Ignite (youth program)

Ignite is a program for gifted and talented young people in South Australia, created in 1998 and formerly known as SHIP (Students with High Intellectual Potential). It is administered by the South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS). The program has become prestigious since Adelaide hosted the World Conference for Gifted Education, where Ignite played a central role.

How the program works

At the beginning of the school year in South Australia (ie. January), DECS advertises for Year 6 or Year 7 applicants to take part in the program in the following year. The applicants are charged $30 and take a test made up of reading comprehension, written literacy, mathematics and Raven's components. Students are ranked on their performance and an aggregate is determined.

The best of the students who completed the test are notified later in the year and are then interviewed by employees of the department to ensure that they are socially and emotionally able to participate in the program. Applicants are then allocated according to residence to the three participating schools, either Aberfoyle Park High School, Glenunga International High School, or The Heights School.

The following year participants start at this school and complete a vastly accelerated and enriching Year 8 course that is immediately followed by Year 10 (ie. Year 9 is "skipped").

External links

* [http://www.igniteprogram.com/ Official Ignite Website]
* [http://www.theheights.sa.edu.au The Heights School]
* [http://www.gihs.sa.edu.au/ Glenunga International High School]
* [http://www.aphs.sa.edu.au Aberfoyle Park High School]