cdb – Institute for Educational Advancement https://educationaladvancement.org Connecting bright minds; nurturing intellectual and personal growth Tue, 09 Dec 2025 20:47:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://educationaladvancement.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ieafavicon-e1711393443795-150x150.png cdb – Institute for Educational Advancement https://educationaladvancement.org 32 32 Press Release: The Institute for Educational Advancement Awards 26 Gifted 8th Graders with High School Scholarship https://educationaladvancement.org/press-release-iea-cdb-scholars-class-of-2029/ https://educationaladvancement.org/press-release-iea-cdb-scholars-class-of-2029/#respond Wed, 18 Sep 2024 16:54:09 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=16846 Funding Will Support Students’ Intellectual and Personal Growth

Pasadena, CA – 09/18/2024 – The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA), a national nonprofit dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of the nation’s gifted and advanced learners, continues its 22-year tradition of providing fully funded high school scholarships to gifted eighth graders through the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB). The 26 recipients in the class of 2029 are offered the four-year high school scholarship to attend an optimally matched high school or individualized education program to help them work toward meeting their unique intellectual and personal goals. It is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. In addition to the tuition funding, each Scholar receives ongoing, personalized counseling and educational advocacy, and joins a lifelong network of their peers.

“Beyond the monetary support the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship provides, it also means these bright young minds will become part of the IEA community as they continue on their educational journey,” said Deborah Monroe, President, IEA. “We work closely with the students and their families to foster their lifelong love of learning and look forward to seeing how they develop their talents and share them with the world.”

Interested seventh grade students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship and complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at the highest level on nationally normed standardized tests. Applications are reviewed by the Caroline D. Bradley selection committee, a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, teachers and administrators, CDB alumni, community members, and business leaders.

“The potential this year’s class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship holds is limitless,” said Mallory Aldrich, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Senior Program Manager at IEA. “They are innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who have already made great impacts in their communities. I know that this scholarship will give them even more opportunities to expand their minds and lean into their curiosities and shape the world for the better.”

Over the course of the next several months, IEA staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2029 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year’s high school entrance.

2029 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars:

  • Brennan Bosita – Dallas, TX
  • Sofia Castro – Downey, CA
  • Caroline Gao – Milpitas, CA
  • Gavin Gracey – Perry Hall, MD
  • Leila Guillemet – Los Angeles, CA
  • Ronald Hart III – Brambleton, VA
  • Elijah Hurst – Riverside, CA
  • Tina Jin – Cupertino, CA
  • Olivia Kaiser – Fairhope, AL
  • Reva Khaire – Charlotte, NC
  • Elisha Lee – Wilmette, IL
  • Atticus Lin – San Francisco, CA
  • Nova Macknik-Conde – Brooklyn, NY
  • Sebastian Mank – Warren, ME
  • Tiger Maxu – Los Angeles, CA
  • Clifford McCartney – Chicago, IL
  • Carolyn Miller – Bellevue, WA
  • Sam Pfeil – Malvern, PA
  • Nicholas Pistun – Gainesville, VA
  • Max Richmond – Royal Oak, MI
  • Bowen Shan – Chandler, AZ
  • Lexi Shaw – Gilbert, AZ
  • Vivienne Stewart – Hermosa Beach, CA
  • Maxim Swinton – Bergen County, NJ
  • Ethan Leonard Wadley – Lithia Springs, GA
  • Anna Yang – Austin, TX

Currently, there are over 300 alumni, many of whom have graduated from college and are in the workforce, attending graduate school or participating in international service and fellowship programs. The scholarship is generously funded by the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in the fall. 

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. IEA seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladvancement.org

About the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program

IEA’s Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program is one of the few U.S. high school scholarship programs that is need-blind and awarded solely on the basis of merit to highly gifted seventh graders. Since its inception in 2002, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has served over 400 students with academic and personal support, high school tuition and a lifelong network for mentorship and peer connections.

