The time is now to request transfers in Atlanta Public Schools
Tomorrow will be the first of several days when parents can apply to Atlanta Public Schools for “general administrative transfers.” APS allows students to attend any school in the system, provided the school has spaces available.
Unfortunately, it looks like slim pickings at the elementary school level. None of the six elementary schools that use the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum are accepting transfers, and only one of the APS elementary schools that employs a full-time gifted instructor – Fickett Elementary – has spaces available.
Brown Middle School, which is home to an academy for gifted identified students, is accepting transfer applications.
There are also spaces available at North Atlanta High School, which offers the IB Diploma Programme. Students who earn an IB diploma will be given a year’s worth of college credit by many universities.
Also open for transfers is the early college program at Washington High School.
The school system has posted a complete list of schools that are accepting transfer requests.
You don’t need to break your neck trying to get to the school offices tomorrow. The system no longer grants spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, they will take applications between May 7 and June 4, and in any cases where the number of applications exceeds the number of open spaces, a lottery will be held to assign spaces.
Students from outside APS can apply to schools that have space available. If enrolled, they must pay tuition. For 2010-11, tuition was just over $10,000.
For complete information, see the APS Student Transfers page.
Atlanta Public Schools taking applications for gifted Summer Academy
NOTE: This is information from 2011. For 2012 information, see the Xanadu / Summer Academy 2012 post on this blog.
May 5 has come and gone and the Atlanta Public Schools gifted office hasn’t yet posted its application for the Xanadu summer program for elementary school kids, which I know people are looking for.
On the bright side, APS has posted the brochure and application for its Summer Academy for middle- and high-school students. This program offers courses in a variety of disciplines, including photography, film making, engineering, history, fine arts and lots more.
The camp is held at the Woodruff Arts Center in midtown. Students can attend a two-week or four-week program, and the cost for APS students is very reasonable. (Students who don’t attend APS schools can also attend, but the fees are doubled.)
APS recommends you apply between May 10 and May 26. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Upcoming rocketry and astronomy events at Tellus
The Tellus Museum in Cartersville has a number of space-related activities on its calendar in the coming month.
This Saturday, May 7, for National Astronomy Day, the museum will have its observatory open for solar viewing by day, and viewing of the moon and Saturn after dark. The museum also will host three lectures on astronomy.
On June 3 at 7 p.m., visitors to the museum can hear Charles Carter talk about his work on the Saturn V rocket. The next day, Saturday, June 4, Tellus will offer a model rocketry workshop, where you can build and launch a model rocket. This activity is open to ages 8 and up. There is a fee ($10 for members; $25 for non-members) and reservations are required. Call (770) 606-5700, ext. 417, to reserve a spot.
Happy Bird-days coming up at Fernbank
Fernbank Science Center in Decatur has two upcoming programs for bird lovers.
This Saturday, May 7, Fernbank will host a bird watching tour through its old-growth forest. The walk begins at 8 a.m. and goes until 10:30 a.m., although you can leave early if you like. BYOB (Bring Your Own Binoculars).
May 14, in recognition of International Migratory Bird Day, Fernbank will hold its first ever Bird Festival. Visitors can learn about creating a back yard environment that attracts birds and practice their skills with binoculars. The day also includes a bird house contest for kids and adults.
Activities at Fernbank are free and open to the public.
Upcoming Fernbank programs for space lovers
For those who love space and space travel, the Fernbank Science Center in Decatur will be the place to be in early May.
First, there are NASA Nights on May 5 and 6, 2011. The public is invited to meet Space Shuttle astronaut (and DeKalb County native) Eric Boe, catch a planetarium show about the planets of our Solar System, see the science center’s aeronautics education lab, and view the night sky from the observatory.
Then, on May 7, Fernbank will put on family activities for National Astronomy Day.
These events are free and open to the public.
Camps for little kids at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Decatur still has a few spaces in its summer camp for rising kindergarteners through 2nd graders.
Kids will learn about ecology, paleontology, entomology and other natural sciences. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily (after care is available) and costs $350 per week ($300 for members of the museum). One week has already sold out, but spaces remain for June 13-17 and June 20-24.
Registration now open for DeKalb’s Serendipity summer program
This information is from 2011. See the 2012 Serendipity information.
DeKalb County has opened registration for the 2011 Serendipity summer program for gifted children. The camp serves children in grades 1-7 who were in their school’s gifted program during the 2010-11 school year. Programming includes science, art and writing courses.
This summer, the program is being held at Midvale Elementary School. Kids in 1st – 3rd grades will attend June 13-17; students in 4th – 7th grades have camp June 20-24. Registration is $100 per student. The deadline to register is May 13.
I still haven’t found any information about the program on the county web site. If your child is eligible to attend, he or she should bring home a brochure from school which describes the program in full detail. If you don’t receive one this week, ask your school’s gifted teacher or principal, or call the county office at (678) 676-0238.
Journalism summer camp at UGA
High-school students who want to gain expertise in mass media are invited to attend a week-long journalism academy at the University of Georgia.
The Georgia Journalism Academy is open to rising 10th – 12th graders and is operated by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, one of the premier journalism schools in the nation (and I’m not saying that just because it’s where I earned my degree).
Students can choose to focus in any of six interest areas, including news writing, feature writing, photojournalism or broadcasting. Classes are taught by Grady College faculty and local media professionals.
The academy is limited to 75 students. If you register by April 29, you can save $50 off the $600 tuition, which includes housing on the UGA campus and most meals.
Aviation camp at Fernbank teaches kids the science of flight
The Fernbank Science Center in Decatur invites rising 4th – 6th graders to learn about the math, science and technology of flight in its Aviation Camp.
The week-long day camp will include lots of hands-on activities. Two sessions are available: June 13-17 and June 20-24.
Each week costs $260. Fernbank must receive registration and payment by May 2, 2011.
Debate camp at UGA for high-school students
The Georgia Debate Union is hosting a two-week, residential debate camp at the University of Georgia this summer. The Georgia Debate Institute is open to new and experienced debaters who are entering 9th – 12th grades. The online information promises a faculty-to-student ratio of 5-to-1 or better.
The camp will be held June 5-18, 2011. Tuition of $1,600 includes housing in a UGA dormitory and all meals.
Gifted Atlanta 