Gifted & Talented

The Foundation works to expand access to accelerated learning programs by supporting the efforts of innovative, university-based gifted and talented centers to reach additional low-income students.  Through these unique partnerships, the Foundation helps ensure that thousands of high-achieving youth with financial need receive challenging academic coursework and specialized training in their areas of interest.  The Foundation currently supports programs at Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, and the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center.

Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center (CBK)

The Center for Bright Kids (CBK) provides K-12 enrichment and accelerated learning programs for high-interest and high-ability youth.  Program offerings include the Western Academic Talent Search, academic year and summer programs, and other youth erichment opportunities. 

Formerly at the University of Denver, CBK serves students from the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The mission of the center is to provide access and opportunities for K-12 students with high interest and/or high ability in quality enrichment and acceleration programming that encourages self-growth, social responsibility, and a positive view toward lifelong learning.

For more information about the Center for Bright Kids Regional Talent Center, please visit http://www.centerforbrightkids.org.

Center for Talent Development (CTD)

Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development (CTD) is dedicated to discovering academically talented students and providing rigorous educational opportunities for gifted youth throughout the Midwest. The Center also conducts and publishes academic research on gifted students, particularly in the areas of accelerated learning and special populations of gifted learners.

Since 1981, CTD has identified and provided opportunities for more than 500,000 gifted and talented students from ages four through 18, including the Saturday Enrichment Program, LearningLinks distance learning, Civic Education Project, Project EXCITE, and several summer academic programs.

CTD identifies talented youth using the ACT test for 6th- through 9th-grade students, the SAT test for 6th- through 8th-grade students, and the EXPLORE test for 3rd- through 6th-grade students. CTD's talent search program is targeted to serve students from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Accredited as a special supplementary school for the gifted by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, CTD's Saturday academic programs serve a large number of students from the Chicago area, and the summer and online programs serve students from all 50 states as well as from a number of foreign countries.

For more information about Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, please visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu.

Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) seeks students of the highest academic ability through its talent search and offers them challenging educational opportunities that develop their intellects, encourage achievement, and nurture social development.  Since 1979, CTY has served students from around the world with a wide range of academic opportunities, research and dissemination, consulting, and diagnostic and counseling services.  CTY’s talent search focuses on states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and West Coast regions.

To identify students, CTY uses the SCAT test for students in 2nd- through 6th-grade and the SAT or ACT for students in 7th and 8th grade.  Students can qualify to participate in a wide range of opportunities, including summer and weekend programs, distance education, civic education, and foreign language immersion.

For more information about The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, please visit cty.jhu.edu.

Talent Identification Program (TIP)

Since 1980, the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) has identified and provided programs for more than one million academically-talented students, making it one of the largest talent-search organizations for gifted youth in the country.  Duke TIP focuses primarily on southern and southeastern states, many of which have substantial low-income, rural populations. The programs are open to qualified students in grades seven through 11.  Duke TIP uses test scores to measure academic talents in its 4th-, 5th-, and 7th-grade talent search programs, especially in mathematical and verbal reasoning abilities. 

The program offers year-round academic activities, including Scholar Weekends, intensive Saturday classes, and summer educational programs for students who meet its test score requirements.  In addition, Duke TIP serves as a resource for teachers and families by offering independent learning products, publications, and conferences. 

For more information about Duke’s Talent Identification Program, please visit www.tip.duke.edu.