The Center for Talent Development's Summer Program
CTD's Summer Program
Apply for the Summer Program's Leapfrog, Apogee, Spectrum or Equinox programs
What to Expect

 



Exceptional Teaching
Equinox educators are top-notch high school teachers and college professors selected for their content expertise, familiarity with the needs of the gifted population, enthusiasm and ability to individualize their teaching. Given their experience and training in recognizing student strengths and encouraging high achievement, Equinox educators nurture students’ passion for the course subject and prepare them for collegiate and career success.

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 Active Learning
Equinox curricula are designed with talented high school students in mind, inviting them to direct their considerable talent and energy toward interdisciplinary projects and practical problem solving. Equinox students complete a year of AP Calculus, write and perform poetry and short stories that engage and enervate, debate global economic policies, engineer nanotechnologies, and compete for the title of CTD Chef of the Summer.  Whether motivated by an instructor or their own self-discipline, Equinox students surprise themselves by how much they learn, achieve and grow in just three short weeks.

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Friendships
Equinox provides an excellent opportunity for gifted students to learn and socialize with their intellectual peers. Rather than being singled out and labeled as the “smart kid” in a regular classroom, students are surrounded by peers who share their interests and abilities. It is the friendships as much as the learning that makes students want to return to Equinox year after year.

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Fun!
Given the innovative curricula and camaraderie among classmates, Equinox classes are more than just exceptional learning experiences; they are fun! Survey responses highlight Equinox’s enjoyable course content, enthusiastic and encouraging instructors and the excitement of living on Northwestern's campus.

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Academic Credit
The Center for Talent Development is accredited through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, so Equinox students may earn credit for courses successfully completed The Center for Talent Development is accredited through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), so Equinox students may earn credit for courses successfully completed. Receiving credit for Equinox courses may enable students to take more advanced classes earlier in their high school career, and frees up their academic year schedule to take more courses of interest.

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Evaluation
  All students receive a narrative evaluation which includes course grades, number of high school credits earned, comments on the student’s performance, strengths, areas in need of improvement and student work habits and attitudes. Evaluations are sent to families approximately six weeks following the second Equinox summer session. Students may request transcripts and evaluations be sent to their home high school as well.

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Parent Education
The Center for Talent Development (CTD) is committed not only to its role as a gifted education provider but also to its responsibility to advocate for the gifted community Center for Talent Development is committed not only to its role as a gifted education provider but also to its responsibility to advocate for the gifted community. By providing an annual family conference, frequent parent seminars, publications and information on events, resources and research related to giftedness, CTD empowers parents to play an active and informed role in ensuring the best education for their children.
 
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