Engaging in STEM programs during middle school can ignite your passion for discovery, develop critical problem-solving skills, and lay a solid foundation for future academic and career success. The sooner you expose yourself to these disciplines, the more likely you are to excel and remain engaged through high school and beyond. 

Early exposure and a focus on mathematics not only boost your cognitive skills but can also strengthen your college applications. Admissions committees look favorably on students who have pursued rigorous math programs, as it demonstrates a proactive approach to learning and a commitment to academic excellence. By engaging in advanced math courses and enrichment programs during middle school, students can set themselves apart by showcasing a strong foundation in critical subject areas. This can lead to higher standardized test scores, placement in advanced high school courses, and an impressive academic portfolio. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Cost: $1,990. Financial aid is available. 

Application Deadline: May 12 (Summer cohort) | February 18 (Spring cohort)

Program Dates: 8 weeks starting March 11 (Spring cohort) and June 3 (Summer cohort)

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8 can apply

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week immersive program that allows you to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. The mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT,  Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE. 

During this program, spanning weeks 1 to 4, participants will delve into four distinct topics within their selected track. In weeks 5 and 6, the focus intensifies as participants embark on a deep dive into one specific topic area, and finally, weeks 7 to 8 are dedicated to project implementation, with participants receiving guidance and support from their mentors as they bring their projects to life. You can find the application form here. 

2. John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs - Honors Algebra I

Cost: Tuition fees vary; $15 application fee; financial aid is available; check out the website for more details.

Application Deadline: Applications are open year-round. 

Program Dates: Flexible dates; recommended enrollment length is 6 months; 4-8 hours per week.

Eligibility: Successful completion of Grade 8 Mathematics, Pre-algebra, or equivalent; Students’ test scores typically reflect scores similar to those two grade levels above their current grade.

John Hopkins enter for Talented Youth offers a number of programs for middle and high school students. A great aspect of these programs is that they’re self-paced which can help you balance them among other activities! 

One course in paticular is the Honors Algebra I which covers variables, expressions and linear, exponential and quadratic function applications with their real-world applications. The course will consist of a mix of course instruction, one-on-one meetings (f you schedule them), and graded assesments which include homework, tests, projects and even a midterm and final. 

3. Stanford Online High School - Middle School

Cost: $5,970 (Single Course), $17,910 (Part-Time), $29,850 (Full Time). Financial aid assistance is available. 

Application Deadline: Applications for the next cycle will open in Fall.

Program Dates: A single course spans a year.

Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7 through 12.

Stanford’s Online Middle School offers rigorous math courses designed to challenge middle school students with personalized instruction and a focus on higher-order thinking. You can opt between courses such as Honors Prealgebra, Honors Beginning Algebra, Computational Thinking & Computer Science and any High School-Level Courses (if appropriate)!

In this program, you can select courses that will either fit into a single, part-time or full-time schedule. You will also take a placement test and work with an Academic Advisor to determine the classes that will best be suited for you. You can look here for more information on your schedule and options!

4. Art of Problem-Solving: Introduction to Algebra A 

Cost: $470, and $530 with books (for the Self-Paced classes). 

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.

Program Dates: Courses are available year-round (16 weeks per course); some courses are self-paced.

Eligibility: Students who have completed a Pre-Algebra course. To determine if you’re ready for the course, you can take the diagnostic pretest.

AoPS offers numerous courses for students of all levels; however, their Introduction to Algebra A course is a great option for middle schoolers looking to cover the foundations of algebra. Some concepts that will be covered in this course are rules of arithmetic, inequality manipulation, interval notation and joint proportion (among others)! 

You can choose between opting for 16 live class sessions with instructors or opting for a self-paced course, which you can do in your own time. Do note that registrations for the live classes close once the enrollment number is filled out! 

5. MathCounts National Math Club

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Applications are currently closed but will reopen in August

Program Dates: Year-round

Eligibility: Open to U.S. students in grades 6-8 (including students overseas at schools affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or State)

The National Math Club by MathCounts is a program where you can form a group of 4 middle school students and have regular meetings to participate in the club. The club will provide game instructions, math explorations, problem sets, and monthly challenges that you can engage in during your meetings.

If you meet a minimum of 5 times, your club can earn the Silver Level Status, where you can earn prizes such as pennants, pencils, certificates, and even a $100 prize drawing!

6. Illinois Tech Mathematics Camp

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions

Program Dates: June 10-14

Eligibility: For rising 9th graders or middle schoolers above the age of 14. 

This summer camp by the Illinois Institute of Technology is a comprehensive deep dive into mathematical proofs, number theory, counting and probability. In this camp, you will attend 2-hour online sessions spanning over 5 days, where you will not only focus on foundational mathematical concepts but also cover their practical applications in the real world!

Some problems that were previously covered are optimizing web searchers and even capturing images of a black hole in the heart of the galaxy!

7. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)

Cost: $8,250 (residential) | $3,550 (virtual)

Application Deadline: May 12. You can join their mailing list for updates on the next cohort. 

Program Dates: You can choose between two 3-week virtual programs or a 4-week residential program

• Residential: June 23 - July 19

• Online Session 1: June 17 - July 5

• Online Session 2: July 8 - July 26

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 through 8.

This math camp by Stanford offers 3 to 4-week programs that cover advanced mathematics topics, which you can choose to either attend virtually or in person. If you opt for the virtual camp, you will have to attend online classes, in addition to 305 hours of daily academic work. You will also engage in both research projects and presentations!

You can choose between two courses: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory or Algebraic Topology, each with specific prerequisites. Admission is highly competitive, with only 40 students selected annually for the residential camp and 64 for the virtual session.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.