All About SIG: Summer Institute for the Gifted

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If you have a gifted child at home, you'll want to look into summer enrichment camps. SIG, the Summer Institute for the Gifted provides high quality educational and social opportunities, both residential and day camp opportunities, for academically gifted and talented students. The programs are designed to meet gifted children's special abilities and needs. In 2007, SIG served more than 2000 academically gifted students in Kindergarten through 11th grade.

Background

SIG started in 1984 and has expanded to include eleven residential sessions five day programs across the country.

SIG programs are held at Amherst College, Bryn Mawr College, Emory University, Princeton University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, UT Austin, Vassar College, and other prestigious colleges and universities. SIG faculty includes college and university professors, educators of the gifted, professional practitioners, and experts from specific fields, with degrees from Columbia University, Harvard University, Cornell University, and other excellent colleges and universities.

Gifted kids need interesting and challenging educational experiences. SIG provides it. The program combines advanced academic courses with cultural, social, and recreational opportunities.

During the academic program, students grapple with challenges designed to fit their abilities and interests. They also benefit from the opportunity to interact with other academically gifted students. Small classes, low teacher-student ratio, and assistants in every class, ensure an individualized program for each and every student.

In addition to well-qualified staff and specialized curriculum, the beautiful and well-equipped college campus environments create a perfect atmosphere for learning, growing and accomplishing meaningful goals.

How Does a Child Qualify?

Students may apply to SIG if:

• they have evidence of participation in Academic Talent Search Programs, such as Duke TIP.
• they have scored at the 95th percentile or above in at least one area of a nationally-normed standardized test, or at the highest level on a state test administered by their schools. Click here for a list of accepted national and state tests.
• they have been identified as gifted and/or have participated successfully in a local or school gifted program.
• If no local or school gifted program exists, or if no test scores are available, two letters of recommendation can be submitted.

Qualified gifted students who do not fall within the above categories can get more information by calling SIG's office at (866) 303-4744 to discuss appropriate evidence of giftedness.