If you have any inquiries please contact us.
(All contents on this program page are for reference only. We reserve the right to make changes.)
The greater Boston area (MA/NH): Rivier University, 420 South Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
July 4th to 16th, 2023 (Residential students arrival on July 4th and departure on July 16, 2023).
Academic Days: July 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 2023 (break day is July 10, 2023)
Programs are intended rising 4th to rising 12th grades
There are 10 full academic days: July 5 (Wednesday) to 9th (Sunday), and July 11th (Tuesday) to 15th (Saturday). On each academic day, there are two parts of the classes 1) Morning Classes (Math Challenge - developing insights via contests math): 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM; 2) Afternoon Classes (Math Quest - Learning Math Core knowledge the better way): 1:00 - 5:00. This summer program is designed for full day program (both morning and afternoon). But students may choose to enroll to full day program (both morning and afternoon programs), or morning program only, or afternoon program only.
IDEA MATH provides in-depth enrichment in important mathematical areas, particularly in the fields from which contest problems are drawn: algebra, combinatorics, geometry, and number theory. We believe students learn best by discovering, rather than simply memorizing, essential theorems and techniques. Our process puts students at the center of the classes, as students work together to develop their ideas. Our instructors lead this process by teaching vital ideas, giving meaningful examples, and guiding students through the problem-solving process.
We apply seminar-style teaching in our classes. Class sizes are small to ensure that students receive plenty of individual attention. Students are expected to work as a group and present their solutions and ideas to the class.
The unique strengths of IDEA MATH can be summarized as follows:
For more details, please visit our FAQ page.
As always, we welcome parents' specific academic questions about our curriculum and teaching styles, as well as students' class-work and preparation. Please contact info@ideamath.org---make sure to include the following info in your email subject: student's full name, 4-digit IDEA MATH ID, and intended program.
IDEA MATH provides an extensive curriculum. The course list shown below consists of projected courses we will offer in this program. Two of the major strengths of our program---a strong academic team and a full range of materials---allow us to create new courses/groups to meet the needs of the students body. Therefore, the course list (and course schedule) is subject to change based on actual enrollment and staff availability.
| Classes | Morning (9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon) |
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM) |
| PC0 | Math Contest Level 0 | Pre-Algebra 1 |
| PCA | Math Contest Level A | Pre-Algebra 2 |
| Algebra 1 with Contest Extension |
Math Contest Level 1 | Algebra 1 |
| PC2 | Math Contest Level 2 | Integrated Math 2 |
| Geometry with Contest Extension |
Math Contest Level 2 | Geometry |
| PCX | Math Contest Level 3 | Integrated Math 3/4 |
| UC1 | Math Contest Level 4 | Integrated Math 4/5 |
| UC2 | Math Contest Level 5 | Integrated Math 5/6 |
| UC3 | Math Contest Level 6 | Integrated Math 6 |
| XC7 | Math Contest Level 9 (XC7 Projects) |
XC7 |
Please visit detailed curriculum grid for a more complete reference of IDEA MATH course curriculums.
* Each course will only be offered when a minimum number of students have enrolled. Some courses might run multiple sections. To maintain the high standard of our students' learning experience, class sizes will remain small---about 8 to 16 students for PC0/PCA courses, about 8 to 20 students for other courses.
Class Dates: July 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 2023
| 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Students arrival | |
| 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon | Morning classes | |
| 12:00 Noon - 12:15 PM | Morning Students departure | |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Full Day Students: Lunch and free time | |
| 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM | Afternoon Students Arrival | |
| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Afternoon classes | |
| 5:00 PM - 5:15 PM | Students departure | |
| 5:15 PM - 7:15 PM | Dinner and supervised activities | |
| 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Supervised recreational and academic activities |
IDEA MATH provides an extensive curriculum. Our courses are intended for able students who wish to expand their mathematics knowledge beyond regular classroom settings. We emphasize study skills (such as taking notes, oral and written presentations, listening, observing, organization, etc).
In general, each applicant not recently enrolled (that is, who has not completed an IDEA MATH course in the spring of 2023) in our programs shall take a placement test in one of our open online/onsite placement test sessions. (For more details on our placement test/course placement process, please visit here.)
