Our Requirements and Perspectives
Bright, motivated students from any educational setting—whether public, private, parochial, or home school—are welcome to apply to our programs. We do not require testing. Applicants need not have qualified for any advanced programming offered at their schools. They must meet the grade-level requirements for our programs to which they apply and, for our summer programs, be 4 years old by
June 1 of the program year.
The list below is provided as a general reference. Ideal candidates typically begin manifesting many of these characteristics during their preprimary, primary, or elementary school years. If uncertain about their child’s eligibility, parents are welcome to contact us with questions or to request a conference with the Director, Joan Franklin Smutny, anytime. We do not wish to turn eligible students away simply because they do not fit the standard “gifted” mold.
Expresses curiosity and creativity
Enjoys challenges
Asks thoughtful questions
Has problem-solving abilities
Is keenly observant
Has a creative imagination
Demonstrates talent in art, music, writing, or drama
Acts independently and with initiative
Has a large vocabulary
Uses a variety of language skills
Discusses and elaborates on ideas
Uses learned information in new contexts
Enjoys reading
Creates and/or tells stories
Exhibits wit and humor
Has a sustained attention span
Has a good memory
For our one-day programs, most of which occur on weekends in spring, fall, and winter, proof of eligibility
is not required. Bright, motivated, age-appropriate students, who enjoy new challenges and adventures, are accepted upon application as space allows. If the student has a progressive experience with us and appears to be a good fit for our programs, then he or she will qualify as a returning student for our programs thereafter.
For our summer programs: Applicants need not have qualified for advanced programming at their schools. Test scores are not the sole criteria for our programs and we do not require them, but request that parents do send them if they are available. Although many of our students generally rank at or above the 95th percentile in some areas of achievement tests, we recognize that children express a great variety of talents and gifts, some of which may not be identified by standardized testing. It is our great privilege to be supportive of these and many other gifts, whether or not they have been professionally acknowledged or identified. (Please also refer to our summer eligibility requirements and forms, updated annually and downloadable from our website by early spring of each year.)
New students in or entering pre-kindergarten or kindergarten: Our teacher recommendation form may be completed by a teacher, if the student is enrolled in a school or preschool, or by the parents if he or she is not. Parents are welcome to add their own comments and observations about their child’s eligibility. If report cards are not available, any type of evaluation or comments from a teacher regarding the student’s eligibility may be substituted. Our eligibility checklist for parents is required, as well.
New students in or entering 1st-12th grades, who never have attended CFG programs, must submit our recommendation form completed by their teachers. We also ask for a copy of the student’s most recent report card. (Either of these forms may be waived for some schools that do not issue them or under other circumstances as requested by parents). Finally, parents are asked to complete our eligibility checklist for each applicant. If the applicant has had standardized achievement testing, these scores may be included on the recommendation form or as separate documents.
Returning students do not require eligibility documents. They are eligible upon our timely receipt of their applications.
The Center for Gifted and Midwest Torrance Center for Creativity • A Northern Illinois University Partner
Joan Franklin Smutny, Director
847-901-0173 • Fax 847-901-0179 • info@centerforgifted.org
Mailing address: Box 364, Wilmette, IL 60091 • Physical address: 1926 Waukegan Road, Glenview |
