If you’re a high school student in New York City looking to build a strong foundation in math, summer is a good time to dive deeper into the subject. Whether you want to get better at problem-solving, learn topics like topology or cryptography, or try out college-level math, summer math programs give you the space and structure to focus.
New York City is home to a wide range of universities and math-focused organizations that offer programs for high school students each summer. If you live in NYC, choosing a local program can also be a smart financial decision. Many of these programs are free, low-cost, or offer scholarships, and being close to home helps you avoid the cost of housing or travel.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 summer math programs for high school students in New York City!
15 Summer Math Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week research program designed for high school students interested in doing college-level work. You’re paired one-on-one with a PhD mentor and spend the program working on an independent research project in a subject you choose.
Areas include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. The program is fully virtual and open to students worldwide. At the end, you submit a full research paper and may be eligible to earn UC San Diego credit. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
3. NYU Math Applications for Physics
The Math Applications for Physics (MAP) program at NYU Tandon is a three-week summer course for rising 9th graders living in the NYC metro area. You’ll work on building your algebra skills by solving real-world physics problems and doing hands-on activities. The program is designed with NYU’s Courant Institute and takes place at the NYU Tandon campus in Brooklyn.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $2,150 ($2,000 tuition, $50 application fee, $100 service fee)
Dates: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders who live in the NY metro area
4. NYU GSTEM – Mathematics
The NYU GSTEM Mathematics track is a six-week summer research program for rising high school seniors with a strong interest in STEM. You’ll be matched with an NYU faculty mentor and work on a research project that often involves math, physics, computer science, or modeling. You’ll also attend workshops on scientific writing, data analysis, and presentation skills. The program includes field visits to STEM workplaces and ends with a final research symposium where you present your work.
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: $5,500 tuition; optional housing and meal plan $3,840; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 11th graders with strong academic performance and interest in STEM
5. National Museum of Mathematics High School Integrators Volunteer Program
The High School Integrators Program at the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) is an eight-week summer volunteer program for high school students. You’ll work five full days each week, including one weekend day, helping visitors interact with exhibits and understand the math behind them. The program is selective and takes place on-site at the museum in New York City. You’ll get training from museum educators and guest mathematicians, and focus on building communication skills.
Location: National Museum of Mathematics, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: May – September (Summer program); dates vary
Application Deadline: April (Summer Program), July (School-Year Program)
Eligibility: Current high school students
6. The STEM Institute at The City College of New York – Calculus I, Precalculus, Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry
The STEM Institute at The City College of New York is a free five-week summer program for middle and high school students. If you’re in high school, you can be placed into Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry, Precalculus, or Calculus I based on a math placement exam. Classes focus on both concepts and real-world applications, and you’ll work on group projects throughout. The program also includes mentoring, college prep, and ends with a research symposium where you present what you’ve worked on.
Location: The City College of New York, Shepard Hall, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–12; NYC residency required for stipend eligibility
7. Cooper Union Summer STEM – Patterns Everywhere: Math, Science & Art
Patterns Everywhere: Math, Science & Art is a three-week course offered through Cooper Union’s Summer STEM program for rising 10th to 12th graders. You’ll study mathematical patterns found in nature and design using Python, and work on structures like fractals, tessellations, crystals, and honeycombs. The course includes 3D modeling and printing projects that combine coding with hands-on design. It focuses on how math connects with both science and art through real-world applications.
Location: The Cooper Union, New York, NY
Cost: Six-week class: $3950, Three-week class: $1950. Financial aid is available.
Dates: July 7 – August 14
Application Deadline: Admissions decisions to be sent by April 28
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students
8. New York Math Circle High School Summer Program (HSSP)
The New York Math Circle High School Summer Program (HSSP) is a three-week math program for high school students who want to go beyond the school curriculum. You’ll work on problem-solving, proofs, and logical thinking in a small group setting. Placement is based on a qualifying exam that includes six short questions and one long-form problem.
There are three levels: Green, Blue, and Black, depending on your background. Fridays are reserved for math games and team-building. The program has been running since 2008 and has received the AMS Epsilon Award nine times.
