“CTY will be recognized by students, parents, the education community, and policymakers as the world leader in the education of pre-collegiate students of high academic ability. CTY’s programs will serve all qualified students regardless of their ability to pay.” –– CTY Vision
 
Mission
CTY shares with its parent organization, the Johns Hopkins University, a three-part mission of teaching, research, and service. More specifically, CTY:

• Seeks students of the highest academic ability through its talent search and offers them challenging educational opportunities that develop the intellect, encourage achievement, and nurture social development.
• Conducts research and evaluation studies that advance knowledge about gifted education; develops best practices in educating highly able children; and disseminates its findings to parents, the education community, and policymakers.
• Supports educators in their efforts to meet the needs of highly able students, assists parents in advocating for their gifted children, and participates actively in community service.

History
In 1972, Dr. Julian Stanley, a psychology professor at The Johns Hopkins University, introduced the first Talent Search designed to identify, challenge, and reward academically able young people. Since 1979, CTY has expanded to offer a wide range of academic opportunities and to conduct research, disseminate information, consult with educational organizations, advocate public policy initiatives, and offer diagnostic and counseling services.

Over the years, participation has also grown greatly. In 1992, some 6,000 students were enrolled in CTY summer programs at a dozen sites throughout the United States and overseas. Almost ten years later, more than 60,000 students participate in CTY's annual Talent Search, over 10,000 enroll in CTY's summer programs, and over 10,000 take CTYOnline distance learning courses and one-day family programs.

In 2011, Dr. Elaine Tuttle Hansen was appointed Executive Director of The Center for Talented Youth.

CTY has established a broad network and continues to work with students, families, teachers, school districts, government agencies, for-profit and non-profit corporations, and others to identify and nurture academic talent at the pre-collegiate level.

To date, CTY has identified over one million students and has served over 100,000 students through its programs.