Contact

Kat Kirsch
Institute for Educational Advancement
(626) 403-8900 or kkirsch@educationaladvancement.org

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📷: Caroline D. Bradley Scholars Class of 2028

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The Institute for Educational Advancement Announces Recipients of High School Scholarship for Gifted Learners https://educationaladvancement.org/the-institute-for-educational-advancement-announces-recipients-of-high-school-scholarship-for-gifted-learners/ https://educationaladvancement.org/the-institute-for-educational-advancement-announces-recipients-of-high-school-scholarship-for-gifted-learners/#respond Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=15604 27 gifted students awarded fully funded four-year high school scholarship 

Pasadena, CA – 09/14/2023 – Today, the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) announces the award recipients of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) for the class of 2028, a four-year high school scholarship for gifted learners to attend an optimally matched high school or individualized education program to help them work toward meeting their unique intellectual and personal potential. The recipients will each receive upwards of $200,000, depending on the cost associated with the school or program they choose.  

Interested seventh grade students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at the highest level on nationally normed standardized tests.  

“This year’s applicant pool was one of our most diverse as far as the students’ backgrounds, interests, geographic locations and knowledge base,” said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of IEA. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary as an organization that supports bright, young minds, we are reminded of how important this scholarship is for the 27 students who will benefit from an academically advanced high school program that will meet their highly intellectual needs.” 

In June, 51 finalists were contacted by the Caroline D. Bradley selection committee for in-person interviews with the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship team. The committee is comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, teachers and administrators, CDB alumni, community members, and business leaders.  

Over the course of the next several months, IEA staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2028 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year’s high school entrance.  

“This year’s Caroline D. Bradley scholars are capable, highly-engaged and impressively intelligent,” said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at IEA. “We go beyond just funding these students’ educations, we work closely with them to ensure they find the best program and we remain involved as they continue their educational journeys through high school and throughout their lives.”  

Since its inception in 2002, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation have generously funded this scholarship. It is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, IEA has awarded more than 400 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 282 alumni, 160 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school or participating in international service and fellowship programs. 

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in the fall.  

2028 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars:  

  • Jason Adeyemi, Duluth, GA 
  • Ori Bard, Los Angeles, CA 
  • Anahit “Aeon” Bashir, Eden Prairie, MN 
  • Ayaan Dhruv, Los Altos Hills, CA 
  • Tess Eggeson, Indianapolis, IN 
  • Elili Flore, Los Angeles, CA 
  • Alesya Hathaway, Las Vegas, NV 
  • Samuel Henderson, Lexington, KY 
  • Una Joy Hornick, New York, NY
  • Rory Hu, Cupertino, CA 
  • Osagiemagbon Idehen, Staten Island, NY 
  • Ethan Isakir, Flushing, NY 
  • Elizabeth Kayes, Makawao, HI 
  • Neha Khankari, Palo Alto, CA
  • Camille Levy, Troy, MO 
  • Jedidiah McClimans, Riverside, CA 
  • Violet Miller, Bellevue, WA 
  • Adrienne Prater, Tyrone, GA 
  • Wyatt Steel, Leesburg, VA 
  • Atticus Stewart, Hermosa Beach, CA 
  • Faith Taylor, Hanover, NH 
  • Grace Walters, Elm Grove, WI 
  • Evan Weinswig, Menlo Park, CA 
  • Brianna Wong, Oakland, CA 
  • Channing Yang, Sugar Land, TX 
  • Hannah Yang, Los Angeles, CA 
  • Edward Zhang, Omaha, NE 

For more information about this scholarship or any of IEA’s other programs and services, visit www.educationaladvancement.org. 

About the Institute for Educational Advancement 

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. IEA seeks to connect gifted individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladvancement.org

About the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program 

IEA’s Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program is one of the few U.S. high school scholarship programs that is need-blind and awarded solely on the basis of merit to highly gifted seventh graders. Since its inception in 2002, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has served over 400 students with academic and social support, high school tuition and a lifelong network for mentorship and peer connections. 

