As back to school season kicks off this month depending on where you are located, planning for the school year can be a daunting time for both parents/guardians and gifted students. Parents want their child to thrive in their learning environment and it can be helpful to create a plan to set an intentional tone for the school year.

Below are some tips on ways to create meaningful engagement.

Support

Returning to school whether it’s hybrid, homeschool, public, or an alternative school setting can be anxiety inducing for gifted students and families. Creating opportunities for children to talk about how they are feeling whether it’s after school, during dinner, or before bed will encourage them to communicate and get a sense of how they feel in their school setting. 

If the school curriculum is not challenging enough or stimulating, gifted youth can feel bored and unmotivated to participate.^[1] Creating an environment where the listener is understanding, encouraging, and empathetic allows for gifted children who are experiencing these emotions to feel safe and be able to approach others with their needs.

Creating a Plan

It takes a community to pave the path of a gifted child’s learning journey. It’s important to identify the issue at hand and determine if there can be adjustments made. Collaborating with the child, their teacher, or counselor on possible solutions to re-engage them is the second step to addressing a situation if a gifted child is feeling highly unmotivated in their school setting.^[2] This solution will help the student feel more empowered in creating their own decisions and determining the options that work best for them.

Seeking Resources

Although each gifted child may need different and individualized support, research studies show that high levels of disengagement can lead to underachievement as gifted students need to be stimulated with learning opportunities that will encourage behavioral, affective, social, and cognitive engagement. ^[3] Looking into resources with gifted programs, connecting with other families, or speaking to the child’s counselor are options to find the right tools in supporting a gifted child who is feeling unmotivated.

^[1] https://www.sengifted.org/post/bore-out-a-challenge-for-unchallenged-gifted-young-adults#:~:text=The%20basis%20for%20boredom%20in,%E2%80%94intensity%2C%20complexity%20and%20drive

^[2] https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/paving-the-path-to-meaningful-engagement-for-high-potential-children/

^[3] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1272799.pdf

It has been a year since the pandemic caused havoc, chaos and culminating to eventual acceptance that this will be our norm for now, full of anxiety and stress. Most children and families have adjusted to our pandemic norm, from online learning, zoom meetings, parents/guardians turning into homeschool teachers whilst working from home, and having to adhere to safety protocols on a daily basis, whether taking a walk outside your neighborhood, or going into the grocery store.

Because of such added stress and anxiety, parents and children need some type of support, activity or other types of de-stressors to be able to cope.

Below are some articles, podcasts, reading materials to help parents and their children on how to cope and maintain a healthier social, emotional and mental well being: from tuning in to funny and silly podcasts to alleviate or ease the tension and sadness, to hearing and learning how children can be supported emotionally. These resources are found on our Gifted Resource Center webpage.

Raising Life Long Learners

This is a podcast about raising kids who love learning. Listen to how others help inspire kids to view their world with play, passion and fascination. Podcasts such as WHY SELF-CARE IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR CHILDREN TOO talks about self-care and that parents must take care of themselves in order to take care of their children. But what about our kids, especially those who are gifted and twice exceptional? How do we help them learn coping skills and emotional regulation? How do we help them identify what they need to take care of their own bodies and souls?

The Deep End

The Deep End is a blog written by Stephanie Tolan, which she hopes will help create a space to discuss the needs and challenges of being a gifted child. A recent blog post “Wellbeing – A No Limits Approach”, talks about what does wellbeing mean to children with non-ordinary minds and non-ordinary needs, and more than that—children living, suddenly, like the rest of us, in utterly non-ordinary times

The Fringy Bit

The Fringy Bit is a website started by the parents of three “fringy” kids. They use this term to describe children who are gifted and those who experience other forms of neuro-diversity. Through their website, they have created a blog and podcast, focusing on creating a community for the parents of gifted children. Heather Boorman has a background in clinical social work, and her husband Jonathan is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Enjoy their bonus podcast episodes on “Quarantine Quips”, that include short episodes talking about strategies, support, silliness and whatever else comes of Heather and Jon’s mouths and minds.

“The Gifted Kids Workbook: Mindfulness Skills to Help Children Reduce Stress, Balance Emotions, and Build Confidence”

Help your gifted child embrace their uniqueness. In this workbook, a therapist offers fun activities and strategies to help children ages 7 to 12 boost self-confidence, reduce stress and overwhelm, and balance emotions.

