HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Julianne Carter, a homeschooled student from Hidden Valley Lake, will be honored as one of the brightest young students in the nation at a nationwide awards ceremony for academically advanced children conducted by Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
Julianne will attend a grand award ceremony in Baltimore in October.
Johns Hopkins will honor Julianne, a participant in the CTY Talent Search, for her exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test given to academically talented students.
During the CTY Talent Search, advanced young learners take above-grade level tests designed for older students as a means of gaining insight into their abilities.
Julianne took a test called the School and College Ability Test (SCAT), an above-level test owned by the Johns Hopkins University.
She underwent testing on May 16 and received a score in the 99th percentile.
Approximately 1,668 female seventh graders took the test worldwide, and Julianne tied with one other girl for the second highest score in the world for her grade level.
“Julianne has always enjoyed taking tests,” said Angela Carter, her mom. “She first qualified for this program when she was at Coyote Valley Elementary School and they had the GATE program (Gifted and Talented Education). Julianne had to requalify for 7th grade. It shows how great things can come out of a GATE program. Unfortunately, Coyote Valley Elementary did not continue with GATE. It's a shame because gifted kids need enrichment to reach their full potential. We do that at homeschool all the time now.”
“I just did my very best,” said Julianne. “I like taking tests and this one was challenging because of the time limits but it was a good experience. I am really looking forward to going to Baltimore and maybe seeing Washington D.C. on the same trip.”
Julianne, was one of more than 40,000 students from over 120 countries who participated in the CTY Talent Search.
Because of the difficulty of the tests, only a very small percentage of students who participated earned an invitation to a CTY Grand Awards Ceremony where they are individually honored for their academic performance and potential.
“Today we face critical global problems that require the best minds of the future to solve using discipline, creativity, and innovation,” said Elaine Tuttle Hansen, executive director of CTY. “It's inspiring and reassuring to see this group of some of the best and brightest students emerging and to know that they will become tomorrow's thought leaders and innovators.”
A member of the Lake County Youth Symphony and the Sonoma County Preparatory Orchestra – she plays piano, viola and violin – Julianne recently returned from a summer program at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.
In April, she received a national honor for the WordMasters Challenge, achieving a perfect score. She was one of only 32 sixth grade students to do so nationwide.
The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is a global leader in gifted education since 1979. CTY ( www.cty.jhu.edu ) is focused on recognizing academic talent in exceptional K through twelve students and supporting their growth with courses, services, and resources specifically designed to meet their needs.
Education Weekly called CTY, “one of a set of remarkable nonpublic institutions dedicated to the discovery and nurture of the most talented young people for the highest levels of accomplishment.”
CTY draws students from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and some 120 countries, and provided more than $5.5 million in financial aid to more than 11,000 students in 2011-12.