Challenge Yourself to Move Forward
CTD’s Online Honors courses are a great option for academically talented students who crave challenge and need access to rigorous, high school level material. Online Honors courses are available in a variety of subject areas, allow students to move at their own pace, offer high school credit through CTD, and develop self-advocacy skills essential for high school and college success.
Why Choose Online Honors Courses?
Honors Courses help provide a unique educational journey for students as they gain experience with higher-level course work tailored to their personal learning goals. Curriculum is designed for the online classroom to challenge and motivate bright learners.
Benefits Include:
- A wide variety of course topics that allow students to take a deep dive into their strength area and create a unique educational journey tailored to their goals
- Flexibly-paced course work with individualized feedback from an instructor that promotes growth
- An opportunity for qualifying middle school students to accelerate in their strength areas at the high school level
- 1 and 2 semester equivalent credit-bearing courses with potential for high school credit and further course acceleration
In addition to Honors courses, CTD offers a diverse range of online program options; view a full list here.
For students in grades 6 through 8 Online Honors courses, with the exception of Algebra I, are considered to be part of our Indigo Tier.
Please note: Students should apply to programs and select courses based on the grade they will enter in fall of 2024.
With the launch of our new application system, our processes have changed and are more streamlined for your convenience.
From the Home page on your MyCTD account go to Courses. If you do not yet have a MyCTD account, you can create one by clicking on MyCTD account from the upper right corner of our website. Please make sure to put your student or students into your account and make sure to select a STUDENT for each application.
You may use the filter to search for classes OR type in the class you wish to apply for in the search field.
Select the Apply Now button in the upper right corner of the course description card.
Select the student for whom you wish to create an application.
If your student’s school is not found with the search tool, please choose Other and provide your student’s school information in the space provided.
Please read through and sign the necessary release page. The policies link at the top of the page includes the withdrawal and refund policies applicants agree to. We ask that you make sure to review the policies for the program you are applying to carefully.
You may then choose to create a new application or proceed to the payments page.
On the payments page, select New Course Payment.
The Applications for Payment screen will allow you to make payment for the class AND shows the enrollment status of your application(s). If the status is Under Review, no further action should be needed. If the status reads Additional Information Needed, you will need to provide either qualifying test scores OR your student’s most recent report card/transcript and the name and email of their classroom teacher or the teacher whose class most closely relates to the course for which you are applying.
Please note, we have recently migrated to a new system and there may be some errors in our database. If you feel that your student’s Enrollment Status should read Under Review based on previous CTD classes, please email ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu .
If you would like to apply for need based financial aid, please make sure to read through our financial aid page to assess if you may qualify: https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/financial-aid If you indicate you are applying for financial aid you will receive the FACTS financial aid application in a follow-up email. Your application to the course cannot be reviewed without a COMPLETED FACTS application in the FACTS system.
On the payment screen, please select the application or applications you wish to pay for. Unless applying for financial aid, CTD requires full payment at the time of application for most programs. If your student is not accepted, or the class is cancelled, you will receive a full refund.
Once you have made payment you will be directed back to your dashboard. Please select TO APPLICATION.
You may choose to complete your application at this time OR you may come back to it. Please keep in mind, paying for and submitting and application DOES NOT hold a spot for your student. Classes are filled in the order that completed, qualifying applications are received.
COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION
You will receive a confirmation email upon submission of your payment. The email contains a link to more specific directions regarding how to complete your application, should additional information be needed.
To complete your student’s application with qualifying TEST SCORES, click on Upload Test Scores. You may also use this button to upload a copy of your student’s grades if necessary to show proof of prerequisites.
To complete your student’s application with a TEACHER RECOMMENDATION and GRADES please provide the name and email address of your recommending teacher. If you do not have the grades ready at the same time you will be able to return to provide them later by following the prompts in your MyCTD account.
If you have any prerequisites that are not documented on your report card or transcript, you will have the opportunity to upload them separately.
We kindly request that you do not upload the same documents multiple times. Please also allow our team up to 7 business days to process any documents provided for your application.
Application Deadlines
- For the Winter Session, students will start their course on January 24th or 31st. In order to be eligible to be enrolled for a particular start date, the application must be COMPLETE no less than 5 days prior to the start date.
- Regardless of enrollment date, all one-credit courses will end on May 15, 2024.
- Regardless of enrollment date, all two-credit courses will end on August 15, 2024.
- The deadline for the Early Application Tuition Discount is January 3rd. Tuition will automatically increase by $25 after this date.
With the launch of our new application system, our processes have changed and are more streamlined for your convenience.
From the Home page on your MyCTD account go to Courses. If you do not yet have a MyCTD account, you can create one by clicking on MyCTD account from the upper right corner of our website. Please make sure to put your student or students into your account and make sure to select a STUDENT for each application.
You may use the filter to search for classes OR type in the class you wish to apply for in the search field.
Select the Apply Now button in the upper right corner of the course description card.
Select the student for whom you wish to create an application.
If your student’s school is not found with the search tool, please choose Other and provide your student’s school information in the space provided.
