Unique, Like You.
Broaden your understanding of yourself and others. Make new friends. Develop your own style, with confidence. Learn new skills. Be challenged in a way you’ve never been challenged before.
How would we describe ourselves? Entertaining, engaging, creative, challenging, collaborative, learner-centered and unique — all together, DECATS-ian. Take a six-minute glimpse into the best three weeks of your summer!
Eligibility Criteria
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92nd Percentile Score
92nd Percentile Score
Participants must have a ranking in the 92nd percentile or above on any nationally standardized achievement test, creativity test or reasoning test – in a specific area, in multiple areas or as an average score overall.
3rd - 6th Grade
3rd - 6th Grade
Participants must currently be completing third, fourth, fifth or sixth grade to be admitted.
Principal Nomination
Principal Nomination
Students meeting the age and test score criteria are certified of their eligibility via a nomination from their school’s principal.
2024 Tuition Fast Facts
We never want finances to prevent someone from coming to DECATS. The affordable cost of an innovative program like DECATS is made possible by a leading grant from DeBusk Foundation, and need-based tuition assistance is available for families that qualify.
Applications may be submitted via your myStatus portal after signing up for a guaranteed space in the program (or after admission from the waitlist to a guaranteed space). Applications for tuition assistance must be made each year; there is no automatic renewal or guarantee that the same award will be made in consecutive years.
Dr. Sue Bryant Francis Scholarship
In 2015, DeBusk Foundation announced a new scholarship program named in honor of Dr. Sue Francis, who for many years served on the foundation’s board of directors. Dr. Francis was active with the foundation from 1989 until 2013, and upon her retirement from an impressive career serving in education as a school teacher, administrator and public speaker, the foundation chose to honor her tireless service and tremendous contribution with a scholarship program for participants in DECATS programs. This scholarship is above and beyond DeBusk Foundation’s grant that provides the leading operational funding for our program.
There is no special application process: all need-based tuition assistance applicants are automatically considered.
Patricia McNutt Presidential Scholarship
Each summer, DeBusk Foundation — which provides the leading funding to make DECATS possible — awards two Scholars in our program with the Patricia McNutt Scholarship, named for the foundation’s former president of the board of directors in honor of her many years of tireless service. Her work at the helm of the board was instrumental in making DECATS happen each year across the state, and the foundation and programs would not be what they are today without her incredible contributions. This scholarship is above and beyond DeBusk Foundation’s grant that provides the leading operational funding for our program.
There is no special application process: all need-based tuition assistance applicants are automatically considered.
To gain the most benefit from the program, and because there is likewise very high demand to attend, you may only sign up if you are committed to attending the entire three-week program.
By virtue of signing up, you commit to full attendance and understand that you may not plan to attend any other summer activities that would result in absence from any portion of DECATS, including, but not limited to:
- Sports programs / camps / meets
- Scouting trips
- Other summer camps
- Fine arts programs / performances
- Routine medical appointments / non-emergency surgery
- Family travel / vacations
These are by no means exhaustive but serve as solid examples.
In the event you discover you cannot attend the entire program, notify us immediately so that the space may be made available to another applicant.
Absences for illness or family emergency (e.g. death) that occurs during the program may be excused. Unapproved absences not due to illness or emergency may result in not being permitted to complete the current summer session without refund and could result in forfeiture of any and all remaining years of eligibility.
DeBusk Enrichment Center of Texas shall reserve full and exclusive right to the interpretation, application and execution of these policies.
Non-Refundable Payments
In the policies that follow, these non-refundable payments described above are wholly excluded except where specified.
Elective Withdrawals Before and During DECATS
Elective withdrawal by the participant generally covers those circumstances of withdrawal any time before or during the program by preferential choice. This policy shall remain in effect for the entirety of the program and shall not be related to the number of days attended or remaining in the session.
Non-Elective Withdrawals During DECATS
Non-elective withdrawal generally covers those circumstances of withdraw from the program due to illness, injury or administrative cause.
Program-wide Cancellation by DECATS Leadership
Cancellation generally covers those extremely rare circumstances that DECATS executive leadership must discontinue the program for all participants.
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
“This is the best program ever! The mentors are very supportive. The courses are fantastic. This program teaches Scholars about themselves, to respect others and most importantly to always keep God in your life.”
“Best summer program for gifted kids in Houston! Our sons have been attending for the last six years. Our oldest son has enjoyed it so much that he has returned for the last two years as a Graduate Assistant, and our youngest son plans on returning as a GA as well. DECATS provides a healthy and fun learning environment for kids.”
“Thank you so much for teaching us manners. My manners have improved so much, I feel like James Bond.”
“DECATS has been a great experience for my daughter. She loves the courses offered, all the beautiful songs and making new friends.”
“My child loves going to DECATS and yours will too! The opportunity to select enrichment classes that build their self-confidence, critical thinking and executive functioning skills is invaluable. It’ll be the easiest decision and best investment you make for your child’s summer time!”
“The courses offered are simply amazing. The variety was spectacular and the mentors were stupendous. Sometimes being a gifted child can have its challenges. They can be misunderstood or awkward and at DECATS that is never the case. They are surrounded my love, fun and knowledge. They learn while they may be better at things that they are not in fact better than others. They learn responsibility and grow so much in such a short period of time. I have never seen my daughter as excited as she was every day at pick-up. She met so many new friends and is already looking forward to next year – as am I!”
“I loved everything about DECATS! I wish DECATS could be every single day!”
“I like all the kids from different schools, and I made new friends.”
“This is my first year at DECATS and it was really fun and it was great having my friends by my side. I really loved the music and it got a lot of my energy out and I was able to focus in my courses. I LOVE DECATS!”
“Loved this program and pray and hope God will bless me in the opportunity to attend again next Summer. Fingers crossed … can not wait. Was so sad when it was over.”