Academic Day Camps that Inspire Creativity and Exploration
Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development (CTD) summer day camps offer age-appropriate, rigorous enrichment in science, math, literacy, technology, and more. Led by experienced educators trained in using students' strengths and interests to develop their talents, each class blends active exploration, collaboration, and guided inquiry so students don’t just learn—they think deeply, ask questions, and make meaningful connections. At CTD students learn to "think like like a scientist" or "practice like a writer", as they foster their love of learning.
Why Choose CTD's Academic Day Camps?
At Center for Talent Development, our PreK–Grade 5 academic day camps are designed for curious, motivated learners who are ready for more—more challenge, more creativity, and more opportunities to explore what excites them. These one-week programs combine hands-on learning activities with research-based teaching practices to help children discover and develop their strengths in a supportive, joy-filled environment.
Why CTD's Approach Matters for Your Student:
- Personalized challenge: We meet learners where they are and help them grow, providing the right level of academic stretch without pressure.
- Strength-based learning: We focus on what your child does well and build from there, fostering confidence and motivation.
- Engagement and joy: Students explore topics they love, which leads to deeper learning and sustained curiosity.
- Early talent development: Research-informed practices in gifted education guide our programs, ensuring children develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills from an early age.
- A community of learners: Your child will connect with peers who share their interests, helping them feel understood, inspired, and excited about learning.
For summer courses, families should select courses based on the grade their student will enter in Fall 2026.
Choosing the Best Course for Your Student
Students should be eager to explore ideas and ready to engage with new challenges at CTD. Look for signs they enjoy stretching their thinking, asking questions, and exploring topics in more depth—especially in areas where they already show interest and confidence. Look for a class that will build on their strengths and offers the kind of academic challenge that will keep them excited to learn and grow.
Starting the Application Process
We are glad you want your student to join us this summer! When you are ready to apply for a course, you can do so by creating or logging into your MyCTD account found on the top right corner of this page. Once you have logged into your MyCTD account, please follow the prompts to enter required account information, apply for the course(s) of your choice, and submit additional application materials if necessary.
Please Note:
CTD Academic Day Camps for Summer 2026 are at the Amber (open enrollment for PreK - grade 2) and Emerald Tiers for eligibility. Please see eligibility details for each tier here.
Students in PreK-K classes must be four years old before the start of the course.
The application deadline for each session is one week before the start of the session. E.g. To take a class starting on Monday, July 13 we must have a completed application on Monday, July 6.
For detailed guidance on the application process, we encourage you to reference the following documents:
Tuition
- One-week half-day course: $395
- One-week all-day course: $760
Withdrawals
Please see CTD's withdrawal and refund information for policies.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for Summer 2026 has been fully dispersed.
CTD offers need-based financial aid awarded as requests are received. Families are encouraged to apply early because the amount of aid available is limited. Please see the Financial Aid page for details.
- Financial aid for Summer 2026 has been fully dispersed.
- You will receive the FACTS application link in your application confirmation email once the $60 dollar tuition deposit is paid and the application is submitted.
- It is imperative that you complete the financial aid application as soon as possible as it may take FACTS up to ten days to process your information.
- If you previously completed a FACTS application for the 2024-2025 academic year for CTD, you must still attach the 2025-2026 FACTS application to your FACTS account. You will be able to link your FACTS account to this new FACTS information. You may need to update financial information.
- If you experience difficulties with the FACTS process please call the FACTS helpline at 866/412-4637.
In CTD Academic Day Camps in the Chicago area, students can spend part of their summer exploring a topic of interest in an enriching, collaborative environment. Through hands-on explorations and projects, they'll have a chance to make connections and learn about topics in new ways. Courses are designed to be up to two academic years beyond their school grade level, which, combined with a faster pace, requires significant focus and persistence. This applies to all courses, including those that are open enrollment. For more information about CTD enrichment courses and how CTD defines "enrichment," please visit this page.
Locations and Times
Programs offered in:
- Evanston: St. Athanasius School, 2510 Ashland Ave.
- Chicago: South Loop Middle School, 1601 S Dearborn St.
Courses at all sites run Monday through Friday.
- AM: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (PreK - Grade 2, only)
- PM: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (PreK - Grade 2, only)
All-Day: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Grades 1 - 6)
*Lunch supervision from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. will be provided for students who are enrolled in all-day programs and students who are enrolled in both an AM and a PM course during a single week. Students bring a sack lunch that does not require refrigeration.
Partnership with Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, IL
CTD is proud to once again partner with Avery Coonley School in 2026. Under the umbrella of their summer program, CTD will offer 2-week, half-day courses to students in grades 1-4 during the sessions listed below. Registration and tuition information can be found at the site linked above. Please note that these courses do not include end-of-course student evaluations.
- Session 1 - June 15 - June 26, 2026 (no program on June 19th)
- Session 2 - June 29- July 10, 2026
- Session 3 - July 13 - July 24, 2026
During a week-long CTD Academic Summer Camp, students are enrolled in a single course. Here is an example of how a half-day (3-hour) course might be scheduled. Note that the times indicated are one common example. Activities and breaks may take place at slightly different times according to the needs of the day or planned class activities. Full-day courses are similarly scheduled with a mix of whole-group, small-group, and individual activities throughout the day (9: 00 AM - 4:00 PM).
| 9:00-9:20 | Student arrival, warm-up/community building activities, review of previous day's topic, and review of the agenda for the day. |
| 9:20-10:25 | Introduction of first topic/mini-lesson followed by interactive learning activities or centers related to the topic/mini-lesson where students may work collaboratively in small groups and/or independently on specific tasks/projects. |
| 10:25-10:40 | Movement/snack/brain break - this is held outside when possible. Families send snacks with their students and CTD staff supervise the break. |
| 10:40-11:45 | Hands-on activity or new centers related to the overarching topic of the day, or following an introduction to a second, connected topic. Activities and hands-on explorations might include collaborating with classmates as well as independent project work. |
| 11:45-12:00 | Wrap-up, clean-up, review the learning objectives from the day, and preview tomorrow's topic |
All students who complete an Academic Day Camps course in Evanston and Chicago receive a brief evaluation that includes comments on the student's learning, strengths, and areas for continued growth. An email notification will be sent when the evaluation is available for access via MyCTD, usually in early- to mid-September.
The health and safety of our students and staff has always been CTD's top priority. This year is no exception. Parents/caregivers are strongly encouraged to monitor their students for symptoms of illness prior to each class, keep sick students at home, and get them tested for communicable illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and strep throat.
- For questions regarding CTD Academic Day Program and financial aid, please contact:
ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu - For questions about current CTD Academic Day Program enrollments, please contact:
ctd-enrichment@northwestern.edu - For questions about school partnerships, please contact:
ctd-school-services@northwestern.edu
