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Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP)

ATYP, the Academically Talented Youth Program, is designed for academically talented middle and high school students.  Gifted students need to be challenged in a way that meets their needs at all ages – not just when they reach high school.  As a result, the ATYP model begins identification of appropriate students during their 6th grade year.  Most students begin the program during their 7th – 8th grade years and continue through 9th or 10th grade. 

Recognizing that gifted students need to be challenged in a multitude of ways, the ATYP model focuses on the student who is highly gifted in either math or language arts.  These students are thirsty for more advanced topics in their area at a much faster pace than the traditional system can accommodate.  Thus, ATYP provides a way for these students to receive high school curriculum at a depth and pace that meets their unique talents.  ATYP allows school districts to give their most advanced students in these subject areas, typically only a handful per school district, the curriculum they need, when they are ready for it and at the level and pace they crave.

The Language Arts program at ATYP consists of two basic courses covering 4 years of high school language arts topics: English 9/10 & English 11/12 .  This is then followed up in the third year of the program with AP Language and Literature, which culminates in the students completing the Advanced Placement Language and Literature exam.  The AP exams usually allow the student to receive college credit for each exam that is passed.

The Mathematics program at ATYP covers the traditional high school algebra topics in the first year, followed by Geometry and Precalculus topics in the second year.  The third year also culminates in taking AP Calculus at the BC level.  The AP Calculus exam BC usually allows the student to receive college credit for both Calculus I and Calculus II. 

In the fall of each year, middle school counselors are asked to identify students in their schools that might qualify for more challenging learning opportunities.  Typically, any student that scores at the 97th percentile level on a grade level national assessment is invited to learn about the Midwest Academic Talent Search.  This is a national model that identifies students needing additional challenge by giving them above grade level testing.  These students are invited to participate in the Talent Search by taking the SAT.  Informational meetings regarding the test and talent search model are usually offered every fall.

To qualify, students need to score a minimum of 520 on the verbal or quantitative portions of the SAT respectively (a 560 score on the quantitative portion is needed if students have completed Algebra I in middle school). Most students come to ATYP through the Midwest Academic Talent Search which is part of the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University, or by taking the SAT/ACT directly. Typically students sit for the SAT the last Saturday in January, and those who qualify are invited to attend an informational session at WMU in May. For more information, please contact the ATYP program at the Lee Honors College by calling (269) 387-3230 or by email at ATYP-info@wmich.edu.