Initiative: The Hillsborough Scholars Summer Academy camp was designed to provide rising 8th grade students the opportunity to meet high school counselors and university personnel for guidance and college preparation while spending a week on the University of Tampa Campus.

Goals: The goal of this initiative was to provide experiences for students to participate in a variety of subjects and activities not typically offered through the regular middle school curriculum. Issues addressed during the camp include: courses students should take in high school, how to research and apply to colleges, and what skills are necessary to be successful. Students selected two of the courses that are listed on the attachment.

Targeted Population: This week-long academic camp was designed for highly talented rising 8th grade students from all middle schools who qualified to take the SAT or ACT as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) (scoring 95% or higher) or the Hillsborough Talent Identification Program (scoring 85%- 94%). During the 2006/2007 school year, 1,250 students took the SAT test and 70 students took the ACT test. The academy registered 201 students for the program.

Timeline: The program started in 2006 with the second camp offered during the Summer 2007. This initiative will continue to be planned to repeat each summer.

Staff Development: Highly qualified Hillsborough County instructors worked in collaboration with University of Tampa professors to develop the program outline and courses offered to the students.

Transferability: The skills students learned during the summer camp courses are transferable in Grades 8-12, as well as, postsecondary education.

Involvement: Parents supported the after school program where students received SAT prep from The Princeton Review Online tutorial program. Wachovia Bank personnel displayed their support with their attendance to the Camp Showcase.