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings

Designed to provide support for the difficult job of parenting and teaching gifted children, “Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope With Explosive Feelings” provides the resource parents and teachers need to not only understand why gifted children are so extreme in their behavior, but also learn specific strategies to teach gifted children how to live with their intensity.

Living the Life Fantastic

This blog provides resources for gifted children who struggle with anxiety. In addition to posts and discussions specific to giftedness and anxiety, the site also offers a purchasable “Taking Time for Me” journal to help children manage their anxiety through mindfulness and gratitude.

Tilt Parenting

TiLT Parenting was founded in 2016 by Debbie Reber as a podcast and community aimed at helping parents raising differently-wired kids do so from a place of confidence, connection, and joy. Debbie is passionate about the idea that being differently wired isn’t a deficit —it’s a difference. She hopes to change the way difference is perceived and experienced in the world so these exceptional kids, and the parents raising them, can thrive in their schools, in their families, and in their lives. Check out the podcast with Dr. Michele Borba on “How to Help Kids Thrive in an Anxious World”.

Understood

Understood is dedicated to shaping a world where millions of people who learn and think differently can thrive at home, at school, and at work. Several featured resources are available such as “How to help your child manage a fear, 6 signs your child is resilient”.

Why Smart Kids Worry: And What Parents Can Do to Help

This book by Allison Edwards guides readers through the mental and emotional process of where children’s fears come from and why they are so hard to move past. Edwards focuses on how to parent a child who is both smart and anxious. She brings her years of experience as a therapist to offer fifteen specially designed tools for helping smart kids manage their fears.

Additional Resources:

CDC Resources Page on Stress and Coping

CDC’s Stress and Coping webpage provides resources and information on how to deal and cope with stress, such as coping with job stress, adults experiencing stress from Covid-19, responding to loss, and coping and support for children.

CDC developed the COVID-19 Parental Resource Kit: Ensuring Children and Young People’s Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being to help support parents, caregivers, and other adults serving children and young people in recognizing children and young people’s social, emotional, and mental health challenges and helping to ensure their well-being.

As we approach a full year of online or hybrid learning, parents are more concerned about whether their child is progressing in schools as expected. Perhaps motivated by learning loss or a child struggling academically, parents may consider tutoring. Finding a tutor for a child involves taking a step back and evaluating the student’s learning landscape.

Talking with a child’s teacher is a starting point for determining whether a tutor is necessary. There are a variety of things to consider: grade level curriculum, organizational skills, attentiveness, study habits and just general life activities. Classroom success ebbs and flows with each student’s situation, especially now with so many schedules disrupted. If it is determined a tutor would be beneficial, remember they are a member of the larger educational team. A tutor will usually want a continuing dialogue with parents because, as the parent, you are the link for sharing information between teacher and tutor.

What tutors can address are specific goals and target outcomes. Choosing a tutor is like choosing a school, “What would be a good fit for the child and meet our expectations?” Once the learning objective is defined, finding a tutor with a particular skill or strength, and teaching style compatible with the student’s learning style is important. If the goal is to build better study habits or processing skills, an executive functioning focused tutor might be a better fit than a traditional subject matter tutor.

When choosing a tutor, much can be learned in a phone interview, but it can be a trial-and-error process to find the best match. It can take time for rapport to be established and the student to become comfortable with the tutor. Tutoring is not an instant fix – it takes time and patience to build the relationship and to build skills and confidence. Parents need to remain involved in their child’s progress – a tutor never replaces that connection.

A few sites to get more ideas about choosing a tutor:

• Four Steps to Finding an Excellent Tutor for Your Child (Reading Rockets)
• How to Find a Tutor During the Pandemic (Parents.com)
• How to find a good tutor (Read and Spell Blog)

Resources for finding a tutor:

• IEA’s Gifted Resource Center
• Davidson Gifted Database
• Stowell Learning Center
• Where to Find Free Online Tutoring During the Coronavirus Crisis (U.S. News & World Report)

Thank you so much to all of our blog’s readers. This year we had a record number of visitors and comments on our blog! Here were the Institute for Educational Advancement’s top blog posts in 2019:

Everything You Want to Know About the Inner Workings of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship: Bonnie Raskin, Scholarship Director, gives our community a glimpse of what it is like to at the helm of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholarship program.

