10 Math Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student who enjoys mathematics and would like to explore the subject further, consider enrolling in an extracurricular math program! Many colleges and independent organizations offer academic enrichment programs for middle school students, helping you make the most of your summer break or free time. These math programs cover key concepts and can even include enjoyable exercises and activities that connect you with like-minded peers.
Participating in such programs also boosts your profile, demonstrating your willingness to explore academic interests beyond the classroom. Additionally, math programs can help you prepare for high school and college-level mathematics and present an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, we’ve compiled a list of 10 math programs for middle school students to help you out:
1. MathPath
Location: Changes each year. In 2024, the program location was Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
Cost: $5,950. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students of ages 11–14 can apply. Check the complete eligibility requirements here
Application deadline: Applications typically close in early April
Program dates: Dates for 2025 are yet to be announced, but the program typically lasts four weeks from the end of June to the end of July
MathPath is a four-week enrichment program for middle schoolers that covers mathematics learning material not covered in K12 school curriculums. This includes topics such as combinatorics, number theory, symbolic logic, induction, and various types of geometries. Each week, you will pick two courses out of 12 available options. Along with weekly classes, you will attend lectures by a visiting speaker. A typical day at MathPath includes classes, activities, leisure time, and some free time for homework. On Mondays, organizers schedule field trips for students.
To know exactly what to expect from the program, you can check out the 2024 session details here.
Location: Online
Cost: $475
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8 can enroll in the program
Application deadline: None. Registration opens 1–2 months ahead of each quarter and classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Program dates: Sessions are offered in Fall, Winter, and Spring. Dates vary for each session
Stanford University’s Math Circle is a 10-week, online after-school program for K-12 students interested in mathematics and willing to learn more beyond the school curriculum. Classes are held for up to two hours, thrice a week. The Middle School Math Circle is split into two grade levels, 5–6 and 7–8. Both consist of lectures, activities, and hands-on problem-solving. The program covers concepts like divisibility, counting, invariants, symmetry, and abstract reasoning.
The program is open to students worldwide; you can join the Math Circle waitlist here for registration updates.
Location: Texas State University campus, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $2,000, which includes accommodation, meals, and other supplies. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 can apply
Application deadline: Applications are typically open from February to mid-April each year
Program dates: TBA
The Junior Residential Summer Math Camp is a two-week residential program at Texas State University. The program is moderately selective, accepting less than 20% of applicants annually, and has a cohort size of around 60 students. Texas State University professors teach classes and group study sessions are regularly held. The curriculum includes counting techniques, probability, number theory, combinatorics, advanced geometry, and advanced algebraic problem-solving.
Location: Online and in-person. Location varies depending on the course
Cost: The online program costs $185–$2,130 and the in-person program costs $3,099–$6,819. Financial aid is available for both
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12 can apply depending on the course
Application deadline: Varies as per the course
Program dates: Varies
Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is an academic program for K-12 school students that offers multiple residential and online courses, including those covering mathematical concepts. Middle schoolers can choose from online and in-person math courses. Online math courses involve student and instructor interaction, graded assessments, homework, quizzes, discussion forums, projects, exams, and one-on-one review sessions. In-person courses offer the additional benefit of allowing students to experience campus life. You can choose from several math courses offered by the CTY program based on your academic level and interests. Courses for middle school students cover topics like divisibility, unique factorization, congruences, cryptography, logic, and much more.
Location: Community Education Center, Pasadena, CA
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders can apply
Application deadline: Registration typically closes by the end of May
Program dates: June 24, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Pasadena City College offers this free five-week math program for middle school students to ease the transition to high school mathematics. The program involves regular instruction-based classes and homework, covering topics like pre-algebra, geometry, and more. You will receive a letter grade at the end of the program. All math courses offered are noncredit options, but in certain cases, depending on the middle school, its counselors might offer credits upon program completion.
Location: University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $250–$1,000, depending on family income level. This cost does not include housing and meals. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Rising grade 7-12 students who live in Chicago
Application deadline: Applications typically close mid-April
Program dates: July 1–26, 2024
University of Chicago’s Young Scholars Program is a four-week, in-person opportunity for middle and high school students in the Chicago area. You will be taught concepts related to a pre-determined theme to strengthen your math skills beyond the classroom. The program’s theme is number theory on even years and geometry on odd years. As a middle school student part of the program, you will spend considerable time in the computer lab and conduct research activities related to the math coursework. A typical day includes two lecture-based classes led by university faculty and one problem session led by undergraduate math majors.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: Starting at $1,525. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–11 can apply
Application deadline: Admissions typically open in December and close in April
Program dates: Students can choose from multiple one and two-week sessions that typically run between June and July
Duke University’s Pre-College Program offers residential and commuter options to middle and high school students. There are three mathematics courses: cryptography, mathematical logic and proofs, and sports analytics. The program structure includes theoretical learning, guest lectures, and working on projects and presentations. You can even learn new skills: the cryptography course teaches you computer algebra systems like SAGE to do abstract algebra.
You can stay updated on the program dates here to avoid missing deadlines.
8. MathILy
Location: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA
Cost: $5,300 ($1,060/week). Financial aid is available
Eligibility: The program is open to high school students, but those in middle school can apply. Those younger than 14 may be asked to provide more information in the admission procedure
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April
Program dates: June 30, 2024 – August 3, 2024
MathILy is an intensive, five-week program that covers college-level mathematics. The program focuses on discrete mathematics. This includes topics like combinatorics, graph theory, theoretical linear algebra, number theory, probability, group theory, cardinality, cryptography, combinatorial optimization, and more. The classes run six days a week and involve live instruction and independent and collaborative problem-solving. Each class is led by an instructor (who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics) and a couple of apprentice instructors (mathematics graduate students). MathILy is worth considering if you want to prepare for higher-level mathematics.
Location: NCSSM-Durham, NC, and Elizabeth City State University campus, NC.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising 8th graders who live in North Carolina can apply. Students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields and college attendance are encouraged to apply
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February. For 2025, applications will open in December 2024
Program dates: Multiple one-week cohorts in July with varying dates
Step Up to STEM is a one-week residential program held at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) - Durham and Elizabeth City State University campuses in North Carolina. Each class in the program consists of 16 students. The program covers topics not usually studied in school and encourages previous years’ students to return and participate in a research-focused course. The program also consists of on- and off-campus events and field trips. Past activities have included planetarium shows, visits to labs, STEM career panels, and tours of university campuses. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
Location: Online and in-person (locations can vary) options are available
Cost: Varies based on the program. You can check the fees for each program here. Financial aid is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–8 can apply
Application deadline: Varies as per the program
Program dates: Vary as per the program
Northwestern CTD offers several enrichment opportunities to middle school students through camps and online programs. Here, you can find multiple math courses to enroll in. Some of the topics currently covered by these courses are algebra, geometry, game theory, mathematical modeling, and trigonometry. You can check the complete list here. While online math courses in this program are typically self-paced, camp-based courses require in-person attendance, five days a week. All the courses will cover key concepts relevant to the topic and offer you a chance to work on problem sets to hone your mathematics skills.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.