8 Free Online Math Programs For High School Students
Are you a high school student who wants to use your summer break to pursue your interest in mathematics? In that case, applying to math programs could be a great option for you. Since the programs on this list are online, you can participate from anywhere and, in some cases, even complete the assignments on your own schedule.
Additionally, free math programs can be an excellent way to sharpen your skills without the burden of tuition fees. Spending your summer refining your math skills shows college admissions officers your commitment to the field. These fully funded opportunities not only provide exposure to advanced mathematical concepts but also enhance your academic profile, making your college applications stand out.
Here’s a curated list of 8 free online math programs for high school students.
Location: Remote /Virtual
Eligibility: You must be a high school student with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3, but no prior experience in your field of interest is required
Application Deadline: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Dates:
Summer cohort: June to August
Fall cohort: September to December
Winter cohort: December to February
Spring cohort: March to June
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students a unique chance to engage in intensive, 1 on 1 research under the guidance of PhD mentors. Over the 12-week program, students choose from a range of subjects like applied mathematics, computer science, and artificial intelligence, and work independently on a research project. This culminates in the development of a research paper, allowing participants to delve into real-world problems while building critical thinking and analytical skills.
To get the most out of the program, students should be prepared to commit time, show initiative, and approach their chosen subject with curiosity. The personalized mentorship and research experience provide valuable academic growth, helping students gain confidence in their research abilities while creating work that can bolster college applications and open doors to future academic opportunities. You can find more details about the application and the financial aid packages here!
Location: Remote /Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA above 3.67, with most accepted applicants being in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have formal prerequisites, outlined here in further detail
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort
Dates:
Winter seminar: December 2, 2024 onwards
Spring seminar: March 3, 2025 onwards
Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance
Cost: Financial aid available
Horizon offers high school students a chance to engage in trimester-long research programs in fields like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and more. After selecting a subject, participants are paired with a professor or PhD mentor from a top university. The goal is to produce a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted to scientific and academic journals. The program provides recommendation letters from the mentors and feedback, both useful for future projects and college applications. The program is unique in allowing students to choose between quantitative and qualitative research. Check out the website here for further details.
Program Dates: The upcoming spring term is January 27 – May 16, 2025
Cost: $1,600 tuition + $35 application fee (need-based financial aid is available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Application Deadline: January 6, 2025 for the spring term
Location: Online
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics program offers high school students a chance to explore 13 advanced courses that go beyond typical high school math and physics. These classes cover topics like Multivariable Differential Calculus, Complex Analysis, and Intermediate Mechanics I—all while sharpening your analytical and problem-solving skills. With optional office hours, you’ll get extra support as you work through the material. The program typically requires 8-12 hours per week and runs on Pacific Time for any live sessions. By the end, you’ll earn Stanford Continuing Studies credit and receive an official transcript.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising sophomores or juniors
Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Dates: TBA for 2025. Two online sessions were offered in 2024:
Session One: June 17 – July 5, 2024
Session Two: July 8 – 26, 2024
Cost: Online: $3,550. Need-based financial aid available
SUMaC offers rising sophomores and juniors an opportunity to enhance their mathematical reasoning through a rigorous three-week online intensive program. The camp comprises two distinct courses: Abstract Algebra and Number Theory, which introduces foundational concepts via stimulating problems, and Algebraic Topology, which explores topological principles through an algebraic lens. You will engage in live discussions with instructors and peers, tackle daily problem sets, collaborate with Stanford teaching assistants, and attend virtual guest lectures from mathematicians and professionals who utilize mathematics in diverse fields.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9, 10, and 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Check this website for the various courses available
Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Harvard University, in collaboration with edX, offers a diverse array of free, self-paced online mathematics courses tailored for high school students. Among these courses is “Calculus Applied!”, which utilizes single-variable calculus techniques to construct and analyze mathematical models relevant to social, life, and physical sciences. “Data Science: Inference and Modeling” introduces essential statistical tools for data analysis. Finally, “Data Science Probability” delves into probability theory, examining its significance for data scientists through a case study centered on the 2007–2008 financial crisis, enhancing your understanding of real-world applications in mathematics and data science.
6. Khan Academy
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: None; open year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
Cost: Free
Khan Academy is an accessible and popular online learning platform packed with resources for high school students aiming to strengthen their math skills. Covering everything from the basics of algebra and geometry to the intricacies of calculus and statistics, Khan Academy’s instructional videos, hands-on exercises, and quizzes cater to a wide range of learning preferences.
Khan Academy uses adaptive technology to adjust the difficulty level based on your progress. This means you’re constantly working at a pace and level that fits you, helping you build confidence and mastery over time. Plus, the self-paced format lets you manage your own learning schedule—perfect practice for college-style learning.
Whether you’re studying for the SAT, ACT, or other exams, tackling tough concepts, or just diving into new math topics, Khan Academy is a free, year-round tool that makes math accessible and engaging.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: No restrictions on applications
Cost: Free of cost
Application Deadline: None; open year-round
Program Dates: Year-round
These online courses, presented by MIT professors through OpenCourseware, offer an opportunity to explore a broad spectrum of mathematical concepts. With access to over 100 courses, you can experience the MIT classroom experience through subjects such as Calculus, Differential Equations, Complex Variables, Statistics, Algebra, Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Functional Analysis, and more. Through recorded lectures, you can explore these topics from home, expanding your knowledge with insights from MIT faculty.
Cost: Free without certificate; $209 with certificate
Eligibility: Open to all interested learners
Application Deadline: Rolling
Course Dates: Self-paced; approximately 10 weeks (5–10 hours per week)
Location: Virtual
Harvard’s ‘Introduction to Probability’ on edX dives into essential probability concepts for students interested in fields from data science to finance. Led by a Harvard professor of statistics, this self-paced course guides you through key topics such as random variables, statistical independence, conditional probability, and Markov chains. Through a blend of video lectures, problem-solving exercises, and interactive quizzes, you’ll gain a structured understanding of how probability shapes real-world scenarios and decision-making.
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.