 Featured Schools for Gifted Learners: This post features 10 California schools who are also highlighted in IEA’s new Gifted Schools Guide highlighting schools for gifted and advanced students throughout the United States.

Announcing the 2024 Class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars: This past September, IEA announced the 2024 class of award recipients of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, a four-year high school scholarship for gifted learners to attend an optimally matched high school program to help them work toward meeting their unique intellectual and personal potential.

Summer Programs for Gifted Students: In this post IEA spotlighted a list of fantastic Summer programs that serve gifted youth.

Podcasts about Giftedness: A post full of amazing podcast recommendations about gifted learners. These are great resources for parents and educators supporting bright young minds.

Educational Holiday Gift Ideas: There is no shortage of games and puzzles that are intellectually stimulating; Pylos, Quoridor, and the classic Rubik’s Cube are all examples of mentally challenging and fun games. In this post you can find a variety of educational toys and games to consider giving to a gifted child any time of the year!

3 Ways Parents Can Engage Gifted Students During the Holiday Break: Gifted children tend to have a strong desire and need for intellectual stimulation, and that need doesn’t go away when schools are closed. In this post are three ways parents can help foster positive social and academic growth during a holiday break.

How IEA Evaluates Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Applications: This blog post walks through every step of the evaluation process for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship.

Why Give to IEA on Giving Tuesday: Development Manager Mavis Bortey-fio shared her most inspiring moments spent with IEA students in honor of this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign.

National Book Month: Featured Gifted Books for Parents and Educators: This post featured great reads for parents and educators focused on best practices and strategies for raising and educating a gifted child. These books are also listed on IEA’s Gifted Resource Center (GRC), which serves as a free online tool created and curated by IEA for our community.

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Every October, people national wide celebrate National Book Month. Studies have shown that reading not only improves your vocabulary and spelling, but it’s also good for your mental health. This October, take some time to pick up a new book you’ve been meaning to read or reread some of your favorites.

Below are some featured readings for parents and educators focused on best practices and strategies for raising and educating a gifted child. These books are listed on IEA’s Gifted Resource Center (GRC), which serves as a free online tool created and curated by IEA for our community. The resources listed in the GRC are appropriate for gifted learners from preschool through high school.

Comment below with your favorite reads and don’t forget to hashtag #NationalBookMonth on your social media to keep the reading train going!

Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential

The latest research in child development shows that many kids who have the brain and heart to succeed lack or lag behind in crucial “executive skills”–the fundamental habits of mind required for getting organized, staying focused, and controlling impulses and emotions. Learn easy-to-follow steps to identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, use activities and techniques proven to boost specific skills, and problem-solve daily routines. Small changes can add up to big improvements–this empowering book shows how.

Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World

Differently Wired is a revolutionary book—weaving together personal stories and a tool kit of expert advice from author Deborah Reber, it’s a how-to, a manifesto, and a reassuring companion for parents who can so often feel that they have no place to turn.

A Mind at a Time

In A Mind at a Time, Dr. Levine shows parents and others who care for children how to identify these individual learning patterns. He explains how parents and teachers can encourage a child’s strengths and bypass the child’s weaknesses. This type of teaching produces satisfaction and achievement instead of frustration and failure.

The Gifted Teen Survival Guide: Smart, Sharp, and Ready for (Almost) Anything

Based on new surveys of nearly 1,500 gifted teens, this book is the ultimate guide to thriving in a world that doesn’t always support or understand high ability. Full of surprising facts, survey results, step-by-step strategies, inspiring teen quotes, and insightful expert essays, the guide gives readers the tools they need to appreciate their giftedness as an asset and use it to make the most of who they are.

Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits

Recognizing the different levels and kinds of giftedness, this book provides an insight into the challenges and benefits specific to gifted children with attention difficulties. Explaining why certain children are gifted and how giftedness is manifested, each chapter on a specific topic addresses the relevance for children with AD/HD, autism and Asperger Syndrome. Lovecky guides parents and professionals through methods of diagnosis and advise on how best to nurture individual needs, positive behavior and relationships at home and at school.

If This is a Gift, Can I Send it Back?: Surviving in the Land of the Gifted and Twice Exceptional

When is life like a prizefight, a garden, and a quiz show, all hurtling down the road on an office chair, wrapped in song? When you’re living in the land of the gifted and twice-exceptional. Join the author on her journey through discovery, understanding, and acceptance, as she copes with the challenges that only the gifted and twice-exceptional can create.

