Ugur Gurol, a student from Wellesley, was honored last month as one of the brightest middle school students in the world at an international awards ceremony sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
The Center honored Ugur, a student at Wellesley Middle School, for his exceptional performance as a middle school student on the college SAT test as part of the 2014-2015 CTY Talent Search. CTY uses above-grade-level tests, such as the college SAT for middle school students, because they provide a clear picture of advanced students’ true academic abilities.
CTY’s Talent Search identifies and recognizes the academic capabilities of advanced students around the world. This year, more than 30,648 students in grades 2-8 participated in the Talent Search, representing all 50 states and more than 60 countries.
Of this group, 1,175 students scored high enough on their above-grade-level tests to be invited to the ceremony on the Johns Hopkins University campus. At least 148 of these students achieved a perfect score on the reading or math section of the test taken. In addition, 507 Talent Search participants under the age of 13 achieved a score of 700 or higher on the SAT, and in turn, qualified for CTY’s Study of Exceptional Talent (SET).
Students honored at the 2015 Grand Ceremony qualified for CTY’s residential summer programs, online classes, and family programs. At CTY, academically advanced students meet others like them from around the world and form a community of engaged learners.
Each year, there are more than 9,800 enrollments by bright pre-college students in CTY Summer Programs, which are held at 25 sites in the United States and Hong Kong on campuses ranging from Johns Hopkins and Princeton to Stanford and Berkeley. In addition, there are more than 14,500 enrollments in CTYOnline courses and more than 4,800 enrollments in Family Academic Programs annually.
“We are delighted to take a moment today to recognize these academically advanced students for their achievements and to honor the parents and teachers who have helped foster their love of learning,” said Elaine Tuttle Hansen, executive director of CTY. “These are the builders and leaders of tomorrow, and as educators and citizens we need to do all we can to encourage their potential to think, create, collaborate, and persist.”
(Press Release Courtesy of Johns Hopkins University)