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The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Class of 2027 https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-the-caroline-d-bradley-scholarship-class-of-2027/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 18:35:49 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=15070 By Bonnie Raskin

Following a rigorous application process, twenty-seven 2027 Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholars were selected from a nationwide pool of highly qualified, accomplished young people who will be entering high school in the fall of 2023. The new cohort of CDB Scholars are:

  • Abigail Hurst from Riverside, California
  • Ansel Effah from New York, New York
  • Antonia Elliott from Naches, Washington
  • Aubrey Ewing from Chicago, Illinois
  • Bellen Anastas from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • David Hadi from Burbank, California
  • Nikki Primiani from Santa Monica, California
  • Dominic Gasper from Zionsville, Indiana
  • Edward Zhang from Irvine, California
  • Freya Bikel from Los Angeles, California
  • Jack Gonzalez from St. Michaels, Maryland
  • Justin Kearse from Bronx, New York
  • Kai (Tiger) Wang from Princeton, New Jersey
  • Kiye Corbitt from Washington, D.C.
  • Lenah Faustin from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Linda Pistun from Gainesville, Virginia
  • Margaret (Molly) Svrluga from Washington, D.C.
  • Marin Lohner from Manhattan Beach, California
  • Nia Guillemet from Los Angeles, California
  • Santiago Soto from Montebello, California
  • Shantanu Jha from Waycross, Georgia
  • Shreyan Jain from Santa Clara, California
  • Taryn Hwang from Los Altos, California
  • Trillian Creath from Phoenix, Arizona
  • Vikram Goudar from Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Warren Edwards II from Atlanta, Georgia
  • Waverly Lansford from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Each of the new CDB Scholars represents the highest ideals of scholarship, character, leadership, community service and personal achievement in passions including athletics, research, debate, peer tutoring, robotics, engineering, website design, coding and visual and performing arts.
The class of 2027 CDB Scholars has the distinction of being the twentieth Scholar class selected since 2002’s inaugural class.

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PRESS RELEASE: The Institute for Educational Advancement’s Summer Spotlight Opens Barder House to Community https://educationaladvancement.org/press-release-the-institute-for-educational-advancements-summer-spotlight-opens-barder-house-to-community/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 18:13:36 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=14909

Pasadena, CA – 06/14/2022 – On June 23, the Institute for Educational Advancement(IEA) is holding its annual Summer Spotlight event at the historic Barder House in Pasadena. The event is a free, family friendly community celebration where attendees can learn more about IEA’s gifted education programs, meet teachers, win prizes, and participate in fun activities. This year’s Summer Spotlight also kicks off a year-long recognition of key IEA milestones: 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, and 2023 will be the 25th anniversary of IEA itself.

“IEA is looking forward to celebrating our community at the 2022 Summer Spotlight!” said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of IEA. “This event is an excellent opportunity to support gifted youth in our area as well as introduce IEA programs and services to folks interested in learning more about the unique needs of advanced learners and ways to meet those needs. This year’s spotlight is particularly important as it begins a year of recognizing important milestones. We hope to see you on the 23th!”

Summer Spotlight will be held at 569 South Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA on June 23 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Attendees will be able to meet instructors and staff members, watch educational demonstrations, participate in arts and crafts activities, enjoy food and beverages, win a prize and bid on items in support of gifted education programs. Reservations are limited and RSVP is required at bit.ly/summerspotlight22.

For more information about IEA programs and services, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. IEA seeks to connect like-minded individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladvancement.org.

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IEA ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – NATHANIEL BERNSTEIN https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-nathaniel-bernstein/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-nathaniel-bernstein/#respond Sat, 21 May 2022 18:49:36 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=14766 We’ve been fortunate to have so many accomplished and interesting people walk through our doors. Every month, IEA highlights one of our program alumni to let the community know what they’ve been up to. This month, we caught up with 2008 CDB alum, Nathaniel Bernstein.

What are some educational, personal and professional highlights and/or accomplishments of yours since graduating from high school?

I’ve been lucky to spend most of my time since graduating from high school as a student. At Harvard College, I was mentored by amazing professors in the history department, read lots of old books in archival libraries, helped to create an honor code system, and met friends with interests from astrophysics to Slavic literature that I still keep in touch with. I then spent a year at the University of Cambridge, where I donned long black robes for candlelit dinners in centuries-old halls, traveled across Europe, and lived with other graduate students from all over the world. I am now in my final year at Stanford Law School, where I have worked in legal clinics, interned for a federal judge, and learned how to use Zoom! None of this would have been possible without the support of the IEA team (particularly Bonnie!) and the CDB Scholarship while I was in high school.

