Complete the SPPS summer learning registration form to apply to Math Corps at Macalester. The priority application period is March 14-April 14. Students currently in grades 6th, 7th, or 8th grade are welcome to apply.
Complete our high school application to apply to be a high school teaching assistant at Math Corps at Macalester. Students currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade are welcome to apply.
We launched in 2024 as an expansion site of the Math Corps, a program that started in 1992 at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, “as a humanitarian effort to simply help some kids in need.” We welcome middle and high school students from the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and other schools for a free five-week summer day camp. The Math Corps is about more than math skills: we prioritize mentorship through a “kids teaching kids” model, and we provide a positive learning environment and a strong sense of family. Math Corps is for everyone regardless of math proficiency or past experience.
Curious about Math Corps at Macalester? Join us for an online information session!
Sunday, March 02, 2025 from 4:00-5:00 pm
Monday, March 10, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 pm
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 7:00-8:00 pm
Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 7:00-8:00 pm
We will send you the Zoom meeting link after you complete this short form.
Math Corps at Macalester is for students currently in grades 6, 7, or 8. Students currently in grades 9, 10, or 11 are eligible to work as paid teaching assistants (TAs). We give preference to returning Math Corps participants and to students who attend a school in the Saint Paul Public Schools, but all students are welcome to apply.
Each day the middle school students receive instruction in math and computer science (programming robots!) from Macalester faculty and enjoy a variety of learning activities led by the college and high school students under the supervision of Macalester faculty. The high school TAs serve as natural role models for the middle school students, and engage in their own learning of both fundamental and advanced mathematics.
Dates and Times:
Middle school campers -Tuesday, June 24, 2025 through Friday, July 25, 2025 (Mondays through Fridays, no camp on July 4) from 9:40 am-2:40 pm each day (students can be dropped off as early as 9:00 am)
High school teaching assistants -Monday, June 16, 2025 through Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 11:00 am-3:30 pm each day & Tuesday, June 24, 2025 through Friday, July 25, 2025 (Monday through Friday, no camp on July 4) from 9:00 am-3:30 pm each day
Additional Dates:
Orientation: Orientation will be Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Students, teaching assistants, and their families are invited to attend in-person or via Zoom.
Closing ceremony: The closing ceremony will be Friday, July 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm. Students, teaching assistants, and their families are invited to an in-person celebration at Macalester.
Transportation: Free busing for middle school students will be available through SPPS. Students who sign up for busing will ride a bus from their home in Saint Paul to the Rondo Education Center (560 Rondo Avenue), where they will transfer to another bus for the trip to Macalester. The afternoon trip will include a similar transfer at the Rondo Education Center. If you live outside of Saint Paul but have a Saint Paul address where your student could be picked up (for example, if a family member lives in Saint Paul), your student could be picked up at that address.
Meals: All middle and high school students will receive a free daily breakfast and lunch at Math Corps at Macalester.
Registration: Registration for middle school students will take place through the SPPS summer learning website. The priority registration period is March 14 through April 14.
SPPS enrollment: Middle school students do not have to attend a school in the Saint Paul Public Schools during the school year, but all middle school students who attend Math Corps @ Mac must be enrolled in SPPS. Summer-only enrollment is an option if your student attends a non-SPPS school during the academic year. Please contact us at mathcorps@macalester.edu if you have questions.
TA hiring: TA hiring will take place through Math Corps, not SPPS. Click on the HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION button at the top of this page.
Tuition: Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of Macalester College and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals.
We give priority to returning Math Corps participants and to students who attend a school in the Saint Paul Public Schools. We encourage all students to apply!
Apply to be a Middle School Camper
Apply to be a High School Teaching Assistant
Apply to be a College Instructor
Dr. Will Mitchell – Program Director of Math Corps at Macalester and Associate Professor of Mathematics at Macalester College
Dr. Getiria Onsongo – Program Director of Math Corps at Macalester and Associate Professor of Computer Science at Macalester College
How much does it cost for students to attend Math Corps?
Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of Macalester College and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals. High school students act as paid mentors for the middle school campers.
Where are courses for the Math Corps held?
Classes are held on the campus of Macalester College (1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, 55105).
We have a family trip scheduled that conflicts with the Math Corps. Can my child be excused?
The Math Corps’ philosophy on attendance is this: one cannot learn if one is not present. Therefore, absences due to family trips, vacations, conflicts with other programs, or similar cases are not excused.
Is the Math Corps an “everyday” program?
Math Corps at Macalester meets June 24, 2025 through July 25, 2025 (Monday through Friday each week, although the first week starts on a Tuesday). There is no camp on Friday, July 4.
My high school student needs help in math. Can they apply?
Yes! However, due to the special tutoring nature of the position that high school students occupy within the Math Corps, they must at least be proficient in 7th and 8th grade Mathematics. High school students will receive instruction and assistance in their Mathematics courses during the latter part of each program day.
What do you teach the students?
Each middle school student gets what we call broccoli and ice cream. One math class geared towards the fundamentals and another in an advanced topic. The afternoons have a rotating list of courses that are more hands-on, and feature applied mathematical concepts such as Mod Art and Polyhedra. Our high school students spend half their day tutoring and mentoring middle school students, with the second half of their day being spent in their own math classes.
What supplies does my child need to bring every day?
All necessary supplies are provided for every student Math Corps. These include notebook, paper, pencil, folder, and a Math Corps T-shirt.
My child is struggling in math. Is Math Corps for them? My child is a strong math student learning at an advanced level. Is Math Corps for them?
Yes and yes! We welcome all students regardless of math proficiency or past performance, and we specifically recruit students with diverse math experiences for Math Corps at Macalester. Our high school teaching assistants, college student instructors, and college professors provide individualized attention for all students.
Does my child have to bring money for lunch/food?
For each day of camp, Math Corps at Macalester will provide a free breakfast and lunch to all middle school students and high school teaching assistants.
Do students live on-campus during the program?
No, this is a day camp program.
Is transportation provided?
Busing within Saint Paul is available for middle school students. Busing will be provided by the Saint Paul Public Schools. High school teaching assistants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Macalester College; Math Corps can provide free Metro Transits tickets and transfers for high school teaching assistants.
How can my child increase their chances of getting accepted in the Math Corps?
Because the Math Corps accepts such a wide variety of students at various skill levels, there is no definite answer to this question. However, there are two things that can truly give more weight to an applicant: an application that is on time, and 100% complete.
