Detroit

Welcome to the Wayne State University Math Corps

The Math Corps was founded in 1992 by Wayne State University faculty purely as a humanitarian effort to do something for kids in need. It has since evolved from its humble beginnings as a small, after-school tutoring program for middle school students attending Detroit Public Schools, to one of the premier programs offered to students in the Detroit area. In 2001 the High School Bridge Program was added as a half-day component for incoming 9th grade students and was expanded to a full day program the following year. In 2005, a second site was added on to the Wayne State campus to serve double the students from Detroit. Today, Math Corps Detroit serves approximately 400 youth each summer with supplemental Saturday programs offered during the academic year. 

What began as a dream of creating a self-perpetuating “corps” of students from middle school through college who embody and pass on to younger students our core values of kindness, integrity, courage and excellence in mathematics, Math Corps Detroit continues to help students realize their own greatness every year.

Math Corps Values

FAB Building
656 W. Kirby, Room 1311
Detroit, MI 48202
mathcorps@wayne.edu
313-577-2609

Join our Math Corps Family!

Summer Camp Information
Super Saturdays Program
Applications + Eligibility
Local Staff
Employment
FAQs

The Math Corps Summer Camp and High School Bridge Program serves students who, in the fall, will be entering the 7th, 8th, or 9th grade. High school students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade serve as paid Teaching Assistants (TA’s) and Program Assistants (PAs). Each site includes 40 seventh-graders, 40 eighth-graders, 40 incoming ninth-graders and 80 high school students

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 and PAs 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 supplies for the program and a Math Corps T-Shirt.

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

Camp Dates: Monday, July 8th- Thursday, August 16th, 2024

Camp Hours:

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

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

The Math Corps Super Saturdays Program was designed to serve as a compliment to the Summer Camp. It was developed to offer year-round programming and support to our students. Our Saturday Programs are limited to returning Math Corps participants only. 

For a student to be eligible for our summer camp, he/she must be entering the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the Fall and must be either: 

  • A Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park resident, currently enrolled in a public or charter school – anywhere in Michigan

OR

  • Currently enrolled in a public or charter school in the city of Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park

All students are eligible to apply regardless of past math background.

Current MS students Application

Current HS Students Application

Current 12 grade students 

Current College Students

 

  • Professor Steven Kahn – Director of the Math Corps 
  • Mr. Lammar Jones – Math Corps Program Coordinator

Math Corps Detroit is currently recruiting instructors to join our Summer Camp Senior Staff. Please email Mr. Jones at mathcorps@wayne.edu if interested. 

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

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

 

My child participated in the Math Corps last summer. Is their acceptance guaranteed next year?

No. However, your child will receive priority consideration upon their reapplication to the program.

 

Where are courses for the Math Corps held?

Classes are held on Wayne State University’s main campus in midtown Detroit.

 

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, Math Corps programs usually run Monday through Thursday, with Friday being an optional day of instruction for the students. During the Fall, Winter and Spring, Math Corps programs usually run on Saturdays only.

 

Who can apply to be in the Detroit Math Corps?

Our summer program is open to any 6th – 11th grade student that is either a) living within the boundaries of Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park or b) attending a public or charter school within Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park. Our Saturday programs are limited to previous Math Corp students only.

 

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 in the WSU Math Corps.  These include: notebook, paper, pencil, folder, 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 at Wayne State’s Student Center 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 students are dismissed at 2:30 pm, and high school students are dismissed at 3:15 pm every day.

 

My child was placed on the waiting list last year. If they reapply for this year, will they be accepted?

Re-applicants are truly special, as it conveys determination and perseverance!  While acceptance is not guaranteed for a re-applicant, their application is given higher consideration than one that comes to us for the first time.

 

Is transportation provided?

No. However, the Math Corps does provide student bus tickets and transfers for those who need them.

 

How important is my child’s essay?

Very! The essay can tell the Selection Committee a lot about the applicant and why they want and/or need 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.