Academics
Given the multitude of interesting course options, please use our course search page to find the best courses for you.
Instructional Staff
Our distinguished instructional staff is selected from premiere high schools and universities in Chicago and around the country. Instructors are chosen for their mastery of subject matter, classroom experience, enthusiasm, ability to individualize their teaching, and their skill in providing interesting, thought-provoking, and varied classroom experiences. Each course also has a highly-qualified residential teaching assistant who provides academic support to students both in and out of class. Residential teaching assistants also conduct intensive tutoring and study sessions in the evenings after class as needed.
Students
High academic standards and a diverse student body ensure that students learn from their instructors and one another. In 2011, more than 500 students participated in Equinox, traveling to campus from urban, suburban and rural settings across the country and around the world. Each year, many students choose to return for a second or third summer, and 85% choose to reside in a Northwestern University residence hall. Equinox participants love the opportunity to live and study in such a vibrant learning community.
Courses
Some students attend Equinox solely for academic enrichment, while other participants view the program as an opportunity to complete a high school honors or Advanced Placement course or a one-semester college course in three weeks. Equinox students enroll in one course per three-week session and may attend one or two sessions each summer. Classes meet for approximately five hours a day, five days a week. All courses require several hours of homework daily.
In order to maximize personal attention, Equinox courses are generally limited to 18 students per class, and each class has an instructor and a residential teaching assistant. Equinox matches students with appropriate learning experiences, and emphasizes an approach to teaching that underscores strengths and encourages high achievement. Most Equinox courses are taught in the traditional instructor-led format, but a few math courses are structured as individually paced (IP) courses (see below for more information). Please see course descriptions for IP Math options.
IP Math Courses
Individually paced (IP) learning is a research-validated approach for gifted students, particularly in mathematics. Grounded in research conducted by Johns Hopkins University’s Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, IP courses are designed for students with high mathematical ability, high self motivation, and strong independent learning skills. The format lets students work independently at a pace commensurate with their abilities. In IP math courses, instructors work with students to assess their needs, monitor their progress by setting schedules for students to complete the required work and provide instruction when necessary. Still, students direct their own learning and must advocate for themselves in the learning process. Mastery must be demonstrated for students to progress to subsequent chapters in the text. If a student is unable to complete an entire two-semester course independently, s/he may continue her/his work after the session, at an additional cost, through CTD’s Gifted LearningLinks Summer Bridges online learning program.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to expose students to college-level course material while they are still in high school. These academically rigorous courses offer students the challenge of reasoning, analyzing, and polishing their skills while preparing to take the AP exam, which is offered every May by the College Board. The College Board monitors the content and quality of AP courses, and audits courses yearly. This process requires Equinox to submit syllabi for approval at the end of each summer, and by mid-fall, the College Board gives CTD final AP designation approval. Summer Program students planning to take the AP exam in May must register for the exam through their high school. Please contact CTD with any questions about this process.
Syllabi
Syllabi from past Equinox courses, along with samples of students' work, provide a good sense of Equinox courses’ depth and breadth, as well as the varied projects and activities that engage students each day. Please click here for sample syllabi from 2011 courses.
Course Selection & Placement
Equinox courses are intended to build upon a student's strengths. Each course is an intensive experience, and students should be prepared to work hard (and play hard!) during their three week Equinox experience.
The selection committee reserves the right to interpret the information contained in the application packet in order to select students most likely to contribute to and benefit from a Center for Talent Development (CTD) Summer Program experience. Accepted students who are willing to consider more than one course option will be assigned to a course based on a variety of factors, including placement preferences indicated on the application, area of demonstrated strength and the space available in each course. As CTD reviews applications on a rolling admissions (first come, first served) basis, applicants who apply early have a better chance of receiving their first course choice than those who apply in April and May. The Summer Program application is available online in January of each year, and we invite you to apply now.
Evaluation
All students receive a final, written evaluation of their work, which includes course grades, the number of high school credits earned (if applicable) and comments on the student’s performance in the course. Evaluations are sent to families, usually by September 15. These evaluations are also sent to the student's school unless otherwise noted on the Application Form. Equinox instructors are also available for parent conferences on the last day of each three-week session. During these conferences, instructors, parents and students can discuss the student's performance in the program.
Credit & Transcripts
Given Center for Talent Development’s accreditation through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), students may earn credit for courses successfully completed. All students who complete an Equinox course with a grade of C or better may be eligible for either one or two semesters of high school credit.
Acceptance of credit at a student’s academic year school depends on that school’s policy about the recognition of credit from outside institutions. Students who wish to receive credit from their home school for an Equinox course should discuss this option with their academic counselor or school administrator BEFORE applying to Equinox.
Official CTD transcripts are sent to the student's school unless otherwise indicated on the program application. Additional transcripts (for college applications, scholarships, etc.) may be requested for a fee using the Transcript Request Form.
