Academic Talent Search (ATS) provides academically challenging, fast-paced courses to highly able and motivated sixth through ninth grade students in the greater Sacramento area.
Sponsored by California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), ATS has an established tradition of providing educational experiences that are both mentally stimulating and fun. ATS has been serving the needs of the Capital region's young scholars since 1982 and currently offers approximately 110 classes to 2000 students each summer. These students represent more than 300 public and private schools.
- ATS provides students with an opportunity to accelerate their learning in traditional subjects like mathematics and to experience new topics which are not always available in regular school.
- The ATS teaching staff includes University faculty, community college professors, area high school instructors, and industry professionals.
- Through ATS, students have the opportunity to experience a collegiate environment. Classes are held on the Sacramento State campus, and students are granted many of the same privileges that regular University students receive.
- ATS brings together intellectual peers from throughout the Sacramento Valley region, allowing them to make new friends and improve social skills.
- Current 6th through 9th grade students qualify for ATS.
- Students in these grades who are interested in taking classes should take the ATS Qualifying Exam.
- Over 100 classes are offered each summer.
- Classes are scheduled in one-, three-, and five-week sessions.
- Course fees range from $104 to $384 depending on the length of the course.
- Financial aid and scholarships are available. (Over $31,000 was awarded last year.)
- ATS is a commuter program, and students must make their own arrangements to get to and from campus and classes.
- Sacramento State is located near Highway 50 and Howe Avenue.
- Carpooling can also be an economical and convenient way of traveling to and from the Sac State campus.
- ATS qualifying exam test dates, summer session schedules, and other important events are included on the calendar of upcoming activities.
- Many ATS program materials, including the complete summer catalog, are available for download in pdf format.
- Answers to the most commonly asked questions about the qualifying exam, classes, and the ATS program in general.
- How to reach ATS by mail, phone, fax, email, or in person. A listing of office staff is also included.
- Brief historical background on the program.
Accelerated College Entrance (ACE) Center
- Companion program to ATS. Founded by ATS Executive Director Dr. Terry Thomas in 1985, ACE is designed for high school juniors and seniors. ACE allows qualified high school students to enroll in classes at Sac State and earn university credits while completing regular school studies.
- Previously offered over four Saturdays in the spring (no Saturday classes are being scheduled at this time).
- Courses ranged from 10 hours to 16 hours in total class time.
- Students in year round schools have often found Saturday classes a way to participate in the ATS experience.
- Alphabetical index of all pages on this website.
