Virtual learning has increased dramatically in recent years—and it makes sense because of all the flexibility it offers. Online middle and high schools in Nevada have a lot to offer, especially when it comes to gifted students.
What Is Gifted Education?
Not everyone learns the same. In fact, some students have accelerated knowledge or abilities that go well beyond their age. Gifted education is a specialized approach designed to address the unique needs of these individuals. The goal is to provide them with engaging experiences that foster their intellectual growth and personal development.
Common Traits of Giftedness
How do you know your child is gifted? Testing is an important way to confirm their giftedness, but there is a range of shared characteristics that set them apart:
- Ability to learn and process complex information quickly
- Intense curiosity
- A deep passion for specific subjects
- Demonstration of creativity and originality in their thinking
- Possession of exceptional problem-solving skills and an advanced vocabulary
Once you understand these characteristics make a difference in how your child learns and moves through the world, you can also find the best school setting for them.
Why Traditional Schools Don’t Meet Gifted Students’ Needs
It’s common for people who attended traditional public schools to say they “started late” due to when they were born. After all, these academic institutions group students based on age rather than ability. Because of this methodology, traditional schools provide a generic curriculum that students of a particular age group must follow—regardless of the advanced skills an individual may have.
This doesn’t work for gifted students. In these settings, they feel held back, leading to boredom and isolation. They thrive in academic environments where they are challenged intellectually, free to explore personal interests, and able to connect with like-minded peers. Programs developed for gifted students keep these unique needs in mind to ensure these individuals succeed.
The Top Gifted Online Middle & High School in Nevada
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools moved to online learning platforms to help students continue their education while prioritizing their safety. But several online middle and high schools in Nevada have been around longer than that, one of these being Davidson Academy Online. We meet gifted students aged 9-18 where they are, providing rigorous virtual middle and high school level curriculums. Since 2017, hundreds of students across the US and Canada have found a welcoming community here.
Here are a key features of Davidson Academy Online:
- Tuition
- Curriculum/course offerings
- Enrichment opportunities
- Student support services
Tuition
Students living in Nevada, regardless of grade-level: Tuition for Davidson Academy Online is free with proof of Nevada residency (e.g., a Nevada Real ID).
Non-Nevadan students: Tuition varies from $10,000 to $15,500 depending on whether your child enrolls in middle or high school curriculum at Davidson Academy Online.
We use a flexible tuition model that considers annual family income, cost of living adjustment based on location of primary residence, the number of dependents in the household, and other relevant factors to determine a personalized tuition level for each family.
Learn more about tuition and aid at Davidson Academy Online.
Curriculum/Course Offerings
Davidson Academy Online offers two types of credits—middle school and high school—and services that strive to meet the emotional and social needs of students as they grow. Courses utilize a core curriculum in English, math, history, science, world languages, and electives to fulfill our graduation requirements.
We understand that gifted students may have advanced knowledge in a certain subject and just need to supplement that course. To support this situation, we also offer single-course enrollment in English and math. These classes run for the full academic year, and our instructors lead these classes twice a week in 90-minute synchronous sessions. Note that single-course students access the same course curriculum and have the same dedicated workload expectations as full-time students.
Enrichment Opportunities
Learning and connecting with peers doesn’t only take place in the classroom. Enrichment activities enhance students’ experiences, and luckily, there are plenty of opportunities available.
- After-school programs, including clubs and volunteer work
- Weekend enrichment programs, like a one-day writing workshop
- Summer events, such as Davidson Academy Online’s First-Year Seminar (FYS)
Search for enrichment opportunities available online or in your area.
Student Support Services
Whether your child is in middle or high school, they’re still at a crucial point in their lives. Their academic growth is equally important as their emotional and social development, which is why you should look for a school with comprehensive student support services. A few examples of this are as follows:
- Mentorship
- Regular counseling
- Peer-based groups
- College and career advising
How to Enroll at Davidson Academy Online
Is your gifted child ready to make the move to an online school? Experience a robust online community and flexible learning environment built on our one-of-a-kind framework at Davidson Academy Online.
Remember, students living in Nevada can access this school for free. If your child is a non-Nevadan, learn more about tuition costs and our flexible pricing model.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enrollment
Here’s how to enroll at Davidson Academy Online:
- Step 1: Review essential material, such as our eligibility criteria and FAQs.
- Step 2: Decide whether your gifted student is applying for full-time or single-course enrollment.
- Step 3: Secure recommendations from individuals who recently taught your child in English, mathematics, and another subject (i.e., science). The recommendation needs differ depending on what course the individual is applying for.
- Step 4: Students must create a unique account and log into the Application System. Parents will also need their own accounts.
- Step 5: Verify email correspondence.
- Step 6: Complete application. Make sure all tasks say they’re completed and have a green checkmark. You can find a list of everything you need to know regarding how to apply.
Get more information about each step as well as details about our application review process and the academic readiness assessment.
You can also stay up to date with the enrollment period for each academic year by subscribing to our eNewsletter.