12 Math Programs for High School Students in Cambridge, Massachusetts
If you’re the kind of student who enjoys solving difficult problems, spotting patterns, or asking why a formula works instead of just memorizing it, a math program can give you the space to explore the subject more seriously. These programs help you move beyond regular school math by introducing you to areas like proof-writing, mathematical modeling, statistics, data science, artificial intelligence, computational thinking, and research-based problem-solving. Many programs also connect you with university faculty, graduate mentors, researchers, and other motivated students, which can help you better understand what studying math at a higher level actually involves.
Why should you attend a Math program in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the strongest academic settings in the country for a high school student interested in math, largely because of its concentration of top universities and research-driven programs. In and around the city, you can find opportunities that range from residential math camps and college-credit courses to year-long research programs, AI-focused projects, and applied STEM internships. Depending on the program, you might study mathematical proofs at MIT, explore modeling for biology or medicine at Harvard, take undergraduate-level calculus or linear algebra, work on a mentored research paper, or apply statistics and coding to engineering problems. Students living in Cambridge or the Greater Boston area may find these programs useful because they provide access to rigorous academic spaces close to home. In contrast, out-of-city students may see Cambridge as a strong destination for a focused summer experience.
To help you compare your options, we’ve narrowed down 12 math programs for high school students in Cambridge, MA.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 12 programs span proof-based mathematics, AI and machine learning, applied math, data science, college-level coursework, and independent research, so students with a wide range of mathematical interests can find a relevant option in or near Cambridge.
Several programs are free, including Mathroots at MIT, MITES Summer, MIT PRIMES, and RSI, while Harvard Pre-College, Harvard Secondary School Program, and Tufts Dual Enrollment all offer official college credit or transcripts for students who want documented academic credentials.
Many programs are open to students from across the country and internationally, including RSI (worldwide), Veritas AI (virtual, worldwide), Lumiere (virtual, worldwide), SUMaC (online), and Harvard Secondary School Program (online and residential), making them accessible regardless of location.
Programs vary significantly in length and commitment, from two-week focused courses, such as Harvard Pre-College, to year-long research programs, such as MIT PRIMES, so students can choose based on their availability and mathematical background.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including RSI (December 10), MIT PRIMES (December 1), SUMaC (February 2), and MITES Summer (early February), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. √Mathroots @ MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or attending high school in the U.S. (before the last year of high school) who are between the ages of 14 and 18
Mathroots at MIT is built for students who enjoy mathematical reasoning beyond the standard high school curriculum. Through lectures, workshops, and group problem-solving sessions, you explore creative approaches to proof, logic, and competition-style mathematics. The math program for high school students in Cambridge, MA, introduces accessible but advanced ideas that help you think more flexibly about how mathematical arguments are built. You’ll also work closely with peers who are similarly interested in challenging problems, which can make the learning process more collaborative and discussion-driven. Guest lectures and mentor-led activities add context by showing how mathematicians approach abstract questions and research problems.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI is a strong fit if you’re interested in how mathematical thinking supports artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven systems. The program introduces concepts such as data science, image classification, natural language processing, and model-building through structured lessons and applied projects. You’ll use mathematical foundations like probability, statistics, and optimization while learning how AI systems process information and make predictions. In the AI Scholars track, you typically work in small teams to create a project that applies these ideas to a practical problem. More advanced students can pursue the research-focused AI Fellowship track, where you develop an independent AI project with one-on-one mentorship.
3. MITES Summer
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; national cohort of ~60–80 students
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Application Deadline: Early February; Applications open in the fall
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
MITES Summer gives you an academically intensive introduction to STEM learning in a residential college environment. You take a challenging mix of math, science, humanities, and project-based elective courses that reflect the pace and expectations of college-level study. The math component strengthens quantitative reasoning while the broader curriculum helps you connect technical work with writing, communication, and social impact. Alongside classes, you participate in lab tours, seminars, and workshops that expose you to research environments and different STEM career paths. College admissions guidance is also built into the program, giving you additional support as you think about future academic options.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Math Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer; dates vary by cohort
Application deadline: May for summer cohorts
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program’s Math Track allows you to complete an independent research project with guidance from a Ph.D.-level mentor. You begin by narrowing a topic in pure math, applied math, data science, machine learning, or a related area, then move through the process of building a research question and developing a method. The one-on-one structure gives you consistent feedback as you analyze ideas, refine arguments, and organize your findings. Over the course of the program, you work toward a formal research paper that reflects the structure and expectations of academic writing. By the end, you’ll have a substantial written project and a stronger grasp of how advanced math can be explored independently.