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings

Designed to provide support for the difficult job of parenting and teaching gifted children, this book provides the resource parents and teachers need to not only understand why gifted children are so extreme in their behavior but also learn specific strategies to teach gifted children how to live with their intensity.

Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds

In Genius Denied, the Davidsons — founders of a nonprofit institute that provides assistance to gifted children — offer hope and practical advice to parents and students alike. They show parents how to find an appropriate education for their children, when to go outside the school system, and how to create a support network with school authorities and other parents.

Living With Intensity: Understanding the Sensitivity, Excitability, and the Emotional Development of Gifted Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Gifted children and adults are often misunderstood. Their excitement is viewed as excessive, their high energy as hyperactivity, their persistence as nagging, their imagination as not paying attention, their passion as being disruptive, their strong emotions and sensitivity as immaturity, their creativity and self-directedness as oppositional. This resource describes these overexcitabilities and strategies for dealing with children and adults who are experiencing them and provides essential information about Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration.

If you’re making your book purchase on Amazon, please consider using IEA’s Amazon Smile as a portion of your purchase will be donated directly to us so we can continue providing high-quality programs and services to gifted and advanced youth nationwide.

Working as an intern for the Institute for Educational Advancement has been a wonderful experience, the highlight of my summer. You might think I’d be an old hand in IEA; after all, I attended the Yunasa summer camp for the past eight years before I aged out, the last two years as a member of the camp’s leadership program. Then I volunteered as a general assistant with Academy. But there was plenty to learn at IEA, and it was great to be able to give back to the program and people that gave so much to me.

Working in an office environment was something new to me as this was my first job, and my first paycheck. I was mainly working with the Academy team, but I also helped with the EXPLORE program and Gifted Resource Center (GRC), which is part of the IEA website. I edited entries, checked that information was correct and tried to sort through the tedious task of straightening out over 900 entries. In addition to working with GRC, I had many other tasks that involved similar skills and had similar requirements. I created templates and inputted surveys into online survey analysis programs. The challenge was to stay focused on tasks which could become tedious or monotonous but needed constant attention to detail. From this, I learned quite possibly the most important lesson of my internship.

That lesson was to develop the ability to find a purpose in everything I did. From getting a student water to the aforementioned important and detailed tasks, everything is part of a larger and important program. Getting student water could help them have a better learning experience. My seemingly tedious work on the Gifted Resource Center not only helps improve people’s experience when using it but took something off the plate of other staff, allowing them to work on other tasks.

This is not to say working at IEA is all tedious paperwork. The most enjoyable component of my work at IEA was the opportunity to work closely with students and teachers in the Academy classes. I learned many skills I am sure I will take not only to my next job but into my future career, while still having an enjoyable time. The kids were fun; the teachers were amazing. I accrued the nickname “tall Kate,” as there was a student named Kate in one of the classes where I assisted. When I think about the kids I met, I can’t help but smile. The experiences I have had over the course of the summer in my internship taught me a lot and will stay with me for years to come.

Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at IEA. Help us spread the word and share this blog post with others! 

It’s hard to believe it’s already July! With the summer flying by, it’s never too early to start thinking about fall activities. Whether your child is looking to expand their resume, find a hobby or make new friends, the extracurricular activities listed below can serve as great opportunities for all.

• Arts: ngst.org recommends gifted children partake in musical or artistic activities for a few different reasons. Artistic and creative pursuits can build problem-solving skills, provide a safe environment for socializing and relieve stress.

• Sports: Exercise is known to have a multitude of physical and emotional benefits. For a gifted child, physical activity can provide a break from rigorous academics and aid in social development. However, it’s important when choosing a sport to consider the physical, emotional and social challenges that might apply to your child. To read more about some of these challenges and how to choose a sport for your gifted child, check out this article.

• Service activities: Volunteer and service opportunities are a fantastic way to teach your child how to give back to the community. Additionally, according to familyeducation.com, clubs and colleges often look for volunteer experience when reviewing a student’s application for admission.

• IEA Academy: IEA Academy provides exceptionally creative learning opportunities that encourage in-depth exploration of topics outside of the typical school curriculum. Classes cover a wide variety of STEM, arts and humanities topics, often taught through an interdisciplinary lens.

