Through more than 25 years of experience and resources in gifted education, SIG provides a unique environment for gifted and talented students to connect with peers in a community of like-minded learners from all over the world who share common interests, abilities and goals.

Students will benefit from unique programming, which combines academics with social, cultural and recreational opportunities for a truly engaging summer. Courses are led by skilled instructors who have expertise in their disciplines and represent an array of professional backgrounds.

These 3-week summer sessions will allow your child to mature and develop in every element of his or her life, developing long-lasting and meaningful relationships, increasing in self-confidence and thinking in divergent ways, all within a safe and secure environment at a prestigious campus. No matter which program option you choose, you can rest assured the overall atmosphere of SIG will nurture and grow your child's gifts.

The Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) began in 1984 with a single session in New Jersey and has expanded over the past 26 summers to include 11 residential sessions in 9 states and numerous day programs. In 2011, we served close to 2000 academically gifted students in Kindergarten through 11th grade.

SIG provides academically advanced students with an interesting and challenging educational experience. The program combines remarkable academic courses with cultural, social, and recreational opportunities. The academic program is central to the design and purpose of SIG. Our program provides students with academic challenges designed to fit their abilities and interests. It also provides them with the opportunity to engage with other students who have similar abilities and interests. Because of our small classes, low teacher-student ratio, and teaching assistants, we are able to individualize the program for each and every student.

Meeting other diverse students who are interested in learning provides a sense of belonging that many gifted students seek. The richness of a broad range of geographical, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, the stimulation created by talented and intellectually engaged students working and playing together, the depth and diversity of the SIG faculty and staff, and the beautiful and well-equipped college campus environments create a perfect atmosphere for learning, growing and accomplishing meaningful goals.

SIG is a program of the National Society for the Gifted & Talented, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to honor and encourage gifted and talented (G&T) children and youth. It is committed to celebrating and advancing the academic, creative, and leadership abilities and potential of gifted and talented students.

The NSGT membership fee for SIG students is $35 and entitles members to multiple benefits including membership certification, access to gifted databases, scholarships, discounts and more. Visit www.NSGT.org for a full listing of member benefits.

Now in our 28th year of providing programs for academically talented and gifted students, we are more committed than ever to our incredible students. In this 2012 catalog, you will find information about our campuses, our programs and services, and, most importantly, our courses. As you read through this information, we think you will become as excited as we are about SIG as our programs are carefully designed for gifted and talented students, resulting in the unique SIG academic and social experience.

We’re very excited that we have added a second Yale University session. This program is open to students who are ages 13 - 17. The first session will run June 30 - July 20 and the second session will run July 22 - August 11.

In addition to our unique academic program, our social, cultural and recreational components continue to attract students for the short term experience that lingers with them for many years after. This past year, 24% of our SIG students hailed from 38 other countries, enriching the diverse and multi-cultural atmosphere on campus. In our most recent survey to our alumni, 75% of the respondents confirmed that their SIG program helped prepare them for their college experience. Further, 83% responded that independence was a long-term benefit of attending a SIG program—a much needed characteristic for college success! Additionally, the social aspect of making lifelong and meaningful friendships continues to play a most significant role in the benefits of attending a SIG program.

We are excited to add new day programs to our lineup across the country in 2012. Please visit our day program pages for more details on locations and dates.

SIG is pleased to begin our third year as a program of the National Society for the Gifted and Talented (NSGT)!

So take a look, enjoy, and join us in 2012!

Barbara Swicord
President, Summer Institute for the Gifted
Executive Director, National Society for the Gifted & Talented

Dear Parents,

Children of all ages have a natural curiosity about their immediate environment and, as they grow, the larger world that surrounds them. The more intellectually gifted they are, the greater is their hunger for learning. The SIG programs represent an exceptional opportunity for young boys and girls to satisfy their intellectual curiosity and ability to learn new ideas and skills. Surrounded by a group of equally talented peers and dedicated teachers, they can experience the joyous feeling that comes with stimulating readings, discussions, hands on projects, and informal play. It is well documented that children are the most open to learning at an early age and can absorb the greatest amount of new information and concepts. This dynamic is the foundation on which the SIG programs have been developed.

Children are influenced greatly by the peer group in which they develop, and so the opportunity to engage in an intimate day or boarding environment with other students who are excited to learn is ideal. The diverse course offerings and activities that have been thoughtfully designed by the SIG faculty address their different intelligences and are the signature of all their campus programs.

In our work as educational consultants to thousands of gifted students over the years, I have heard time and again from those who have had the opportunity to participate in an immersion learning environment with their peers that this has been the most stimulating and meaningful experience during their school years. It has encouraged them to continue to want to learn and not fall prey to the average standards that satisfy the majority of students.

I have heard from many students who attended a SIG campus that the faculty were committed to encouraging and enhancing the joy of satisfying their natural curiosity. I commend the SIG programs to those families who understand the importance of providing their gifted youngster with this essential kind of experience.

Howard Greene
The Educational Consulting Centers, Westport, Connecticut and New York City

[Howard Greene, educational consultant, is an author of numerous books on educational planning and college admissions. He is also the presenter on two Public Broadcasting Specials, The Twelve Steps to College Admissions and Paying For College.]