CTY elementary

[JollyGG]

Has anyone done John Hopkins University CTY for grades 2-6. I was looking at it and thinking about having my son do the talent search. But I don't know if it's worth it for nothing more than to keep our options open.

We aren't near any of the summer program options. The online classes look really interesting especially the Mandarin class (my son would love that) but the price is somewhat prohibitive. We are having some issues at school with them mistaking behavior and focus issues for lack of ability and an objective other person basically saying my son is at the level he is at might be useful, but I don't really think it would make that big a difference. So basically if we did it it would just be to see if he qualified and maybe to keep future options open.

Are there any advantages that I'm missing?

Did your kids do the elementary level talent search? Was it worth it? What did they get out of it?

[Ellie'sMom]

I am from Baltimore, and went to school with several people who did CTY during the high school years. They all spoke glowingly of their experiences at the residential program. Until I saw this thread, I didn't know they had programs for younger children. I actually might explore this for my 8 year old because she could stay with her grandmother while attending a day program, which would be a nice bonding experience for them. :) She went to a similar local day camp for gifted kids this summer and had a blast. 

I did notice that kids have to re-test at the middle school and high school level. 

My gut tells me this is not the most cost-effective way to provide enrichment or to ID a child as academically advanced/gifted (the district should do that for free), and I am sure it is a money maker for JHU. However, I do know that it was life changing for some of my friends. 

I also wonder about the age appropriateness of work load. At the high school level they were in class 5 hours daily and had 2-3 hours of homework each night. If there is a homework component at the elementary level, I probably won't consider it.  

I realize that none of this actually answers your questions, since you are most interested in the online programs. You just really got me thinking about this!!

Hopefully, someone with more experience will come along. A quick look at Google showed some CTY threads on the well trained mind forums, which might be another place for you to explore. 

[zebra15]

HI- I just saw this thread, sorry Im late

My son is 10 and does CTY.  He tested last year this time for '3rd grade' when he was 9.  3rd grade was what his grade was for local public school here. He has a late birthday. We homeschool and use CTY as part of our 'unschooling'.  My son tested in with no problems and scored in for math.-Even with testing at 3rd grade his score was a year or 2 higher- He didnt score for the language (honestly I think he did this on purpose since he didnt want those classes UGH) but that is neither here nor there.

I love CTY and so does my son. The online courses have been a lifesaver. They are all self paced and in the last year he has accomplished 3 years of math(he started at 4th grade) plus a cryptology course and he is starting 'middle school' science.  We have taken several vacation holds in that time so he has not worked straight through.  I have found the instructors to be nothing but professional, helpful and supportive in both the material and just life in general.

CTY does have financial aid that covers the testing and part of the tuition.

With his CTY score he has been able to take some local univeristy classes as well and recieve financial aid for those.

We have not done any summer camps or family programs and we dont live near Hopkins but with being online and email, etc there is definatley a feeling of community and family.  CTY even has a 'pizza party' chat area for kids if you want to let your kid to that sort of thing.

Needless to say I am very glad we did this and while its not 'perfect' it definately provides my son opportunities that I couldnt.

Feel free to PM me if you want specific details or more info.

[JollyGG]

We decided to apply. The application and test fee aren't that expensive. We are just waiting to get the information to register for the test.

We figured that it never hurts to keep our options open. The Mandarin Class is something he would be interested in. It might also be a possible solution to some issue we are having with his school placing him in too low a Math group. The cost would be a streatch but may be something we want to sacrifice to make happen in the future. If we do any of the course they will be on our own time and separate from he school.

While I don't think it will hugely help with the school (since the issues there focus on behavioral challenges), at the same time it can't hurt for a third party to affirm that they see the same things we do.

Thanks for the information about your families experience.