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Fall 2010

October 2nd/3rd through December 4th/5th

Excluding: November 27th/28th

The Gifted and Talented Youth Program at Montclair State University provides accelerated, inquiry based courses designed to meet the unique intellectual and social needs of high ability students in grades K-11. Courses are taught for 9 weekends in the fall and spring and for 6 weeks in the summer.  The program provides students with opportunities to explore topics in the humanities, mathematics, and the sciences. Courses stimulate creativity, higher order thinking skills, and problem solving and include a diverse array of topics.  Because of the small class size and low teacher-student ratio,   students are provided with customized programs.  Students delve into topics of personal interest while engaging with other students who have similar abilities and passions. The instructors have diverse backgrounds and include university professors, teachers of the gifted, published authors, and professionals with real-world experience in the topics they present.

Eligibility

Weekend programs require evidence of high academic ability and/or achievement. Documentation must be submitted with the application form. (Students enrolled in spring 2010 or summer 2010 will not need additional documentation. All other students must submit required documentation).

Public School students who did not attend the MSU program in spring or summer 2010 and who are in grades 4-11 must submit the NJASK scores from the spring of 2010. If these scores are not yet available, you may submit the scores from 2009 or use one of the other criteria. NJASK: Advanced Proficient in math (250) and a reading score of 240 or higher; OR 270 or higher in either math OR reading) copies of test scores can be acquired by asking your local public school. If your child does not make the NJASK cut-off but you have reason to believe your child is gifted, please submit a portfolio of your child’s work in the area of their special talent along with one of the other criteria listed below.
Public School students in grades K-3 who meet one of the following criteria are invited to apply to The Gifted and Talented Program at Montclair State University:

  • Students who have scored at the 95th percentile or above in at least two of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test or at the highest performance level on a state test administered by their schools.
  • An IQ score of 130 or above on an individualized IQ test
  • Sages Aptitude score of 120 or above
  • A score in the gifted range on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
  • Students who have been identified as gifted and/or who have participated successfully in a school gifted program or a nationally recognized gifted program (CTY, Davidson etc.) (other than MSU’s gifted program) must submit evidence of participation with the MSU application.
  • NJASK: Advanced Proficient in math  (250) and a reading score of 240 or higher; OR 270 or higher in either math OR reading) copies of test scores should be submitted with the MSU application.
  • If no local or school gifted program exists, or if your child does not attend public school, or is in grades K-3, two letters of recommendation can be submitted using the MSU Recommendation Form from a teacher or an individual familiar with the student in an instructional setting, or a letter from a school administrator who is familiar with the student’s record and performance.  Letters submitted without the correct form will not be considered for review.

****Please note that report cards and/or honor roll are not included in the eligibility criteria. Qualified gifted students who do not fall within the above categories should contact our office at (973) 655-4104 to discuss appropriate evidence of giftedness and alternative identification methods.

Saturday and Sunday Program

Period 1:  8:45 am – 9:55 am
Period 2:  10:05 am – 11:15 am
Period 3: 11:25 am - 12:35 am
Grades K – 11:  Qualified students may take one, two, or three courses on Saturday or Sunday.  Each course lasts 70 minutes with a 10-minute break between each period.

Celebration of Learning

A Celebration of Learning will be held on the last weekend of the program.  Parents will be invited to visit any class of interest.  Further information about this will be provided during the semester.

Parking

The Red Hawk Deck may be used for hourly parking.  You may also purchase a 2010/2011 parking permit by visiting the office of Parking Services, located in the Red Hawk Parking Deck, Level 1.  A parking permit fee is $100.00.  Parents who purchase a parking permit may park in lots that are designated as general (yellow) parking lots. (http://www.montclair.edu/map/parking.php). Office hours for permit sales on Saturdays and Sundays are 8:00am-3:00pm (Note:  Originally the office was going to be open on October 4th and 5th only, but we have worked with Parking Services and arranged for sales to occur any weekend during the program). Regular office hours are Monday & Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  For further information, you may visit their website at http://www.montclair.edu/facilities.  Parents who wish to purchase a permit will need to bring their child’s acceptance letter.

Registration Information & Tuition

Apply early and receive a discount!  Applications received in the office on or before September 9th, will receive a discount of $25.00.

The tuition costs are $325.00 for one course, $625.00 for two courses, and $900.00 for three courses. Checks are to be made out in the full amount to: Montclair State University along with the application. Personal checks that are returned for any reason (such as insufficient funds) will incur a service charge. Payment in full may also be made by MasterCard or Visa. 
By Mail: Print and complete the application form. Return it with your payment. Priority mail registrations should be postmarked no later than: September 25th, 2010 to: 


Montclair State University
Gifted and Talented Program
One Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043-9987

  • By Fax: (973) 655-7895 to register. Priority fax registration for Fall 2010, is available 24 hours a day. Payment for registrations that are faxed must be made with MasterCard or Visa. Please complete the credit card payment form on the application.
  • In Person: Visit the Gifted and Talented Program located at: 1286 Valley Road. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enrollment

Only a limited number of students can be accommodated.  Qualified applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.  We reserve the right to close or cancel any class; therefore it is important to indicate a second choice.

Application Deadline

The application, medical history form and proof of academic giftedness together with tuition must be postmarked no later than September 25th.  Applications that are received on or before September 9th, will receive a $25.00 discount.

Tuition Discount

Two or more children from the same family are each eligible for a 10% tuition discount of $32.50 for one class, $62.50 for two classes and $90.00 for three classes.  Faculty/Staff/Alumni are entitled to a 15% discount.  Faculty/Staff must have a valid Montclair State NedID account as verification and the Parent Alumni that has completed a degree will need to provide a copy of his/her diploma or transcript.

Refund Policy

Written notice of withdrawal will entitle registrants to a refund (less a $40.00 non-refundable registration fee for one course and $80.00 for two or three courses) provided such notice is postmarked prior to the first weekend of classes.  No refunds will be made after the program has begun.

Parents of Gifted Offspring (POGO)

The Gifted Youth Program recognizes that academically gifted young people face their own set of challenges because of their gifts. These challenges can range from perfectionism, concerns about political or global issues, high expectations for themselves, the stresses of challenging academic work, or feelings of being marginalized because they don’t share the interests or abilities of most of their peers.  POGO (Parents of Gifted Offspring) was established more than a decade ago by a group of concerned parents to provide opportunities to meet and discuss these and related issues.  Led by experts in the field of gifted education and child and adolescent psychology, POGO seminars take place while students are in classes on the Montclair State University campus and generally last an hour.  All parents of gifted students – not just those whose children are enrolled in the program – are invited to participate.  Admission to all POGO seminars is free and open to the public.