Why CTY?

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth is a learning community like no other. A leader in gifted education for more than 45 years, CTY is a center for innovation that conducts research and offers programs and resources designed to meet the unique needs of academically talented students. From rigorous and fresh academic courses to our fun and engaging peer community, we provide a supportive environment where advanced learners can discover, experience, and achieve.

CTY’s commitment to advancing the field of gifted education is rooted in a deep understanding of how academically talented students learn and develop. Through our research on talent identification, programs, and other resources for advanced learners, we continually refine our offerings to ensure they meet evolving demands. By studying how advanced learners think, learn, and grow in a changing educational landscape, CTY creates distinct learning experiences that challenge and inspire.

The CTY Experience

At CTY, academically talented students are immersed in a fun and welcoming learning environment that fosters intellectual exploration and personal growth. CTY programs challenge bright learners while fostering a strong sense of community. Whether studying on campus or learning in our dynamic virtual classrooms, CTY students benefit from:

Rigorous Academics

CTY creates rigorous, fresh, and fun experiences that enrich and accelerate learning. Students explore advanced subjects in depth, gaining specialized knowledge and building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This approach helps ensure that advanced learners remain challenged and engaged.

Expert Instruction

CTY instructors are experts in their field and are skilled at teaching advanced concepts to bright students. These instructors provide personalized support and feedback, helping advanced learners thrive academically and find community.

Social Connections

CTY offers a collaborative and engaging environment where students build lasting friendships with peers from around the world. Our vibrant learning community fosters mutual support and shared enthusiasm for learning, creating an enriching social experience.

Individualized Learning

Not all advanced learners are the same—they may excel in different areas and have varied needs for growth. Our courses are designed to help advanced learners build on their strengths and to provide additional enrichment where they need it.

Personal Growth

Through CTY programs, advanced learners develop self-confidence, independence, and a passion for academic pursuits that will serve them well in the future. CTY is a safe space to take academic risks and explore new topics, all as part of a fun and engaging community of advanced learners. Beyond academic success, we encourage students to grow as well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on new challenges.

Future Success

The CTY learning experience endures long after their course ends. CTYers continue to pursue their academic passions and gain critical thinking and interpersonal skills that help to equip them for college and future careers.

 

 

Advanced Learning Opportunities at CTY

Many academically talented students need more than what a traditional classroom can offer. CTY provides on-campus and online above-grade-level courses that accelerate and enrich learning. We challenge students to go further, dig deeper, and proceed at a pace that matches their skills and interests.

On-Campus Experiences

Our on-campus programs offer advanced learners an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in learning. These summer programs blend rigorous coursework with engaging extracurricular activities.

  • Residential Programs: Students in grades 5–12 live on campus for three weeks, experiencing a fully immersive academic and social environment.  
  • Day Programs: Students in grades 2–6 participate in classes and activities during the day and return home in the evening.

Students in our on-campus summer programs can choose from various courses that challenge them intellectually and help them develop new skills.

Benefits of On-Campus Experiences

The benefits of our on-campus summer programs extend beyond academic enrichment:

  • Intensive learning: Academically talented students focus on subjects that most interest them, gaining a deeper understanding of complex topics.
  • Community engagement: CTY programs encourage advanced learners to connect with peers during classroom lessons and projects, and during extracurricular activities specifically designed to foster a sense of community and belonging.
  • Extracurricular activities: CTY on-campus programs feature sports, arts, social events, and other activities that help students form friendships and develop well-rounded skills and interests.
  • Personal development: Our immersive summer programs enhance academic knowledge and build essential social skills, self-confidence, and independence.

Online Learning

Our online programs offer a flexible and engaging option for students who seek to learn wherever they are. Our online courses provide academic rigor and engagement, and they allow students to explore advanced topics and connect with peers from around the world in dynamic virtual classrooms.

Led by expert instructors, CTY’s online courses are offered year-round in various formats, accommodating schedules and learning goals. They cover a wide range of subjects rarely found in a traditional school curriculum, including space colonization, crime scene investigation, creative writing, competitive math, and more.

Benefits of Online Learning

CTY’s online programs offer a variety of benefits that meet the needs of bright learners:

  • Flexible learning: Students can learn from wherever they are, allowing them to customize their learning experience to fit their schedules.
  • Self-discipline: The flexibility of CTY online programs helps promote self-discipline and independent study skills.
  • Interactive environment: Interactive elements such as synchronous meetings, discussions, virtual labs, and real-time feedback from instructors create an engaging online learning environment.
  • Global collaboration: CTY online programs allow students to learn and collaborate with peers from around the world, enriching their education through diverse perspectives.

Additional Resources for Advanced Learners

CTY offers resources to support advanced learners, their families, educators, and CTY alumni. These resources help ensure that all members of our CTY community are well-equipped to nurture and develop the unique strengths of academically talented students.

Online events provide insights into CTY programs and the specific needs of advanced learners. A dedicated Facebook group for families and other resources help families support their high-achieving children.

CTY also offers educational support, guidance, and resources for educators about how to identify and nurture advanced learners in their classrooms.

Advanced Learners 101: Identifying and Supporting Academically Talented Students