New Brunswick

Welcome to the Rutgers Math Corps 

The Rutgers University Math Corps is launching its inaugural New Brunswick Summer Camp in 2024!

Closely following the educational and mentoring practices of the original Math Corps, a program that started in 1992 “as a humanitarian effort to simply help some kids in need”, the Math Corps has grown to serve kids across the country. 

Using a “kids teaching kids” model, and by promoting a strong sense of family, centered around the values of kindness, integrity, and courage, the Math Corps is actually much more than an academic program. Rooted in social justice, the Math Corps is not about math; it’s about kids.

Have questions? Contact:

Alex Kontorovich

Executive Director

Rutgers Math Corps

math.corps@rutgers.edu

Join our Math Corps Family!

Summer Camp Information
Applications + Eligibility
Local Staff
FAQs

The Rutgers University Math Corps Summer Camp serves students who, in the fall, will be entering the 7th, or 8th grade. High school students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade serve as paid Teaching Assistants (TA’s). 

Each day the middle school students receive instruction from University faculty and enjoy a variety of learning activities led by the college and high school students under the supervision of middle and high school teachers. 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.

Students accepted into the program receive: 

  • a light breakfast daily 
  • lunch every Thursday
  • school supplies
  • a calculator (in their first year of the program)
  • a Math Corps t-shirt

Schedule: Students in the program are expected to attend on time and fully all program dates.

Camp Dates: 
Summer Camp: Monday through Thursday, July 7 – 31, 2025
Orientation: Monday, June 30th, 6 – 8pm
Closing Ceremony: Friday, August 1st, 6 – 8pm
TA/CI training: June 30 – July 1st, 9am –  5pm

Camp Hours:

  • 9:30 am – 2:30 pm for 7th, and 8th graders
  • 9:00 am – 3:15 pm 10th, 11th and 12th graders

Tuition: Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of the Rutgers University, the National Science Foundation through grant DMS-2302641, and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals.

Apply to be a Middle School Camper

  • Currently in 6th , 7th , or 8th  grade
  • Willing to work hard and exercise behavior appropriate to a university campus.

Apply to be a High School Teaching Assistant

  • Currently in 9th ,10th , or 11th grade
  • Willing to work hard and exercise behavior appropriate to a university campus.
  • Must help each child who comes to the Math Corps realize their own greatness!
  • These are paid positions.

Apply to be a College Instructor or College Assistant

  • Currently enrolled in a college or university 
  • Must help each child who comes to the Math Corps realize their own greatness!
  • These are paid positions
Rutgers Math Corps Staff:
 
Executive Director: Dr. Alex Kontorovich, Distinguished Professor, Department of Mathematics, Rutgers University
 
Program Coordinator: Dr. Cecilia Arias, Lecturer, Adjunct Professor, Department of Mathematics, Rutgers University
 

How much does it cost for students to attend Math Corps?

Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of Rutgers University and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals.

Where are courses for the Math Corps held?

Classes are held on campus at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. 

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?

During the summer session, Math Corps runs Monday through Thursday.

Who can apply to be in the Rutgers Math Corps?

Our summer program is open to any current 6th through 11th grade student in the Greater New Brunswick Area. 

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, journal folder, calculator (for new students only), and a Math Corps T-shirt.

Does my child have to bring money for lunch/food?

Only if you wish them to. The Math Corps provides a light breakfast during every program throughout the year.  For lunch, students have the option of buying various foods on Rutgers University’s campus or bringing a sack lunch from home. Lunch is provided by the Math Corps at no charge to students every Thursday throughout the Math Corps Summer Programs. On those Thursdays, a sack lunch must be brought from home if the lunch selection is not to the students’ liking.

Do students live on-campus during the program?

No. They may arrive to campus as early as 8:30 am each morning and be under supervision. Middle school students are dismissed at 2:30 pm, and high school students are dismissed at 3:15 pm every day.

Is transportation provided?

No.

How important is my child’s essay?

Very! The essay can tell the Selection Committee a lot about the needs, self-esteem, and desire of the applicant to join the Math Corps.  It is a very important document that is kept in the Math Corps files for years.

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.