Your Extraordinary Saturday (YES)

For 1st – 4th Grade Students

A New Adventure Every Weekend

Apply Now for Spring Session!

MITY's program for elementary students enables inquisitive, high achieving 1st - 4th grade students to continue learning outside of the traditional classroom.  Courses are intentionally designed to inspire inquiry, activate imaginations, and engage eager learners in hands on discovery that is not possible within a regular classroom setting.  While students are in class, parents are invited to listen to professional speakers on topics related to raising bright children, socialize with other parents, or visit a local coffee shop.

At A Glance

2023 - 2024

Program Dates:

  • Fall Session: November 4, 11 and 18, 2023
  • Winter Session: January 20, 27 and February 3, 2024
  • Spring Session: April 13, 20 and 27, 2024

 

Program Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

 

Program Locations: 

  • Fall Session: Friends School of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  • Winter Session: Visitation School, Mendota Heights, MN
  • Spring Session: Breck School, Golden Valley, MN
YES Snapology 2023 (1)
YES Fall 2023 Electricity Students (1)

Application Information

Ages: Students currently in grades 1 – 4

 

Cost: $170 per session; Sibling - $140; Financial Aid Available

 

Application Timeline:

  • September 1: Applications available for Fall Session
  • November 17: Applications available for Winter Session
  • February 1: Applications available for Spring Session
  • NOTE: MITY accepts applications on a rolling basis

Highlights

  • Students take 2 unique classes every weekend
  • Features content not covered in the regular school day
  • Experienced and engaging teachers
  • 8:1 student-teacher ratio to ensure all students get the attention they need
  • Creative individual and group projects in every class
  • Mid-morning snack and game break to socialize with new friends

 

100% of parents said they would recommend MITY to other families.

Piper excited YES 2023
fall 2023 parent w student

Partnering with Families

  • On the first two Saturdays of each session, MITY offers free seminars from esteemed speakers about topics related to parenting a bright and motivated child.
  • Families are invited to visit classrooms during the final 15 minutes of each class period on the third Saturday.
  • Specific course information will be given by the teacher during the session. Parents are encouraged to discuss class content and activities with their child.

 

"Excellent speakers; I feel better equipped and empowered to advocate for my child."       - 2023 Parent

2023 - 2024 Parent Speakers

Spring Session

April 13:  Defining Success Your Own Way, Tina Van Erp, M.Ed.

Success is simultaneously what we strive for and what is asked of us. The intersection of those two definitions often leaves us pursuing and struggling. Gifted learners experience this exponentially because they are needing to both demonstrate mastery of knowledge and navigate the most intense time of their development. During our time together we will debunk surprisingly normed myths about success, provide an alternative, and teach a small starting point that will decrease intensity and frustration the more often it is used.

Bio: As The River ® Coach, Tina Van Erp, M.Ed is a Gifted Learner Coach, Learning Specialist and Teacher Trainer with 25 years of experience working with gifted learners and their families. She empowers gifted learners through knowledge of themselves as a learner, a positive relationship with learning, and developing a personal style of self-advocacy. Tina is also currently a member of the Minnesota Council of Gifted and Talented (MCGT) Board and editor of the MCGT Outlook newsletter.

April 20:  The Parenting Journey, Dr. Teresa Argo Boatman, Ph.D.

The joy and reality of parenting gifted children is a journey that is both rewarding and exhausting (at times). Expand your knowledge of some of the social and emotional learning experiences which happen for gifted children, strategies to help, and how to continue to support yourself and your family during your parenting journey.

Bio: Dr. Teresa Argo Boatman, Ph.D., is a Licensed Psychologist in Plymouth, MN. She specializes in assessments, educational choices, and emotional health for gifted and talented children and their families. Dr. Boatman is the past president of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented.


 

Recent Presentations:

  • "Easy Ways to Cultivate Critical and Creative Thinking at Home" - Molly Hammel
  • "The Origin of Worries in Gifted Children" - Dr. Lori Migdal
  • "Building Relationships And Self-Efficacy Skills To Support Academic Success" - Dr. Melissa Malen
  • "ADHD: Symptoms, Superpowers, Self-Image, and Support" - Dr. Liz Adams
  • "The Road To Positive Advocacy For Your Gifted Child" - Carol Malueg
  • "Guiding Principles For Raising Gifted Kids" - Dr. Danika Maddocks
  • "If Gifted Kids Are So Smart, Why Can't They Just..." - Anne Tyler
  • "A Mind Body Approach To Promoting Wellness For Gifted Kids" - Dr. Andrea Johnson
  • "Perfectionism, Passions, Problems, And Possibilities" - Pam McDonald
  • "Executive Functioning in Gifted Children" - Jennifer Siebenaler
  • "Navigating a Gifted Child's Educational Journey: Strategies to Support Parent-Teacher Collaboration" - Dr. Carol Hokanson

"The best program for young kids to explore technologies and science and learn collaboratively."

- MITY Parent

What do people say about MITY’s program for elementary students?

Parents:

"All smiles and excitement about these Saturdays. We loved our experience!"

"MITY delivers interesting, challenging and growth mindset-based education."

"Love MITY!"

"Your teachers are phenomenal!"

Students:

"I wish regular school was this cool!"

"I leave each week excited to come back. It’s awesome!"

"I love my teachers and always have fun."

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