It is important for each applicant to input accurate, complete, detailed, and up-to-date academic background information(i.e., age, grade level, math courses taken, official contest scores, etc.) in the applicant's IDEA MATH student account. We review this information to make initial course placement/placement test level decisions. We will find the most appropriate course placement based on placement test work and general academic information in the student account. Please note that our academic team will make the final decision on your course placement based upon your academic background and your work in the placement test. (Further course placement adjustments can be made, by our academic team, based upon your class work.)
Placement test levels and dates are shown below. Please click this link to register for the placement test. The placement test fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
| Test Level | Targeted Course |
|---|---|
| S0/T0 | Extra Curricular Series: PC0/Pre-Algebra 1 and PCA/Pre-Algebra 2 Winter Online Contest Prep program: CW0 |
| S1 | School Enrichment Series: Algebra 1 |
| S2 | School Enrichment Series: Geometry |
| S3 | School Enrichment Series: Algebra 2 |
| T1 | Extra Curricular Series: PC1 and PC2 (and Math Challenges 1/2) Contest Edge Series: CE1/CE2 Winter Online Contest Prep Program: CW1/CW2 |
T2 | Extra Curricular Series: PCX and UC1 (and Math Challenges 3/4) Contest Edge Series: CE3/CE4 Winter Online Contest Prep Program: CW3/CW4 |
T3 | Extra Curricular Series: UC2 and UC3 (and Math Challenges 5/6) Contest Edge Series: CE5/CE6 Winter Online Contest Prep Program: CW5/CW6 |
T4 | XC Series: XC7, XC9, and XC10 MO Series MO1 Winter Online Contest Prep Program: CW7/CW8 |
T5 | MO Series MO2 and MO3 Winter Online Contest Prep Program: CW9/CW10 |
| Placement Test Date/Time* | Placement Test Location | Test fee paid by | Test Fee** |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, March 19, 2023 (US Eastern Time) |
Online | March 16, 2023 | $50 |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, April 9, 2023 (US Eastern Time) |
Online | April 6, 2023 | $50 |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, May 7, 2023 (US Eastern Time) |
Online | May 4, 2023 | $75 |
| 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, May 21, 2023 (US Eastern Time) |
Online | May 18, 2023 | $100 |
| Special Placement Test Session |
Online | contact info@ideamath for availability |
$150 |
*Each placement test is 90 minutes long. Students should arrive at the testing location (onsite or online) 10 minutes prior to the test. All test times are in the US Eastern Time Zone.
** The placement test fee is non-refundable and non-transferable; that is, it cannot be transferred from one applicant/student to another applicant/student, and it also cannot be transferred from a registered/chosen test session/date to another placement test session/date for the same applicant/student. Special test sessions (test fee of $150 or more) can be arranged depending on staffing availabilities. Please contact info@ideamath.org for inquires on special test sessions.
Note that registration is only the first step of towards enrollment. Enrollment (for each session) is completed only after the tuition is paid in full. The tuition payment is independent to student's course placement because the tuition is for the program, not for a specific course. The IDEA MATH staff will work with students on course placement by reviewing their academic backgrounds, assigning placement test levels, reviewing placement test work, and more. IDEA MATH staff make the final decision on students' course placements. (Please see our Course Placement Policy section for details.) All tuition refund for withdrawal will be processed based on the refund policy.
Please log in to your account to pay the tuition online.
| Register by* | Tuition paid by | Tuition Amount |
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2023 | April 30, 2023** | Residential $3895 |
| March 31, 2023 | April 30, 2023** | Full Day $1995 |
| March 31, 2023 | April 30, 2023** | Morning Only $925 (lunch fee not included) |
| March 31, 2023 | April 30, 2023** | Afternoon Only $1245 (lunch fee not included) |
| Register by* | Tuition paid by | Tuition Amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2023 | May 30, 2023** | Residential $4095 |
| May 15, 2023 | May 30, 2023** | Full Day $2095 |
| May 15, 2023 | May 30, 2023** | Morning Only $985 (lunch fee not included) |
| May 15, 2023 | May 30, 2023** | Afternoon Only $1335 (lunch fee not included) |
Note: We offer a $100 tuition scholarship/discount to each full day program student who meets any one (or more) of the following(please note one discount per person per program):
2022 or 2023 MATHCOUNTS National Round Participants
2022 or 2023 USAJMO qualifier
2022 or 2023 USAMO qualifier
A copy of proof is needed. Scholarship check will be given to each qualified student upon his or her completion of the program.
