Senior DECATS

​Mission Statement: 

• To identify and challenge young scholars at a critical period in their lives.
• To encourage and motivate scholars to accept the social responsibility that accompanies intellectual giftedness.
• To make direct impact on the learning environments of participants and positively influence the lives of other students with whom participants interface and to be a valuable partner of the elementary schools participating in the identification and motivation of the nominee.

Manuel and Edith DeBusk established the DeBusk Foundation on March 5, 1979, and it was designed to identify and provide special support for talented children at an early age, before other sources of support would be available to them.

DeBusk Foundation, continuing the work of Manuel and Edith DeBusk, makes grants annually to educational organizations for the operation of our signature DECATS summer programs for gifted elementary and middle school students.

The Foundation supports specific educational programs that have been developed by the DeBusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Scholars. These “DECATS” programs offer unique opportunities for high-ability students to participate in a three-week summer adventure of challenging and enriching coursework that has been developed by experts in gifted education. Currently, DeBusk Foundation supports DECATS programs on 8 school campuses throughout the state of Texas.

The DeBusk Foundation

Participation in the DECATS program is based on nomination by a student’s school and on the following requirements: 

• Enrollment is limited to students who have completed the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades prior to June 1. 
• Former attendance in either Junior DECATS(now known as CLEAR) or Senior DECATS with a confirmation of acceptable behavior and attitude by student's school.
• Ranking of 95th percentile in two or more curricular areas on the ITBS. 
• Outstanding achievement or giftedness in music, art or drama, even though ITBS scores may not fall in the 95th percentile. For this candidate, a nominating teacher must submit a letter of support. This type of nominee is considered for acceptance only if there is space available. 
• Siblings of a Senior DECATS alumnus/a – are eligible for priority considerations. This relationship must be noted on the application.

Nominees must apply to be considered for the program. Final selection is dependent upon application information, student behavior report and program availability. Application does not ensure acceptance.

Application Timeline - Senior DECATS 2025

• Nominations due from schools: Monday, January 13, 2025
• Invitations/applications e-mailed to nominees: Monday, January 27, 2025
• Applications and all requests for tuition assistance due: Saturday, February 22, 2025
• The parent/student orientation for new DECATS students will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

2025 Senior DECATS Timeline

Friday, December 6 - Nomination packets sent to schools.

Monday, January 13 - School nominations are due.

Monday, January 27 - Applications sent to families.

Saturday, February 22 - Applications are due from new students. All requests for tuition assistance are due.

Monday, March 10 - Acceptance emails are sent to new families. Deposits are due upon acceptance.

Saturday, March 29 - Course selections begin for pre-registered returning scholars.

Saturday, April 5 - All new and remaining students select courses.

Thursday, May 1 - All balances due.

Saturday, May 31 - Parent Orientation/Teacher Work Day/In-service

Monday, June 2 - First day of Senior DECATS.

Wednesday, June 18 - Last day of Senior DECATS.

Thursday, June 19 - No Senior DECATS in observance of Juneteenth.

• Students are challenged cognitively with relevant tasks that promote critical thinking and synthesis.
• Students are challenged to use their talents to develop leadership and social skills resulting in contributions to the outside community.
• Students study several courses intensely during the session. These courses address the needs of an academically talented student to have a qualitatively different educational experience.
• Hands-on, cooperative, student-directed learning and extensive use of outside resources are key components in making the experience meaningful. Students must be self-starters and ready to explore various academic domains. 
• All seventh and eighth grade students may take a one-week community service course. This 15-hour course is credited toward the community service requirement for many high schools and is recommended for all eighth grade DECATS participants.

2024 List of Majors & Minors

Every Senior DECATS scholar chooses:

• One major
• Three minors

Majors

• Students select one area of specialization (known as a “major”) for the entire three weeks. It is important that students are interested in the chosen major, as three hours each day will be focused on the subject.
• All majors are offered in the morning, and the minors are offered in the afternoon. Depending on interest, some majors may be morning and afternoon.
• Our majors include culinary arts, drama, film making\rock opera, information technology, math-STEM, mock trial, psychology, science, and visual arts. 

MINORS

• Each week scholars will participate in a different minor.
• Scholars will explore a broad subject matter through a variety of fast-paced, hands-on activities that will vary from day to day.
• Minors scholars will remain in the same location and will be offered a variety of classes within a particular discipline.

Bus service is provided by Bishop Lynch High School. Bus stops are determined by geographic demand. Past bus pick up locations have been at St. Rita, St. Mark, and Prince of Peace. The transportation cost this year will be $150 due by May 1, 2025. Registration for bus service will be through Bishop Lynch during the class selection process. 

June 2 – June 18, 2025 (Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.) 
Saturday, May 31 is Teacher In-service and Parent Orientation.
Wednesday, June 18 is the last day of classes.
Performances and open houses are scheduled for the last week of the program.

DAILY SCHEDULE

8 a.m.-9 a.m. - Staff and scholars arrive. Any scholars dropped off prior to 8 a.m. are not supervised and the doors to the building are locked.

9 a.m.-12 p.m. - Community meeting in the McGonigle Theatre. The theme of the day will be introduced and students engage in community building activities.

9:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m. - Majors and morning minors
Scholars attend their major every day.

9:25 a.m.-9:50 a.m. - Perspectives (guidance) activities within the major.

10:30 a.m.-10:40 a.m. - Break. Scholars can buy snacks and drinks. All funds go toward a charitable cause.

10:40 a.m.-12:25 p.m. - Scholars in majors will work on their projects, presentations, and/or performances.

12:25 p.m.-12:55 p.m. - Lunch

12:55 p.m.-3:35 p.m. - Minors and afternoon majors
Scholars will explore a broad subject matter through a variety of fast-paced, hand-on activities that will vary from day to day.

3:35 p.m.-3:55 p.m. - Community meeting in McGonigle Theatre.

4 p.m.-5 p.m. -  Scholars depart. Staff leaves campus and doors are locked at 5 p.m. There is no supervision for scholars remaining on campus at 5 p.m.

• $650 total tuition (includes $150 deposit) 
  • $150 deposit due when accepted
  • $500 tuition (due by May 1, 2025)
• Partial scholarship assistance available upon request from Ashly Jones: please submit request along with application.