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Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP)

Information Meetings

• Schedule - Kalamazoo & Battle Creek area meetings
• Can't make a meeting? Download the handouts below:
  • Parent Brochure
  • Powerpoint Presentation
  • SAT Preview Brochure
  • SAT Preview Registration Form
  • SAT/FAQ
  • CTD/NUMATS website
•  E-mail ATYP for more information

About ATYP

What is ATYP?
The Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP) at Western Michigan University’s Lee Honors College is designed for academically talented middle and high school students.
ATYP:

• focuses on students who are highly gifted in either math or language arts
• begins to identify appropriate students during their 6th grade year
• enrolls students in their 7th or 8th grade  year
• provides middle school students with high school curriculum at a rate and depth that meets their unique talents
• allows school districts to give their most advanced students the curriculum they need, when they are ready for it, with the acceleration and intensity they require

The Language Arts program at ATYP consists of the following courses:

• English 9/10
• English 11/12
• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition

The first two courses cover four years of high school language arts topics. The AP course culminates in students completing the Advanced Placement Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition exams. Each AP exam passed with a high enough score usually allows the student to receive college credit.

The Mathematics program at ATYP covers the following topics:

• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• Geometry
• Precalculus

Typically, the algebra courses are completed the first year, while the other two topics are finished in the second. An AP Computer Science course is also available.

Qualifying for ATYP
In the fall of each year, middle school counselors are asked to identify students in their schools who might qualify for more challenging learning opportunities. Typically, any student who scores at the 90th percentile level on a grade-level national assessment is invited to learn about Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS). This is a national model that identifies students needing additional challenge by providing them with above-grade-level testing.
High-potential students are invited to participate in the Talent Search by taking the SAT or ACT.

ATYP TIMETABLES and DEADLINES
December 10: Deadline to register for NUMATS online
January, February, or March: SAT or ACT Test
February or April: Students receive test results from test company
Late April: Students receive information on a follow-up meeting from ATYP
September: ATYP classes begin

Informational meetings regarding ATYP, the qualifying tests, and the talent search model are held each fall. Talent Search participants who receive a qualifying score on the SAT or ACT are then invited to attend a more detailed session at WMU in May. For more information, please contact the ATYP staff at the Lee Honors College at (269) 387-3230 or ATYP-info@wmich.edu .