Precollegiate Learner Programs
Saturday/Summer
Enrichment Program (SEP). Our Saturday and Summer Enrichment
Programs (SEP) provide academically challenging courses for students in K-9th
grade. 
Through this program the Center for Gifted Education hopes to inspire
students to become self-directed learners with a passion for exploring the
world around them. In addition, we seek to establish network among parents to
assist in helping gifted students achieve success. A week at SEP not only
ignites the student’s curiosity, but also provides them with peer relationships
and an experience they will never forget. As always, two sessions of Summer SEP are
offered. Session I runs from July 9th-13th and Session II
runs from July 16th-20th, 2012. Registration for Summer
SEP is now open. Please visit our website for information about courses offered and how to register.
Expanding our Enrichment Programs. This summer the Center for Gifted Education is pleased to offer courses in Richmond, Virginia for the second year in a row. As with the long standing Summer SEP program offered on the William and Mary Campus, students who attend SEP in Richmond will have extraordinary experiences, both academic and social. The sessions, with courses for middle school students, will be held daily from June 25th-28th, 2012 at Maggie Walker Governor’s School. There is also a program operating on Saturdays during the fall at St. Mary's Catholic School that will serve students in the 1st -3rd grades. All of these programs will provide the high-quality classroom experiences that have been a hallmark of our enrichment programs for years. Brochures for all of our SEP programs will be made available on our website in March. For more information, please visit the Precollegiate Learner Programs section of the Center's website.
Camp Launch. This year the Center for Gifted Education is proud to conduct its first residential summer program for high ability, low-income students. Born out of a desire to help gifted students from all socioeconomic levels, Camp Launch will provide 55 high ability, low-income students with enrichment opportunities and the ability to reach their potential. These students will participate in a two-week residential program during which they will take courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), writing and personal development. Not only will these students experience a rigorous academic environment, they will also build community and be introduced to the academic and career possibilities that their futures hold. Camp Launch will run from July 15th-28th, 2012. The camp is being funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and is an effort towards achieving the Center for Gifted Education’s goal of serving all gifted students.
Focusing on the Future. The Center for Gifted education strives to assist gifted students in seeking out opportunities for their futures. Each year we offer our annual Focusing on the Future career conference, which provides participants with academic enhancement strategies and opportunities for college/career exploration. This year’s event took place on January , in The College of William and Mary School of Education’s Professional Development Center, with over 270 parents and students attending. Focusing on the Future is an all-day career conference for students in grades 6-12, parents, and school counselors. While at the conference, students have the opportunity to attend sessions headed by professionals in their fields of interest. Students are introduced to adults with real world experience who provide them with invaluable information regarding how to succeed in the field, the type of preparation needed, and what career opportunities are available. Parents and counselors also have the opportunity to participate in workshops regarding practical issues such as financial planning for college, and theoretical issues such as emotional characteristics of gifted children. Focusing on the Future is a great way for students to explore career options and to help parents, counselors and students take steps toward planning for their futures. We hope you will join us for next year’s Focusing event, which will take place on January 26, 2013.
