Summer Gifted and Talented Program

The Summer Gifted and Talented Program (SGAT) is thrilled to host Summer 2025 at Dominican University

The Summer Gifted and Talented Program (SGAT) is offered through the School of Education and is intended for academically gifted and talented students entering grades 2-8 in the fall. Highlights include challenging and accelerated courses in Math, Science, Writing/Humanities, and Fine/Performing Arts, providing academic and social enrichment in a safe and supportive learning community with intellectually like-minded peers. It is a fun, engaging, and often life-changing experience for the G&T and neuro-divergent student.

We take tremendous pride in prioritizing healthy minds, bodies and emotional well-being by offering challenging high caliber course offerings, daily PE class and a full hour for lunch/recess so all students have the opportunity for academic challenge, physical movement, and social engagement with meaningful peers each day. 

Please Save the Dates!

Summer 2025 Official Dates: Apply here now!  

Week 1: June 23-27
Holiday Break: June 30-July 4
Week 2: July 7-11
Week 3: July 14-18
Week 4: July 21-25

SGAT prioritizes healthy minds, bodies and emotional well being in intentional ways by offering daily academic challenge, physical movement, and social engagement with meaningful peers in a safe and supportive environment that aims to foster the love of learning within a close-knit gifted and talented community. 

Tuition

  • Tuition is $375 per course per week (collected at acceptance only)
  • Discounted tuition for all four weeks is $1400 total.
  • Payments must be received within two weeks of acceptance to secure class placement.
  • Dominican University employees receive a 10% discount off tuition (discount is applied upon enrollment)
  • Rolling Admissions (first come, first served) until all classes are filled
  • Financial Aid Request Deadline is Monday, June 2, 2025
  • $50 Late Fee applied to late payments and applications received after June 2

Refund Policy

  • All refunds must be requested in writing no later than one week prior to course start
  • Refund fee of $50 applies for cancellations and withdrawals
  • No refunds granted for partial participation or absences


Admission Criteria: Three Ways to Apply

Test Score Student: Students with nationally normed standardized test scores in the 95%ile or above in the subject area to which they are applying are pre-qualified for enrollment, pending course availability. Must include full copy of the official score report or gifted assessment as available from your child(ren)'s school or testing center/psychologist.

Admission Portfolio Student: Students without nationally normed standardized test scores in the 95%ile or above may apply by Admission Portfolio. Must include the most current report cards, 1-2 Teacher Recommendation(s), along with an optional student statement of interest (Why do you wish to attend this course/program?) for full consideration.

Returning Student: Students who have successfully completed at least one SGAT course may include updated Test Scores or Admission Portfolios and/or a student statement of interest (Why do you wish to attend this course/program?) for full consideration. 

Important Links

Courses Closed at Capacity

  • Week 4, Rollercoaster Challenge: Waitlist Closed 

Students enroll in one course per selected week(s) based on their academic strengths and interests, as well as their social maturity in courses that match their rising grade level (i.e., a current second grader this school year is considered a rising 3rd grader who is eligible for 2/3 or 3/4 grade level courses). Each course is one-week long, Monday–Friday, from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. You may apply to any combination of weeks. Students are expected to bring a non-perishable lunch, drink and snack each day. Additionally, students should bring proper footwear and opt for sunscreen during daily PE class.

SGAT alumni are eligible to apply as volunteer Program Runners to earn community service hours for high school while developing practical work skills, effective leadership, communication, teamwork and organizational skills; gaining strong references and meaningful resume building work experience, as well as self-confidence and valuable friendships.

Interested in joining our Talent Team? Apply as an Instructor for Summer 2025

To be added to or removed from our mailing list for email blasts and program updates, please email off-campus Program Director Janie Wu to receive the most up-to-date announcements for program inquiries. For payment or campus assistance, contact on-campus Administrative Assistant Lauren Somers.