News Release

From September through mid-November, families of gifted children in second through eighth grades in 19 states and the District of Columbia may enroll their children in a national academic talent search sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

Participants will join an international community of highly gifted students while discovering more about their academic talents by taking special tests as part of the CTY Talent Search. Students already scoring at the 97th percentile or higher on nationally normed tests or at top levels on state tests are eligible to apply to the talent search. Participants take above grade-level tests (such as the SAT for seventh- and eighth-graders) that further assess math and verbal reasoning skills.

"The results from these tests give families useful information for charting future educational plans for their children," said CTY's executive director, Lea Ybarra.

All who participate receive certificates of achievement from CTY. Qualifying students are invited to awards ceremonies or to enroll in CTY's well-known summer and online courses.

States where CTY is offered are Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Celebrating 25 years in 2004, CTY now serves over 80,000 students annually. Applications may be obtained through a child's school, or by calling 410-516-0277, or online at www.cty.jhu.edu.