12 Math Programs for High School Students in Colorado
If you are a high school student looking to strengthen your analytical skills, math programs are a solid option, as they offer the chance to gain practical experience and build valuable connections. These opportunities often go beyond the standard textbook, providing exposure to fields such as cryptography, data science, and financial modeling. Many organizations and universities offer specialized tracks that allow you to work alongside industry professionals and researchers. Whether you are solving the Riemann Hypothesis or coding a neural network, these programs help you develop a portfolio of work that stands out on college applications.
Why should you attend a Math program in Colorado?
Colorado offers math programs through institutions like the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and NIST. Depending on the program you choose, you could take part in a federal research internship, a competition math circle preparing for events like ARML and the AMC, or a college-credit course in advanced mathematics. Whether you live in Colorado or are coming from out of state, you can find a program suited to your interests and experience level.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down our list to 12 math programs for high school students in Colorado.
If you’re looking for programs in Colorado, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 12 programs span applied mathematics, cryptography, data science, competition math, proof-based mathematics, AI, quantum research, and college-level coursework, so students with a wide range of mathematical interests can find a relevant option in Colorado or online.
Several programs are free, including NIST SHIP, GoGetMath at CSU, CU Denver Scholars Program, MIT PRIMES-USA, and MIT MITES Semester, while UCCS MathOnline and SUMaC offer pathways to transferable college credit for students ready for university-level work.
Many programs specifically prioritize Colorado residents or first-generation students, including CU Denver Scholars Program and UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program, both of which are free for eligible students and include scholarship pathways upon completion.
Programs vary significantly in length and commitment, from one-week introductory camps, such as GoGetMath at CSU, to year-long research programs, such as MIT PRIMES-USA and MIT MITES Semester, so students can choose based on their experience level and availability.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including NIST SHIP (November 1 to late January), MIT PRIMES-USA (December), and MIT MITES Semester (February 1), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST, Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 1 – last week of January
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; Must live within 50 miles of the Boulder campus
This seven-week program places you directly into research laboratories at NIST, where you will work alongside staff scientists and engineers on a real research problem. As a participant, you are not just observing from the sidelines; you will contribute to ongoing studies in applied mathematics, physics, or computer science that impact national technology standards. This is a highly competitive volunteer program that offers experience working at a federal research lab, which is exceptional for college applications. This makes it a standout opportunity among many math programs for high school students in Colorado.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid offered)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling throughout the year
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders; Some programming exposure recommended
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. GoGetMath@CSU
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Cost/Stipend: None (includes lunch, snacks, materials, and camp t-shirt)
Cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: March 31 (first-come, first-served)
Eligibility: Current high school students (entering grades 10-12 preferred)
This free, weeklong summer camp at CSU Fort Collins introduces you to mathematical topics such as cryptography, data science, image processing, fractals, and graph theory through hands-on computer labs. You will collaborate with peers in an inclusive learning environment, take a campus tour, eat in the dining halls, and hear from successful STEM mentors. The program provides everything at no cost, including daily snacks, lunch, and a camp t-shirt, making it accessible to all students. The week concludes with a closing reception where you can share what you learned with your family.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students with strong academics
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor to conduct original research and produce a full-length academic paper over 12 weeks. You can specialize in pure mathematics or applied fields such as cryptography, quantitative economics, or statistical modeling. You will learn the scientific method and academic writing standards from researchers at top universities, developing skills typically reserved for college students. The program is rigorous and emphasizes independent work, culminating in a final paper you can submit to journals or use in your college applications.
5. CU Denver Scholars Program
Location: University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Full academic year
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school seniors with a GPA of 3.0+ who are first-generation students planning to attend college; Must have completed at least two years of Math & English
The University of Colorado Denver's Scholars Program offers first-generation college students the opportunity to begin preparing for their undergraduate experience early, including taking official CU Denver courses. You will enroll in one college class each semester of your senior year, with the option to take advanced math courses, building off what you have learned in high school. The program also offers monthly Saturday Academy meetings covering leadership and interpersonal skills, college counseling, financial aid application guidance, and SAT/ACT prep. You will attend a program-specific College Fair and Career Fair to explore math and other quantitative disciplines as you plan your next steps.
6. UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program
Location: UCCS, Colorado Springs, CO
Cost: Free for eligible scholars
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; Begins January
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders attending target partner high schools; Must have a minimum 2.3 GPA
The UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program supports first-generation and underrepresented students in preparing for college success through workshops and dual enrollment opportunities. As a participant, you can take a college course of your interest taught by university faculty and supported by teaching assistants. Tuition, fees, and course materials are covered by Pre-Collegiate, and you can earn college credit that transfers to CU system schools. Workshops cover time management, note-taking, budgeting, communication, leadership, college fit, and financial aid. Scholars who complete the program through 12th grade and graduate from high school are eligible for several scholarships to attend UCCS, CU Boulder, or CU Denver. Although not a traditional math program, it has been chosen for the value it brings to helping you apply for college.
