Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD)

Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD) is a premier gifted education organization serving academically talented students from PreK through grade 12 since 1982. Located at Northwestern University in Evanston, the center offers research-based assessment, enrichment, and accelerated programming both in-person and online.

CTD provides comprehensive services including above-grade-level assessments (formerly NUMATS) for talent identification and monitoring growth, professional development for educators and administrators, and customized program design services for schools.

The center offers diverse academic programs including Online Family Programs for grades K-3, Online Enrichment and Core Essentials for grades 3-8, Online Honors and AP courses for grades 6-12, Weekend Enrichment Programs at multiple Chicagoland sites, Academic Day Camps for PreK-Grade 6, and Summer Programs featuring both residential and commuter options with enrichment, credit-bearing honors and AP courses.

Programs are delivered across Northwestern’s Evanston campus and other Chicago-area locations including Chicago, Elmhurst, Lake Forest, Naperville, Palatine, and Lake Bluff. CTD operates under a strengths-based, talent development framework emphasizing that the best educators inspire young people to think big, take risks, and believe in themselves.

The center is accredited as a nonpublic supplementary school by the North Central Association and AP courses are authorized by the College Board. Need-based financial aid is available for most programs and assessments, with scholarship options including collaborations with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The organization also offers a Civic Education Project pathway combining service-learning with academic study. CTD serves approximately 35,000 students annually through assessment and academic programs.