Location: NYU Courant Institute, New York, NY (in-person), online option available
Cost: In-person: $1095; Remote: $975, Financial aid available
Dates: July 22–August 8
Application Deadline: March 1 (Early), April 5 (Regular)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
9. NYU Machine Learning (ML)
The NYU Machine Learning (ML) program is a two-week summer course for high school students interested in machine learning and AI. Held at NYU Tandon, it covers core topics like model validation, data analysis, and neural networks, along with hands-on projects tied to real-world applications such as image recognition and autonomous systems. While not strictly a math program, it includes concepts that overlap with mathematics. Taught by NYU faculty, including Professor Brandon Reagen, the course ends with student project presentations. Precalculus and programming experience are required.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050 total — includes $2,800 tuition, $100 NYU events fee, $100 service fee, and a $50 application fee. Housing and meals are optional and cost extra.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16–June 27; Session 2: July 7–July 18; Session 3: July 28–August 8
Eligibility: High school students.
10. Columbia University Pre-College Programs – Mathematics Courses
Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs offer summer math courses that introduce high school students to advanced topics in a college-style setting. You can attend in person as a residential or commuter student or take select courses online. Subjects include geometric topology, statistics in finance, mathematical methods in physics, and problem solving. Taught by Columbia instructors, the courses include lectures, group work, and problem sets. These programs charge a fee and do not offer college credit.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 for a 3-week residential
Dates: Varies; typically 1-week or 3-week options
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students are eligible
11. Hofstra University’s Summer Programs for High School Students – Mathematics courses
Hofstra University’s Summer Programs for High School Students offer for-credit math courses taken from its undergraduate curriculum. You can choose from Precalculus, Calculus I to III, Logic, Sets, Probability, and more. Courses are offered in three summer sessions and may be available in person or online. Some advanced classes may require placement exams or prerequisites. You earn college credit after completing the course successfully.
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: undergraduate tuition per credit; see fees here
Application deadline: Currently passed. To be open for next year.
Program dates: Session I: May 20–June 24
Session II: June 25–July 29
Session III: August 4–August 22
Eligibility: Rising Seniors(Current High School Students) are eligible.
12. NYU Summer Math Program for Young Scholars
The NYU Summer Math Program for Young Scholars is a three-week commuter program for high school students in grades 9 to 11 who are interested in exploring advanced math. You’ll study topics like number theory, graph theory, and topology through lectures, group problem-solving, and independent assignments. The program also includes guest speakers who show how math is used in real-world fields, weekly math games, and a visit to the National Museum of Mathematics.
Location: NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York, NY
Cost: $2,400 (limited scholarship support available)
Dates: August 11–29
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11
13. Mathematical Modeling at Mercy University (M3U)
M3U is a fully funded summer program at Mercy University for high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are strong in math and science. You’ll work on solving real-world problems using mathematical modeling in areas like environmental science, physics, and biology. The program includes classroom learning, computer labs, hands-on research, and field trips. At the end of the program, you present your final project to peers and families.
Location: Mercy University Westchester Campus, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost: Free; $800 stipend
Dates: July 7–Aug 2
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students
14. Fordham University STEP Summer Program
Fordham University’s STEP Summer Program is for New York State students in grades 8 to 12 who are from underrepresented backgrounds or meet income eligibility. You’ll take math and science classes based on your upcoming grade level and choose from electives in areas like health, coding, and test prep. The program also includes weekly field trips, career exposure in STEM and healthcare, and mentoring from Fordham students.
Location: Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost: Registration fee required
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: Priority– May 12; Final– June 9
Eligibility: Rising 8th–12th grade students
15. Stony Brook Mathematics Department Summer Program
Stony Brook’s Mathematics Department Summer Program is a one-week academic program for high school students who want to explore advanced math topics not usually taught in school. You’ll study subjects like number theory, topology, cryptography, dynamical systems, and logic through lectures and group problem-solving. The program is designed to give you a feel for college-level math and introduce you to research-style thinking.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $800
Dates: July 14—18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering 9th grade or above in fall this year
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Fordham University