7. Colorado Math Circle (CMC)
Location: University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Cost: Varies by session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (open enrollment for most sessions)
Dates: August – May (weekly meetings)
Application Deadline: Rolling; ARML tryouts in February
Eligibility: Advanced middle and high school students
Hosted at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Colorado Math Circle is designed for students who enjoy solving challenging, non-routine math problems. Weekly meetings take place on the CU Boulder campus, with additional afterschool problem-solving sessions held remotely via Zoom every Thursday. Colorado has won national ARML honors six times, including first place in 2023 and 2021, so this is your chance to join a winning team. The program prepares you for competitions such as the AMC 10/12, the AIME, and the American Regions Mathematics League (ARML), held each May. If you love competition math, this is one of the strongest math programs for high school students in Colorado.
8. Prove it! Math Academy
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: 2-week residential summer session; Held biennially
Application Deadline: Not specified. Check the website for updates.
Eligibility: Current 9th-12th graders (ages 14-18) attending high school in the U.S. or Canada
Plenty of capable math students can crack a hard computational problem but stall the moment they have to prove why their answer holds. Prove it! Math Academy is built around closing that gap. The course serves as a bridge from contest-style problem-solving to the rigorous, proof-based mathematics that olympiads like the USA(J)MO and research programs like RSI and MIT PRIMES expect. Days are spent in class learning to write and defend proofs, while evenings stay open for working through tougher problems alongside the other students. There is time away from the math, too, with counselor-led outings nearby and a field trip into Rocky Mountain National Park.
9. UCCS MathOnline
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course topic
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Calculus-ready high school students
UCCS MathOnline allows you to enroll in university mathematics courses that become part of your permanent college transcript, potentially saving thousands in future tuition. Topics include Calculus II, Calculus III, Theory of Numbers, Introduction to Linear Algebra, and Introduction to Differential Equations. These are real university courses with the same rigor as on-campus sections, but delivered remotely. You will need to arrange an exam proctor and be highly self-motivated, as the pace is much faster than in high school. For high school students in Colorado who are ready for college-level credit, this is an efficient path forward.
10. MIT PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: September – December
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the U.S. outside the Greater Boston area
PRIMES-USA is a free, year-long research program where you’ll work on unsolved problems in mathematics, including applied projects in theoretical computer science and computational biology. You will be mentored by graduate students and faculty from MIT and other universities via teleconferencing, with weekly 1.5-hour meetings plus at least 10 hours of independent work per week during the active research phase. The program consists of four phases: an advanced reading period (January – March), active research (March – June), independent summer study (June – August), and a write-up period (September – December). You will present your findings at a fall-term conference at MIT and submit a final research paper, which may be entered into national science competitions or submitted for publication.
11. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,550 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 64 participants
Dates: Session One Online: June 15 – July 3; Session Two Online: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: February (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SUMaC leads you on a journey into advanced mathematics beyond the typical high school curriculum through lectures, guided research, and group problem solving. You will explore topics like abstract algebra, number theory, or algebraic topology, with courses designed for pure mathematical enrichment rather than grades or credit. The program offers both online and residential options with equal academic rigor, though the residential experience includes in-person social opportunities, field trips, and organized weekend activities. You can expect a heavy, college-level workload with assignments outside of live class meetings.
12. MIT MITES Semester
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: November – February 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school juniors
MITES Semester is a free, six-month virtual program that begins the summer before your senior year and extends through December, offering two rigorous STEM courses and comprehensive college preparation. You will take one project-based course (topics include Machine Learning, Astrophysics, Robotics, or Computational Biology) and one supplemental core course in Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, or Science Writing and Communication. You will also participate in weekly webinars, small-group mentoring with undergraduate mentors, mock interviews, essay reviews, and college admissions counseling. At the culmination of the STEM Immersion Phase, you will attend an in-person symposium at MIT and receive a written evaluation from your instructor to submit with college applications.
Frequently asked questions
1. What math programs are available for high school students in Colorado?
Options include federal research internships, such as NIST SHIP, competition math programs, such as Colorado Math Circle, proof-based math camps, such as Prove It! Math Academy, college-credit programs, such as UCCS MathOnline and CU Denver Scholars, AI and data science programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere, and virtual research programs, such as MIT PRIMES-USA and MIT MITES Semester.
2. Are there free math programs for high school students in Colorado?
Yes, NIST SHIP, GoGetMath at CSU, CU Denver Scholars Program, MIT PRIMES-USA, and MIT MITES Semester are all free. UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program is also free for eligible scholars from partner high schools.
3. Which programs are best for students interested in competition math?
Colorado Math Circle is the strongest competition math option, preparing students for AMC, AIME, and ARML with a team that has won national honors multiple times. Prove It! Math Academy also bridges competition-style problem-solving to proof-based mathematics at the olympiad level.
4. Which programs offer college credit?
UCCS MathOnline offers transferable university credits in courses, such as Calculus II, Calculus III, and Linear Algebra. CU Denver Scholars Program allows first-generation seniors to enroll in official CU Denver courses, and UCCS Pre-Collegiate Program covers tuition for eligible scholars with scholarship pathways upon graduation.
5. When should I apply to math programs for high school students in Colorado?
MIT PRIMES-USA opens applications in September and closes in December, and NIST SHIP closes in late January. MIT MITES Semester closes February 1, GoGetMath at CSU closes March 31, and SUMaC closes around February. Programs, such as Veritas AI, Lumiere, and UCCS MathOnline, accept rolling applications throughout the year.