Thank you for stopping by! The Davidson Institute offers a variety of programs designed to support highly gifted students and their families. These programs provide opportunities for personal growth, authentic peer connections, and ongoing collaboration throughout the gifted journey.
Programs
Young Scholars
The Young Scholars program takes a holistic approach to supporting families and gifted youth so they can be successful and take full advantage of every facet of academic and social programs the Davidson Institute provides.
Ages 5-18
The program is free to apply to and open to families in all 50 states. Once a family is accepted into the Young Scholars program, they have access to a breadth of exclusive resources and events, both in-person and online. These include:
- An online community of parents who are traveling this path alongside you
- Webinars with experts in the field of gifted education and child development
- Group and one-on-one consulting based on the questions you have and the unique situations you are navigating with your family
- Social opportunities for young people based on interests, not only age
- Opportunities to gather and connect with like-minded peers, both for parents and students
The Young Scholars program is designed to be flexible and anticipate the unique needs of a gifted young mind. Families can choose their level of involvement as the needs of the Young Scholar evolve.
Summer Programs
Held at the picturesque University of Nevada, Reno campus, nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, our Summer Programs offer a stunning backdrop. All students are housed on a dedicated floor in a residence hall and enjoy their meals in the campus dining commons.
Ages 8-11
Exclusive to Young Scholars | Two One-week Sessions
These sessions allow young, gifted minds to explore invigorating topics in a supportive environment fostered for their learning needs while building friendships with like-minded peers.
Ages 11 to 13
Exclusive to Young Scholars | Two One-week Sessions
Young Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in classes focused on discoveries in exciting topics while building relationships with other gifted youth.
Annual Family Events
Held annually between Davidson Summer Program sessions, our two signature events – The Davidson Summit and Davidson Family Retreat – extend the summer experience through thoughtfully designed programming that inspires, fosters meaningful connections, and engages attendees in shared learning experiences. Built on the core values of connection and community, these events create spaces for families to learn, grow, and build lasting relationships
Summit
Exclusive to Davidson Families | Late June
This annual conference-style event features keynote speakers, an exhibit hall, youth workshops, parent sessions, panels, a talent show, mixers, and more. The Summit fosters talent development, meaningful connections, and community celebration, bringing Davidson families from all of our programs and Davidson Alumni together to inspire and support one another.
Family Retreat
Exclusive to Young Scholar Families | Mid-July
The Davidson Family Retreat offers a relaxed, immersive weekend for Young Scholar families to connect, grow, and bond. With convenient on-site lodging, the retreat features keynotes, close-knit workshops, family-friendly social activities, and a signature vision board experience to reflect on the journey together.
Fellows Scholarship
The Fellows Scholarship allows the Davidson Institute to recognize and nurture remarkable achievements with $100,000, $50,000 and $20,000 scholarships. It is an opportunity for young people who have already spearheaded advancements in their fields of interest to continue their passions and take their achievements to a whole new level.
Students must be 18 or younger upon applying
The Davidson Institute awards scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students 18 years and younger who have completed a significant piece of work in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature, music, philosophy, or an “outside the box” category. The Fellows Scholarship highlights talented youth and not only gives them a platform, but resources to support their work that will leave an impact on humanity.
Learn more about the application and eligibility requirements.
Davidson Academy (Reno)
Davidson Academy is the only free public school of its kind for highly gifted students.
Middle and High School Students
The Academy’s classes group students by ability rather than age, offering middle and high school level curriculum. Our unique approach to learning has attracted families from across the country and globe.
Our fully-accredited school is centered on interpersonal and instructional-based learning, creating an atmosphere that is vibrant with intellectual energy and dialogue. Throughout the years, the Academy has evolved to offer an increasing number of opportunities, while still providing a laser-sharp focus on the individual student.
Davidson Academy Online
Davidson Academy Online is a dynamic, flexible option for profoundly gifted students living anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Middle and High School Students
Students at our accredited, robust online community are grouped by ability, not age. We leverage cutting-edge technology to create a new, highly personalized model of online education. Our middle and high school level curriculum is matched to students' abilities, strengths and interests. For those considering online learning for the first time, we are a proven leader in educating our nation's brightest students from their own homes.
Explore
The Davidson Institute seeks every opportunity to enhance and enrich the intellect of highly gifted students. For this reason, we developed Explore, which allows students to participate in online classes adapted from Davidson Academy Online's curriculum and further build their education.
Ages 9-13
Explore is a year-long, online program that introduces profoundly gifted students to a rigorous curriculum. Not only does Explore challenge gifted young minds academically, but it allows students to develop their social and interpersonal skills through collaboration with their peers.
An hour of live class time per course every week can make a world of difference in the life of a young person who craves mental stimulation and the need to feel understood by their peers and educators.
Gifted Resources
Explore free resources offered by the Davidson Institute to become familiar with the Gifted community.
Resource Library
Our resource library provides articles, guides, research and more to help inform and support gifted students, parents and educators.
Newsletter
Distributed every other month, the eNews-Update contains the latest gifted education news, state-by-state gifted updates, Davidson Institute news, gifted resources and articles, and more.
Guiding Gifted
A monthly newsletter from the Davidson Institute for those who work with or have a gifted or twice-exceptional child in their family.
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“The Young Scholars Ambassador Program has changed the way I look at the world positively. The seminars are what have helped me the most . . . These taught me how to become a better person and deeply influenced my thinking in terms of improving my charity.”
“Although a few years have passed since I aged out of the Young Scholars program, I will never forget everything the Davidson Institute has done for me and for my family. This group has given me the confidence to face even the toughest of challenges, and has made me both strong and proud of who I am. The strength of the other scholars is breathtaking, and I thank this group for teaching me so much.”