last 15 weeks; Summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June–September).
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.67 or higher are eligible. Most accepted students are in 10th or 11th grade.
Horizon offers you the opportunity to complete a trimester-long research project in advanced math or math-related fields such as data science or machine learning. You’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar who provides mentorship throughout the process. During the program, you will develop a 20-page research paper and receive structured feedback to refine your work. The math track emphasizes quantitative research, analytical reasoning, and the use of computational tools for problem-solving. By the end, you will have a polished research paper and a letter of recommendation, making it a strong choice if you want to explore mathematics at a scholarly level.
5. √mathroots – MIT PRIMES
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort for close mentorship
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Open to high school students ages 14–18, who are U.S. citizens (before the last year of high school)
√mathroots is a two-week mathematical talent accelerator hosted by MIT PRIMES that challenges you to explore advanced areas of mathematics. The program emphasizes creative problem-solving and mathematical exploration, guided by MIT faculty and graduate student mentors. Over the course of 14 days, you will participate in intensive workshops, collaborative group sessions, and independent study. The program is particularly designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and encourage persistence in tackling difficult problems.
6. GirlsGetMath@CSU
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12; all genders welcome.
This five-day summer camp is designed to introduce you to mathematical concepts that go beyond the typical high school curriculum. Through problem-solving, modeling, and computational activities, you will see how math connects to real-world challenges in science, technology, and data analysis. Group work is emphasized, allowing you to collaborate with peers and practice advanced reasoning skills. The program also highlights pathways where quantitative skills play a central role, making it especially valuable for students considering math-intensive fields.
7. Math Planet – Mattecentrum
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open-access; no cohort cap
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Designed for high school students studying Pre-algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry
Math Planet is a free learning platform from the Swedish nonprofit Mattecentrum, offering comprehensive high school math courses, as well as SAT/ACT practice. You can study core topics independently through lessons, exercises, and videos focused on U.S. high school curricula. Beyond the website, Mattecentrum provides additional free support such as digital math labs (live help via video), community Q&A forums (Pluggakuten), and reference resources like a formula compendium (Formelsamlingen). The broader network also includes Swedish in-person math labs and multilingual materials (e.g., Matteboken in Swedish and Arabic). Because it’s open and self-paced, this is a strong add for summer study or as a year-round supplement.
8. SAGE Summer Camps
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA); SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Menlo Park, CA)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts at each lab site
Dates: Berkeley Lab: June 9 – 13; Livermore Lab: June 8 – 14 (residential); SLAC: June 22 – 28 (residential)
Application Deadline: March 15; recommendation deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Open to current 9th–11th grade students in Northern California; participants must be under 18
The SAGE (Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement) Summer Camps immerse you in the daily work of scientists and engineers at world-class national laboratories. Over the course of one week, you will participate in hands-on STEM projects, professional development workshops, and career shadowing experiences. Each camp emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and leadership development, providing opportunities to form lasting relationships within the broader SAGE Community. The program has options for both residential and commuter participation based on the site.
9. IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort for group projects
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students (preferably in Minnesota) who have completed a one-year course in single variable calculus
This program introduces you to the use of mathematics as a tool for solving real-world challenges through modeling. You will work on group projects that translate issues like traffic flow, climate effects, or public health dynamics into mathematical models for analysis. Expect to apply concepts from calculus, algebra, and statistics alongside computational tools. Collaboration and technical communication are central components of the camp, preparing you to approach problems the way professional mathematicians and scientists do.
10. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort size each year
Dates: June 21 – August 2 (residential, 6 weeks) + required Virtual Jumpstart on June 16 – 17
Application Deadline: Preferred deadline: February 1; Final deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising 12th graders who are at least 16 years old. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and strong academic ability.
SAMS is a fully funded, merit-based pre-college program that provides underrepresented high school students with immersive exposure to STEM fields. Over six weeks, you will take rigorous courses in math and science, participate in hands-on lab projects, and engage in workshops on college readiness and identity development. Faculty mentors and graduate students guide you through advanced topics in chemistry, biology, and applied mathematics, culminating in a symposium where you present your work. The program emphasizes community building, mentorship, and career exploration, offering a strong foundation for students aspiring to pursue STEM majors at selective universities.
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