* The tuition payments may be stopped earlier than the published date if the program has reached to its upper capacity.
** After the tuition payment deadline date, a late fee ($200) will be applied to the tuition and admission can only be given if space is available.
| Withdrawal Request Made in Writing | Refund Amount |
|---|---|
| Before May 30, 2023 | Paid Tuition - $200 (for day student)
Paid Tuition - $400 (for residential student) |
On or after May 30, 2023 before June 15, 2023 | Paid Tuition - $400 (for day student)
Paid Tuition - $800 (for residential student) |
| On or after June 15, 2023 | No refund |
Please note that only tuition is refundable per the above policy. Other fees (including, but not limited to, fees for the placement test, bus, lunch, application, etc.) are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Credit cannot be transferred between different type of programs---summer, year-round, contest edge, winter contest prep, etc.
For programs of a similar type (e.g., between summer programs), we will follow the withdrawal/refund policies posted on our website. For example, after tuition is submitted and before date X, we will apply the transfer in the following way (assuming space is available for the intended program): switching programs/series is considered a withdrawal from one program/series and an enrollment to another program/series, and any difference in tuition rates will apply.
To request a refund and withdraw your student, please send a complete request in writing to info@ideamath.org. You must include the payee name and mailing address matching the information in the student's account in order for your request to be deemed complete and submitted. Please include "Refund Request" and the student's name in the subject line. The amount of the refund will be based on the time that a complete request is submitted; incomplete requests will not be deemed to meet deadlines for withdrawal.
If the student is ill and chooses to withdraw from the program after the refund deadlines, we can offer prorated credit (proportional based upon the second refund policy: paid tuition deducted by $400, then prorated per day) towards a future program. A note from a licensed physician is required. The doctor's note should clearly assert that the student's current medical status does not allow the student to complete the remainder of the program. The date when the doctor's note is submitted to IDEA MATH (via info@ideamath.org) is considered the initial date for the prorated refund (credit) calculation. The same policies apply if the IDEA MATH staff determine that the student must withdraw due to illness in order to protect the health and welfare of themselves or other students.
For all purposes related to this refund policy, a day shall be deemed to begin at 12:01am local time in the US Eastern Time Zone (US ET).
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Main program FAQ page. For general program information such as teaching method, class size, core courses, admission, placement, etc.
Summer Program Registration FAQ. For summer program registration information, such as how to upload your application material, how to sign up for buses.
Here are some questions that are frequently asked. If you have additional questions, please email info@ideamath.org
Please refer to here for a detailed daily schedule.
For the precise tuition, please see: here
We offer a $100 scholarship to students who are USA(J)MO qualifiers or MathCounts national qualifiers during the current or previous academic year. This scholarship will be given to enrolled students at the beginning of the program.
We do not offer sibling discount.
Lunch is included. Please make sure enter your dietary and allergy information into your account.
Students have lunch first (two shifts). After the lunch, they have some recreational activities (tag football, playing varies card games and board games. All activities are under staff supervision.
We do not stop students from bringing electronic devices to IDEA MATH. However, we still forbid inappropriate uses of these electronic devices for instance, playing online games on one's computer will constitute as an inappropriate usage. The staff will enforce these rules at their discretion. Needless to say, the usage of any electronic devices during class will be strictly forbidden by the instructors.
Nevertheless, we highly encourage students to not bring their laptops or other high-powered devices to camp, as they tend to distract the students from learning, instead of aiding the students.
