How It Works

Choosing a course

CTYOnline courses are designed to enrich and accelerate academically gifted students in the areas they show the strongest abilities. To be eligible to take courses in writing, language arts, humanities, or social science, students must achieve qualifying scores in the verbal portion of the appropriate above-grade level test. To be eligible to take courses in math, science, or computer science and technology, students must achieve qualifying scores in the math portion of the appropriate above-grade level test. A chart based on the student’s previous course work is available to help students choose an appropriate math course. In addition, students with qualifying math scores may take a math placement test. Students who have qualifying math or verbal scores are eligible to take world language, web design, or music courses. Note that most courses also have prerequisites listed in each course description that must be satisfied before a student can enroll.

CTYOnline courses are offered in three different formats: Individually paced, Session-based, and Flexi-paced. For an explanation of these formats, visit CTYOnline courses offered in three formats. The fastest way to enroll is to fill out the online application.

The eligibility section has more information about how academically gifted students are admitted to the program and become eligible to take courses.

Once registration is complete

When an academically gifted student enrolls in a CTYOnline course, the course materials are mailed or delivered electronically. A highly qualified CTYOnline instructor is assigned to introduce the student to the course and provide instructions, encouragement, and guidance. Course materials vary, depending on subject and level. Many include a CD-ROM or online materials, and all require access to a computer with Internet connection. Students interact extensively with their instructors using e-mail, telephone, progress reports, and 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. For more information about what is expected of CTYOnline Students and the Student Code of Conduct, visit CTYOnline expectations of students.

The important role of parents and guardians

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 a parent may be about the program, we do not recommend enrolling a strongly reluctant child.