CTY Courses in Schools

Many public, private, independent, and charter schools work with CTYOnline to expand opportunities for their academically gifted students by bringing CTY's challenging distance education courses to the school setting. This collaboration allows gifted students to take advanced courses in subjects such as math, science, writing, language arts, Chinese or Arabic languages, and computer science. CTYOnline students also may take advanced placement courses that may not be offered in the student's school.

CTYOnline school-based students often work on their courses during the school day, using the computer lab or perhaps the media center, communicating with their CTYOnline instructors via email, interactive virtual classrooms, or by phone. Many challenging CTYOnline courses are used to replace the school's regular course, accommodating gifted students who can master material rapidly and move on to the next level. Other courses are offered for enrichment, to ensure that students receive the challenge they need and to deepen their knowledge in particular fields. Math courses range from pre-primary math through differential equations. Courses are also offered in middle school and high school level science, computer science, Chinese and Arabic languages, language arts, and writing. AP courses are offered in calculus, language and composition, the sciences, and the social sciences.

Schools rely on CTY's exceptionally high standards for rigorous courses, teaching excellence, and student performance. In addition, the program offers special benefits to both schools and students:

Benefits for the Schools

• Supports curriculum differentiation within the school
• Eliminates the need to hire teachers for advanced or specialized classes with very small enrollments
• Provides a cost effective means to offer instructor-led advanced coursework to gifted students
• Relieves the school's teaching staff of the formidable task of meeting the needs of students of all levels in the same classroom
• Allows teachers more time to spend with students who need more help

Benefits for the Students

• Provides challenging courses that meet the academic needs of academically gifted students
• Avoids the disruption of taking a bus to higher level schools for advanced classes
• Reduces the pressure to skip grades
• Allows students to progress at their own pace, guided by CTYOnline faculty and using rich, engaging course materials
• Frees students from scheduling problems, allowing them to take appropriately challenging courses

How do CTYOnline distance courses work?

CTYOnline distance education courses are very challenging and are designed for self-motivated gifted students who are comfortable using a computer. Students are guided by CTYOnline instructors, who work in cooperation with school administrators and teachers. In addition to instruction from multimedia software, students receive input from instructors via email, web-based whiteboard, online classrooms, and phone. CTYOnline instructors track each student's progress and respond to individual student needs.

Admissions and Eligibility

CTYOnline courses are appropriate for students who are academically gifted, and students are admitted based on their performance on above grade level tests. These tests are used to assess each student's strengths and to determine eligibility for either verbal or math courses. Most students are admitted through the CTY Talent Search, through which the testing is arranged. For more details about eligibility and admissions, including qualifying scores by grade level, visit CTYOnline Admissions & Eligibility or the CTYOnline catalog. CTY also works directly with schools to help identify students, and CTY staff members are available to conduct testing in the school for groups of students.

How to Enroll

To enroll students, a completed Application form and School Information Update form should be submitted for each student. If a school will be paying tuition and fees with a purchase order, list the purchase order number on the payment section of each application. A school account will be created for billing purposes. If parents are responsible for tuition and fees, they should complete the payment section of the application form. The completed Application and School Information Update packet (and Purchase Order, if applicable) should be faxed to 1-866-646-3816.

Re-enrollment Information

To re-enroll, please print out the two page Re-enrollment Form and fax the completed form to 410-735-6105.

Course Materials

Course materials may include online resources, CD-ROMs, texts, and workbooks. Materials are mailed to the student's home or directly to the school, if requested. Some courses may require a separate textbook or materials purchase. See the CTYOnline catalog or course descriptions for prerequisites, detailed course information, system requirements, and other details.