Please read through and sign the necessary release page. The policies link at the top of the page includes the withdrawal and refund policies applicants agree to. We ask that you make sure to review the policies for the program you are applying to carefully.
You may then choose to create a new application or proceed to the payments page.
On the payments page, select New Course Payment.
The Applications for Payment screen will allow you to make payment for the class AND shows the enrollment status of your application(s). If the status is Under Review, no further action should be needed. If the status reads Additional Information Needed, you will need to provide either qualifying test scores OR your student’s most recent report card/transcript and the name and email of their classroom teacher or the teacher whose class most closely relates to the course for which you are applying.
Please note, we have recently migrated to a new system and there may be some errors in our database. If you feel that your student’s Enrollment Status should read Under Review based on previous CTD classes, please email ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu .
If you would like to apply for need based financial aid, please make sure to read through our financial aid page to assess if you may qualify: https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/financial-aid If you indicate you are applying for financial aid you will receive the FACTS financial aid application in a follow-up email. Your application to the course cannot be reviewed without a COMPLETED FACTS application in the FACTS system.
On the payment screen, please select the application or applications you wish to pay for. Unless applying for financial aid, CTD requires full payment at the time of application for most programs. If your student is not accepted, or the class is cancelled, you will receive a full refund.
Once you have made payment you will be directed back to your dashboard. Please select TO APPLICATION.
You may choose to complete your application at this time OR you may come back to it. Please keep in mind, paying for and submitting and application DOES NOT hold a spot for your student. Classes are filled in the order that completed, qualifying applications are received.
COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION
You will receive a confirmation email upon submission of your payment. The email contains a link to more specific directions regarding how to complete your application, should additional information be needed.
To complete your student’s application with qualifying TEST SCORES, click on Upload Test Scores. You may also use this button to upload a copy of your student’s grades if necessary to show proof of prerequisites.
To complete your student’s application with a TEACHER RECOMMENDATION and GRADES please provide the name and email address of your recommending teacher. If you do not have the grades ready at the same time you will be able to return to provide them later by following the prompts in your MyCTD account.
If you have any prerequisites that are not documented on your report card or transcript, you will have the opportunity to upload them separately.
We kindly request that you do not upload the same documents multiple times. Please also allow our team up to 7 business days to process any documents provided for your application.
Application Deadlines
- For the Winter Session, students will start their course on January 24th or 31st. In order to be eligible to be enrolled for a particular start date, the application must be COMPLETE no less than 5 days prior to the start date.
- Regardless of enrollment date, all one-credit courses will end on May 15, 2024.
- Regardless of enrollment date, all two-credit courses will end on August 15, 2024.
- The deadline for the Early Application Tuition Discount is January 3, 2024. Tuition will automatically increase by $25 after this date.
Eligibility requirements differ between students in grades 6 through 8 and students in grades 9 through 12.
To qualify for Magenta Tier Online Honors Courses students must be in grade 9 through 12 and must also provide one of the following:
- Achievement of a score of 95th percentile or higher on a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the required qualifying subject area (Verbal, Math, or Science) for the desired course.
- Successful past completion of a CTD course, with the same qualifying subject area (Verbal, Math, or Science) within the past two years.
- Submission of a portfolio application, consisting of a teacher recommendation and the student’s most recent report card demonstrating that the student is performing exceptionally well in the qualifying subject area.
- Participation in above-grade-level testing such as the PSAT™8/9 test taken in grades 4, 5, or 6, or the ACT® or SAT® test taken in grades 6, 7, 8 or 9 (Above-Grade-Level Assessment) within the last two years.
To qualify for Indigo Tier Online Honors Courses students must be in grade 6 through 8 and must also provide one of the following:
- Qualifying score on an above-grade-level assessment in the required qualifying subject area (Verbal, Math, or Science) for the desired course. See course description for required scores via the Explore Courses tool.
- Successful past completion of a CTD course, with the same qualifying subject area (Verbal, Math, or Science) within the past two years.
- Submission of a portfolio application, consisting of a teacher recommendation and the student’s most recent report card demonstrating that the student is performing exceptionally well in the qualifying subject area.
Algebra I is NOT considered Indigo Tier for grades 6 through 8. It is considered a Magenta Tier course.
Prerequisites and Graded Writing Sample
Many courses require additional prerequisites for admission. Any prerequisites are included the course description. Any student applying to a course with a prerequisite must submit documentation showing the prerequisite has been met unless CTD already has such information from previous applications, or if the prerequisite has been met via a CTD course.
English Language Proficiency
Because courses are taught in English, test scores are used to assess proficiency and assist in course placement. TOEFL (or TOEFL Jr. for grades 4-8) or IELTS scores are required for students for whom English is not the first language and who do not have PSAT, I-Excel, SAT, ACT, ASSET, or PreACT scores.
