In response to the uneven availability of calculus courses in US high schools, MIT has launched a remote tutoring program aimed at broadening access to this critical subject for students in underresourced districts.
- Almost 50% of US high schools lack calculus courses
- MIT recruits students and alumni for remote tutoring
- Project aims to improve STEM access nationwide
What happened
MIT identified a critical educational gap: nearly half of American high schools do not offer calculus, a prerequisite for many STEM-focused college programs and careers. To confront this barrier, MIT, with support from the Siegel Family Foundation, initiated the MIT4America Calculus Project in fall 2025.
The initiative mobilizes MIT undergraduates and alumni to provide weekly remote calculus tutoring to students in underresourced high schools nationwide. Starting with 14 school districts, the project has engaged 30 undergraduates and seven alumni tutors and aims to expand to around 20 districts soon.
Why it matters
Calculus is a foundational subject for admission to top STEM programs, including MIT itself, yet access to calculus courses is strikingly uneven across the country. Students in schools without calculus classes face restricted opportunities to pursue scientific and technical fields, effectively narrowing their career prospects.
By leveraging MIT's talent and expertise to provide free, high-quality remote tutoring, the project addresses an educational injustice and helps bridge the STEM opportunity gap. It also exemplifies MIT’s commitment to national service by extending its educational impact far beyond its campus.
What to watch next
As the project grows, it will be important to monitor how many schools and students are reached and the academic outcomes of those participating in the tutoring program. Success in improving AP exam readiness and calculus comprehension could pave the way for wider adoption of similar initiatives.
Long-term, this could inspire policy discussions about expanding access to advanced STEM courses nationwide and integrating technology-enabled tutoring solutions to overcome resource disparities in American education.