• Yunasa: Geared toward the unique needs of gifted children, while offering all the enjoyment of a traditional summer sleep-away camp, Yunasa provides a combination of traditional camp activities and special workshops designed specifically to help gifted children learn more about themselves as they develop greater awareness and self-acceptance. While this isn’t a fall activity, it’s never too early to start thinking about registering your child for Yunasa 2020. Be sure to not miss the opening of Yunasa 2020 application by registering for IEA’s newsletter.

• Academic competitions: Academic competitions like spelling bees and quiz bowls can serve as an opportunity for your child to expand their knowledge in a subject of interest. Parents.com also suggests that competitive activities can prepare children for the inevitable wins and losses that occur throughout life while also helping them develop self-esteem and tenacity.

• I[d]EA Day: IEA is hosting an exciting new event this Fall in Pasadena! I[d]EA Day is built to inspire our next generation of innovators. Over light bites and drinks, become a part of the IEA network while gaining exclusive access to local STEAM professionals and experts in gifted education. Click here to learn more about I[d]EA day! 

For more extracurricular activity suggestions, check out the Gifted Resource Center on our website!

Summer is here and you may be wondering what programs or activities are available for your child to attend. We have done some research for you and compiled a list of fantastic Summer programs that serve gifted youth. All these programs come from the Gifted Resource Center (GRC), Institute for Educational Advancement’s database. The GRC is a free public tool which serves as an online database of resources appropriate for the gifted learner from Preschool through High School. The GRC contains an abundance of resources and information regarding advocacy, gifted programs and organizations, schools, scholarships, supplemental learning opportunities, testing and counseling professionals, and the twice-exceptional (2e) learner.

Below is a sample of some of the resources that offer and provide activities during the summer. More information about these programs, as well as many more that are not listed here, is available on the Youth Programs and Services Guide.

GIRLS WHO CODE SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM 9-12

Girls Who Code offers a free 7-week summer program for current 10th-11th-grade girls to learn to code and get exposure to tech jobs. Each week the program covers projects related to computer science, such as art, storytelling, robotics, video games, web sites, and apps. Participants will also hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops, connect with female engineers and entrepreneurs, and go on field trips. The program culminates in a final project where students build their own product and share it with the class.

DIGITAL MEDIA ACADEMY 6-8 · 9-12

Digital Media Academy is a nationally recognized organization that provides hands-on summer resi­dential and day computer camps for teens as well as youth (ages 9-13).

SUMMER DISCOVERY 6-8 · 9-12

Summer Discovery is a pre-college academic enrichment program offering middle school and high school students a meaningful summer experience with lifelong value. Choose from over 300 interactive courses at 14 different university locations in the United States and abroad. Their summer programs combine academics with social activities, travel, recreation, and sports.

CODEREV K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12

CodeREV Kids provides classes and curriculum for students ages 6 to 18, focused on explor­ing STEM by learning coding, technology, and robotics. Classes are project-based, allowing stu­dents to engage in deep learning through unique creations and hands-on projects. CodeREV offers classes and summer tech camps in a variety of locations throughout Southern California: Santa Monica, Solana Beach, Encino, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach, and Mali­bu/Palisades.

GIRLS GARAGE K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12

Girls Garage is a one-of-a-kind design and building program and a dedicated workspace for girls ages 9 to 17. Located in Berkeley, California, it offers after-school programs, summer camps, and workshops.

IEA ACADEMY K-5 · 6-8

IEA Academy is a program of the Institute for Educational Advancement which provides students in Kin­dergarten through 8th grade with advanced learning opportunities that promote exploration and ap­plication of knowledge. Classes are taught by content-area specialists and taught at a flexible pace to accommodate the learning needs of gifted and 2e students. Classes are small and grouped by ability rather than chronological age. IEA Academy sessions take place in Pasadena, California and are held seasonally: fall, spring and summer (three sessions hosted each summer).

STANFORD HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER COLLEGE 9-12

Stanford High School Summer College offers academically outstanding high school students the oppor­tunity to take Stanford College courses and earn university credit. Program participants enroll as visiting undergraduates in Stanford’s Summer Quarter and take the same courses, taught by the same Stanford faculty, as matriculated Stanford students.

HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUMMER SESSION 6-8 · 9-12

Summer@HPA offers students entering grades 6 through 12 a unique four-week day and boarding expe­rience structured for academic enrichment and designed to make the most of summer and take advan­tage of our wondrous island-home to 80 percent of the world’s ecosystems. The diverse class offerings integrate environmental stewardship and awareness, and sustainability education and practices.

