10 Math Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in math, a structured program can be an excellent way to strengthen your foundation and learn beyond the classroom. Math Programs introduce you to college-level concepts and work, helping you improve your problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge. They also give you the chance to connect with mentors, researchers, and peers who share your passion for mathematics.
Illinois is a top choice for high school students to pursue a math program due to the presence of many prestigious universities, including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. All these universities offer highly selective and valuable math programs both virtually and in person. In-state students can save costs on long-distance travel by accessing these local opportunities, while out-of-state students planning to study in Illinois can explore the resources offered by these institutions.
To make your search easier, we have prepared a list of 10 math programs for high school students in Illinois.
1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; fellowship available
Dates: May 29 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: March 24 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th Graders from Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, or Wisconsin
The Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research program spans six weeks, and it will provide you with hands-on experience in various areas of STEMM, including related mathematical fields such as artificial intelligence, bioengineering, electrical engineering, and more. The program also aims to provide support to excluded populations based on factors such as gender, race, socioeconomic status, etc. The inclusivity, value, and no-cost criteria of the program make it a strong choice for you to gain valuable knowledge, skills, and confidence in mathematics.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. October 19, for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Veritas AI provides two different research programs for high school students interested in related fields of mathematics, like AI and machine learning. You can choose to pursue the AI scholars program or the AI fellowship program, or both. In the AI scholars program, you will learn AI concepts from AI experts and work on a group project with 3-5 other students. The AI fellowship program, on the other hand, will allow you to work 1:1 with a mentor and develop an individual AI project. To enroll in the AI fellowship program, you need to either have a basic understanding of Python or must first complete the AI scholarship program. Both programs are conducted virtually, giving you an in-depth understanding of image classification, language processing, and deep learning through practical work.
3. Math Circles of Chicago College Pathways
Location: Multiple locations in Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based annual stipend of $150
Dates: Throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies for different pathways
Eligibility: High school students in Grades 9-12
Math Circles of Chicago College Pathways is a free advanced math program for high school students. Through this program, you will learn about university-level mathematics concepts and work on research projects. You can choose from a range of pathways and gain hands-on experience in math education. The pathways focus on both education and research, where you can learn leadership skills, work with a mentor on a math research project, participate in math camps, and gain paid teaching experience in middle school circles. As a high-achieving senior, you can also earn a scholarship worth $2,000, making this program a good choice for high school students.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Math Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full financial aid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Upcoming winter cohort - December 8
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Upcoming winter cohort- November 16
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere research program allows you to work 1:1 with a research mentor on a research project in your chosen topic or theme. The individual research program spans 12 weeks and includes research topics in mathematics and other areas, including data science, applied mathematics, psychology, engineering, machine learning, and many more. You will also work on a 15-page research paper with the guidance of your mentor. Along with the individual research program, there is a premium research and publication program, and a research fellowship that allows you to share your research paper with prestigious college-level journals and conferences.
5. MathCON Summer Camp
Location: Loyola Water Tower Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,450 (with housing); $2,150 (without housing)
Dates: June 23 – 27 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: High school and Middle school students (Grades 7-12)
MathCON Summer Camp is a week-long, focused program for talented high school students. This program will help you learn advanced math concepts, such as number theory, algebraic expressions, geometry, and combinatorics. Through this program, you will also get to prepare for the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC). The program offers an exciting opportunity to explore math in the real world and participate in prestigious math competitions.
6. The Summer Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies based on household income
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Students in Grades 7-12
The Summer Young Scholars Program is a four-week residential program that provides you with an in-depth understanding of mathematical thought. In odd years, you will learn about the concepts of geometry, while in even years, the program will be focused on number theory. Your day in this program as a young scholar will be divided into four components, which include two lectures by faculty, one break-out problem session conducted in groups, and a lunch break. The breakout problem session will be led by undergraduate mathematics majors.
7. UChicago Summer Session- Proof-Based Discrete Mathematics
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 + $50 Application fee (need-based financial aid available)
Dates: June 14 – July 4 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9 - 11) must have completed Geometry, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2.
The UChicago Summer Session’s Proof-Based Discrete Mathematics is a three-week residential course for high school students. The course will help you learn higher-level mathematical argumentation and proof. You will also develop an understanding of mathematical reasoning and learn about concepts such as paradoxes of infinity and advanced theories of counting. It is a reputable choice among math programs for high school students in Illinois that focus on preparing you for undergraduate mathematical concepts.
8. UChicago Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Scholars
Location: Virtual and at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500; program fee is waived based on a household income criterion
Dates: For residential session - July 27 – August 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Present 11th-grade students enrolled in a U.S. high school, minimum age of 15 years
The Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Scholars program is conducted in two sessions. In the first session, you will be a part of a virtual mathematics course and then experience the on-campus life for one week during the second session. During your campus residency, you will learn and hear from world-renowned UChicago alumni and faculty in mathematics, computer science, and engineering. You will also experience UChicago’s research facilities by visiting Argonne National Laboratory, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Fermilab, and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The program is a great choice if you want to experience campus life from up close and gain real-world knowledge of STEM.
9. Illinois Tech's Math in Action: Real-World Problem Solving
Location: Virtual
Cost: $300 + $100 Application fee
Dates: June 16 – 20 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: May 15 and May 30 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students
Illinois Tech - Math in Action is an online program that provides practical knowledge of mathematical concepts through real-world problem-solving. The program is conducted via Zoom and gives you an in-depth understanding of abstract mathematical concepts and their applications in solving everyday problems. It is among the prestigious math programs for high school students in Illinois, offering a practical and valuable learning experience.
10. PRIMES-USA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: November 18 (tentative, based on previous year)
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores, U.S. residents living no closer than 50 miles from Boston
PRIMES-USA is an online mathematics research program for high school students. It is a year-long program in which you will receive mentorship and guidance on individual and group projects from MIT faculty and graduate students. The program is conducted in four phases. In phase one, you will focus on advanced readings and, by the end, submit a five-page reading report. During phase two, you will be involved in active research and submission of an interim progress report. Phase three focuses on independent study and is more time flexible than the first two phases. In phase four, you will be involved in writing and finalizing a research paper that will be published on the PRIMES website and may be submitted to national-level competitions for high school students.