College for Kids makes summer learning fun

Since 1980, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's College for Kids and College for Teens programs provided a wide range of classes for young people from kindergarden through high school. Currently, the programs offer 190 summer classes that attract more than 2,000 school-aged Milwaukeeans.

Cindy Ruffert has been the program director since 2001.

"We offer a lot of really unique classes that kids are not getting in a normal school setting," says Ruffert.

College for Kids and College for Teens classes are taught on the UWM campus, and the classes range in subject from math to art to sports. According to Ruffert, a few of the most popular classes are pottery, design-your-own computer games and "Lego Mindstorm."

Other classes include dance, astronomy, cartooning, algebra, theater, "Are You a Potential Prada?" fashion class and a variety of foreign language classes, including Spanish, Italian and Chinese.

All of the courses are taught by UWM instructors and faculty or qualified community members working in the designated fields. The classes are limited to 16 kids.

"The small class sizes are key," says Ruffert. "Small class sizes allow for hands-on learning."

College for Kids and College for Teens accommodate most schedules, and parents can enroll kids in programs that run anywhere from a couple of hours in the morning to all day, depending on their budget and needs.

Class costs range, but they average about $6.50 per hour. For example, a two-week class that runs weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. costs between $129 and $149. Scholarships are available, and discounts are given to families enrolling more than one child.

College for Kids provides programs during the school year, too. "I'm Going to College" is a popular program that invites fourth graders to spend time on the UWM campus.

"Studies in California revealed that fourth grade is a good time to plant the seed in kids that college should be a goal," says Ruffert.

In general, getting kids comfortable and familiar with a college campus is a big part of the College for Kids and College for Teens.

"In our programs, kids get to experience life on a college campus. They get to go to chemistry class in a real chemistry lab. This is really important so they're not as nervous about starting college when the time comes," says Ruffert.