Center for Talented Youth at John Hopkins?

[Anonymous]

My middle schooler is gifted and learning disabled. He has a strong interest in higher level science classes, and I was wondering whether CTY would be a good fit for him, provided he makes the cut.

Any insight and advice from BTDT parents? Are the classes really college-level? Do the teachers provide notes/outlines, or do the students need to take notes? How did taking these classes affect your child's performance at school or their college application?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Classes are college level. As far as taking "notes" it depends on the type of class, but students are doing work and turning in work. My child is not 2E, but from the application form, it seems that they are willing to work with students that might need some accomodations.

As far as performance at school, I think my kid really enjoys the extra challenge. It's so much more rigorous than regular school it doesn't really improve performance at regular school, just gives them an outlet to really challenge themselves. Can't speak to college applications, as my kid isn't there yet.

First step really is to test in, however. Whole discussion is moot if your child doesn't make the cut score on the SAT, ACT or that other test CTY accepts (can't remember the acronym--it's on the website.) How is your child at taking tests? I think your first step should be to sign up for the Talent Search (the entrance test). It can be valueable practice regardless of whether your kid actually makes the cut, or does and for whatever reason doens't end up enrolling in any CTY courses.

If they do qualify, you can follow up with CTY staff with more in depth question regarding accomodations for your child's particular learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

This is not to sound snarky but the CTY is looking for 99% and in some cases 99.9%'s.

You can still be in that category with a learning disability?

It seems unlikely unless very skewed in one direction.

My kids are of average intelligence and would get skewered in these classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not to sound snarky but the CTY is looking for 99% and in some cases 99.9%'s.

You can still be in that category with a learning disability?

It seems unlikely unless very skewed in one direction.

My kids are of average intelligence and would get skewered in these classes.

NP here and yes, absolutely. My child is dyslexic and reads and writes very, very slowly. But has a very high IQ on the parts of the IQ test that don't involve reading/writing and is especially gifted in math.

[Anonymous]

It's all fine and good, and probably a good experience. Although there are worse ways to spend the summer, all CTY signals is that mom and dad
paid for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's all fine and good, and probably a good experience. Although there are worse ways to spend the summer, all CTY signals is that mom and dad
paid for it.

Moms and Dads pay for lots of different types of summer programs and camps, but you do have to score high enough on the SAT or ACT to attend CTY. They also offer financial aid.

[Anonymous]

I had a HS friend with fairly severe ADHD -- enough that it affected her schoolwork sometimes even w/ medication & she had some minor accommodations as a result (e.g., took tests in empty classrooms so as not to get distracted by other students; allowed a 10 minute break between 30 minute test segments) that went to CTY and LOVED it. It actually convinced her that the extra struggle to complete schoolwork was worth it and she made a much greater effort in HS than previously. Now just finished her post-doc (post-PhD) about to start as a tenure track prof at a midwest state U!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not to sound snarky but the CTY is looking for 99% and in some cases 99.9%'s.

You can still be in that category with a learning disability?

It seems unlikely unless very skewed in one direction.

My kids are of average intelligence and would get skewered in these classes.

Not only is the answer yes, but it is very common.

My son is in the 99.5+ percentile and earned a perfect 2400 on the SAT. But he struggles mightily in school because of his average working memory and processing speed. His organizational and planning ahead skills are just ok.

This is very common.

[Anonymous]

My DC is currently taking a math class on CTY, all the classes are relatively small (around 10 - 14 students). CTY provides the syllabus, Teachers provide notes but students takes some notes (fairly minimal).
My impression is that if your DC gets accepted they will accommodate him, specially if he has a learning disability That doesn't affect/disrupt the class.
The level is higher than in the regular school, the kids gets challenge (finally mine doesn't complain about how deadly boring school is) and the program is pretty rigorous but middle school kids are not doing college work.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Thank you so much! My son's severe ADHD is under control with meds but his processing speed is low. At school he has one and a half time as required by his IEP.

Would he be allowed extra time for any of the entrance tests for CTY? Can I just give them a copy of his current IEP as proof?

[Anonymous]

CTY acts like it is for very gifted children, but they take most above average kids that apply. My child found the class at camp boring

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CTY acts like it is for very gifted children, but they take most above average kids that apply. My child found the class at camp boring

+1 the marketing makes it seem more intense than it really is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CTY acts like it is for very gifted children, but they take most above average kids that apply. My child found the class at camp boring

+1. Another, "your child is gifted! now write us a check"

[Anonymous]

Agreed. DD qualified for camp/classes, but they seem way too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Def higher level. We had to read Thoreau this afternoon and I was having flashbacks. Does your kid test well? There's an SAT type test they have to take to see if they qualify. DD has taken it two years in a row and hasn't qualified for the math.