Mission & Methods

Mission
Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University exists to serve the gifted community and ensure that gifted students receive the education, encouragement and support they need to learn and grow into confident and accomplished adults whose love for learning grows stronger each year.

Methods
In serving more than 500,000 families throughout the last three decades, Center for Talent Development has evolved from a single focus on talent identification to a multi-faceted operation with four central foci: talent identification, talent development, research and advocacy.


Talent Identification

At the foundation of Center for Talent Development’s work is Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS). NUMATS offers above-grade-level testing to high-performing students in grades 3 through 9, providing a more accurate assessment of their abilities. Studies show that students who score in the top 10% on school achievement tests differ widely from average students in their abilities and educational needs. Participation in NUMATS gives students the confidence and information necessary to develop their talents, make wise academic choices and set appropriate educational and career goals.

Talent Development

Center for Talent Development is co-accredited as a Nonpublic-Supplementary school by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). Our programs help students in PreK through grade 12 set ambitious learning goals and realize the full potential of their talents. We offer a comprehensive suite of academic programs on-site at a number of locations and online, with varying durations and subject matter as diverse as the gifted student population. The common denominator among all our programs is exceptional teaching. Additionally, all our academic programs: engage students in active learning experiences matched to their identified abilities; inspire a love of learning and a desire for self-development; welcome participants into a community of intellectual peers who value scholarship, academic achievement and creativity; and promote the development of autonomous, disciplined approaches to learning.

Research

Center for Talent Development research is integral to CTD programming; our studies lead to new initiatives for gifted students as well as continuous improvement in our existing programs. Led by nationally recognized scholar Paula Olszewski-Kubilius, PhD, CTD conducts and publishes academic research on a wide range of topics related to giftedness, with special emphasis placed on studies related to accelerated learning and special populations of gifted learners.

Advocacy

To serve the gifted community effectively, Center for Talent Development educates and informs not just gifted students and their families, but also educators, administrators and policymakers. We keep this broader population abreast of best practices and news related to giftedness through our advocacy efforts and invite you to participate and spread the word! If you believe in our mission and methods and want to join us in service to the gifted community, please support CTD today.

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