The Center for Talent Development's Saturday Enrichment Program
CTD's Saturday Enrichment Program
Apply for CTD's Saturday Enrichment Program
FAQs

Academics

Admissions

Logistics

Testing

Academics

  • Can you recommend schools that offer good opportunities for children like ours?
    Because each child is unique and has his/her own interests and needs, we suggest that you contact various schools that are of interest to you to make appointments to visit them. Be sure to look for a school and program with a mission statement that most closely fits your child’s needs. Do not hesitate to ask questions.



  • What is the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP)?
    The Saturday Enrichment Program offers challenging and enriching courses for academically talented students in PreK through grade 9. Six- and eight-week sessions in the fall, winter and spring supplement mainstream school curricula in the areas of mathematics, science, language arts and social science. New this year, we also offer an Accelerated Weekend Experience for students in grades 6 through 9 to experience the benefits of SEP in one intense and inspiring weekend.  If you are seeking a fun, brain-stretching experience and the chance to make friends with kids who are smart like you, look no further than SEP.


  • Why don’t I always receive an evaluation of my child after the session is over?
    Evaluations may take up to six weeks to reach you, as CTD has a large number of them to process. If you do not receive an evaluation within that timeframe, please contact us at sep@northwestern.edu.



  • Do instructors review the web sites they recommend to students or use in their courses for inappropriate content?
    Instructors are required to thoroughly review any third-party web sites they intend to use in their courses for inappropriate content. However, because web content continuously changes, CTD disclaims any responsibility for any of the content contained on third-party web sites used in course materials. If you become aware of anything that may be inappropriate, please notify CTD staff immediately.



Admissions

  • We applied online; when we are asked to send in “all supporting materials,” what does this mean?
    If you are:
    • submitting new test scores,
    • applying for financial aid,
    • new to CTD classes, or
    • applying by admission portfolio

    the supporting documents must be received by CTD before your application is considered complete. Depending on which category you are in, these “supporting materials” include new test scores, requested financial aid information, a report card and teacher recommendations.

    This information may be scanned and sent to ctd-testing@northwestern.edu or mailed to 617 Dartmouth Place, Evanston, IL 60208. It can also be faxed to 847/491-3833. While we accept faxed documentation, we strongly suggest that you keep a hard copy as faxes are not always clear, and we may request another copy.

    If your child is a returning student who has tests scores that qualify for the class s/he has registered for on file at CTD, then that is all that is required.



  • Why must I always fill out a complete application even though we have been coming to CTD for years?
    This is necessary to ensure that the information we have is current. Many families move, thus changing their addresses and landline phone numbers. Additionally, people frequently change their cell phone numbers and/or their e-mail addresses. However, after applying online once, much of this will be filled in for you as you proceed through the application. You will be able to make revisions as needed.



Logistics

  • I cannot find my way around the Tech Institute on the Northwestern campus. Can you help?
    CTD staff has a table in the main lobby of the Tech Institute. When entering through the main door on Sheridan Road, you will see it. Staff can provide you with written directions to specific rooms. (The address of the building is 2145 Sheridan Road.)



  • Schedules for the EXPLORE test, the ACTs and the SATs often conflict with SEP. Can you change the morning classes to the afternoons when these time clashes exist?
    We are unable to accommodate these requests because any changes impact all the SEP students, their siblings, their carpools, the classroom space and the teachers. We tried this once, and no one was satisfied with the result.



  • When and where are the parent seminars?
    Parent seminars are held every week except for the last week of each six- or eight-week session, which is the EXPO. These sessions are held at 9:30 a.m. at all three sites and again at 12:30 p.m. in Evanston. They last about an hour, with additional time for a question-and-answer period. This timing allows family members to take their children to class and get a cup of coffee before the speaker begins. In Evanston, these seminars take place in LR4 in the Technology Institute. In Naperville, they are held in Goldspohn 20. In Gurnee, they are loated in the cafeteria on the first floor just to the left of the entrance to Woodland Intermediate West.

    There is one exception to this format: on the first Saturday of each session in Evanston, the seminar (orientation) begins at 10 a.m.  A schedule can be found at http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/sep.




  • When can I expect to receive a brochure for the next session?
    We mail new brochures out eight weeks before the next session begins. The information is available online at the same time that the brochures are mailed.



  • Where and when are SEP courses held?
    Courses meet for eight Saturdays in the fall and winter at Northwestern University in Evanston, at North Central College in Naperville, and at Quest Academy in Palatine. Courses meet for six Saturdays in the spring. Before the session begins, parents receive a mailing with the classroom location. Morning courses run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; afternoon courses run from noon to 2:30 p.m. (afternoon courses are offered at Evanston only). Students may enroll in both morning and afternoon courses in Evanston, as long as a parent supervises their child(ren) for the half-hour between sessions.


  • Why can’t all my kids attend classes in the same building?
    We have too many students and too many classrooms to fit in one building. Sometimes we need to use specific rooms so students can use specific equipment that is located in them. We do our best to use buildings that are close together and to place classes for younger children in closer proximity to the SEP offices.



  • Why don’t you offer more classes in Naperville or Palatine?
    We continually work on increasing our offerings at both the suburban sites. As more students enroll, we will offer more classes.



Testing

  • How can I schedule a testing appointment and what is the fee?
    Contact CTD at 847/491-3782 ext. 6 or e-mail us to schedule an appointment. The fee for testing is $110.



  • How old must my child be to be tested through this program?
    Any child from age 4 through grade 3 may be evaluated through this program. We recommend that parents wait until their preschool children are showing some familiarity with letters and numbers, since a major portion of the test battery will test achievement in these areas.


  • What is the purpose of the PreK through Grade 3 Testing Program?
    Families applying to CTD educational programs must provide evidence of their children's ability to succeed in the program.  Because many students in PreK through grade 3 do not have the opportunity for achievement testing within their schools, CTD offers testing.  Its purpose is to assess eligibility for admission into CTD programs.  It is not a general psychological evaluation.