Faculty

CTYOnline distance instructors are well qualified in the subject matter they teach. Most hold advanced degrees, including the Ph.D., in the field. CTYOnline instructors are familiar with gifted students and their academic needs. Students are each assigned a CTYOnline faculty member to guide the student through the course, provide encouragement and feedback, and evaluate student performance. They communicate with instructors through email, web-based whiteboard, online virtual classrooms, and phone. Students progress at their own pace guided by instructors who meet individual needs. CTYOnline instructors review completed work and communicate with students to ensure mastery of content. CTYOnline emphasizes frequent instructor-student interaction and assessment to monitor progress and ensure the student is making satisfactory progress.

Student Evaluations and Grades

Students take frequent quizzes and tests, as well as comprehensive mid-term and final examinations. The final grade (upon request for language arts and writing courses), and report card period grades can be released to the school for those students who are working from school. CTYOnline instructors also provide a written evaluation of each student's performance. Language arts students complete weekly assignments and writing students complete essays every 10 - 14 days. Student performance in language arts and writing courses is evaluated through extensive written critiques of all essays and assignments. Each student who successfully completes a CTYOnline course receives completion documents, which include a final grade for the course, recommended school credit, and a recommendation for the next successive course. To arrange that interim progress reports and report card grades should be sent to the school, contact ctyinschool@jhu.edu to request a School Information Update Form or download the document and fax the completed form to 1-866-646-3816 to the attention of the CTYOnline School Coordinator.

In-School Support for Students Taking CTYOnline Courses

Placement Testing for Math Courses

Prospective mathematics students may take diagnostic tests to assure proper course placement. To request a math placement test, please contact ctyonline@jhu.edu. Completed placement tests should be faxed or mailed to the CTYOnline office for scoring. The CTYOnline Math Program will contact parents to let them know the results and the recommended course placement for each student.

Computers and Internet Access

Each school must have adequate computer equipment and facilities to run the software for the proposed number of students. The school is responsible for supplying all the necessary computer hardware. All equipment should be secured before software and course materials are shipped. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support web page for more general information; specific computer requirements for each course are provided at the bottom of each online course description. Students who work from school should have access to a school computer for at least 40 minutes, three days a week. Generally, if a CTYOnline distance course is being used to supplement and enrich regular schoolwork, students work on the CTY course three or four days per week. If the CTYOnline course is used to replace the student's regular course, students should work on their CTY course each day during their regularly scheduled class. For example, students taking an advanced CTYOnline math course typically work in the computer lab or library during the time they would otherwise be in their regular math class. Students can access their CTYOnline courses both at home and at school.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for individually paced courses (math, computer science, and science below the AP level) is based on the amount of time selected. Schools may choose to enroll a student for three months, six months, or nine months. Students may begin their courses at any time of the year, and the school may select the start date. Students who complete a course before the ending date use the extra time to begin another individually paced course. Students who need more time to finish a course can pay to enroll for an additional month or more if needed. This approach allows the student to progress at whatever pace is appropriate for that student. Tuition for session-based courses (writing, language arts, humanities, foreign languages, and AP courses except AP Calculus) varies by course. Session based courses have specific application deadlines, and start and end dates. Tuition rates and fees and class schedules are available online and in the CTYOnline catalog.

Accreditation

The Center for Talented Youth is accredited for grades 5 through 12 by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of College and Schools.

Are CTYOnline Advanced Placement Courses Approved by the College Board?

All CTYOnline AP courses have been reviewed and approved by the College Board to use the "AP" designation.

Does CTY Offer Degrees or Diplomas?

CTY is an accredited institution, but does not offer any degrees or diplomas. The student's school awards placement and/or credit as appropriate for specific coursework taken through CTY based on the school's policies. The CTYOnline program for schools is designed to supplement and expand the school's capabilities in gifted education through distance education.

For More Information

School administrators or teachers who wish to receive a school information packet and learn more about how CTY can assist a school's gifted education program should contact the CTYOnline School Program Office at ctyinschool@jhu.edu or phone 410-735-6166.

Visit Earning Credit or Placement to learn more about receiving school credit or placement for CTYOnline courses.

To arrange that interim progress reports and report card grades should be sent to a school, download the School Information Update here, and then fax the completed form to 1-866-646-3816.