Leadership & College Readiness in Asheville, NC

Summer 2024

Application Deadlines

Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

Why Ingenuity Year? 

College readiness skills are crucial as they empower students with the tools to navigate the new challenges of higher education, fostering not only academic success but also personal growth and adaptability in an increasingly complex world. By engaging in targeted activities, workshops, and collaborative projects, participants gain a deeper understanding of the academic expectations and responsibilities awaiting them in college, fostering a sense of confidence and preparedness that is invaluable as they step into the next phase of their educational journey.

This immersive experience allows them to develop essential skills such as time management, critical thinking, and effective communication—cornerstones of success in the collegiate environment.

Dig Deeper into Our Programming

Program Components

Executive Function Coaching

Coaches exist to help YOU. It’s all about you. After an initial consultation, you’ll develop a plan for what you would like to work on over the course of the program. Your coach will introduce a variety of tactics and techniques to play with, and you’ll see what works best. Each approach is individual, as everyone has their own strengths.

Assistive Technologies

Everyone learns differently. Thankfully, technology in the 21st century can cater to almost any learning style. Students will be introduced to various assistive technologies, such as Don Johnston, Gleen, and Pomodoro, at the beginning of the program and will find what works best for them. Students will learn through seeing, hearing, experiencing, doing, and reflecting.

Independence and Self-Reflection

Many program components, such as on-campus living and coaching, are designed to develop skills leading toward independence and autonomy. Students will also engage in reflective practices throughout the program, such as meditation and mindfulness, to help better understand who they are as a learner and as a human.

Self-Designed Leadership Project

Teamwork and collaboration are grounds for students to fully self-design their executive functioning and college readiness skill sets. In three groups, students will work with local NGOs to self-design a leadership project with their paired community partner. Students will be given a prescribed budget, community partner, project goal, due dates, communication expectations, and implementation timeline. This project will allow students to develop and enhance both college readiness and executive functioning skills.

Campus Living & Exploration

This program emphasizes integrating all skill areas by providing opportunities for students to practice and apply them in various contexts. Students will live with a roommate in a college dorm, which helps to enhance their resilience, communication skills, and time management strategies. Through partnering with various college departments for panel discussions, predesigned activities, and research opportunities, students will gain knowledge and apply it in their own lives as they move towards post-secondary opportunities.

  • “I would highly recommend this program as it was started by the Forman School which specializes in teaching students with learning differences like EFD while coordinating with a 20-year experienced veteran director of gap programs. It's a hands-on and experiential style of educational learning that develops confidence and leadership in your child. Having said all of that, my child misses her friendships from Ingenuity Year the most.”

    - Ingenuity Year Parent

  • “My daughter participated in Ingenuity Year, and the experience was life-changing for her. She needed a break from school but also needed a structured way to spend her time. This program was perfect! The program leaders were engaging, approachable, knowledgeable, and fun. The participants were all great. The program is very inclusive of diverse identities. The capstone projects showcased students’ talents and passions. I loved talking with her (we phoned weekly) as I hadn’t heard her as happy and confident in years.”

    - Ingenuity Year Parent

  • “The program was great for our son. He seemed to enjoy himself, and the program stretched him to do things he would not normally have done.”

    -Ingenuity Year Parent

Discover Yourself

Engaging in diverse academic activities, extracurriculars, and interactions with peers helps students identify their passions and areas of expertise. This self-discovery not only aids in making informed decisions about future academic pursuits but also fosters personal growth, increase in executive functioning skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of one's capabilities, setting a strong foundation for success in college and beyond.

Campus Living

Living on a college campus fosters independence and self-reliance as students navigate dorm life, communal spaces, and shared responsibilities. Students can form social connections, build a sense of community, and experience the vibrant campus culture, contributing to a holistic understanding of the college environment.

Essential Qualities of a Leader

A leader must possess strong organizational skills to effectively manage academic responsibilities and deadlines. Adaptability and effective communication skills play a vital role in fostering collaboration, forming study groups, and engaging with professors and peers, ultimately contributing to a leader's success in navigating the academic and social aspects of college life.

Campus Exploration

Exploring college departments is crucial for students as it provides them with a firsthand understanding of the academic landscape. Students can identify potential majors and career paths, foster a sense of academic direction, and enhance their awareness of the resources available on campus.

Gap Year Program Details

Dates

June 28 - August 2, 2024

Length

5 Weeks

Cost

$9,500

Group Size

Up to 15 students and 3 program leaders

Ages

17 to 21