Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Applying

Questions about our program? See the Program FAQ.

If my child has never had any testing done, been too young for evaluation into a GT program, or goes to a school where they don’t evaluate for GT. How do I know if they fit in this program?

1. Many of our enrollees are in this situation. If that is the case, we refer parents to the list of characteristics of gifted children. Almost all of our students fit 80-90% of these descriptions. Gifted children are not only quite different intellectually, but also emotionally, socially, and spiritually from average kids. They present different educational and parental challenges. We ask parents to carefully consider this list because we want to insure a correct fit between a child and our program. Many of the children in the program ask very high level questions and it is hurtful to a child’s self-esteem to become aware that they don’t fit in and don’t understand what is being asked. The list can also come in handy for parents of twice-exceptional children, that is, children who are gifted and have some other learning or social difficulty, i.e. dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, sensory awareness difficulties or Asperger’s syndrome. Quite often these kids don’t quite make the cut for a GT program, fall through the cracks in school or are misdiagnosed, even though they are still gifted. We try to provide programs for ALL gifted students regardless of any other learning problem and focus on their strengths rather than weaknesses. The only student we cannot serve is one who is excessively disruptive, for whatever reason, to the other students in the class.
   

Are you still taking applications?

1. We accept applications until our program fills.  Currently (updated 5/26/10) Session I is closed and Session II is close to being full (Little Wonders and some of the Session II classes have already filled).  After the end of the registration deadlines, we will assess how full are classes are and, pending availability, accept late registrations.
   

May I submit my application in person?

1. Please submit your complete application by mail only. Our office, part of a full-time school during the day, is in a locked facility and we are unable to make special arrangements to receive applications by hand. Please note that classes are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, per either timestamp of online registration or postmark dates of complete applications with $100 deposits per session (if submitted pre-May 1st) or payment in full.
   

In registering and placing my child in classes, do you go by my child’s present grade or the grade they will enter next fall?

1. Placement is based on the child’s grade as of the next fall. For example, a 1st grader who finishes in May will then be considered a 2nd grader for Summer Wonders.
   

My child is home-schooled. How do I estimate my child’s current grade level?

1. Take your child’s current age and subtract five to calculate their current grade level, then add one to calculate your child’s grade level for next fall.  Sign up for Summer Wonders classes based on your child’s hypothetical grade level for Fall 2010.
   

What do the grades mean that are listed beside each class? Does K-6 mean that all of these ages are together in the classroom?

1. No, that is simply the range for which the class is offered. In other words, kids going into these grades may enroll for this class. Most typically, children are grouped in double grade groupings, i.e. 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and 5th and 6th in the actual class. There may be some exceptions to this depending on enrollment, i.e., a drama class containing 3 grades.
   

When first applying, must all materials be submitted at once?

1. The Registration Form and Teacher Recommendation Form must be completed online, but the Behavioral Contract (signed by both parent and child), Immunization History, photo of your child, and $100 deposit per session (if submitted before May 1st), or Payment in full must be submitted to hold your child’s place. Please submit all materials together by mail. Do not submit them separately.  We will not consider your child’s application until all online portions and mailed portions of the application have been received.
   

How will I know if you’ve received all of our materials and my child’s application is complete?

1. We will confirm with you by email when we receive all of your materials.  To ensure that there is no delay in your child’s application, we recommend that you follow up with your child’s teacher to confirm that they have submitted their online recommendation.
   

My child is home-schooled. Do I have to submit a Teacher Recommendation? 

1. Yes. The Teacher Recommendation is required. It may be filled out by a coach, tutor, or any non-family member adult who knows your child well.
   

If my child is a returning student, do we still need a Teacher’s Recommendation Form completed?

1. Yes. After the first year, when we look at this form as a consideration of admission, we are primarily interested to see how the year went for your child. Even second and third year parents frequently ask us about educational placement or behavioral issues and it helps to have a little feedback from the child’s teacher, either good or bad. A less than glowing recommendation may sometimes indicate a poor fit between your child and a teacher, so the teacher’s feedback is simply a starting point for further discussion. The other reason that we require this form from all students is that it may provide an opportunity for a teacher who has never heard of our program to become more aware of it and perhaps share information about Summer Wonders with another family who could benefit.
   

If my child is a returning student, do we still need to turn in the Behavioral Contract, Immunization, and photo?

    Yes.  We need all materials, every year.

My child is a student at ACE Academy. Is my application process different?

1. Yes. Please contact the ACE office to learn more.
   

Thank you for your interest in Summer Wonders. More questions? Email summerwonders@austingifted.org.

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