Gifted or Classical
Kindergarten?

Not necessarily. We start most children in our bootcamp at age 4, but some children 3.8 and up are ready earlier – it depends on where they are developmentally, not just their birthday. The $297 assessment is the cleanest way to know. It tells you definitively whether your child is ready to start now, or whether waiting a few months will get you a stronger result. Either answer saves you time and money.

The CPS selective enrollment test covers two different skill sets. Classical tests reading readiness and early math. Gifted tests cognitive skills – pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. Our assessment evaluates your child across both so you know exactly where they stand. Our bootcamp then builds skills across both paths, because most children end up testing for a mix of schools. If you already have a top-choice school in mind, tell us – we’ll lean into the specific skills that matter most for that program.

You don’t have to figure it out alone – that’s exactly what the assessment is for. In one session, we test your child across both Gifted (cognitive) and Classical (math and reading) skills. You’ll leave with a clear, data-backed recommendation on which path to target – and for parents who aren’t sure which way their child leans, that clarity is often the most valuable part of the whole process.

Plan for about an hour on-site. The $297 price covers one test – either Gifted OR Classical. If you want both, choose the Bundle ($497, saves $97). Either option includes a full diagnostic session with a certified CTC assessor, a written report identifying your child’s strengths and growth areas, and a one-on-one debrief call where we recommend which programs to target. You leave knowing exactly where your child stands and the best path forward – whether that’s our bootcamp, 1:1 tutoring, at-home prep, or waiting a few months.

Assessments are held in-person only, at our South Loop / Bronzeville location (not too far from White Sox Stadium). We don’t offer virtual assessments for this age – accurate results require watching your child engage, problem-solve, and respond in real time. If you’re outside Chicago or need virtual support, we offer 1:1 online tutoring nationwide.

If you’re unsure, the Bundle ($497 — saves $97) is what most first-time parents choose because it tests both paths and gives you the complete picture. If you’re confident your child leans one way – for example, a strong early reader often points toward Classical – starting with just one test is also fine. We’ll guide you either way.

We share your child’s results, recommend next steps, and answer your questions. If your child is a good fit for the bootcamp, we’ll help you enroll. If they’d be better served by a different approach – 1:1 tutoring, at-home prep, or waiting a few months – we’ll tell you honestly. Our goal is your child’s success, not upselling you into a program that isn’t right for them.

Yes, you can enroll directly. The bootcamp uses built-in micro-assessments (short in-class checks) throughout the 6 sessions to track your child’s progress, so we still identify strengths and growth areas along the way. The one thing you’d miss is the full diagnostic report and one-on-one debrief. Most parents start with the $297 assessment first because the clarity helps them decide whether the $1,597 bootcamp is the right investment for their family.

Small by design. Our instructor-to-student ratio is typically 1:8, and we cap it at 1:10 – no exceptions. That way every child gets real attention, real feedback, and real practice time in each session. Parents who prefer fully individual support can add 1:1 tutoring alongside or in place of the bootcamp.

Our families tell us yes – repeatedly. 90%+ of our PreK students are accepted into selective enrollment programs (Gifted and Classical), and 98% of parents would recommend our services. 70% of our summer bootcamp families re-enroll in our fall bootcamp or add 1:1 tutoring – families don’t come back unless the program is working. If budget is a concern, we offer a 2-payment plan ($798.50 × 2). Starting with the $297 assessment first is a low-risk way to see if we’re a good fit before the bigger investment.

Don’t worry – it won’t be overwhelming, as long as you keep up with the weekly schedule. Each week you’ll get a checklist of activities and resources we call ‘fun sheets’ and at-home work – playful learning that folds into things you’re already doing (car rides, bedtime, meals). It’s typically 10–15 minutes a day, and parents tell us their kids often ask to keep going. (A note on language: we never tell kids this is ‘test prep’ – at this age, the learning should feel like play, and it does.)

The earlier, the better. We recommend a minimum of 3–6 months of prep before test day, but some children benefit from 6–9 months – which is exactly why the assessment matters. It tells us where your child is starting and how much runway they need. The skills we build – pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, vocabulary – take time to develop, and cramming doesn’t work for this age group. Seats fill on a first-come basis, so if you’re thinking about testing this year, the best next step is the $297 assessment. It locks in our recommendation and your child’s spot while seats are available.

Yes. Many families continue with 1:1 virtual tutoring in the weeks leading up to test day – especially if they want extra practice on a specific skill or a confidence boost before the testing center. After the bootcamp, you’ll also get a final progress summary with our test-day recommendations. And many of our families stay in touch for younger siblings, early entrance questions, and future school decisions. Our goal is to support your family through the process, not just run a 6-week class.

Absolutely – we regularly work with siblings across different ages and grades. For the bootcamp, we offer a 10% sibling discount – just reach out when you’re ready to enroll and we’ll get it applied. The $297 assessment is priced individually so every child gets a complete, personalized diagnostic. If you have multiple children preparing for CPS testing at different stages, mention it when you book and we’ll help you map out a plan that works for your whole family.

