College for Kids

College for Kids provides enrichment for children of exceptional intellectual ability.

Applications Closed

College for Kids is currently closed and not accepting applications.

The program does not attempt to accelerate skill development in curriculum areas. Rather, the instructional focus is on extending children's existing fund of knowledge through first-hand and creative experiences. College for Kids courses are designed to provide children with an earlier, more in-depth, and more multi-faceted perspective than is usually available in traditional educational settings. In addition to learning in an atmosphere that is challenging and fun, perhaps the greatest benefit for children is the opportunity to enjoy the company of intellectual peers. 

Courses for Children 

The courses allow children with exceptional intellectual ability to extend their existing fund of knowledge through first-hand experimentation and creative experiences. The courses provide children with an earlier, more in-depth, and more multi-faceted perspective than is usually available in traditional educational settings. The courses are challenging, but developmentally appropriate for each two-year age range. Above all, courses are FUN! Perhaps the greatest benefit for children is the opportunity to enjoy the company of intellectual peers. Courses are designed and taught by practicing professionals, and public or private teachers. Courses are different for each summer.

Previous Courses

How to Apply

The application form and the guidelines for completing the form are available on the application guidelines page.

Cost

The tuition for one child is $289 the first year and $259 for each year following. There is a sibling discount. For a sibling attending the first year the tuition is $226 and $196 for each year following.

If a child's parent or guardian is a current Towson University student, faculty, or staff member, a 10% affiliate discount is available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Email questions to .

Yes. It is almost always the last full week of July, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

All classes are held on the Towson University campus in or near Hawkins Hall. The address for Towson University is: 8000 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21252.

Classes begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m.

No. Each course begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m.

We group children in two grade-level groupings so they are with their social peers. We realize that the children are already ahead of their age peers academically, so we create the courses to be challenging and engaging. Our instructors individualize when necessary.

Applications should be completed online as soon as possible. There is a $25 late fee for applications submitted after May 31st. However, many times classes close earlier than May 31st due to maximum enrollment being reached.

The number of children per course varies, depending on the topic and the age group. Typically there are no more than twelve children in courses for primary grade children (4 year olds through grade 3); and usually no more than 15 to 18 children in courses for intermediate grade children (grades 4 through 5). There is typically an instructor and one or more instructional assistants for each course.

No. The courses each summer for each age group are different.

New applicants must submit a Parent Recommendation Statement and a Teacher Recommendation Statement. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for specific information that is requested.

No, past participants do not need to resubmit the Parent Statement or the Teacher Statement. Once children are admitted into the College for Kids program, they are usually accepted if there are available spaces.

We do not require that children come to the program with the label of "gifted." However, we have designed fun, but sophisticated courses for children who love to learn and who would usually be characterized as "precocious", early learners, and intellectually advanced beyond their age peers. We want to be sure that the children who are accepted for the program are a good match for the kind of instruction we have planned. The courses are on topics for which all children tend to be interested. Our courses are designed to give children a broader exposure to the topic, or a deeper exposure to the topic, or an earlier exposure to the topic than is usually available in a traditional learning environment. Children benefit socially and emotionally from being with peers of similar ability.  Instructors know these children want to learn "everything" about a topic. But, they are also respectful of the developmental stages of the children and their need for "play" and experimentation as they work.

Unfortunately, there are no scholarships or financial aid. This is a small self-supporting program.  Sometimes children have had sponsors and get donations from the school's PTA or a community civic organization.

No, your child needs to enroll in the course that is offered for his or her chronological age. We realize that our children are already advanced beyond their age peers, so we create the courses to be challenging and engaging. Our instructors individualize within this age group as necessary.