CTY’s academic programs have been developed to meet the unique needs of our nation’s brightest students. They offer a wide array of topics often not covered in school prior to college, as well as many accelerated courses. CTY academic programs include both summer residential programs and distance education courses, and are accredited by the CSS MSA.
CTY Summer Programs
CTY’s Summer Programs provide eligible 2nd - 6th graders and older students the opportunity to study at a pace and level appropriate to their exceptional academic abilities. Though the focus is on rigorous academics and learning, the tremendous social experience that CTY provides students is an integral part of the program. The opportunity for students of outstanding academic ability to learn and socialize with their true intellectual peers is one of the keys to the success of CTY’s summer programs, where lasting friendships often develop.
Summer programs are offered at residential or day sites in more than 24 locations in the US on the east and west coasts, and in Mexico and China. Students take only one course per three-week session and study that discipline intensively in five- or seven-hour classes, five days per week.
A wide range of courses in mathematics, sciences, and the humanities are available, and all courses emphasize the development of critical thinking and independent learning. CTY instructors include outstanding teachers from public and private schools and universities, graduate students, outstanding teachers from public and private schools and universities, graduate students, outstanding undergraduate students, and professional writers. Class size averages 12-18 students, and there is a teaching assistant for each course.
Outside class, students have the opportunity to engage in recreational activities and socialize with others who share their high academic abilities and love of learning. Students in both day and residential programs are supervised by CTY staff at all times. Students are strictly limited as to where they may be on campus, and are not allowed off campus without a specific purpose and adult supervision.
Students who qualify for academic programs with SCAT scores may attend programs for which they are qualified through the summer after sixth grade. All students must take the SAT or ACT (in seventh grade or after) to establish eligibility for the seventh grade and above summer programs. One set of summer residential programs is available to students ages 12-16. Additional programs on special topics, such as the Civic Leadership Institute, are offered to students ages 15-18.
CTYOnline
CTYOnline offers K-12 and Advanced Placement (AP) level instruction to eligible students. All courses are accelerated, honors, or AP level and are available in writing, mathematics, computer science, science, and the social sciences. Courses provide students with innovative instruction, challenging curricula, and authoritative help from committed instructors, allowing students to work at home, in school, or both—at a pace best suited to their abilities.
During the school year, students generally need two to five hours per week for coursework. Summer sessions are intensive and can require several hours per day. Instructors are specialists with degrees in the subject area they teach who enjoy working with gifted students. They provide support and feedback on student progress, monitor student work, communicate with students via email, phone, or web-based classrooms or whiteboards, and interact with school contacts as necessary to provide updates on student progress and achievement.
- Individually-paced math, science, and computer science courses are designed for students with qualifying math scores who can progress at their own pace, suitable for their schedules and ability levels. Students may enroll at any time of year for a 3, 6, or 9-month block of time. Applications are accepted continually, and students can usually be assigned an instructor and begin the course within about two weeks of CTY’s receipt of their application.
- Writing courses are offered in sessions, with specific start and end dates. These courses give young, highly motivated and gifted writers the opportunity to work with and learn from professional writers, all of whom hold advanced degrees and many of whom are published authors. Students work one-on-one with these extraordinary teachers, who provide guidance, praise, and constructive criticism each step of the way. In many courses, students also join virtual writing workshops to exchange insights with other verbally gifted students.
- CTY’s Advanced Placement courses are offered in a number of subjects, including sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and humanities. These rigorous courses cover college-level material and prepare high school students to take the AP exams offered by the College Board testing program each spring. Many universities and colleges award advanced standing or credit for college-level courses based on the scores a student achieves on the AP tests taken in high school. AP courses, except for AP Calculus, are offered in the session format, with specific start and end dates. AP Calculus is an individually-paced course and students may enroll at any time.
