In addition to their course work, our students enjoy a rich experience outside the classroom. They live on campus under the supervision of resident assistants (RAs) and participate in a variety of activities held each afternoon and on the weekends. More importantly, they get to know other students like them—students whose interests are diverse and who share their exceptional academic abilities and love of learning. Lasting friendships develop as students learn from each other both in and out of the classroom. Throughout the residential program, we focus on helping students have a good time in a safe, supervised environment. CTY students come from many different backgrounds and have a wide variety of opinions and beliefs. At CTY, we believe that engaging such diversity is part of the educational experience that the program provides, and we encourage students to embrace the opportunity to learn from others who are different from themselves. Although helping students have a positive social experience is important to us, prospective students should know that their primary goal while enrolled in the program is to succeed in their academic endeavors. Students unable to make academics their first priority should not attend our program. While students are ultimately responsible for their own conduct, administrative, instructional, and residential staff all work together to provide clear guidelines and careful supervision. Outside class, students are supervised by RAs, who are typically college students selected on the basis of academic record, related work or volunteer experience, recommendations, and performance in an interview. RAs live with students in the residence halls, providing support and encouragement, enforcing rules, and planning and conducting the recreational program. The RAs, as well as instructors, teaching assistants, and administrators, are prepared to help students adjust to the academic demands of CTY and to the experience of being away from home.
All students live on single-sex floors with their resident assistants (RAs). Each RA group has approximately 15 students. Most students are assigned to single or double rooms; however, we cannot guarantee a particular housing arrangement to any student. Students on the same floor share bathrooms. Residence halls are air conditioned. During supervised recreational time, students may socialize in lounges and common spaces; however, at no time are students permitted to enter opposite-sex floors. Students also have limited access to other campus facilities, including libraries, computer labs, and athletic facilities. When students are not in class, they attend activities planned and supervised by the resisdent assistants. The RAs' goal is to offer a variety of activities so that all students can find something they enjoy doing each day. Activities range from the standard fare of board games, athletics, and arts and crafts to the more esoteric (e.g., Banana Penguin). Athletic facilities include tennis courts, a swimming pool, and outdoor fields. Students will have very limited access, if any, to the gymnasium. Athletic facilities at the sites are shared with other programs and are supervised by our staff only during scheduled activity periods. For these reasons, individual training programs cannot be accommodated. Students also are not permitted to use campus weight rooms or aerobic equipment. CTY-Princeton has very limited computer access for students. We ensure that students have computer access when necessary for academic purposes, and our instructors expect hand-written work. In order to maximize community engagement and to minimize distractions, CTY limits the use of computers, cell phones, mp3 players, and other technologies. Students do not have access to the Internet or email while enrolled in the program. Classes do not meet on weekends, with the exception of Sunday evenings. Instead, all students participate in a full schedule of on-campus recreational and social activities, which are supervised by the RAs and administrative staff. In addition to sports and games, weekend activities include special events such as carnivals, dances, movies, a talent show, and supervised trips into town. Some students choose to attend religious services. Students also have down time in the mornings to catch up on laundry or just relax and talk with friends. Weekends conclude with a mandatory two-hour class session on Sunday evenings. The daily schedule at the site is quite full. Students are required to attend all classes and activities, and there is little unstructured time. Students attend class from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, with short breaks in the morning and afternoon and a longer break for lunch. Between the end of class and lights-out, students attend recreational activities, have dinner, return to class for a two-hour evening session, and enjoy some social time. Each day concludes with a hall meeting. Lights-out is at 11:00 pm. | | | 7:00 - 9:00 | Morning preparations/breakfast | | 9:00 - 12:00 | Class | | 12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch | | 1:00 - 3:00 | Class | | 3:00 - 5:30 | Activity I; Activity II | | 5:30 - 7:00 | Dinner | | 7:00 - 9:00 | Evening class session | | 9:00 - 10:15 | Social time and hall meeting | | 11:00 | Lights-out |
During the summer session, we discourage families and friends from visiting students and taking them off campus. Weekend time allows students to establish friendships and become fully involved in residential life. In fact, homesickness is often intensified by visits from parents. Parents, however, are permitted to pick up their children for off-site visits, which we will help coordinate. On July 4 students attend their classes and activities as usual. We expect our students to meet the highest standards of behavior, both in personal deportment and in dedication to academic pursuits. To this end, students must adhere to the Center for Talented Youth Honor Code, which requires them to uphold personal and academic integrity, respect the ideas and property of others, and ensure that those around them do the same. In addition, students are expected to - strive to do the best academic work possible
- respect individuals of different races, cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and national origins
- behave in a friendly, cooperative, safe, and responsible manner toward all persons in the CTY community and in the larger college and local communities
- attend all class sessions, meals, activities, and meetings
- take responsibility for their own work and actions
- cooperate with adult supervision
- observe all rules for student conduct.
We cannot accommodate students who are unwilling or unable to live up to these expectations. At CTY-Princeton, students learn about our standards for behavior, including site rules and community standards, on the first day. These include a commitment to academic integrity, respect for all members of the community, regard for basic rules of physical safety, and cooperation with adult supervision. Students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons: - not attending to their academic work in a satisfactory manner
- cheating, plagiarizing, or committing other acts of academic dishonesty
- being in restricted areas of campus, or leaving campus, unaccompanied by a staff member
- being on an opposite-sex floor
- leaving their halls after lights out
- stealing or vandalizing property
- keeping prescription or over-the-counter medication in their possession (see Medical Information for limited exceptions)
- possessing or using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
- engaging in bullying, hazing, or harassing behavior
- not cooperating with adult supervision
- undermining the safety or wellbeing of self or others (including threats).
No tuition refunds will be made to students dismissed from the program. If a student damages property, the cost of repair or replacement is added to the student account balance. - weapons of any kind (including pocket knives and martial arts devices)
- any flame-producing device (including matches, lighters, and firecrackers)
- high energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Amp
- role-playing game books or other items associated with role-playing games
- trading cards
- pets of any kind
- televisions, computer/video games, or DVDs
- bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, skates, scooters, or shoes with wheels
- water guns
- halogen lamps, refrigerators, or cooking devices
- staff lanyards from current or previous summers.
In addition to the above list, we reserve the right to confiscate for the length of the program any items that, in our judgment, demonstrate the potential for distracting students from the goals of the program, pose undue risk to property or to the safety and well-being of people. Top |