Yes. Our prep books are sold separately in limited quantities (stock is limited and restocks aren’t guaranteed). They’re a great resource for at-home practice, but they’re not required for the bootcamp – the bootcamp includes all learning materials your child needs. If you’d like to purchase books in addition to or instead of enrolling, mention it when you reach out and we’ll check current availability.

We don’t prorate fees and we don’t offer live group make-up sessions. Here’s why, honestly: we tried it in the past and found that prorating meant parents received the full program value for partial payment – which isn’t sustainable for a small-group program where every seat is reserved.

If your child misses a session, you have two options. First, you can send another trusted adult (grandparent, aunt, uncle, nanny) in your place to attend with your child – the curriculum continues and your child stays on track. Second, if you want to make up the actual instruction, you can schedule a 1:1 make-up session with one of our instructors at an additional cost. Either way, you’ll still receive the weekly parent checklist with homework and activities so your child can keep building skills between sessions.

We know family schedules get unpredictable, especially for families with PreK kids. That’s why we’ve built flexibility into who can attend – not into the payment structure.

Parents must remain on-site for the entire session – this isn’t a drop-off program. You’ll wait in our parent lounge area (which has free Wi-Fi). Many parents use this time to work on their laptops, catch up on emails, or meet other Chicago families going through the same process.

Parents wait in the lounge, not in the classroom. We know this can feel counterintuitive – some of the most engaged parents want to observe the session and pick up teaching tips. That instinct is wonderful, and we appreciate it. But in practice, having parents in the classroom is a distraction for both the children and the instructors.

More importantly, it’s part of the preparation. The actual CPS selective enrollment test requires your child to separate from you, sit with an unfamiliar adult, and perform their best – all while every child their age has been taught “stranger danger.” Practicing that separation in a safe, supported environment is one of the most valuable things your child gets out of the bootcamp. Kids who’ve had this preparation walk into test day confident; kids who haven’t often freeze.

You’ll escort your child to the bathroom as needed, and a CTC representative will come out to the lounge at the end of each session to confirm school choice decisions and explain the weekly at-home assignments. If you need to send another trusted adult in your place for a session, that’s fine – they just need to stay on-site.

Keep it simple. We recommend:

• A water bottle
• A light snack (something easy and not messy – we take a short break mid-session)
• A light sweater or jacket (rooms can run cool)

Please leave toys at home. Kids focus better when there’s nothing competing with the activity, and it prevents distraction or disputes with other children in the group. We’ll provide all the learning materials your child needs for the session.

We’ll send you designated parking information (lot or street parking details) before your first session – we’ll make sure you know exactly where to go. When you arrive at the building, you’ll check in at the security desk with a photo ID and sign in. This is standard building security, not CTC-specific, and it only takes a minute.

Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early for your first session so check-in doesn’t feel rushed. After the first week, parents usually have the routine down and move through quickly.

Every CTC instructor is a certified educator with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education or a related field. They have 2 to 5 years of experience working specifically with young children, and they complete CTC’s in-house training program before ever teaching a bootcamp session.

That training covers two things our program is built on: high-impact tutoring practices (the research-backed methods recognized by Stanford University’s National Student Support Accelerator) and critical thinking methodologies (the proprietary CTC approach that teaches kids HOW to think, not just what to memorize).

Many of our instructors include current college students majoring in education or related fields, as well as former CTC students who’ve grown up through our program and returned to teach. We believe deeply in this cycle – some of the most effective tutors your child will meet are young adults who were once in your child’s exact position, prepping for the same tests, with the same teachers. That lived experience shows up in the classroom.

Your bootcamp fee covers instruction for your child – the six small-group sessions, the weekly at-home assignments, the micro-assessments that track their progress, and a CTC representative who will confirm school choice decisions and explain homework each week in the lounge.

The fee does not include private consultation or instructional coaching for parents. If you’d like guidance on teaching strategies at home, customized school selection advice, or extended conversations beyond the weekly school-choice check-ins, we offer that as a separate private consultation service. Our instructors’ time in the classroom is dedicated to tutoring your child – not tutoring you – and protecting that focus is part of what makes the program work.

We’re happy to discuss consultation options. Just ask your CTC representative for details on pricing and availability.

We understand the instinct – some of the most dedicated parents want to observe the session and apply what they see at home. It’s a great instinct, and we appreciate it. But we’ve learned from experience that parents in the classroom is a distraction for the children and disrupts the instructor’s ability to teach. For that reason, parents wait in the lounge during every session.

If you’d like to learn the methods we use, that’s available as part of our private parent consultation service (separate from the bootcamp fee). A CTC educator can walk you through the teaching strategies, the thinking frameworks, and how to reinforce them at home. Just ask for details.