About The Gifted Child Society (TGCS)

The Gifted Child Society (TGCS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing unique enrichment programs and services to gifted children in preschool, elementary school, middle school, and beyond. Since its inception in 1957, TGCS has served nearly 70,000 gifted children in New Jersey and its surrounding areas. The United States Department of Education has named TGCS a national demonstration model.

TGCS Vision

To be the Center of Excellence for the overall well-being of gifted children and the essential resource for the families, educators, and other support groups who inspire them.

TGCS Mission: To Inspire!

The mission of The Gifted Child Society is to encourage and further the overall well-being of gifted children, through each stage of their development, and to provide them with the inspiration and means by which they will achieve their full potential.

TGCS Strategic Objectives

To achieve its mission, TGCS is committed to providing the following:

Superior programming and experiential opportunities for gifted children, to equip them with the means necessary to enjoy a full and productive life.
Extraordinary support services and resources for families of gifted children, for all developmental stages.
Cutting-edge professional training opportunities and support for educators and administrators, to ensure early identification and the best possible learning environments and opportunities within school districts, to meet the needs of these unique children.
Conspicuous and dedicated advocacy of gifted children throughout local, state and federal venues to ensure public recognition, acceptance and timely responsiveness to their unique needs.

TGCS Programs and Services

TGCS designs and delivers many programs and services to inspire and nurture gifted children, including:

The Saturday Workshop, Winter/Spring & Fall sessions
Summer Super Stars Camp STEAM day camp, from late June through early August each summer
TGCS Pre-Grad Program, for TGCS students in grades 7 and 8
TGCS Ambassador Program, for TGCS graduates in high school and college
IQ Testing Services
And more!

TGCS is also an essential resource for parents/guardians and educators who want to learn more about the challenges and blessings of raising a gifted child. Special programs designed by TGCS include:

Parent and Guardian Educational (PAGE) workshops.
Gifted Education Training (GET) professional development, for school educators and administrators who can earn professional development credits for participation.

History of TGCS

TGCS was founded by Mrs. L.J.A. Stiles in 1957. As the mother of a gifted child, Mrs. Stiles wanted to form a club to promote the interests and talents of gifted children. The club’s first meeting was held at City Hall in Dumont, New Jersey in October, 1957. On June 1, 1958, Mrs. Stiles was elected TGCS’ first president.

The first classes hosted by TGCS - which evolved into The Saturday Workshop - were held in March, 1959. Classes at that time were small and held twice a year. The first summer program was established in 1962 at the Central Unitarian Church in Paramus, New Jersey.

TGCS quickly grew in membership and in 1962 was formally incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. By 1965, 250 children were enrolled in The Saturday Workshop. TGCS continued to expand, adding its first courses for parents in 1966.

TGCS has grown significantly since its inception and is dedicated to nurturing and inspiring gifted children as they strive to reach their full potential.