Why can’t my kids all have class in the same building?

We have too many classrooms to fit in one building.  We do our best to keep the buildings we use as close to Annenberg as we can.

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The Explore Test, the ACT’s and the SAT’s are on Saturdays.  Can the morning classes be held during the afternoon when there is one of those conflicts?

We cannot accommodate those requests because they would impact all the students, their siblings, their carpools, the classroom space, and of course, the teachers.  Additionally, we try to fit 22 Saturdays into the year.

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When are the Parent Seminars?

Schedules for these seminars are sent home the first week of class with the students.They usually begin at 9:30 and last about an hour, with additional time for a question-and-answer period.  This allows parents to drop off their children, grab a cup of coffee, and arrive at the location on time.  It also allows time for the parents to return to their child’s class before the end of the period without feeling hurried.

The afternoon seminars in Evanston begin at 12:30 and generally feature recordings of the morning's presentation.

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Many of my child’s evaluations following a class have been very informative.  Why don’t I always receive one after a session?

Evaluations are sent to the most current addresses we have about 5 weeks after a session’s conclusion.  This is a requirement for our teachers.  If you do not receive an evaluation within that time frame, please call our SEP Assistant Coordinator Amy Gyarmathy at 847/467-1808 or email her at a-gyarmathy@northwestern.edu.

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The Tech Building on the Northwestern campus is difficult to navigate.  Can you provide maps?

Beginning with the winter 2006 session, we sent what we considered to be more detailed maps of the various buildings and parking lots on campus.  Additionally, we asked people to enter through the front door of Tech because staff members were there and available to direct participants to rooms.  Written directions to specific rooms were also provided as people entered the building.  We hope these have helped both you and your children to find classrooms and parking more easily.  For planning ahead, click here for a map of the Tech Institute.

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Why do I always have to fill out complete applications even though we have been coming for years?

This is because many people move or change their landline phone numbers, their cell phone numbers, their email addresses, etc.  We are hoping you will try our new online application. It is on our website at ctd.northwestern.edu/sep/.

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When can we expect to receive brochures for the session following the one we are presently attending?

We make every effort to mail these out about eight weeks before the session will begin.

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Can you recommend schools that offer children good opportunities for children like ours?

We are unable to make recommendations like that.  Programs and staff members change, and we are unable to take responsibility for programs outside of our own.  We suggest contacting various schools that are of interest to you and making appointments to visit them.  You will be looking for a school and program with a mission statement that most closely fits your child’s needs.

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Why don’t you offer more classes in Naperville or Gurnee? 

We had hoped that we would have more student interest in the western and northern suburbs.  We have been unable to justify more variety of classes in the morning and/or afternoon classes due to lack of students enrolling.  We understand that more offerings would bring in more students, but we have tried to find a balance.   If you have any feedback on what courses would be well attended, please do not hesitate to let us know.

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