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Student to Student |
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Hello prospective Davidson Academy students!
I have been attending the Academy for two years now and I can assure you that it was the best choice I have made in my life. I know for those of you who don’t live in Reno, moving here can be difficult. My family and I were also worried about moving, but the transition was well worth it and I don’t regret the choice one bit.
As an Academy student, the offered features far surpass the opportunities offered by other academic institutions. The academic level is much more rigorous than other schools I have been to, and the setting of the Academy near the center of campus offers a great opportunity for students to take college courses and access University of Nevada, Reno facilities. The Academy also offers a vast collection of advanced high school courses with amazing instructors and staff. The social atmosphere is also unique and unmatched to any other place I have been to.
Making the decision to come to the Academy is a
life changing choice. Although the decision was difficult, by considering the
options and weighing the choices I don’t believe that I could have made a better
decision.
~
Darlon Jan, Second Year Davidson Academy Student
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Get to Know Us |
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It is the first month of the
2008-2009 school year, and there is a lot of excitement in the air! In addition to the remarkable features of
a new building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, our enrollment increased from 44 students last year to 73 this year, allowing
us to offer many exciting options. Students can participate in groups such as the Community Crusaders, Green Earth Community Knowledge Organization (GECKO), Math Club, Newsletter Club, Yearbook and more.
Also, a greater variety of classes are now available, although small class size remains a priority.
We hope you will consider applying for the
2009-2010 school year or attending one of our fall tours on Sept. 19, Oct.
19, or Nov. 21. See below
for details.
~
Colleen Harsin, Director of The Davidson
Academy of Nevada
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Program Updates
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2009-2010 Applications Available
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 Applications for the 2009-2010 school year are now available! Visit The Davidson Academy
How to Apply page to find the Academy application, which consists of three downloadable documents.
The Davidson Academy of Nevada
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, such as the SAT or ACT.
Please review the
Test Score Criteria page of our website as these scores are
mandatory for student eligibility.
 Fall Tour for Prospective Students - September 19, 2008
It’s one thing to hear about all of the great features of The Davidson Academy.
It’s another to experience first-hand what all the excitement is about. On
Friday, Sept. 19, the Academy will be hosting a fall tour for prospective
students from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet the faculty and staff and tour the Academy
and University of Nevada, Reno. Other fall tour dates are Oct. 17 and Nov. 21.
RSVP is Required for all tours.
If you would like more information about these tours, please
email
explore@davidsonacademy.unr.edu
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Student Excellence |
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The Community Crusaders
student club volunteers with local
nonprofit groups, such as participating at the Ronald
McDonald House helping prepare meals for the needy. The Community Crusaders
also recently volunteered with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Earth Day, Project Linus
and the Sky Peaks Retirement Community, while always having fun in the process.
Another Academy club, the
Green Earth Community Knowledge Organization (GECKO),
focuses on environmental awareness and responsibility. Students in GECKO
coordinate recycling the cardboard of all Academy families. They
have also raised money for numerous environmental causes and plan to
do so again this coming school year.
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Meet Mr. Ripley, Mathematics Instructor |
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Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you chose to teach at the Academy.
I am a Nevada native who graduated with all of my degrees
from the University of Nevada, Reno. I am presently enrolled
in a Ph.D. program in Statistical Design using Information
Technology. My wife and child, both Nevada natives, are the
apples of my eyes and the loves of my life. In addition to
hanging out with my family, I enjoy mountain/road cycling,
snowboarding, playing chess and entertaining with friends.
The reason I got involved with the Academy is because I am
interested in challenging motivated, bright young minds and
sharing the beauty and elegance of mathematics with them. I
believe Mathematics is the gatekeeper to all of
education as everybody has to take and pass a math class in
their lives. It is better to know too much mathematics
rather than not enough!
How do you make studying mathematics both interesting and fun?
I try to use a number of different techniques of instruction and assessment to make mathematics interesting. Group work, board work, projects, traditional and online assessment are all techniques to try and engage and interest students in the material.
In your opinion, what are some of the coolest real-world uses of Math?
Let's see, oh...all of science. Most recently, the use of
probability in quantum theory is pretty exciting. That, and
being able to balance a checkbook!
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In the News |
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Congratulations to Davidson Academy student Casey Acklin, the only semifinalist from Nevada recognized by The Society for Science & The Public for his project,
Is Light Right? How Do Different Light Sources Affect the Regeneration of Dugesia tigrina? The SSP competition replaced the former Discovery Young Scientist Challenge.
2008 SSP Middle School Program Semifinalists
Academy
Students Named
National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists
 Academy students Rachel Ellison, Melanie Malinas, Cody Nolan and
Andy Wei were recently named 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists!
Selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for college success,
the students now have the opportunity to compete for a National Merit Scholarship.
Source:
Reno Gazette-Journal
“...I made friends who actually could help me with my homework. There weren't labels like
‘that smart girl’, or ‘the smartest kid in fifth grade’, which was very nice.
All in all, it was COOL...”
~ Third Year
Academy student,
on the 2007-2008 school year
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If you have been forwarded this Davidson Academy
Prospective Student eNewsletter,
and wish to receive future
newsletters, sign-up
here.
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Supporting our nation's brightest young minds.
9665 Gateway Drive, Suite B, Reno, Nevada 89521
Phone: 775-852-3483 Fax: 775-852-2184
Email:
administrator@davidsongifted.org
Web:
www.DavidsonGifted.org
www.DavidsonAcademy.UNR.edu
Request a Brochure online.
Visit
The Davidson Academy
Explore page.
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