Program Description

Summer Institute for the Gifted

Summer Programs
Stamford, Connecticut


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For More Information, Contact
Summer Institute for the Gifted
River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06902-3788
866-303-4744 (toll-free)
Fax: 203-399-5598
http://www.giftedstudy.com
E-mail: sig.info@aifs.com

Type of Program: Three-week coeducational, residential and day summer program for academically gifted students in grades 1K–11. Combines a challenging academic program with traditional summer camp activities
Participants: Gifted students in grades 1K–11
Enrollment: 2,000; each session has approximately 100–275 students
Program Dates: June 24 to July 14, June 25 to July 15, July 2 to July 22, July 16 to August 5, July 23 to August 12, July 30 to August 19
Head of Program: Barbara Swicord

Location

The Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) is held at some of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, including the University of California at Berkeley and Los Angeles, Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, New York), Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey), Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts), the University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas), the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan), Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia), and Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania). Day campuses include Fairfield University (Fairfield, Connecticut), Stuart Country Day School (Princeton, New Jersey), Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania), Moorestown Friends School (Moorestown, New Jersey), and Manhattanville College (Purchase, New York).

Background and Philosophy

Since its founding in 1984, the Summer Institute for the Gifted has provided academically talented young people with an important enrichment supplement to their regular education. The Summer Institute blends a strong academic program of introductory and college-level courses, an opportunity for cultural exposure, social growth, and traditional summer camp activities. Although the program is held at several different locations, the sessions at each site are identical in purpose and structure.
    The Summer Institute for the Gifted enables enthusiastic and capable students to become involved in a challenging academic program that is designed to engage students at a level commensurate with their abilities. The academic program is central to the spirit of SIG. Students are expected to perform at the upper level of their capabilities.
    Varied cultural opportunities, educational evening entertainment performances, weekend off-campus trips, a full recreational program, and social activities address all the needs of the academically talented student.
    This mixture of offerings allows the participants to be in a stimulating intellectual atmosphere as well as an enjoyable social setting. Most importantly, it provides them the opportunity to engage with their intellectual peers—students who have similar interests and abilities.

Program Offerings

Academic offerings: The curriculum combines traditional subjects with courses that are meant to introduce new topics to students. There is a wide range of course offerings geared for highly motivated students of all ages. Course offerings for younger students range from Foundations of Mathematics to Introduction to Robotics to The Wonders and Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Classes available to students in grades 7–9 include selections such as Introduction to Veterinary Medicine, Mock Trials and the Justice System, and Psychology. Older students may choose anything from an Introduction to Genetics to the Art of Debate.
PSAT/SAT mathematics and verbal preparatory courses are available to prepare students for standardized exams. High school students may take some courses for college credit. The courses are taught by selected college professors and experts in the fields in which they teach. Counselors are regularly available to assist and tutor students. A final grade report is sent to each student’s home at the conclusion of the program, and, upon written request, a grade report is sent to the student’s school.
Cultural offerings: There are a number of cultural courses available to students, regardless of age. The classes are meant to introduce areas of study that may not be available in the student’s current local school. Architecture, Modern Dance, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, and Theater and Drama are just a few of the cultural courses that a student can choose from at the Summer Institute for the Gifted.
Recreational offerings: SIG offers a wide range of recreational courses. Tennis, squash, fencing, chess, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, archery, and other recreational courses are available to be learned and enjoyed. Each course is taught by an experienced professional, who works with the beginners as well as the more advanced. A free recreational hour each day gives the SIG student a chance to participate in sports and recreation in a noninstructional environment.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

In the Residential Program, special off-campus trips are planned for Saturdays (Saturday Get-Away Trips). Some of the previous years’ trips included hiking the Appalachian Trail, canoeing or rafting down the Delaware River, a relaxing day at the lake, historical trips to New York City and Philadelphia, caving, and trips to the South Street Seaport; Radio City Music Hall; the Museum of Broadcasting; the Intrepid Air-Sea-Space Museum; the Franklin Institute; an archaeological expedition; Hersheypark; Renaissance Faires; the Kutztown Folk Festival; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/Playhouse Square Center; Sea World; the Cleveland Museum of Art; the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; the Great Lakes Science Center; and Dover Lake Waterpark.

Facilities

Sites for SIG include some of the country’s most prestigious academic institutions. Each campus is carefully selected on the basis of its academic facility, its outstanding reputation, and its capability to assist with the accomplishment of SIG goals and purposes. Complete use of the academic and research facilities on all campuses is available to all students.

Staff

SIG’s faculty and staff members are carefully chosen to ensure that only the most qualified people work with the students. They are selected not only on the basis of their credentials, but also on their enthusiasm and interest in working with younger students. All staff members, counselors, faculty members, and directors are well-trained, highly motivated, and responsible individuals who demonstrate a genuine interest in the educational and social growth of young people.

Costs

The cost of the Summer Institute for the Gifted three-week residential program for 2007 started at $3795. This amount included tuition for the academic program; all room and board charges, including three meals each day; recreational program costs; evening entertainment program expenses; Saturday Get-Away Trip costs, including transportation and admission fees; and all special program costs. An additional nonrefundable application processing fee of $150 is due with the application. Some financial aid is offered to students on a need basis. The deadline for financial aid applications is April 1.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are always welcome. The information office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.
Students who meet one of the following criteria are invited to apply to SIG programs: all participants in recognized talent searches, students who score in the 95th percentile or higher on standardized tests (administered locally or by their schools), students who have been identified as gifted and/or who have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program, and students providing strong letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors citing their academic gifted ability and performance.
Students should apply as early as possible, as only a limited number of students can be accepted and accommodated by each session of the Summer Institute for the Gifted. In past seasons, qualified applicants have been turned away due to space limitations. Applications are accepted at any time but should be postmarked no later than May 15. Qualified applicants are accepted and enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the postmarked date on the application envelope.