Requests for Grade Advancement/Acceleration
CTD course content is advanced or grade-level accelerated, as reflected in course descriptions and the standard admission requirements. Though course content is advanced, students can engage with intellectual peers who are also age- or grade-level peers. Therefore, most students should apply for courses aligned to the grade-level in which they are currently enrolled. Still, for some students demonstrating a need for an even higher level of instruction than CTD’s advanced and accelerated courses already provide, further acceleration may be an option. Visit the Requesting an Accelerated Placement web page for more information about the process, timeline, and required materials.
Tuition
- One-credit Honors course: $795
- Two-credit Honors course: $1,325
Tuition increases by $25 after September 14th for Fall session.
Withdrawals
- Please see our withdrawal information for policies specific to this program.
Financial Aid
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.
- The deadline to complete a financial aid application for the Online Honors Fall Program is September 1st, 2023..
- In order to start your class, any balance due must be cleared. Once a financial aid decision has been made, you must clear any remaining balance before you can begin your class. If your balance is not cleared, your start date will be moved to the next start date available.
- Students will not be able to be begin their class between published start dates.
- 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 2022-2023 academic year for CTD, you must still attach the 2023-2024 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.
Students in Online Honors courses should expect to spend 6-8 hours per week engaged in rigorous, independent course work, guided by an instructor.
Students have flexibility in terms of when they complete course work, and instructors provide individualized feedback to help students stay on track with course material.
Students who have the most success in Online Honors courses are active, independent learners who take initiative, have strong communication and organization skills, and have a desire to learn in an online platform. A student’s ability to manage their time, meet deadlines, and adjust their efforts accordingly is imperative.
Schoology, the learning management system used by CTD, is a user-friendly platform designed specifically for K-12 online learners, and is COPPA compliant.
Students will receive login information to Schoology via e-mail 12-24 hours before the course start date.
With their login information, students will receive information about a live, online orientation for all new Online Program students. (Returning students are also welcome to repeat the orientation.) The orientation will be recorded for students to view at a later time, if desired.
Access to course material, including instructor contact information, syllabi, and assignments, begins on the course start date.
The course acceptance notification email will contain a link to CTD’s online bookstore, where students can find textbook requirements for their course.
Textbooks can be purchased from CTD’s online bookstore, or from another vendor of choice. The use of a textbook varies by course, and not all online courses require one, though most online honors and AP® courses do require textbooks.
Textbook and supply costs (i.e. lab kits, if applicable) are not included in course fees.
Course Pacing
Students enrolled in Online Honors courses have up to 16 weeks (for 1-credit courses) or 34 weeks (for 2-credit courses) to complete their course work, depending on the session and the student's enrollment date. Students are welcome to accelerate through the course in a shorter time frame and should share their plans with their instructor if they plan to do so.
Extensions
Students in Fall and Winter Online Honors or Online AP® classes may request up to three, 1-month extensions from their instructor. Online Summer (ASO) students can request up to two extensions. All extension requests are considered on an individual basis. To qualify for an extension, students need to have made significant progress towards completion of course work. (At a minimum, students need to have finished more than half of the course work to submit a request for extension.) Additionally, a student must have demonstrated the desire and capacity to complete the course in order for an extension request to be approved.
Course extensions begin on the course end date, and are consecutive, and are not able to be delayed. A $100 fee is assessed for each month of an extension.
Requests for course extensions should be directed to the course instructor in writing and must be approved by the course instructor and CTD.
Credit
For each successfully completed semester (with a grade of C- or better), students will receive one high school credit through CTD.
As an accredited institution, CTD issues credits to students successfully completing Online Honors, Online ASO, and Online AP® courses. However, acceptance of credit from CTD is a local school decision. Students interested in pursuing credit should discuss their school’s policy concerning credit from outside institutions with an academic counselor or school administrator before applying.
Evaluations
Online Honors students receive a letter grade and evaluation at the end of the first semester and again after completion of the course (for two semester courses). The final evaluation provides feedback on the student’s achievements in the course, ability to navigate the online course environment, and future course recommendations. An e-mail notification will be sent when the evaluation is available for access via MyCTD.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts can be generated via MyCTD (select “Tools” and then “Transcript” within the menu bar) upon completion of the course and final approval of the student’s evaluation. We encourage students to download their own transcript and ask that schools be flexible given current circumstances.
If an official transcript is required, please contact CTD’s Admissions and Advising office to request an official transcript be emailed to the student’s school. Additional official transcripts can be requested via the Official Transcript Request Form.
All course work and communication (including instructor contact information, the course syllabus, and assignments) take place within the Schoology course site. Schoology can be accessed on a desktop or laptop computer, or with the Schoology mobile app for iOS or Android tablets and phones. While tablets may be sufficient for most course work, some web tools and/or websites may require the use of a computer.
Students need access to a stable internet connection and updated web browser.
Participation in “live” course activities or multimedia recordings may require a computer web camera, microphone or headset.
See Frequently Asked Questions about Online Program courses.
- For questions regarding Online Program admissions and financial aid, please contact:
ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu - For questions about current Online Program enrollments, please contact:
ctd-online@northwestern.edu - For questions about school partnerships with Online Programs, please contact:
ctd-school-services@northwestern.edu
