Initiative: The Hillsborough Scholars Summer Academy 2010 (HSSA) was a week-long, fee-based, academic camp designed for highly talented rising grade 8 students who were invited to take the American College Test (ACT) or the SAT as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program. The camp was held at the University of Tampa and students chose to attend from one of two sessions, June 14-18 or June 21-25, 2010. 278 students attended the camp and selected from the following courses: Discover the Code, Follow the Clues, Phun with Physics, Analyze This, Photo Finish, and Cool Chemistry of Life.

Goals:

• Students are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in a week-long program as they’ve never experienced, while making new friends with students who share their interests.
• This unique program included hands-on experience with experts in a variety of subjects not typically offered through the regular middle school curriculum.
• The classes challenged the students with opportunities to learn more about their academic strengths and engaged them through the activities and events.

Targeted Population: In January 2010, approximately 1,500 students took the ACT or SAT. Students for the camp were identified by their FCAT Norm-Referenced test scores.

Timeline: HSSA was implemented the summer of 2006. HSSA has served over 975 students in the past five years and plans are in place to continue its implementation.

Continued on attachment.

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum