WCATY

The Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth or WCATY (pronounced WI-kuh-tee) is a non-profit organization based out of Madison, Wisconsin. Created by Dr. Ellie Schatz in 1991, it hosted its first summer program in 1992. A variety of programs are offered, either residentially during the summer (the best known of which is the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) for high school aged students), or year round with internet based courses. WCATY is accredited through NCA-CASI. WCATY is the Wisconsin affiliate for MATS. Through MATS, students take out of level tests to qualify for programs or courses.

ALP
The Accelerated Learning Program was originally held on the campus of UW - Eau Claire, followed by the campus of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and most recently St. Norbert college in De Pere, WI. ALP serves students of high school age, offering courses from freshman high school classes to AP or college level coursework. Courses taken during these three weeks are eligible for their equivalent high school credits. Students can take AP exams the following May for college credit eligibility.

STEP
The Summer Transitional Education Program (STEP) is for student in the middle school years. Lasting only two weeks, it allows students an educational enrichment experience, usually free from busy work, and with a group of gifted peers. STEP was designed by program director Jan Burt under the directive of the WCATY Board to transition students more smoothly between YSSP and ALP, and has been held at Edgewood College in Madison Wisconsin, and Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.

YSSP
The Young Students Summer Program (YSSP) is for students in grades four through six, and lasts just one week. This program has been held at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Year Round Programs
Throughout the year various enrichment programs and courses are coordinated by WCATY.

Girls in Science
Girls in Science is open to females entering middle school (grades 6-8) and is hosted at UW-La Crosse.

Young Scholar Program
The Young Scholar Program pairs talent identified 7th and 8th graders with mentors in a field of the students interest. This program is grounded in Dr. Schatz' work on pairing gifted students with mentors. Generally held in September, the Young Scholar Fair serves as a project showcase for what students have accomplished while working with their mentors. This program is offered in collaboration with donors annually.

Harlan O. Roberson Poetry Award
This poetry contest is administered by WCATY each March and has a cash prize. Submissions are accepted from high school age students.

Online Coops
Online District Coops allow students from a district or small region to participate in a blend of online coursework and face to face meetings. The courses are written and staffed by WCATY instructors. Courses take one academic quarter to complete, and districts agree to allow students to use the curriculum as a replacement of one of their regular courses.

University Connections
Unlike other academic talent development organizations, WCATY is not administered by any college or University. Summer programs utilize a variety of campuses around Wisconsin. Summer Programs have periodically been used as a resource for research on talented youth as in dissertations or publications.

External Link
The official WCATY website