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 | Active Learning | Friendships | Fun! | Enrichment and Evaluation



Exceptional Teaching
Leapfrog educators are master teachers selected for their content expertise, familiarity with the needs of gifted children, enthusiasm, ability to individualize their teaching, and skill in providing interactive and engaging classroom experiences. Teachers make the most of their time with each class of students, accomplishing a tremendous amount in just one week. By getting to know students quickly, encouraging individual talents as well as collaboration and creating a friendly and stimulating learning environment, Leapfrog teachers earn the trust, respect and appreciation of students and parents alike.

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 Active Learning
Leapfrog students learn engineering and architectural science by building bridges, constructing pyramids and designing sailing ships. They enhance their math skills by running a business, and they hone their writing abilities by crafting comic strips, becoming journalists and examining the unsolved mysteries of King Tut, Machu Picchu or space through poetry and investigative reporting. Leapfrog courses are designed with gifted children in mind, inviting them to direct their considerable talent and energy toward integrative projects, practical problem solving and creative play.

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Friendships
Teachers and parents alike often comment on the remarkably strong bonds formed by Leapfrog students. Leapfrog 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 other children who share their interests, curiosity and abilities. It is the friendships, just as much as the learning, that make kids want to return to Leapfrog year after year.

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Fun!
Given the innovative curricula and camaraderie that develops among classmates, Leapfrog classes are not just great learning experiences; they are fun! “Our son loved all of the hands-on coursework that didn’t seem like ‘work’,” says a Leapfrog parent. Survey responses often highlight Leapfrog’s fun environment, enjoyable course content, enthusiastic teachers and their ability to incorporate lessons in fun activities. Whether students are outside searching for insects or inside constructing a geodome, learning and laughter go together in the Leapfrog classroom.

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Enrichment and Evaluation
Leapfrog courses are for enrichment only; students in this program do not receive grades for the course(s) they complete. All students do, however, receive a narrative evaluation. The evaluation includes comments on the student’s performance in class as well as recommendations for future study. Evaluations are sent to families usually be September 15, following completion of the last Leapfrog summer session, and parents find the feedback valuable and instructive for guiding their children toward future enrichment opportunities.

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Parent Involvement
Center for Talent Development understands the importance of the role of a parent in a child’s education and strives to make parental involvement in Leapfrog easy, accessible and fun through a brief optional orientation, thorough curricular information and an Expo! at the end of each course. A brief parent orientation on the first day of each session provides an overview of the Leapfrog program philosophy, procedures and policies as well as discussion of future program opportunities. Parents also receive information about their child’s course activities for the week so that they can talk with their children and ask informed questions about each day of classes. Finally, parents are invited to attend the Friday Expo! featuring student work and achievements.

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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. Free parent seminars on topics related to giftedness and parenting gifted children are offered in the morning during each Leapfrog session at all Leapfrog sites. Dates, topics and speakers are made available on the first day of class. Leapfrog parents say they benefit from the guidance and advice provided by the seminars, and they also appreciate the opportunity to connect with other parents of gifted children and participate in such a supportive community.

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