We provide bus routes to take students from various Massachusetts locations to our program site. For summer 2023, we plan to offer the bus service from the following locations to our summer program location and the estimated cost per person is $180 per student.
| Bus Stops | Estimated Morning Departure Time | Estimated Afternoon/Evening Arrival Time |
| Lexington High School (251 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA) | Class day: 8:30 AM | Bus leaves IDEA MATH site around 5:10 PM |
| Valley Plaza - 160 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA | Class day: 8:45 AM | Bus leaves IDEA MATH site around 5:10 pPM |
Our program is intended for full day program. For each course, we cover two major components: Math Challenge Component and Integrated Math Component. Integrated Math Component extends core math knowledge to contest level. Math Challenge Component (covering all four major subject area: Algebra, Geometry, Combinatorics, and Number Theory) is extra-curricular/contest based.
Sometimes, a student has scheduling difficulties and can only participate the first week. If there are space available, we will allow this too. The rate will be the same as that rate of the afternoon program. However, we do admit full day program students first, and we do our best try to admit half-day program students.
Evening activities cover dinner, recreational activities between dinner and study hall, and study hall supervised by instructors and/or assistants. The day students are welcome to participate.
No you do not. All day students will check-in to the program on the first class day.
Yes, you are welcome to join the (residential) program (recreational) activities on the non-academic days, and there are NO extra charge. For students who wish to participate the activities on break days, please log into your account, go to 2020 IDEA MATH Summer program at Greater Boston Area registration to register for break day activities.
We will offer shuttles to take students from Logan international airport to our program location from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The cost for shuttle is $50 per person per one-way trip.
IDEA MATH staff members wait for the students at the airport, group them according to arrival time and put them on the shuttle.
We will charge an extra $25 if the students arrives after 6:00 pm but before 8:00 pm, after 8:00 pm, we will charge $50.
At the end of the program, students will be grouped and shuttled to the airport per their departure time.
In both cases, the students will be fully supervised by IDEA MATH staff. Please indicate on your registration form the travel itinerary (i.e. the arrival time and the departure time) so that our staff is fully informed.
Important! All the students who need airport pickup should register for airport pickup and enter the flight information online. To do so, you need to
a. log into your IDEA MATH account.
b. Select "My Registration". And select check details for 2020 IDEA MATH summer program at Greater Boston Area.
c. At registration page, if the student travel as an accompanied minor, please select whether the student will need airport pickup as an unaccompanied minor and/or drop-off as an unaccompanied minor (fee may apply)
d. After selecting the applicable airport pick up option, please click the link under "Pick up Info" to enter your detailed airline and flight information.
Different airlines have different age limits for flying along. Please make sure to check with each individual airline on this issue before you purchase your ticket. If you are indeed flying in (to either Boston, MA or Manchester, NH) as an unaccompanied minor, please make sure to set up the arrangements with the airline AND inform us all the detailed arrangements THREE WEEKS prior the program starts. An additional charge may apply.
We provide an invitation letter to assist you get the visa. We do not offer the I-20 form.
The residential students can check-in on the first day (arrival day) of the program from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The residential students can check-out on the last day (departure day) of the program from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
The residential students stay in the dormitories on the IDEA MATH summer program campus. Students by default are assigned roommates, two or three to a room, unless they have special needs. If this is the case, please notify us before hand, and we will review each request and give permissions accordingly. Additional charges may apply in that case.
Here is the list of hotels that around Rivier University - https://www.rivier.edu/admissions/visit/accommodations-dining/
We do not stop students from bringing electronic devices to IDEA MATH. However, we still forbid inappropriate uses of these electronic devices for instance, playing online games on one's computer will constitute as an inappropriate usage. The staff will enforce these rules at their discretion. Needless to say, the usage of any electronic devices during class will be strictly forbidden by the instructors.
Nevertheless, we highly encourage students to not bring their laptops or other high-powered devices to camp, as they tend to distract the students from learning, instead of aiding the students
On days with classes, please note that classes and evening study sessions take up a significant portion of the day. There is still ample time, however, during allotted free times throughout the day for students to spend time with each other. Frisbee, for example, has been a popular sport among the students.
Furthermore, we will like to emphasize that while classes and evening sessions take up a lot of time, it will not consist of monotonous lectures. Class consists of a variety of activities, ranging from lectures, individual problem-solving, and solution presentations that will keep the students active and interested.
Please refer to here for a detailed daily schedule.
On days without classes, we have arranged recreational activities for the students to enjoy.
and more, to be updated soon.