What is a favorite IEA/CDB memory?

During high school, the CDB Seminar was a major highlight of my year. I loved getting to know the other scholars, learning about their interests, and hearing about their experiences in high schools across the country. We always had a good time together, whether we were wandering the Freedom Trail in Boston, scavenger-hunting through the San Diego Zoo, making ourselves sick tasting variations of Coke at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, or exploring the laboratories of Silicon Valley startups. We had a great time during off hours, too. My best memory is from one night during my first Seminar, when the freshman cohort of Scholars stayed up together into the early hours of the morning getting to know each other in the hotel’s emergency stairwell. Eventually, we were sent to our rooms by hotel staff responding to noise complaints. The Scholar community includes a wide range of clever, curious people, and it was so much fun to get to know them for the first time.

What words of wisdom would you pass on to current IEA students?

First: value relationships with the advisers and mentors that you will meet as members of the IEA community. As a CDB Scholar, Bonnie Raskin was my most important counselor and confidant from high school placement onward, and our monthly email correspondence became my greatest impetus for self-reflection and greatest source of support. Students across IEA programs have access to incredible mentors and should seek out the transformative relationships they can form with those mentors.

Second: invest in relationships with other students within the IEA community. As a CDB Scholar, I met curious and compelling high school students from all over the country, and I know the same can be said for participants in other IEA programs. You never know when the people you meet through IEA will reappear in your life. For example, I reconnected with a fellow CDB Scholar on a backpacking trip in college, and we became (and are still) close friends. That wouldn’t have happened were it not for our initial introduction through IEA.

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IEA ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – ISAIAH SCHRADER https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-isaiah-schrader/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-isaiah-schrader/#respond Sat, 21 May 2022 18:42:10 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=14758 We’ve been fortunate to have so many accomplished and interesting people walk through our doors. Every month, IEA highlights one of our program alumni to let the community know what they’ve been up to. This month, we caught up with 2012 CDB alumni, Isaiah Schrader.

I’m Isaiah Schrader, a 2012 Caroline D. Bradley Scholar from Scarborough, New York. After receiving the scholarship in 8th grade, I attended the Trinity School, a day school on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where I discovered my passion for the culture, history, and languages of East Asia.

In 2017, I matriculated at Yale College. Although I took classes in a wide variety of subjects — from game theory to poetry, and political theory to economics — I ended up pursuing a double major in Philosophy and East Asian Languages and Literature. I focused mostly on the philosophy of early modern Europe and late imperial China: my senior thesis reexamined the thought of the 16th century Chinese philosopher Wang Yangming.

Like many of my peers in the humanities, I had some trouble figuring out what to do next — our paths are often far from linear. Ultimately, after graduating in 2021, I decided to continue pursuing my academic interest in China, and entered a two year Masters program at Harvard, where I study the intellectual history of Song and Ming Dynasty China. My hope is to stay for a PhD after graduating in 2023.

 I am so grateful for the generosity of the IEA community and the Bradley Scholarship in allowing me to receive a top-notch education, and I often reflect on the ways in which their support has had a profound impact on my life. Thanks so much to Bonnie, Betsy, Mallory, and the rest of the team for everything they do.

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IEA ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – JIANNA LIEBERMAN https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-jianna-lieberman/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-iea-alumni-spotlight-jianna-lieberman/#respond Sat, 21 May 2022 18:39:34 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=14754 We’ve been fortunate to have so many accomplished and interesting people walk through our doors. Every month, IEA highlights one of our program alumni to let the community know what they’ve been up to. This month, we caught up with 2004 CDB alumni, Jianna Lieberman.

What are some educational, personal and professional highlights and/or accomplishments of yours since graduating from high school?

It feels like high school was ages ago – I must be getting old! But a couple things stand out…

In college, a close friend and I started a non-profit to encourage voter registration. We registered a little over a quarter of the entire campus and received a Civic Engagement Award that was presented by the late Congressman John Lewis; though we only exchanged a couple words, it was amazing to meet him.

