How can my child benefit from being enrolled in more challenging academic programs?

For many students, especially advanced learners, being appropriately challenged can make a powerful difference, not just academically, but developmentally and socially as well. That’s one of the core benefits of enrolling in challenging academic programs aligned to students’ abilities and interests, like those offered at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD). CTD programs are designed to complement students’ school experiences while also providing something they may not always receive in traditional settings, like choice, depth and access to experts. “We see greater intrinsic motivation and engagement inside of these learning topics, so students learn how to be engaged in learning. “Finding those academic peers is really important in talent development,” Hinshaw notes.