Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs Mathematics Academy

Each weekday has about five and a half hours of scheduled sessions. A professor leads a deep dive into one topic from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and lunch and a break run until 1:30 p.m. A second professor-led topic then fills the afternoon until 3:30 p.m. After a short break, graduate teaching assistants run a problem session from 4 to 5 p.m. with small-group review, collaborative problem solving and enrichment activities.

Outside class you can use the residence hall, lounges, gym, dining halls and libraries. Penn says students generally spend free time studying or working on assignments when they aren't at planned activities. Residential staff organize something every day, such as trivia or arts and crafts nights during the week, plus weekend trips off campus to places like the beach or a Phillies game.

Each of the four deep dives is led by a Penn professor, and graduate teaching assistants run the daily problem sessions. The program director is Noreen Jordan, who has more than 30 years of experience as a math teacher and department chair and holds a master's in mathematics education and a bachelor's in mathematics. Penn says she works with faculty, teaching assistants and students to help bridge the gap between high school and university math. Penn doesn't give a class size for the academy, although it says the problem sessions and group work happen in small groups.

The academy is open to current 9th to 11th graders who will have finished precalculus before it starts. Penn looks for at least a 3.5 GPA, strong writing, strong recommendations and a range of extracurricular interests. Test scores aren't required, and graduating seniors can't apply. The student has to submit the application, not a parent or counselor.

Admissions are rolling until the academy is full, and decisions can take up to six weeks. Penn doesn't accept extra documents after you submit unless it asks for them, so gather everything first.

• Essays

  Two essays of up to 400 words each, one on why you want this program and one on how two of your non-academic or extracurricular activities add to your academic or personal growth. Non-native English speakers write a third about their English background.

• Transcript and syllabus

  A full transcript for the previous school year and a syllabus for your precalculus course that lists its topics. If you're still taking the course, you also need a current-year transcript.

• Recommendation

  One letter from an adult who knows your work. It must be on their organization's letterhead and name this academy.

• English

  Non-native speakers need at least TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7 or Duolingo English Test 130. Students who will have attended an English-medium school for at least two years by the time they enroll may get a waiver.

In 2026 the academy cost $6,700. That covered classes, a room on campus, the meal plan, linens, activities and trips, supervision and gym membership for students 15 and older. Penn says academy students don't need to buy any materials before the program starts, but you do have to bring a laptop or tablet that you have administrator access to. Extras include a nonrefundable $100 application fee, travel to and from Philadelphia, airport transfers, meals off campus, medical costs, laundry supplies and spending money. Students with a non-US address also pay a nonrefundable registration fee to ESF Pre-College, which runs the residential side, and it includes health insurance. International students need a tourist or B-2 visa, so check that cost with the US government.

To hold a place, you pay a $1,500 deposit. It counts toward the $6,700 but is never refunded and can't be moved to another Penn program. Penn bills through its PennPay system, typically in May with payment due by June, and adds a 1.5% penalty to anything paid late. In 2026, everything except the deposit was refundable if you withdrew in writing by 15 May. Penn gives no discount for arriving late or leaving early.

Penn offers no financial aid apart from a limited number of scholarships for Philadelphia residents at School District of Philadelphia public or charter high schools. These students may be able to attend free, with housing, meals and activities covered but not travel or personal costs. Any family can pay with a 529 college savings plan, but federal FAFSA aid doesn't apply.

Supervision is included in the fee. Penn works with ESF Pre-College, which recruits and supervises the residential staff, runs evening and weekend activities and helps look after students' health and safety on campus.

• Age rules

  Students must be at least 13 to live in the residence halls and 15 to use the gym.

• Paperwork

  Within two weeks of admission, ESF sends its own enrollment forms, which every residential student has to complete through its online system, Bravo.

• Accommodations

  Penn will try to meet reasonable requests for physical or academic accommodations if you provide documentation. Requests go to hsprogs@sas.upenn.edu.

If you complete the academy, you get a Penn certificate of completion, and the program office can send you a digital copy. You don't get college credit or a University of Pennsylvania transcript. You can also ask your Penn instructors for letters of recommendation. The skill you take home is proof writing, which Penn puts at the center of all four topics.