Program for the Exceptionally Gifted: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:20, 21 July 2006

Revision as of 18:33, 6 August 2006

Line 1:

The '''Program for the Exceptionally Gifted''' ("PEG") at [[Mary Baldwin College]] is an [[early college entrance program]] designed for girls ages 12 to 16 who have not completed high school. The program was founded in 1985 with a class of 11 students and now enrolls approximately 30 new students per year. Participants ("PEGs") attend classes with traditional Mary Baldwin students and typically earn a [[bachelor's degree]] in four years, although many elect to transfer to another college or university to complete their degrees.

Mary Baldwin College is a private [[liberal arts college]] for women, located in [[Staunton, Virginia]]. It is known for hosting a number of special programs, including PEG and the [[Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership]]. Its residential program enrolls approximately 2000900 students. An additional 3001100 (male and female) participate in the Adult Degree Program.

Those familiar with Mary Pipher's "Reviving Ophelia" (and similar theories of adolescent development) will recognize the philosophy behind PEG's founding: at a certain age, many girls feel a tension between academic excellence and social acceptance, sometimes leading them to hide their intelligence or engage in self-destructive behavior. Of course, some gifted girls are just bored by standard middle and high school offerings. PEG strives to provide an environment in which gifted girls can reach their intellectual potential while forming close friendships in supportive surroundings.