CTD SUMMER PROGRAMS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12

From early childhood through elementary, middle and high school, Center for Talent Development (CTD) gifted summer programs encourage gifted kids to explore academic areas of interest and con­nect with a community of peers. CTD offers life-changing residential and commuter programs provid­ing challenging enrichment, honors and Advanced Placement courses taught in a highly supportive environment.

SUMMER ACADEMY AT OLE MISS 9-12

Summer Academy is a two-week academic program designed to provide US and international rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders the opportunity to have a glimpse of college life for two weeks during the summer. During their stay on campus, students take one of the different classes offered such as Exam Preparation, Debate, Engineering, Arts, or Literature and earn a ½ Carnegie high school credit for this classwork.

THE QUAD MANHATTAN PRE-K · K-5 · 6-8
The Quad Manhattan is an inclusive meeting place for Twice-Exceptional kids – a place where social and executive functioning “life” skills are developed through FUN! Twice Exceptional or 2e children have intellectual or creative gifts, and also have lagging social or executive functioning skills. Developed by experts in medicine, child psychology and gifted special education, the Quad uses kids’ strengths and passions to hide skill development in creative and engaging afterschool classes and activities during our summer camp.

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR DIVERSITY 9-12

Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College programs will show you what college life is all about—from the class­room to what’s happening on weekends. Carnegie Mellon offers Pre-College summer programs in a variety of subject areas, such as math, science, architecture, drama, music, art, and gaming. There are no tuition, housing or dining fees for students selected to attend the Summer Programs for Diversity.

SUMMER WONDERS AUSTIN PRE-K · K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12

Summer Wonders is a nonresidential, full or half-day program that allows students to explore diverse subjects in a challenging, creative environment through an integrative, hands-on, non-traditional ap­proach. Summer Wonders is a specialty program for gifted children entering Pre-K through 6th grade and is held during three different two-week sessions at ACE Academy in Austin, Texas.

IPOETTREE K-5

Gifted student Cassidy Kao published her first book at 8 years old and founded iPoetTree at 12 years old. The nonprofit organization seeks to inspire a passion for writing in kids kindergarten to 6th grade. Cassidy provides a fun and free curriculum, supportive environment for sharing poems, and assis­tance with becoming a published author like her.

 In addition to searching the hundreds of resources in the GRC, you can also download our Scholarships & Competitions Guide and Youth Programs and Services Guide with opportunities for K-12 students. Click here to visit the GRC and check out our curated Guides.

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IEA’s online Gifted Resource Center (GRC) contains an ever-growing and robust listing of over 800 resources appropriate for gifted learners from preschool through high school. We carefully research and vet resources that span six categories, including Advocacy, Gifted Programs and Services, Schools, Scholarships and Competitions, Articles and Media, Twice-Exceptional.  Based on these listings, we’ve also put together downloadable guides that organize these resources by category. So far, we’ve published two guides on Scholarships & Competitions Guide and Youth Programs and Services and aim to release a guide highlighting schools for gifted and advanced students throughout the United States.

Below is a list featuring 10 gifted schools in California that will be shared in our upcoming guide:

Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School (Grades 6-12)

Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, located in Eagle Rock, California. ERHS serves students in grades 7 – 12 through a comprehensive junior and senior high school, as well as a Magnet program serving gifted, high ability, and highly gifted students in grades 7 – 12.

Gaspar De Portola Middle (Grades 6-8)

Portola Highly Gifted Magnet, established in 1979, shares the campus of Portola Middle School. It is the only middle school program in LAUSD designed specifically to meet the needs of highly gifted students.

GATE Academy (Grades K-8)

GATE Academy is a year-round day school dedicated to educating academically-gifted students in grades K–8 with an inquiry-based curriculum. They cluster motivated and cognitively gifted students in small groups with their intellectual peers and provide them with an inquiry-based, accelerated, self-paced curriculum in a school environment that celebrates them for who they are.

Helios School (Grades K-8)

Learning at Helios School takes place through meaningful authentic projects which may include field work, inquiry, discovery, direct instruction, and interaction with the environment. This project-based learning environment offers the rigor, depth, and complexity gifted learners need. Equally important, Helios students thrive socially.

