2012 Summer Program - Center for Talent Development ...

Spark, Solstice & Apogee Eligibility & DetailsThis page and page 45 provide answers to important questionsabout the Spark, Solstice and Apogee Programs. Please read thisinformation carefully and completely. Additional information isavailable on the Center for Talent Development (CTD) website atwww.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer. CTD looks forward to receivingyour application!ELIGIBILITYSpark, Solstice and Apogee are fast-paced enrichment programs.Students must be prepared to handle the rigor of the course contentand the rapid pace of instruction. The preferred evidence of readinessis an above-grade-level test score (i.e., EXPLORE test takenwhile in grades 3 through 6). If above-grade-level test scores are notavailable, applicants may submit test scores from a nationallynormed, standardized grade-level assessment or an admission portfolio.See the CTD website for examples of tests we accept foradmission.Test Score Requirements• Participation in above-grade-level testing such as the EXPLORE ®taken in grades 3, 4, 5, or 6 (a score in the 95th percentile is notnecessary on the EXPLORE); or• English & writing and social sciences courses: 95th percentile orabove national percentile rank in verbal/reading on a nationallynormed, grade-level achievement test; or• Mathematics and science courses: 95th percentile or abovenational percentile rank in math on a nationally normed, gradelevelachievement test. Apogee Algebra I has specific scorerequirements. See course description for details.• TOEFL/SLEP is required of students for whom English is notthe first language. Because courses are taught in English,TOEFL/SLEP scores are used to assess proficiency and assist incourse placement.Above-Grade-Level Testing on EXPLORE, ACT or SATIf you are interested in taking the EXPLORE, ACT or SAT throughNorthwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search(NUMATS), there may still be time to register online. Spring testingdates are available. (If you plan to participate in NUMATS forthe purpose of 2012 Summer Program participation, please be sureto check the timeline for receipt of official scores to assure that theywill be available by May 14.) Information on timelines, cost, andregistration is available at www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats.PrerequisitesSome courses require that students complete prerequisites in orderto qualify for admission. Prerequisites are listed at the beginning ofeach course description. Students must submit proof of prerequisites(e.g., transcripts, report card, etc.) in order to be considered forcourse enrollment.PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, TRANSCRIPTS & SYLLABISpark, Solstice and Apogee courses, with the exception of Algebra Iin Apogee, are for enrichment only; students enrolled in enrichmentcourses do not receive grades for the course(s) they complete.Students in the Apogee Algebra I course receive a grade andcredit through Center for Talent Development if they complete thecourse successfully. A grade of C or better is considered successfulcompletion. As CTD is accredited through the North CentralAssociation Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement(NCA CASI), students may be able to earn credit at their academicyear schools for courses successfully completed through CTD.Note: The acceptance of CTD credit(s) at a student’s academic-yearschool depends on that school’s institutional policy about the recognitionof credit from outside institutions. Students who are interested in pursuingcredit for a CTD course at their academic-year school should discussthis option with their academic counselor or school administratorBEFORE applying to the Summer Program.EvaluationsStudents completing a Summer Program course receive a narrativeevaluation. The evaluation includes a rubric rating the student’sskills in core areas, comments on the student’s performance in classand recommendations for future study. For the Algebra 1 course,grades and high school credit earned through CTD are alsoincluded. Evaluations are sent to families via e-mail, usually bySeptember 15.TranscriptsStudents may request that CTD send an official transcript to theirschool by indicating this on the program application. Additionaltranscripts (for high school applications, scholarships, etc.) may berequested for a fee using the Transcript Request Form, which isavailable on the CTD web site under Downloads.SyllabiSyllabi for similar courses held in 2011 are available on the CTDwebsite:For Spark courses visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer/programs/spark/academics/syllabi/For Solstice courses visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer/programs/solstice/academics/#syllabi/For Apogee courses visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer/programs/apogee/academics/syllabi/847/491-3782 www.ctd.northwestern.edu NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT 43