10 Online Math Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high schooler, participating in an online STEM program is a great way for you to get ahead of your classmates and build a strong foundation for future academic and career pursuits. These programs offer opportunities to explore your interests, gain practical skills, and access hands-on experiences that may not be available in traditional classroom settings. Focusing on mathematics, in particular, can enhance your college application by demonstrating a solid academic foundation, intellectual curiosity, and preparedness for rigorous coursework.
Admissions officers also value applicants who show proficiency in math, as it is a fundamental skill across various disciplines and a predictor of success in college-level studies. Early exposure to advanced mathematical concepts through programs, competitions, or independent study reflects initiative, dedication, and a proactive approach to learning — qualities that will help you stand out in the competitive college admissions process.
Below, we’ve curated a list of 10 online math programs designed to help high school students excel in mathematics and beyond.
The IXL’s High School and Beyond program offers students the flexibility to enhance their math skills outside of the traditional classroom. With a comprehensive curriculum covering subjects like Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, Integrated Math 1, 2, & 3, IXL provides an interactive learning experience that allows you to strengthen your understanding of advanced concepts or reinforce what you've already learned.
IXL’s platform features daily challenges, personalized learning paths, and real-time analytics to help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
For those unsure of where to start, the “Recommendations” tab offers a quick assessment to guide you toward a specific area of study. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing you to study at your own pace and on your own schedule, making it a valuable resource for continuous learning.
Application Deadline: None; IXL can be started at any time.
Program Dates: Self-paced; On-your-own learning
Eligibility: All ages
Cost: For one subject there is a monthly cost of $9.95 or a yearly cost of $79
2. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a widely recognized online educational platform that offers a wealth of resources for high school students looking to excel in mathematics. From foundational subjects like algebra and geometry to advanced topics such as calculus and statistics, Khan Academy provides instructional videos, practice exercises, and interactive quizzes that cater to various learning styles.
One of Khan Academy’s standout features is its adaptive technology, which adjusts the difficulty of content based on your performance. This personalized approach ensures that you’re constantly challenged at the right level, helping you build confidence and proficiency in math. The platform is self-paced, allowing you to manage your own learning schedule—an essential skill for success in college.
Whether you’re preparing for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT, tackling challenging concepts, or just exploring mathematical curiosities, Khan Academy offers a free and comprehensive resource to support your academic growth.
Application Deadline: None; available year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is a prestigious online platform for high school students passionate about mathematics. AoPS emphasizes developing problem-solving skills through its challenging curriculum that covers advanced topics beyond the standard high school math syllabus, including number theory, combinatorics, and advanced algebra.
One of the key features of AoPS is its active online community, which encourages student collaboration. Despite being a virtual platform, AoPS fosters a sense of community where students can share solutions, participate in math contests, and engage in intellectual discussions. This collaborative environment not only enhances your mathematical understanding but also helps you develop creative thinking and resilience in tackling complex problems. This environment allows you to think creatively and develop resilience in tackling complex mathematical challenges.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
Program Dates: Typically meets once a week at a set time of your choosing.
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $50 a week
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers advanced online courses in mathematics, providing a rigorous and challenging experience for highly motivated high school students. CTY specifically tailored these online courses for high school students seeking more advanced and rigorous coursework in mathematics and related fields. Covering a wide range of topics, these courses begin with algebra and geometry but also continue on to more specialized areas such as number theory and advanced calculus.
CTY's online programs are designed to challenge students with interactive coursework and personalized instruction. As a participant, you will have access to expert educators to guide you through complex mathematical concepts while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Beyond academics, CTY connects you with like-minded peers, creating opportunities for collaboration and intellectual exchange beyond the virtual classroom.
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students
Cost:
Individually Paced courses: $984 - $1,499
Session-Based courses: $716 - $2,127
Thinkster Math stands out as a leading online education platform that combines artificial intelligence and human expertise to offer personalized math tutoring. Designed to cater to each student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning pace, Thinkster Math provides customized learning paths that help you build a solid foundation in core math concepts while advancing through more challenging topics.
One of Thinkster Math's key features is its interactive and adaptive learning technology, which continuously adjusts assignments based on student performance. This approach not only helps you strengthen your understanding of mathematical principles but also boosts confidence in tackling complex problem-solving scenarios. With dedicated coaches providing real-time feedback and support, Thinkster Math can help you excel academically in high school while also preparing you for success in standardized tests, coursework, and beyond.