Next would be when I took the GMAT, the entrance exam for Master’s programs in business. I hadn’t studied for anything in years, and I spent 8 months getting ready for that exam. Most tests had always been easy for me growing up – something I’m sure many CDB scholars experience – but man! That test is TOUGH. I had never had to study so hard before, and the effort made the results far more meaningful.

After the GMAT and applications, I ended up attended Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management for my MBA . My undergraduate degree was in fine arts – not at all a common path to an MBA. I honestly couldn’t believe I was accepted, and I literally couldn’t have done it without what must have been an incredible recommendation by Bonnie – thank you Bonnie!!! That school and the two years I spent there was simply incredible. While I would love to identify a single moment that stands out, the reality was I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude every time I walked into that building. It was the first time in my life – outside of IEA! – I felt surrounded by peers that were all so smart, so talented, and truly kind. My degree hangs over my desk, and every time I look at it, I smile.

What is a favorite IEA/CDB memory?

That one is easy haha. At one of the conferences during high school, after the day’s schedule had ended, a group of us got together to play poker. We didn’t have chips to play with, so we bought out the gift shop’s entire supply of tic tacs. PS: playing poker with a bunch of mathematic geniuses is awesome, as long as you aren’t playing for money, because they will wipe the floor with you!

What words of wisdom would you pass on to current IEA students?

My goodness…having seen so many years of scholars come in, I am consistently amazed by the caliber of incoming students. Us “old guard” often say to each other, if we had to apply these days, there is no way we can get in! I feel like many of them could give me words of wisdom instead of the other way around. But here’s a few, with a caveat – you’ll get lots of advice from tons of places (just like this!), much of it conflicting over time. Ignore what doesn’t feel right for you, and take what serves you. That said,

  1. If you’re a chatterbox like I was (and still am at times), practice active listening, even if you have a great fact to share or a solution to the problem at hand. You can learn more about the people around you by observing, and build deeper relationships asking questions rather than answering them.
  2. At some point, you will probably need to make some decisions about what you want to do with your life (personally or professionally). The thing about CDB scholars is they are capable of doing so many different things that it can be really hard to choose a path. But to do anything truly well, you have to commit! You can always change your mind down the line, but don’t be afraid to make a bold choice, go all in, and let some of the other pursuits go for a while. If you find yourself missing one, you can always add it back in!
  3. This is a silly one, but don’t completely ignore pop culture. It might be “basic”, but it can be an easy bridge to conversation or connection.
  4. Finally, life gets easier. Every year, I know myself better, and the people around me become kinder, wiser, and more accepting. It becomes easier and easier to find your people, to find rituals that nourish the soul and the mind, and to structure your life the way you want. So hang in there.
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TOP 10 BLOG POSTS OF 2021 https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-top-10-blog-posts-of-2021/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-top-10-blog-posts-of-2021/#respond Sat, 21 May 2022 18:25:55 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/?p=14740 Every year, we like to mark the passage of time by looking back on what we’ve accomplished. At the IEA blog, we aim to provide helpful, informative and insightful reads for our community and beyond. Here are the 10 blog posts that received the most traffic in the year 2021. Happy new year, and happy reading.

THE INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT ANNOUNCES 29 RECIPIENTS FOR NATIONWIDE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

The announcement of the latest class of Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) scholars is always a big deal here at IEA, and 2021 was no different. Last year, we announced 29 selections across the United States.

WHAT GOES INTO SELECTING A CAROLINE D. BRADLEY SCHOLAR?

Of course, interest at the very beginning of the CDB process is very high. Almost one full year ago, Bonnie Raskin gave applicants some additional insight about how a scholar is selected. It is sure to be helpful even to 2022 applicants!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

Our bite-sized alumni interviews proved to be very popular. In 2021, you especially liked our features on Valerie DingCaitlin AndrewsSophia Barron and Scott Greenberg!

CDB CLASS OF ’21 – COLLEGE PLANS

When it came to college application season, our CDB Class of 2021 was incredibly successful. Here’s an accounting of where our talented scholars were headed!

