Youth in College - Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications does my child need to have to attend Youth in College?
- The Youth in College program is designed for high academic ability and gifted children. Children who attend need to be functioning approximately two grade levels above their current grade placement. For example, a child who is in second grade, should be reading at the 4th grade level or above. The Youth in College teachers have designed the classes so that a second grade class uses material at a fourth grade level, but remains appropriate for second graders.
- Younger children attend on a positive teacher recommendation. We look for mostly 3’s and 4’s on the teacher recommendation form. The child’s teacher can also forward a reading level that indicates the child is reading approximately two grade levels above grade placement.
- Older students (from about 4th grade on) who have testing information must forward this. The information must indicate that the child is in the Advanced level on at least one section of the WKCE, or show two subtests in the 90th percentile on another standardized test, or have documentation of a reading level which is at least two grade levels above grade placement.
My child is an average child and would like to attend. Why can’t my child attend?
The Stevens Point Area School District provides an array of summer school programs for children of all ability levels. This particular program is designed to provide enrichment for advanced children.
What happens if my child has attended in the earlier grades on a positive teacher recommendation, but when testing becomes available, my child is not at an advanced level?
Unfortunately, this sometimes happens. We then recommend another summer school program.
What happens if some children in the family are accepted, but one isn’t? Can that one child attend anyway?
Unfortunately, this sometimes happens, too. We then recommend another summer school program for that one child.
What is Streamlined Registration?
Once we have testing information that indicates the child is functioning in the advanced range, or information that a child has been placed in a gifted and talented program, we place the child on Streamlined Registration. We mail the Streamlined Registration application to you. At this point, a teacher recommendation is no longer required. This application cannot be accessed from our website.
How is the required information provided?
- You will need to ask your child’s teacher to fill out a Teacher Recommendation form and forward it to the Network for Gifted Education.
- Parents who home school their children will need to provide information indicating their children are functioning in the advanced range. You are welcome to call Dr. Gould for further discussion about this.
Why do out-of-district people play more that people who live within the Stevens Point Area School District?
Out of district people do not pay more than in-district people. All children who attend pay $125.00. However, if you live within the Stevens Point Area School District (even if you attend a private school), the school district pays the fee for your child.
What if we can’t attend all ten days?
Please make every effort to attend all ten days of the program. We understand that unexpected situations occur, but teacher work very hard to create a full program for your children. The last several days are usually spent in a culminating activity. This is planned for all of the children. To have someone leave can create a major problem for your child’s teacher. If you know ahead of time that you won’t be able to attend all ten days, please sit this year out and let someone else have your spot.
What if my child has been placed on a waiting list? How does this work?
After classes have filled, we take the accepted applications of children for whom there wasn’t room and place them on a waiting list in the order the application was received in our offices. If a place in a class opens up, children from the waiting lists are invited to attend in the order their applications were received.
What if my child is accepted to Youth in College and then we find out we are unable to attend?
Please notify the Youth in College staff as soon as possible. We can then invite a child who is on a waiting list to attend. (Note: one year we had a waiting list of five children for a class. One child did not attend, no one notified us, and we could not reach anyone at the home telephone number. That spot simply was vacant when five other children could have filled it.)
Can I request my child be placed in classes with his/her friends?
You can make this request, but please realize it may not be honored.
Will there be bus transportation?
No. Parents must supply the transportation for their children.
What happens on the last day of Youth in College?
Most classes have a culminating activity.
Will my child have a snack?
Most classes have a snack time. You may be asked to furnish a snack for your child’s class.
What does the $10.00 fee cover?
This fee covers consumable items that your child uses during Youth in College.