Given the multitude of interesting course options, please use our course search page to find the best courses for you.
Instructional Staff
Our distinguished instructional staff is selected from premiere high schools and universities in Chicago and around the country. Instructors are chosen for their mastery of subject matter, classroom experience, enthusiasm, ability to individualize their teaching, and their skill in providing interesting, thought-provoking, and varied classroom experiences. Each course also has a highly-qualified residential teaching assistant who provides academic support to students both in and out of class. Residential teaching assistants also conduct intensive tutoring and study sessions in the evenings after class as needed.
Students
High academic standards and a diverse student body ensure that students learn from their instructors and one another. In 2011, more than 500 students participated in Equinox, traveling to campus from urban, suburban and rural settings across the country and around the world. Each year, many students choose to return for a second or third summer, and 85% choose to reside in a Northwestern University residence hall. Equinox participants love the opportunity to live and study in such a vibrant learning community.
Courses
Some students attend Equinox solely for academic enrichment, while other participants view the program as an opportunity to complete a high school honors or Advanced Placement course or a one-semester college course in three weeks. Equinox students enroll in one course per three-week session and may attend one or two sessions each summer. Classes meet for approximately five hours a day, five days a week. All courses require several hours of homework daily.
In order to maximize personal attention, Equinox courses are generally limited to 18 students per class, and each class has an instructor and a residential teaching assistant. Equinox matches students with appropriate learning experiences, and emphasizes an approach to teaching that underscores strengths and encourages high achievement. Most Equinox courses are taught in the traditional instructor-led format, but a few math courses are structured as individually paced (IP) courses (see below for more information). Please see course descriptions for IP Math options.
IP Math Courses
Individually paced (IP) learning is a research-validated approach for gifted students, particularly in mathematics. Grounded in research conducted by Johns Hopkins University’s Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, IP courses are designed for students with high mathematical ability, high self motivation, and strong independent learning skills. The format lets students work independently at a pace commensurate with their abilities. In IP math courses, instructors work with students to assess their needs, monitor their progress by setting schedules for students to complete the required work and provide instruction when necessary. Still, students direct their own learning and must advocate for themselves in the learning process. Mastery must be demonstrated for students to progress to subsequent chapters in the text. If a student is unable to complete an entire two-semester course independently, s/he may continue her/his work after the session, at an additional cost, through CTD’s Gifted LearningLinks Summer Bridges online learning program.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed to expose students to college-level course material while they are still in high school. These academically rigorous courses offer students the challenge of reasoning, analyzing, and polishing their skills while preparing to take the AP exam, which is offered every May by the College Board. The College Board monitors the content and quality of AP courses, and audits courses yearly. This process requires Equinox to submit syllabi for approval at the end of each summer, and by mid-fall, the College Board gives CTD final AP designation approval. Summer Program students planning to take the AP exam in May must register for the exam through their high school. Please contact CTD with any questions about this process.
Syllabi
Syllabi from past Equinox courses, along with samples of students' work, provide a good sense of Equinox courses’ depth and breadth, as well as the varied projects and activities that engage students each day. Please click here for sample syllabi from 2011 courses.
Equinox courses are intended to build upon a student's strengths. Each course is an intensive experience, and students should be prepared to work hard (and play hard!) during their three week Equinox experience.
The selection committee reserves the right to interpret the information contained in the application packet in order to select students most likely to contribute to and benefit from a Center for Talent Development (CTD) Summer Program experience. Accepted students who are willing to consider more than one course option will be assigned to a course based on a variety of factors, including placement preferences indicated on the application, area of demonstrated strength and the space available in each course. As CTD reviews applications on a rolling admissions (first come, first served) basis, applicants who apply early have a better chance of receiving their first course choice than those who apply in April and May. The Summer Program application is available online in January of each year, and we invite you to apply now.
Evaluation
All students receive a final, written evaluation of their work, which includes course grades, the number of high school credits earned (if applicable) and comments on the student’s performance in the course. Evaluations are sent to families, usually by September 15. These evaluations are also sent to the student's school unless otherwise noted on the Application Form. Equinox instructors are also available for parent conferences on the last day of each three-week session. During these conferences, instructors, parents and students can discuss the student's performance in the program.
Credit & Transcripts
Given Center for Talent Development’s accreditation through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), students may earn credit for courses successfully completed. All students who complete an Equinox course with a grade of C or better may be eligible for either one or two semesters of high school credit.
Acceptance of credit at a student’s academic year school depends on that school’s policy about the recognition of credit from outside institutions. Students who wish to receive credit from their home school for an Equinox course should discuss this option with their academic counselor or school administrator BEFORE applying to Equinox.
Official CTD transcripts are sent to the student's school unless otherwise indicated on the program application. Additional transcripts (for college applications, scholarships, etc.) may be requested for a fee using the Transcript Request Form.
