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Hello Prospective Davidson Academy Students,
My name is Alex Hayes and this is my first year at
The Davidson Academy. I live up the street from school and both my mom and dad work at
the University of Nevada, Reno, the campus on which the Academy is located. The
Academy has offered an environment where I can learn at my own level and socialize with other people who
share my love for learning. One of the Academy's really cool features is that we have writing and math centers in which the older students and  teachers help students who need
assistance with anything in their classes.
It is really great to be at the Academy because I am surrounded by people just like me, who understand what I am talking about and commonly teach me new things. All the teachers and advisors are extremely dedicated to helping the students achieve things they never thought possible. I know that the decision to come to the
Academy is a big one, but coming here is definitely worth it to be around other highly motivated students and some really cool teachers.
~
Alex Hayes, First Year Davidson Academy Student
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Get to Know Us |
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As the 2008-2009 school year draws to a close, we are working with students to help them prepare for final exams, assignments and papers during these final two weeks of classroom activity. The Davidson Academy follows the University of Nevada, Reno school schedule, so the last day of school is Wednesday, May 13.
In the midst of the end-of-school flurry, we are excited to announce the 2009 graduating class of eight students, and will post a press release on
May 5 to our website and will hold a joint press conference with the University on that day to celebrate these graduates. We are very proud of this first class of graduates and wish each of them the best in their future endeavors – they have made great contributions to The Davidson Academy during their time here.
~
Colleen Harsin, Director of The Davidson
Academy of Nevada
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Program Updates
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Summer
Tour for Prospective Students – August 14
Hear from current students and Academy parents, familiarize yourself with our faculty and staff, and network with others considering the Academy. The next public tour is scheduled for August 14 with additional fall tour dates to be announced soon. RSVP is required for tours. If you would like more information, please email
explore@davidsonacademy.unr.edu.
The Right Fit for You?
While the deadline to submit applications for the 2009-2010 school year has passed, it’s not too early to think about applying for 2010-2011. If you are looking for an environment to better fit your social and academic needs, the Academy may be the perfect fit for you.
The Academy is specifically designed to meet the needs of profoundly gifted middle and high school students at the sixth grade level and beyond who score in the 99.9th percentile on IQ or college entrance tests. Please review the
Test Score Criteria page as these scores are mandatory for student eligibility.
Visit the
Application Review Process
page to learn more about the admissions process. The 2010-2011 application will be available this September.
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Student Activities |
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Drama Club
The Davidson Academy Drama Club’s recent performance of
“Have you Hugged an Orphan Today?” was a great example of students working together to create an excellent, entertaining show after many weeks of hard work and preparation. A number of parents helped with the production by sewing costumes, supplying food for the after-show celebration, driving kids back and forth to rehearsals, and much more!
Student
Competitions
Academy student Alexander Wade recently won the Nevada State Geographic Bee. He will travel to Washington, D.C. this May to participate in the national competition. The mission of the
National Geographic Bee is to foster a lifelong passion for learning and to encourage the experience and knowledge of other cultures and lands. View
Alex’s listing
and learn more about the competition in this
press release.
Several Academy science students represented the school well at the recent
Western Nevada Regional Science & Engineering Fair. With thousands of students entering, congratulations goes out to:
- Taylor Wilson for winning first place in the physical science division and first place overall! He received special recognition from the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.
- Anthony Fidaleo for winning first place in the mathematics division. He received special recognition from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.
- Rebecca Bauer for winning first place in the middle school division.
- Casey Acklin for winning second place in the middle school division. He received special recognition from the U.S. Army.
- Lillian Chien won the special American Chemical Society award.
- Hannah Shoenhard won an honorary position at the
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this May in Reno.
View the listing of the winners (PDF)
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Academics |
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Academy courses are taught by a variety of licensed secondary instructors and University
of Nevada, Reno professors using a range of methodologies. University professors who teach courses receive instruction in working with profoundly gifted students. The Academy faculty looks to students for inspiration regarding course content, instructional methods, materials, and the overall evolution of the school.
Along with these secondary and post-secondary instructors the Academy also supports the contributions of qualified mentors.
Other forms of independent study may be recognized within the students’ personalized learning plans (PLPs).
Academy student schedules are designed to allow for
one-on-one, student-instructor interactions to enhance
writing instruction, provide tutoring, and deepen the
challenge of classroom experiences.
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Cool Spots on Campus - "The Quad" |
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One of the most scenic spots on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, the Quadrangle, or “Quad,” is only a stone’s throw away from The Davidson Academy. The picturesque area surrounded by giant elm trees is a common setting for picnics, concerts, and numerous sports and games. The Quad is listed as a
“Jeffersonian academic village” on the National Register of Historic Places.
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In the News |
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 Ms. Vienneau, an English and history teacher at The Davidson Academy, was recently featured in
this interview with Laura Vanderkam for the
Gifted Exchange Blog. She discusses her unique experiences teaching at the Academy.
Alex Wade, a first year student at the Academy, was also highlighted on
the Gifted Exchange Blog in
this interview. He describes a typical day and the
type of student he feels would do best at a place like
the Academy.
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"For profoundly gifted students who have unique needs, there’s a myth that parents are actually the ones pushing the child, when in reality it’s the child leading the parent and letting them know exactly what they would like to learn."
~ Jill Adrian, Davidson Institute, on NBC's
Today Show
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