Civic Education Project: service learning field studies for oustanding middle and high school students
CTD's Civic Education Project
Apply for the Civic Education Project's programs
Civic Leadership Institute

The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a three-week summer service-learning program for highly able students completing grades 9 through 12. Each Civic Leadership Institute integrates challenging academic work, community service, hands-on field experiences, guest speakers and facilitated debates and discussions, for a summer that students often describe as "life-changing."

The Civic Leadership Institute is a collaborative endeavor between the Civic Education Project, based at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth.

The Civic Leadership Institute (CLI) is a three-week summer service-learning program for outstanding students completing grades 9 - 12


CLI participants...
  • learn about some of today's most pressing social issues
  • serve communities in need
  • meet with top business, political and community leaders 
  • experience college life in a dynamic city
  • connect with new friends from across the country
  • earn academic credit and service hours
  • discover ways to become more active in local schools and communities
  • create the experience of a lifetime