Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Any experience w/CTY Summer Programs in CA?

My DS went to CTY Palo Alto (Stanford) for a 5th/6th grade program last summer. He loved it.

Hi Cym, What course did your DS take at Stanford?

Sorry, mominsac, I didn't see your question till today. He took "Inductive & Deductive Reasoning".

Hi Cym,

My daughter is in 5th grade and I am thinking of enrolling her in
the summer program at Stanford this year.
For a fifth grader is this a good program since this facility
doesn't offer commuter option?
And also any comments on the higher cost of this program.

Thanks,
-Sreddy

My son did CTY on the East Coast (overnight) and loved it. I would think that program is very similar at all it's sites.

Thanks, Cym.
I'm also debating whether to send a 5th grader or wait another year, given the cost, although if the classes are indeed academically challenging, it sounds like it would be an overall great experience. (we were happy with the CTYOnline courses last summer, so that's another option)

For those who sent their kids to CTY Summer, what was the best about it - the classes and learning experience? the residential experience? social?

Any other comments by anyone, would be highly appreciated - especially regarding the actual course learning experience.

thanks so much

Hi again mominsac,

My son went to cty stanford as a 6th grader (but only age 10). I really liked how all the kids were basically the same age group. He had a great experience, both with the class and socially. It's actually surprising to me that he got along well with his roommate because he can be grumpy. But his roommate was from Shanghai and was really nice (and I'm sure tolerant). It depends on the child--I would definitely consider sending my next ds as a 5th grader (age 9) if he's interested because he's is more organized that his older brother and more sociable.

I had sent my 11 yr old previously to a one wk program at univ of denver (through the formerly known as Rocky Mountain Talent Search, now known as Western Academic Talent Search) and to other one-week adventure-type camps. These were "warms-ups" for a longer (3-wk) stay. I don't know if I would send my son to a 3-wk program as his 1st sleep-away experience, and would recommend some kind of "warm-up" if you haven't already.

Thank you, Cym. Very insightful advice. My DD has been away on couple overnight school science field trips for 4-5 days each, so hopefully that will account for some experience! WATS classes seem very interesting for the 4-6 graders - I may look into that some more - thanks for the tip!

My other dilemma now, is that DD is only really interested in one of the two science courses offered at Palo Alto, we want her to be truly interested in the courses that she applies for, and prefer her to stay in NorCal if only, for travel reasons. She has High HOnors math scores, hope it is high enough to get her her first (and basically, only) choice.... It will be a little gamble... wondering if that is a risky proposition and sure way to lose the registration fee We may have to be open-minded about having her apply for other sites and travel by air to get there. Seems that others have successfully had their kids in this age group (4th-6th) travel out-of-state for these experiences?

I think it depends on the kid--whether they're ready for 3 wk overnight camp in another state. I have found that the most important thing is having your child pick the course that is right for her. She has to be excited about it. We just went through that process and it took about 2 weeks. I had each kid look at the possibilities, read the descriptions, narrow down their list, then do it again, and again. Even after they chose, I kept re-evaluating some, so that in the end they can say they chose it knowingly and with due deliberation. I do this because 1) it's expensive, 2) we are far away no matter where they go, so I'm not going to let them out of it, 3) I want them to feel like it's completely their choice and then they'll invest themselves into it.

If your daughter prefers a course at a different campus, do you have friends or relatives nearby? That is a comfort for me with younger kids.

Hi Cym,
I like your process - I do need to have her revisit for more choices and internalize the whole experience a little more.



In fact, I just found the CTY syllabi site, so I was going to review and have my daughter review for more choices.

I do agree that it being expensive, I want to be sure the course is of absolute interest to her. I'm actually positive that she will really enjoy the social aspect, in fact, I'm almost certain that she will love it...but, also since she is stepping out in the height of her sports season to attend this, I want to be sure that it is academically very well worth it for her.

We are pretty fortunate to have a local Talent Search summer programs at nearby university 10 miles away, they have some week-long day classes for rising 5/6th, and longer 3-week day classes for MS students. So that is certainly an option for us -- but I like the idea of having her experience away from home, and be in a learning environment with kids from other parts of the country, or world.

Yes, my sister lives in LA, so SoCal site is definitely a possibility. I explained the possible LA option to my daughter today. I just would prefer to be there personally for drop off/pick up, however, to make sure everything is set, so that's more airfare to think about.... the $$ adds up fast! Hopefully, it doesn't go that route...