CTD provides challenging, accelerated academic coursework for gifted students. While proffering exciting enrichment opportunities in diverse subjects, CTD excels in civic leadership skills development.
Northwestern CTD Services
Northwestern University Center for Talent Development administers a variety of programs for gifted and talented youth. CTD services include:
- MATS Talent search
- Summer programs
- Saturday enrichment
- GLL On-line distance learning
- Civic education
- Family and community outreach
Northwestern CTD Midwest Academic Talent Search (MATS)
CTD identifies gifted and talented students by administering out-of-level achievement tests. Depending on age, students take either the EXPLORE, SAT, or ACT. Gifted students register in the fall, take tests in January and February, and receive results in March. Northwestern University invites qualified MATS participants to take advantage of CTD programs and services.
Northwestern CTD Summer Programs- Leapfrog, Apogee, Spectrum, and Equinox
Summer programs combine rigorous academics, exciting university experiences, and peer socialization. CTD offers summer camps at both the Evanston and Glen Ellyn, Illinois campuses.
CTD Summer Programs are grouped by grade:
- Leapfrog (PreK-3rd grades)
- Apogee (4th-6th grades)
- Equinox (9th-12th grades)
Leapfrog sessions are one-week day camps for PreK-3rd grade gifted students. Apogee, Spectrum, and Equinox serve gifted and talented learners through three-week residential programs. There is a one-week residential option for 4th graders.
Spectrum and Equinox students can also select residential programs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Equinox high schoolers may attend the Civic Leadership Institute at University of Illinois at Chicago.
Northwestern CTD Saturday Enrichment Programs (SEP)
CTD sponsors Saturday enrichment courses to PreK-9th grade students during the academic year. Vigorous exploration of science, mathematics, and humanities courses keep gifted children engaged in learning. Saturday enrichment courses are six to eight weeks long. SEP are available at Northwestern’s Evanston campus, North Central College in Naperville, and Woodland School District 50. A variety of nationally-normed achievement tests garner admission.
Northwestern CTD Distance Learning- Gifted LearningLinks (GLL)
CTD offers Gifted LearningLinks (GLL), on-line distance learning courses, to gifted students from kindergarten though twelfth grades. GLL courses are accredited and qualify for high school credit. GLL topics range from mathematics, science, and writing, to musical theater, computer programming, and economics. Eligibility is based on SAT, ACT, or 95th-99th %ile nationally-normed achievement test scores. There is a portfolio option for gifted homeschoolers.
GLL distance learning programs include:
- Monthly enrollment for 9-month honors and AP courses (6th-12th)
- Fourteen-week enrichment courses (3rd-8th grades)
- Nine-week accelerated summer options (3rd-12th grades)
- Education Program for Gifted Youth- EPGY (K-12th grades)
Northwestern CTD Civic Education Project (CEP)
Northwestern’s Civic Education Project (CEP) combines education in leadership, social theory, and community development with field immersion experiences addressing community issues. CEP students develop essential civic training in conflict resolution, civil rights, social justice, and minority issues.
Civic-minded high school youth can participate in CivicWeek, an alternate spring break program, or attend the Civic Leadership Institute, a three-week residential program offered by Northwestern CTD and Johns Hopkins CTY at various U.S. locations. Middle school students may attend CTD/CTY Youth & Society programs.
CTD Gifted and Talented Outreach Programs
CTD hosts seminars and mini-classes for gifted children and their families. Adult sessions explore the unique challenges of giftedness including perfectionism, stress, peer relations, and emotional sensitivity. Gifted students attend workshops on career planning, building a portfolio, and transitioning to college. CTD actively participates in regional and national gifted conferences, educational resource fairs, and local gifted education partnerships such as Project EXCITE! in Evanston’s public schools.
This article is an overview of the programs and services listed on the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development website. Participate in the MATS talent search for fullest access to CTD programs.
Carla Marie Boulianne - Background and Interests I am a former feature writer for Parenting a Gifted Child. I relish combining personal parenting and childhood ...
Join the Conversation