BREATHING TECHNIQUES TO HELP CALM THE OVERACTIVE MIND

For those that needed a little help dealing with the year, our very own Nancy Kane used her professional yoga expertise to give some insight on breathing exercises. 

RESOURCE ROUND-UP: 7 RESOURCES FOR GIFTED GIRLS

We kicked off Women’s History Month last year with this handy post detailing links parents of gifted girls can check out. It’s got everything from essay contests to summer programs and more!

UNDERSTANDING SCREEN TIME AND GAMING FOR GIFTED STUDENTS

A lot of families are, understandably, interested in how video games and screen time can best be fit into their child’s schedule. In this post, we try to add some insight and provide resources for making these decisions.

COMICS FOR LITERACY

Comics are a fun, engaging and deep genre of literature. They’re also ideal for children at all reading levels! Here are some reading recommendations we made last year.

HOW TO FRAME PRAISE FOR CREATIVE YOUTH

There’s a lot of nuance in how you can give a child praise. In this post, we try to convey and expand upon a lesson learned in How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Adele King.

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

The pandemic remains top of mind for many of us, and we want the community to know we’re here for support. In this post, we’ve curated a list of resources that might help with coping with the various stresses and uncertainties: podcasts, blogs, books and more. They’re strong resources for all kinds of heightened and tense feelings.

Thanks to everyone for reading our blog in 2021. We’re certain you’ll love what we have in store for the coming year.

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CDB Reflections on Teammates and Mentors https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-cdb-reflections-on-teammates-and-mentors/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-cdb-reflections-on-teammates-and-mentors/#respond Sat, 02 Oct 2021 00:58:25 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/blog-cdb-reflections-on-teammates-and-mentors/ By Mallory Aldrich

I, like many other people across the country am completely addicted to the TV show Ted Lasso. From Ted’s quirky analogies to Keely’s bubbly personality, I can’t get enough. When Jason Sudeikis’s recently stood on stage to accept the Emmy for Best Actor in a Television Comedy he said these words, “This show is about family. This show is about mentors and teachers. This show is about teammates. And I wouldn’t be here without those three things in my life,”. I couldn’t help but to continue to think about this speech.

I thought about my past teachers, mentors, family, and “teammates” all who have helped guide me to where I am today. But then I went a little deeper and I thought of the students who we work with at IEA who are often told to fit into round hole of the education system when they are a square peg and it just doesn’t fit. That is until they find that one teacher or mentor who opens the world of education to them. Who encourages them to dig a little deeper in a subject that they are learning about. Or to take a supplemental class in a subject matter that will challenge them because learning is amazing and fun and hard but so worth it. Just like Coach Lasso and Beard challenge each of their players.

The speech made me think of the CDB scholars who I work with daily who have formed a network of “teammates” who cheer them on, challenge them to achieve their potential and are there for them if it doesn’t work out they way they hoped.

The alumni and the parents of CDB scholars who give their time to serve as mentors to our young scholars, so they have an opportunity to pursue their passions. Every day I see the parents of IEA’s students who navigate the world of education for their children or to help other children to succeed. This doesn’t go unnoticed.

I am so lucky to work with some of the most passionate people who are determined to help each student that walks through the doors of IEA to the best of our ability. We don’t have one size fit all method here and I know that is something that makes us stand out.

So, in honor of Ted Lasso take the time to remember your family, teachers, mentors, and teammates and thank them. Also, never forget to be a goldfish when something doesn’t go your way and always believe in yourself.

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Press Release: The Institute for Educational Advancement Announces 29 Recipients for Nationwide High School Scholarship https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-press-release-the-institute-for-educational-advancement-announces-29-recipients-for-nationwide-high-school-scholarship/ https://educationaladvancement.org/blog-press-release-the-institute-for-educational-advancement-announces-29-recipients-for-nationwide-high-school-scholarship/#respond Tue, 14 Sep 2021 00:29:12 +0000 https://ieadev.wpengine.com/blog-press-release-the-institute-for-educational-advancement-announces-29-recipients-for-nationwide-high-school-scholarship/ Pasadena, CA – 09/01/2021 – The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) announces the award recipients of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) for the class of 2026, 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.

Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade and are required to complete a rigorous portfolio application process, which includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendations, and a work sample. Eligible applicants must also achieve scores at or above the 97th percentile on nationally normed standardized tests.

“The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity to not only financially support some of the brightest young minds in the country, but to welcome them into a nurturing community,” said Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-Founder of IEA. “It’s a key part of our mission to support gifted youth so that they can become thought leaders, problem solvers and successful individuals.” 

The CDB selection committee is comprised of a diverse group of nationwide high school and university admissions directors, CDB alumni, community members, and business leaders. The rigorous selection process took place over the course of several months, wherein the committee met both virtually and in-person to review scholarship applications and interview candidates.

Over the course of the next several months, IEA staff, current CDB Scholars and CDB alumni will provide guidance and assistance to the entering class of 2026 Scholars as they begin to identify potential high school programs, complete applications, and prepare their individualized educational plans for next year’s high school entrance.

“Every year, we’re fortunate to get to know and work with a new crop of highly gifted and motivated middle school students,” said Bonnie Raskin, Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program Director at IEA. “We want these individuals to develop their unique voice and channel their passion into a bright future, and our goal is to be alongside them every step of the way.”

The program, which began in 2002 and is generously funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, is one of the few merit-based, need-blind scholarships of its kind in the United States. To date, IEA has awarded more than 350 scholarships to gifted learners and alumni who are already making their mark on the world. Currently, there are 225 alumni, 125 of whom have graduated from college and are in the work force, attending graduate school, or participating in international service and fellowship programs.

The application for the next class of Caroline D. Bradley Scholars will be available in November 2021.

2026 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars: 

  • Daniel Baek, Arcadia, California
  • Ziv Bard, Los Angeles, California
  • Mae Beauvoir, Seattle, Washington
  • Daryn Burnette, Trinity, Florida
  • Alicia Chen, Palo Alto, California
  • Audrey Cho, Oradell, New Jersey
  • Colin Chu, Palo Alto, California
  • Nola Foran, Studio City, California
  • Matthew Gao, Skillman, New Jersey
  • Zarah Guillemet, Los Angeles, California
  • Henry He, Andover, Massachusetts
  • Michael Larson, Flower Mound, Texas
  • Kayla Ling, Hillsborough, California
  • Sydney Mafong, San Diego, California
  • Joshua Mak, New York, New York
  • Vishnu Mangipudi, Bellevue, Washington
  • Sahara Muhammad, Somerset, New Jersey
  • Allison Nieves, Rosemead, California
  • Thomas Nordahl, Westwood, Massachusetts
  • Amirah Ogweta, Portland, Maine
  • Anya Reppa, Mequon, Wisconsin
  • Juniper Rogers, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Tiffany Sun, Exeter, New Hampshire
  • Alex Tran, Hillsboro, Oregon
  • Ava Truong, Wichita, Kansas
  • Stephanie Wang, Forest Hills, New York
  • Sriya Wint, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Brandon Xu, Simpsonville, South Carolina
  • Christopher Zeng, Longmeadow, Massachusetts

 

For more information about this scholarship or any of IEA’s other programs and services, visit www.ieastaging2.wpengine.com.

About the Institute for Educational Advancement

The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is dedicated to the intellectual, creative, and personal growth of our nation’s gifted and high-potential youth. Central to the mission of IEA is a commitment to the development of the whole child through engaging educational experiences that promote optimal challenge, mentorship, exploration of ideas, and recognition of personal potential. IEA seeks to connect like-minded individuals through dynamic and engaging year-round programming. Additionally, IEA supports a diverse community that creates a sense of belonging and affirmation. For more information, visit www.educationaladavancement.org.

About the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program

IEA’s Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship Program is one of the few U.S. high school scholarship programs that is need-blind and awarded solely on the basis of merit to highly gifted seventh graders. Since its inception in 2002, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has served over 350 students with academic and social support, high school tuition and a lifelong network for mentorship and peer connections.

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