Knox School (Grades 6-8)

The Knox School of Santa Barbara is private school serving K through 8th grade and specifically designed for the gifted learner. They seek to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where, alongside an engaging and challenging curriculum, the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students are respected and compassionately supported.

Mirman School (Grades K-8)

Mirman School is an independent, co-educational day school for highly gifted children in grades K-8 located in Los Angeles. They cultivate the boundless potential of highly gifted children, nurture their passions and talents, and develop a diverse community of creative and constructive lifelong learners.

North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet (Grades 9-12)

The Highly Gifted Magnet (HGM) was established in 1989 as part of the voluntary integration program of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Its goals are twofold: integration and a college preparatory curriculum that serves students who have an LAUSD intellectual assessment exam scoring in the 99.5%-99.9%.  HGM students receive the benefits of a small academic program – a core of teachers and a small student body who know each other well, mixed with the advantages of attending a public, urban high school.

The Nueva School (Grades PreK-12)

Since 1967, Nueva has offered an innovative and award-winning learning experience specifically designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. By creating an inspiration community-based environment, Nueva seeks to unlock the passions, purpose, and potential in each student while inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

Walter Reed Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Walter Reed Middle School is a traditional school in North Hollywood, CA that implements a gifted curriculum model designed to offer a full program for many needs, including an IHP (Individual Honors Program) and a comprehensive program for students with challenging needs.

Whitney High School (Grades 9-12)

Whitney High School is a public magnet school in Cerritos, California serving students 7th through 12th grade, offering alternative education for high achieving students selected throughout the district. WHS strives to develop intrinsically motivated, collaborative learners who approach their education purposefully and creatively, preparing academically proficient students for entrance to and success at their best-match university.

Interested in exploring more schools and resources? Head over to our Gifted Resource Center today!

If you’d like to help support IEA’s mission and increase your brand’s visibility nationwide, consider advertising with us in our upcoming resource guide!

The schools listed above are not sponsored or endorsed by the Institute for Educational Advancement.

I am a big fan of the podcast renaissance that’s been happening the past few years. While I’m driving, walking or cooking, I can learn about new topics, catch up on the news of the week or listen as a team investigates a mysterious crime. We at IEA have already covered some of the best podcasts for gifted learners, so today I wanted to turn the focus toward podcasts about gifted learners. These are great resources for parents and educators supporting bright young minds.

Family Confidential: Guiding Gifted Kids
James T. Webb, Ph.D. is a guest on this episode of this parenting video podcast hosted by Annie Fox, M.Ed. This episode focuses on the special needs of gifted kids and how their parents can help them understand and use their gifts well.

Gifted Education Podcast

Prufrock Press produces a podcast for parents and educators of gifted children on topics such as learning options, differentiating instruction, and ability grouping.

Mind Matters Podcast

The Mind Matters Podcast features discussions with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, with an emphasis on gifted/talented and 2e (twice-exceptional) children and adults. Mind Matters explores parenting, counseling techniques, and best practices for enriching the lives of high-ability people.

The Testing Psychologist Podcast Episode #19: Dr. Aimee Yermish

As a grown up gifted kid herself, Dr. Aimee Yermish definitely “gets it.” She coupled her lifetime of personal experience with a doctorate in psychology to build a highly successful practice working primarily with gifted and twice exceptional individuals. Drawing on her analytical background as a scientist and practical background as a teacher, she focuses on building self-understanding, self-regulation, and range of choice in life.

Giftedness Knows No Boundaries

Presented by the National Association for Gifted Children, this podcast shares brief glimpses into what is happening in the worlds of research, policy and best practices, with the goal of helping those who support gifted children.

The Talky Bit

Heather and Jon of The Fringy Bit chat about all things “fringy.” Whether you or your child is gifted, on the autism spectrum, has sensory processing disorder, or other higher needs, the pair is there to provide comradery.

Raising Life Long Learners Podcast

The popular blog in podcast form! Listen to find suggestions for encouraging your kids to be lifelong learners and helping your child see the world with fascination.

Schooled: Is Giftedness Real?

In this episode of Slate’s Schooled podcast, Sandy Darity, a researcher on giftedness at Duke, and Jeff Danielian, a Rhode Island teacher and giftedness advocate, discuss what giftedness means and how to best equitably identify bright young minds.

If you have a resource you’d like to share, please include it in the comments down below for other readers to consider! For additional resources appropriate for the gifted learner from preschool through high school, visit IEA’s online Gifted Resource Center.