5. MIT PRIMES
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long program which begins in January and ends in the following December/January
Application deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students living in the Greater Boston area
This math program for high school students in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is designed for those who are ready to engage with mathematics at a research level over an extended period. The program begins with an advanced reading phase, where you study mentor-assigned material and build the background needed for your project. As the year progresses, you work with a mentor on mathematical problems that may involve areas such as combinatorics, geometry, number theory, theoretical computer science, or computational biology. Regular mentor meetings help you learn how to approach open-ended questions, test ideas, and communicate results clearly. The experience also includes a written report, a final paper, and a presentation at the PRIMES conference.
6. Research Science Institute
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~3–5%; 100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide
Research Science Institute is one of the most rigorous summer research experiences available to high school students interested in mathematics, science, and engineering. The program begins with intensive STEM seminars that introduce current research topics and help prepare you for advanced independent work. After this academic foundation, you join a mentored research placement where you develop a project, review literature, and conduct analysis or experimentation in your chosen field. If you’re interested in math, you may pursue topics connected to theoretical mathematics, applied modeling, computational work, or related scientific questions. Throughout the program, lectures and discussions expose you to researchers, faculty, and professionals working at a high level in STEM. The experience concludes with a formal written paper and conference-style presentation.
7. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; Limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 15 students per class
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2 | Session II: July 5 – 17 | Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Early Application & Priority Financial Aid Deadline: January 7 | Regular Application & Financial Aid Deadline: February 11 | Late Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 21 and will not turn 19 years old before July 31
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program gives you a short, focused introduction to college-level learning through one intensive non-credit course. If you’re interested in math, course options may explore areas such as mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence, social justice applications, or the history of mathematical reasoning. Classes are discussion-based and assignment-driven, which helps you practice analytical thinking in a setting closer to an undergraduate seminar than a typical high school classroom. Depending on the course, you may work with mathematical models, use programming tools, examine data, or study how math shapes real-world systems. You also receive feedback that can help you reflect on your academic strengths and readiness for more advanced coursework.
8. Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual or on-campus at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – August 8 (residential) | June 20 – August 8 (residential/online/commuter)
Application Deadline: January 7 (early); February 11 (regular); April 1 (late)
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, ages 16 – 18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program is a credit-bearing option for high school students who want to take real college courses in mathematics or related fields. You can choose from subjects such as calculus, linear algebra, mathematical modeling, discrete mathematics, differential equations, or proof-based structures, depending on your preparation and goals. This math program for high school students in Cambridge, MA mirrors undergraduate expectations, requiring independent study habits, consistent problem-solving, and active engagement with instructors and classmates. Beyond the academic work, college-readiness programming and campus resources help you better understand the transition from high school to university learning. Completing the program can also result in official college credit and a transcript.
9. UMass Boston Upward Bound Program
Location: University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA (15 minutes from Cambridge)
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 120 across Boston’s partner schools
Dates: Year-long with a summer component
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in a partner school; should be from a low-income family; should be ages 13 – 19 years (check all eligibility requirements here)
UMass Boston’s Upward Bound Program supports students through year-round academic enrichment, with math forming one part of a broader college-readiness curriculum. During the school year, you participate in tutoring, advising, workshops, and cohort meetings that help strengthen study habits and long-term academic planning. The summer component gives you a more immersive college-style schedule, with classes in core subjects such as math, science, English, and an elective area. Supervised study sessions provide additional support as you work through assignments and build confidence with challenging material. The program also includes field trips, mentoring, college counseling, and activities that help you understand what academic and social life on a campus can involve.