Application Deadline: Year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High School Students
Cost: $141 – $295 monthly for plans offering one-on-one live math tutoring
6. DeltaMath
Delta Math is a versatile online platform that provides a wide range of math tools, practice resources, and assessment tools for high school students. Covering topics from basic algebraic equations to advanced calculus concepts, DeltaMath offers exercises designed to help you practice specific skills and receive instant feedback, making it easier to identify areas where you need additional practice or review.
One of the standout features of Delta Math is its adaptive assessment system, which adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your performance in its assessment. This approach makes sure that you are consistently challenged at an appropriate level while reinforcing your understanding of fundamental math principles. Delta Math is widely used both in classrooms and by individual students looking to supplement their learning, which makes it a versatile tool for improving math proficiency and preparing for exams like the SAT and ACT.
Application Deadline: Year-round resources
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free
7. CTC Math
CTCMath is a comprehensive online math program designed to help you develop strong mathematical skills through interactive lessons and practice activities. With over 1,400 tutorials covering topics from arithmetic and algebra to geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, CTCMath provides step-by-step explanations that make complex concepts easier to understand.
The program’s structured approach allows you to progress at your own pace, reinforcing your understanding through repetition and targeted practice. Each tutorial lasts about 4-9 minutes, presenting the concepts of the math lesson step-by-step.
One of CTCMath's notable strengths lies in its accessibility and flexibility. As a student, you can access your lessons anytime, anywhere, and revisit topics as needed to strengthen your grasp of any mathematical concept. Moreover, CTCMath provides assessments and progress-tracking tools that will help you monitor your improvement over time. Whether preparing for exams, catching up on missed concepts, or exploring advanced topics independently, CTCMath is a reliable resource for you to build confidence and proficiency in mathematics.
Application Deadline: Year-round accessibility
Program Dates: Year-round accessibility
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: Free for students
PhET Interactive Simulations, developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, offers a fun and innovative way to learn math and science through interactive, engaging simulations. These simulations are especially beneficial for high school students studying physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, allowing you to visualize and experiment with abstract concepts right on your screen.
PHET's simulations allow students to manipulate variables, conduct virtual experiments, and observe the results in real time. This hands-on approach enhances your understanding of complex topics such as circuits, forces and motion, chemical reactions, and mathematical principles. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, PhET helps you deepen your comprehension and apply what you’ve learned in a meaningful way.
Through these interactive models, students can explore cause-and-effect relationships, make hypotheses, and test their understanding in a safe virtual environment.
Application Deadline: None; available year-round
Program Dates: Online, year-round program without formal courses
Eligibility: All ages
Cost: Free
9. CueThink
CueThink is an innovative online platform designed to strengthen high school students' problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through collaborative math challenges. It uses a structured framework where students can solve complex math problems, map out their thought processes, and engage with other peers to solve their challenges. CueThink’s digital whiteboards allow you to visually organize and explain your problem-solving steps, fostering clear communication and deeper understanding.
One of CueThink's standout features is its emphasis on collaboration — students can engage with classmates and mentors, provide and receive constructive feedback, and learn from each other's approaches. This collaborative approach enhances mathematical proficiency while also cultivating a supportive learning community where students can build confidence in tackling challenging math problems together.
CueThink is particularly beneficial for developing students' problem-solving resilience and preparing them for real-world applications of mathematics.
Application Deadline: There is no application deadline
Program Dates: Year-round
Eligibility: high school students
Cost: Free
The American Academy offers a flexible and rigorous online math program tailored to high school students’ individual needs. These classes cover a wide range of math subjects, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and beyond. The curriculum is designed to challenge its students’ various skill levels, with both standard and advanced placement courses to suit different academic goals and interests.
Through interactive lessons, assignments, and assessments, students will strengthen their mathematical proficiency while receiving personalized support from qualified instructors. The curriculum is designed to challenge students at different skill levels, with a focus on mastery-based learning. The courses incorporate multimedia resources, virtual labs, and real-world applications, helping you retain and apply mathematical concepts effectively.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on program. See here for more details.
Program Dates: Dates vary depending on which program you choose
Eligibility: High School students
Cost: One semester (0.5 credit) is $238; two semesters (1 credit) is $476
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in finance or STEM, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.