An institute is to be launched in Bermuda this year geared specifically to push talented students towards academic excellence.

The programme, which will start in September, will identify and evaluate eligible students in both public and private schools on the Island, and then offer them additional coursework to supplement their everyday classes.

President of The Institute for Talented Students in Bermuda Riquette Bonne-Smith said the programme will offer courses in math and English.

And she said the Bermuda scheme will be affiliated to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth in Baltimore.

"Our goal is to increase the competency and competitiveness of Bermuda's students to enable them to meet the challenges that lie ahead, both in Bermuda and abroad," said Ms Bonne-Smith.

"The Johns Hopkins programme has been in existence for over 20 years and has been extremely successful in nurturing talented students in the US and in other countries, such as Ireland, Spain and England. Bermuda will be one of the few countries offering this advanced educational opportunity."

She said the students will participate in intense academic coursework, which will supplement their current curriculum, as well as support individual interests.

The courses will be adapted from models developed by the Johns Hopkins programme and classes will be held from Monday to Thursday each week, from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Ms Bonne-Smith said the institute would be a non-profit, registered charity, endorsed by the Ministry of Education. She said the programme will begin in September this year and a fee will be charged, but financial assistance will be available for students in need.

Participation will be based on a talent search test provided and assessed by Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

The test will be held on Sunday, June 9, at Bermuda College from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The institute is seeking youngsters aged between ten and 14 who are among the top 12 students in their math or English class.

They are invited to sit the test, which is offered free of charge through grants from The Atlantic Philanthropies and the XL Foundation. The deadline for registration for the test is Friday. Anyone interested should submit the name, address and date of birth of their child, along with present grade level, name of school, parent's permission and telephone number.

Information can be forward to the institute on fax numbers 296-5678 or 292-6287, or details can be submitted through schools. For more information call the institute on 296-5676.