Community Corner

Center for the Gifted Offers Tuition Discount for Summer Classes at Pleasantdale Middle School

Discounted tuition will be accepted for summer programs in 17 Chicago and suburban communities until the class meets.

The Center for Gifted, a Glenview-based organization that is a partner of Northern Illinois University is offering a 5 percent tuition discount to talented and gifted students entering prekindergarten through 12th grades for its summer programs located in 17 Chicago and suburban communities.

“The center is excited about offering its largest series throughout the Chicago area,” said Joan Franklin Smutny, founder and director. “The classes will be alive with exciting new ideas and activities, with discovery and problem solving, hands-on involvement and of course, creativity.”

The tuition discount will be accepted until local classes meet, from 9:20 a.m. to noon, July 11 – 22 at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge. Applications are accepted as space allows until the classes begin.

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In all of the Chicago area elementary programs, three 50-minute morning periods are included in two-week sessions. Students enjoy creative, imaginative classes such as Math to Boggle the Brain, Roller Coaster Physics, Chocolate-Ology and Creative Word Play and Writing.

In an optional afternoon program, students join peers for hands-on discovery activities, such as art, drama, science, history, computer technology, cooperative games and outdoor play. Every Friday in Wheeling and Gurnee, full-day students extend their learning during field trips.

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Middle and high school students will attend two classes in the Project 2011 morning program, plus an assembly for class performances, guest presentations and trivia bowls. Afternoon workshops are also available to older students.

Held at Oliver McCracken Middle School, 8000 East Prairie Road, Skokie, Project 2011 features project-oriented classes designed for bright learners entering grades sixth through 12th. The development of problem solving skills, creativity, and critical thinking is basis of the framework for courses July 18 – Aug. 5 with morning, 9 am to noon, and full day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sessions available. Transportation is provided from various locations.

Scholarships, 50-100 percent based on financial need, are available for students in prekindergarten through 12th grades.

“We want these programs to be accessible to students who will benefit from them,” Smutny said. “Last year we gave out thousands of dollars in scholarships and we would like to encourage parents to apply.”

More than 130 teachers have prepared classes for over 2,000 students. The session curriculum allows students to explore specialized areas of science, mathematics, the arts and humanities and many non-traditional subjects.

The classes and activities are designed to challenge students to think creatively and critically while exposing them to new opportunities for learning. The goal is to help them become self-directed learners.

The Center for Gifted programs are open to students from any educational background. This includes public, private, parochial or home schools. Current enrollment in a gifted program and test scores are not required for registration. However, students generally rank at or above the 95th percentile in their individual areas of expertise, Smutny said.

Courses are offered to elementary students at the following locations this summer: Burr Ridge; Lakeview, Chicago; Beverly, Chicago; Oriole Park, Chicago; Elmhurst; Elgin; Glenview; Gurnee; Naperville; Oak Forest; Skokie; and Buffalo Grove.


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