When a student enrolls in a CTYOnline course, the course materials are mailed to the student's home, or delivered electronically in some cases. A highly qualified CTYOnline instructor is assigned to the student who introduces the student to the course, and provides instructions, encouragement and guidance. Course materials vary, depending on subject and level. Many include a CD-ROM or online materials and require access to a computer with Internet connection. Most students interact extensively with the instructor using e-mail, telephone, progress reports, or by means of an interactive Internet-based whiteboard. Many courses also include interaction with other gifted students in virtual classroom settings.

Although many of our students have never taken a distance course before they enroll with CTYOnline, they learn quickly that the courses are demanding but fun and very engaging. Working with their instructors, they dive into challenging and advanced course material appropriate to their level of ability, typically well above their grade level.

Choosing a Course

CTYOnline courses are designed to enrich and accelerate students in the areas they show the strongest abilities. To be eligible to take courses in math, computer science, or the sciences, students must achieve qualifying scores in math on an appropriate above-grade level test. To be eligible to take courses in humanities, language arts, writing, social science, or foreign language, students must achieve qualifying scores in the verbal portion of the appropriate above-grade level test.  

The eligibility section has more information about how students are admitted to the program and become eligible to take courses. Most courses also have prerequisites,listed in each course description, that must be satisfied before the student can enroll.

Session-Based versus Individually Paced Courses

CTYOnline offers two different kinds of distance courses: session-based courses and individually paced courses:

• Session-based courses:  These courses have specific start and end dates; students receive a schedule and must meet deadlines for assignments. Tests, if any, are taken according to the course schedule. All writing, AP (except AP Calculus), language arts, and foreign language courses are session-based. FAQs are available for session based writing and language arts, AP, and Chinese language.
• Individually paced courses: Students may enroll at any time during the year and progress at their own pace, guided by instructors who strive to meet individual needs. Enrollment and tuition are time based, and students may enroll in a course for three, six, or nine months. If they complete a course with seven or more days remaining in their enrollment period, they may begin another individually paced course. They can also postpone the course for breaks of seven days or longer if they go on vacation or are unable to continue for other reasons. Students who do not complete their course before their end-date can pay to re-enroll for an additional time period to complete it. Math courses (including AP Calculus), computer science, and science courses below the level of AP are individually paced. See the FAQ for individually paced courses for more details.

Expectations of Students

CTYOnline courses are designed for self-motivated, computer-literate students who love academic challenges. Students are expected to work independently and consistently, communicate frequently with their instructors, and maintain satisfactory progress. Students are also required to have an email account and regular access to a computer and printer. Many courses have specific technical specifications to ensure computers can run course software. In addition, because CTYOnline students use the Internet frequently, they should ensure that their computers are properly protected for their safety and security. Before enrolling, check for information on cybersafety and system requirements at www.cty.jhu.edu/cde/techspecs.html

CTYOnline courses challenge very able students and are not remedial. Writing students, for example, must already be proficient in Standard Written English.

Students with Disabilities

Our policy is to provide reasonable, appropriate, and necessary accommodation for qualified students with disabilities. We must know as soon as possible if a child has a disability that requires special accommodation. Parents must contact the program office ( ctyonline@jhu.edu) to discuss their child's specific needs confidentially. The privacy rights of each student are honored to the fullest extent possible. Students whose special needs have not been clearly and fully described before assignment to an instructor, and whose needs therefore cannot be reasonably accommodated, may be asked to withdraw from the program.

Student Code of Conduct

CTY expects the highest standards of behavior both in deportment and in dedication to academic pursuits. Students are expected to

• Adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity
• Strive to do the best work possible
• Respect individuals of different races, cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, and national origins
• Be friendly, cooperative, and responsible to all people in the CTY community
• Observe all rules for student conduct.

Students may receive failing grades or be dismissed from the program, with no tuition refunds, for any of the following reasons:

• Cheating, or other acts of academic dishonesty, including failing to follow quiz or exam rules for time limits, closed book, etc.
• Plagiarizing, defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, that is not a student's own, without acknowledgment of the sources
• Harassing or interfering with the work of others, whether via email or any other medium
• Not attending to their academic work in a satisfactory manner.
  

Supporting Your Child

Parents or guardians are vital components to a child’s success. They play a key role by both seeing that work is submitted on time and encouraging regular communication with instructors to ensure that students maintain an acceptable rate of progress.

Some general tips:

• Encourage your child to do the best work possible.
• Help your child to understand that it may require one to two weeks to get familiar with the course format.
• Remind your child to communicate with the instructor regularly.
• Oversee the timely completion of assignments and exams.

First-time students may feel unsure about taking a CTYOnline course. Both the nature of the program and the absence of a physical classroom may be new to students. Many initially anxious students have expressed gratitude to their parents for encouraging them to enroll. Nevertheless, no matter how enthusiastic you may be about the program, we do not recommend enrolling a strongly reluctant child.