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 teachers and college professors selected for their content expertise, familiarity with the needs of the gifted population, enthusiasm and ability to individualize their teaching Equinox educators are top-notch 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 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 engage in service-learning, build prostheses using principles of engineering and design and debate the merits of communism versus capitalism. They also craft masterful prose, solve complex equations and develop computer programs. Whether motivated by an instructor or their own self-discipline, Equinox students surprise even themselves by how much they can 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 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, just 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! Given the innovative curricula and camaraderie among classmates, Equinox classes are more than just exceptional learning experiences; they are fun! Survey responses often highlight Equinox’s enjoyable course content, enthusiastic and encouraging instructors and the excitement of living on a college 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 of Colleges and Schools, 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
Evaluations are sent to families approximately four weeks following completion of the last Equinox summer session, and they serve as helpful tools for choosing future academic and enrichment opportunities All students receive a narrative evaluation. The evaluation includes course grades and number of high school credits earned (if applicable), comments on the student’s performance in class as well as student strengths, areas in need of improvement and student work habits and attitudes. Evaluations are sent to families approximately four weeks following completion of the last Equinox summer session, and they serve as helpful tools for choosing future academic and enrichment opportunities.

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