Summer Institute For The Gifted

Gifted children need extra help in their studies to make sure they can learn at the appropriate level. The Summer Institute for the Gifted (aka SIG) is a program designed for children and teenagers, meeting their academic and social needs. The program began in 1984 and many students have taken advantage of it and enjoyed the facilities provided.

Three-week residential programs take place at a choice of venues, which include Amherst College, Bryn Mawr College, the Austin campus of the University of Texas, Emory University, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Vassar College. Children aged approximately 9 - 18 years old, who have completed the 4th through 11th Grade are eligible. Princeton University also hosts the Summer Institute for the Gifted for students who have completed 7th to 11th Grade.

The program is well structured, offering a range of studies and the opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Students stay in college dormitories with spaces for 10 - 12 residents and are under the supervision of the Counselor. The staff also include a Housemaster and a Residential Assistant. Meals are eaten in the dining rooms on campus.

Classes are organized into five periods, lasting 75 minutes each. The three subject areas are Science, Math and Liberal Arts. These are divided into topics, such as chemistry, biology, robotics and math subjects, including geometry and algebra. Homework is given to students to do when class is over for the day. However, it's not all class work at the Summer Institute for the Gifted. Students are given an hour of recreation each day and they can choose to participate in sports, spend time in one of the laboratories, or have free time on the computer or in the dormitory.

Evening entertainment is provided in a range of fun activities, such as talent shows, dances and contests. Saturdays is the time for group trips to local attractions, including museums, or the zoo. Families can visit students on the second Sunday of their stay and some parents like to take the student off campus for their visit.

There are Day Programs available too for the Summer Institute for the Gifted. These take place at Fairfield University, Manhattanville College, Moorestown Friends School, Stuart Country Day School and Bryn Mawr College. To be eligible, students must have completed kindergarten through 6th Grade and be approximately aged 5 - 11 years old.

Gifted students sometimes struggle in the normal school environment, where they can become bored or frustrated with work that is too easy for them. In the Summer Institute for the Gifted, the organizers recognize this concern and the program is designed for the students to thrive in a friendly atmosphere. The work is challenging, ensuring that students are stimulated and they enjoy the experience. To be eligible for the program, candidates must score more than 97% on standardized tests or come with a recommendation from a teacher.

Summary

Students are given an hour of recreation each day and they can choose to participate in sports, spend time in one of the laboratories, or have free time on the computer or in the dormitory. Evening entertainment is provided in a range of fun activities, such as talent shows, dances and contests.

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