10. UMass Boston’s Urban Scholars Program
Location: University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free; eligible students may receive annual summer scholarships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round academic programming with a multi-week summer academic session
Application Deadline: Rolling; recruitment focused on the academic year
Eligibility: High school students from Excel High School, Dearborn STEM Academy, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, TechBoston Academy, or Boston International Newcomers Academy who meet academic and program-specific criteria
The Urban Scholars Program combines academic enrichment, tutoring, advising, and summer coursework for motivated Boston high school students preparing for college. Math is integrated into a larger curriculum focused on reading, writing, critical thinking, and college-ready skills. During the academic year, you take part in structured classes, tutoring, college preparation activities, and personalized advising. The summer institute is especially intensive, giving you sustained time to build academic skills through project-based learning and core subject instruction. You may also complete final projects that require you to apply what you have learned and present your work in a public showcase.
11. Tufts Dual Enrollment Courses
Location: Tufts University Medford / Somerville Campus, Medford, MA (15 minutes from Cambridge)
Cost: Varies; check here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round availability
Application Deadline: May 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 11-12 who are at least 16 by program start
Tufts Dual Enrollment Courses allow qualified high school students to take undergraduate-level classes in mathematics and other subjects. You can choose courses that match your goals, including options in calculus, probability, statistics, differential equations, abstract algebra, or higher mathematics. This math program for high school students in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is flexible, making it useful if you want a focused college-level experience without committing to a full summer residential schedule. In class, you’ll be expected to keep up with university standards, complete rigorous assignments, and engage with material at a deeper level than most high school courses allow. Earning Tufts credit can also help demonstrate readiness for advanced coursework, though credit transfer depends on future college policies.
12. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,750 (online) | $8,950 (residential); need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 64 students (online)
Dates: Online Session One: June 15–July 3 | Online Session Two: July 6–24
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who are at least 15 years old | Participants who will be 18 years or older are not eligible for SUMaC residential but are eligible for SUMaC online
Stanford’s online math program for high school students in Cambridge, MA, is an intensive program for students who want to study advanced mathematics in a serious, proof-based setting. The program emphasizes abstraction, logical structure, and rigorous mathematical argument. You explore topics such as algebra, number theory, topology, or related advanced areas through lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem-solving. Assignments are designed to be challenging and often require sustained independent work outside live class sessions. The program also introduces you to how mathematical ideas develop historically and how they connect to broader scientific applications. By the end, you complete a final project or presentation that reflects deeper conceptual understanding and stronger mathematical communication skills.
Frequently asked questions
1. What math programs are available for high school students in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
Options include proof-based and research math programs, such as Mathroots at MIT, MIT PRIMES, and RSI; AI and data science programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere Math Track; intensive STEM residential programs, such as MITES Summer; college-credit programs, such as Harvard Secondary School Program and Tufts Dual Enrollment; and support-focused enrichment programs, such as UMass Boston Upward Bound and Urban Scholars.
2. Are there free math programs for high school students in Cambridge?
Yes, Mathroots at MIT, MITES Summer, MIT PRIMES, and RSI are all free to attend. UMass Boston Upward Bound and Urban Scholars are also free for eligible students from partner schools, and Veritas AI and Lumiere offer full financial aid for qualifying applicants.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in research-level mathematics?
MIT PRIMES is one of the strongest options for year-long mentored mathematics research for Greater Boston residents. RSI places students in mentored research projects at MIT over six weeks and is open to students worldwide. Lumiere Research Scholar Program also offers independent math research with PhD mentorship for students globally.
4. Do any programs offer college credit?
Yes, Harvard Secondary School Program awards official Harvard credit and a transcript, and Tufts Dual Enrollment courses offer undergraduate Tufts credit. Harvard Pre-College provides a written instructor evaluation, and MITES Summer includes formal written evaluations that can accompany college applications.
5. When should I apply to math programs for high school students in Cambridge?
MIT PRIMES closes December 1, RSI closes December 10, SUMaC closes February 2, and MITES Summer closes in early February. Harvard Pre-College has a priority deadline of January 7 and a regular deadline of February 11. Programs, such as Veritas AI, Lumiere, and Tufts Dual Enrollment, accept rolling or semester-based applications throughout the year.