Summer Stretch - FAQ
Who will be teaching my child?
Our teachers come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from current or retired schoolteachers, to
university professors and advanced graduate students. All of our teachers have experience with this
age group, and all are committed to gifted education.
Why is Summer Stretch only three days a week?
Most Summer Stretch classes included fairly extensive homework assignments, and having some free days
allows students more time to schedule their homework. In addition, while these courses are intense
and require a lot of hard work, we also recognize that it is summer, and students need some time to
relax and participate in other activities.
Will my child be fully supervised while on the UW campus?
Summer Stretch students are fully supervised while in class and on field trips. Students are expected
to be mature enough to handle some level of freedom before and after class, and during their lunch
break. Parents should talk to their students to set rules about whether the student is allowed to
leave campus.
I work full time. How can I arrange to pick up my child at 2:30?
Many of our summer students form carpools with other students. In addition, there is excellent bus
service to campus from most areas, and many of our Summer Stretch students enjoy the freedom of
taking the bus to and from class. Students may stay at the Robinson Center after class, but must be
out before 4:30pm when the center closes.
How much homework will my child have?
Most of the Summer Stretch classes give substantial homework, but the amount varies from class to class.
It may be more than your child is used to having. Make sure your child is not overbooked with
activities, so that he/she will have time for homework and time to get enough sleep.
What if there are conflicts between Summer Stretch and a family vacation or another activity?
Absences can be very disruptive to your child's Summer Stretch experience. Please let the Robinson
Center know as soon as possible about any scheduled absences. These will be discussed with the teacher
on a case-by-case basis. If there are too many conflicts, we will recommend that your child not
participate in Summer Stretch.
Can my child receive school credit for Summer Stretch?
Some high schools award credit for these courses; yours may or may not. If you desire credit and/or
appropriate placement, you must check with your school prior to applying to this program.
What if my child has a medical condition or severe allergies?
We will do our best to accommodate your child's needs. Parents will complete a detailed medical form
so that teachers and Robinson Center staff will be aware of any relevant medical issues. You can also
contact the teacher directly if you have further concerns.
If my child is in the Washington Search for Young Scholars, do they qualify for Summer Challenge?
If your WSYS child is in 7th - 10th grade, they are likely to qualify for Summer Stretch, but they
are not guaranteed. Please see the exact
requirements
to know if your child qualifies.
What is the deadline for receiving qualifying ACT/SAT scores for Summer Stretch?
There is no deadline for scores for Summer Stretch. However, you would need a complete application,
including test scores, to register. Students can wait to apply, but classes sometimes fill quickly
and there is a strong chance that they won't get into the class they want by the time the scores
can be reported.
If my child attended Summer Stretch last year, does he/she need to take the ACT/SAT again this year
to qualify?
If your child qualified last year and would like to take the same discipline, they do not need to
retake the ACT/SAT. If they would like to take a different discipline this year, but did not have the
qualifying scores, they will need to take the ACT or SAT to qualify.