Qualified to Enroll in Both ATYP Math and English

Things to Think About

The Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP) is both academically challenging and labor intensive. Most new students find the learning curve steep, as they face both intellectual requirements and time commitments that they have not previously experienced. While you may choose to take both subjects the first year, you may also choose to take one of the two classes the first year and add the second class the next year without retesting. Parents with students who have qualified for both English and math and are considering taking both classes should ask themselves the following questions:

• Is your student motivated? If your child is truly excited about tackling ATYP and is eager to take both courses, that’s great. If they are leery of the amount and difficulty of the work, it may be better for them to begin the experience more gradually.
• How does your student do their homework? Some students do their homework relatively quickly and are conscientious about doing their work in a timely fashion. Other students procrastinate or forget to turn in their work. If your student is working through organizational challenges or takes a while to complete their work, it may be better to wait on the second class until they have improved these skills.
• What does your student’s schedule look like? If your student participates in several sports, band, or other extracurricular activities, take a moment and think about where all this extra homework will fit in their schedule. Taking one of these classes will require a student to prioritize their time and activities, but two classes may be difficult if you are heavily committed elsewhere.
• Is your student about to begin Algebra? If your student is eligible for both classes but is about to begin Algebra I in their regular school, think about starting ATYP math first. It is more difficult to join the ATYP math classes in the middle of the course sequence than it is to start English later.
• What is your student’s maturity level? ATYP requires independent study, the ability to reason, and a willingness to ask for help if you need it. While ATYP helps to hone these skills, the maturity to do some of these things on your own is key, and even more key when you are juggling the two different classes. Ask yourself if these are things your student can do.
• Is your student much more interested in one subject than the other? If your student is much more excited about math than English (or vice versa), let their interests guide you in your final decision. Many students who are talented in a particular subject do not actually enjoy that subject; it can be difficult to commit the time for a class they don’t like.