Program Structure

Summer Wonders offers three Sessions, each of which meets on weekdays for two weeks. Students may enroll in one, two or three Sessions, and may choose the Morning Program or Full-Day Program. Extended care is also available.

Morning Program: Students entering preschool and kindergarten explore challenging, creative subject areas (see above) in a self-contained, nurturing environment and interdisciplinary setting. They receive a nutritious snack mid-morning. Students entering 1st-6th grades enroll in three courses, which they themselves choose from a variety of exciting topics (see above). Each morning, they attend their assigned classes in three 50-minute sessions. The development of problem solving skills and creativity is inherent in the framework for all courses. Projects and activities evoke active, hands-on participation.

Full-Day Program: After their morning classes, students enrolled in the Full-Day Program enjoy lunch and a quiet story time. Then, in groups with their age peers, they engage in hands-on discovery through a creative blend of activities, such as art, drama, science, history, cooperative games, and outdoor play. Full-day students bring sack lunches (including drinks) that do not require refrigeration.

Extended Care: Organized supervision by qualified staff is offered for a fee of $5 per hour, from 7:00-9:00 a.m. to all students, and from 3:00-6:00 p.m. to students enrolled in the Full-Day Program.

Project 2010: For students entering grades 6-11, busing will be provided from Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove to McCracken Middle School in Skokie, July 19-August 6. The first two weeks correspond with Session III of Summer Wonders. For more information, see Project 2010.

Eligibility Requirements

All Applicants: Students must be entering grades PreK-6 for fall 2010. Preschool students should be four by June 1. Bright, motivated children from any city or educational setting, whether public, private, parochial, or home school, are eligible. Although applicants need not be enrolled in school gifted programs, achievement test scores of most Center for Gifted students rank at or above the 95th percentile in some areas.

New Students: Any applicant who never has attended a program of The Center for Gifted must submit a completed and signed teacher recommendation form. It may be sent with application or separately.

Returning Students: Applicants who previously have attended programs of The Center for Gifted are eligible upon our timely receipt of their applications and do not require teacher recommendations.

We sensitively consider exceptions. Parents may request a conference with the Director regarding their child's particular circumstances.

Application - Two Options

1. Register online using our secure SSL-encrypted registration system. Payment may be made in full at time of registration, or a 20% deposit may be made with the balance for Session I automatically charged to the same credit card on July 5.

2. Download an application form, fill it out, and mail it with a $150 deposit to: The Center for Gifted, Box 364, Wilmette, IL 60091. If enrolling in more than one Session of Summer Wonders, the total deposit required remains $150.

There are no application deadlines; applications will be accepted until the program begins.

Parents are notified of enrollment status within two weeks after our receipt of their complete applications. Applications from new students are not complete until we also receive their teacher recommendations. Parents who wish to confirm our receipt of their applications before enrollment status is determined may contact The Center for Gifted at 847-901-0173 or [email protected].

Placement

Students who are accepted are placed in classes on a rolling basis, per date of their application. Students are placed in classes with their age peers, so that the grade-level span of students in any one classroom usually will not exceed two years. A week or two before the program begins, parents receive an email with individual class assignments and a link to maps, directions, and information about our on-site parent seminars. Enrollment packets will be sent via regular mail to those who do not have an email address.

Payments / Refunds / Withdrawals

Summer Wonders requires a tuition deposit of 20% per Session when registering online or $150 by check, money order, or credit card authorization for one, two, or three Sessions when mailing the application. The deposit will be credited to tuition, and $50 is non-refundable. Please make checks payable to The Center for Gifted.

The balance of tuition for Session III is due on July 5.

If a student withdraws from a program before it begins, tuition (minus the $50 non-refundable deposit) will be refunded. There are no credits or refunds for absences for any reason, or for late enrollments. There are no sibling discounts.

Financial Assistance

The Center for Gifted will consider payment plans and scholarships for families who can demonstrate financial need. Please contact us at 847-901-0173 or [email protected] for information and our financial aid form.