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   Student to Student
 Davidson Academy
Hey Prospective Students,

I’m Ikya Kandula, and I just finished my second year at The Davidson Academy. Believe me, I did not think I would last this long. When my parents showed me the application for the school, I basically stomped into my room and screamed, “No way will I ever apply!” When I got to my room, though, I bee-lined for my laptop and immediately searched “The Davidson Academy” in Google. Turns out I spent three hours on the Academy website and related links trying to find out what the school was all about. I really liked what I was seeing. I even remember thinking during my tour that the place was really cool! I had a lot of doubts though. I lived in Washington at the time, and I was in the gifted program in my middle school. I wondered: Why would I even go to the Academy if I was already in a gifted school? How could I bear being away from my friends? What if I don’t make any new friends? What if everyone is a nerd and I just don’t fit in?

To answer the first question, the Academy isn’t like any other school, gifted or not. Sure, the academics are really great and the school gives students a well-rounded education, but what’s unique about the Academy? The Academy really sticks to its idea of tailoring each student’s education to meet his or her interests and needs. Basically, you’re not confined to that strict schedule where you can’t even choose what classes you want to take and there is no difference between your classes and the classes of the other students in your grade. This flexibility in schedule allowed me to discover my passion for business. I have been able to take many economics classes at the University of Nevada, Reno including Chinese Economy, a senior and graduate level class. Extracurricular activities at the Academy are also adaptive. There are a range of activities to do, including yearbook, student council, Community Crusaders, math club, DA Paws, science club, DECA, and GECKO. This past year, I co-founded DECA, a business club that allows students to compete in areas of marketing, hospitality, finance, and management locally and internationally. I have also had the honor to serve as the Green Earth Community Knowledge Organization’s (GECKO’s) president. GECKO competed in the GREENevada Sustainability Plan Competition and won $1,000 for bicycle generators charging the laptop carts around school. There is a wide array of school activities you can be involved in and, if there isn’t a club for you, you can start one! In terms of sports, most students join sports teams in different schools or organizations. I participate in swim team but student sports range from softball and soccer to dancing and fencing. You’re probably wondering something along the lines of “Well, okay…the school is cool and all, but what about the people there?” To that I say, “I’m getting there! Be patient, young grasshopper!”

In terms of the student body, everyone is awesome! I have to admit, it was hard moving away from my friends, but I was immediately welcomedDavidson Academy to the Academy. The best part about the school is the diverse student body; I continually learn from my peers and meet life-changing people that make my school experience wonderful. I realize that moving has been such a good thing for me. I would never have met such amazing people and experienced such new things if I had stayed in the same place for all my school life.

In conclusion, I urge you to take the chance and come to the Academy. I guarantee you’ll love it…or your money back! Just kidding…See you next year! 

~ Ikya Kandula, Third Year Davidson Academy Student

 
   Get to Know Us
 
Davidson AcademyIt is hard to believe the 2011-2012 school year will begin this month! Since we are on the same academic calendar as the University of Nevada, Reno, the fall semester begins Aug. 29. With applications for the 2012-2013 Davidson Academy school year recently becoming available, we hope you consider applying! Another option is to visit the Academy for one of our fall tours on Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, or Dec. 16.

Also, please view the
College Advising page on the Academy website, which provides a year-by-year look at how the Academy helps prepare students for graduation and the next steps of their academic careers.

                                                                 ~ Colleen Harsin, Director of The Davidson Academy of Nevada

 
   Program Updates
 
2012-2013 Application Available
Davidson AcademyThe Davidson Academy of Nevada application for the 2012-2013 school year is now available! Visit the How to Apply page to download the application PDF files. If you are looking for an environment to better fit your social and academic needs, The Davidson Academy may be the place for you!

The Academy is specifically designed to meet the needs of profoundly gifted middle and high school students who score in the 99.9th percentile on IQ or college entrance tests, such as the SAT or ACT. Please review the recently updated Qualification Criteria page of our website as these scores are mandatory for student eligibility. On the Application Review Process page, you will find detailed information about the on-site assessment.

Upcoming Tours for Prospective Students
Davidson AcademyHear from current students and Academy parents, familiarize yourself with faculty and staff, network with others and ask specific questions at one of our upcoming school tours. Everyone is invited to attend one of the following tour dates below and RSVPs are required. If you would like more information, please contact us at outreach@davidsonacademy.unr.edu.
  • Friday, Sept. 23, 2011
  • Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
  • Friday, Nov. 18, 2011
  • Friday, Dec. 16, 2011
 
   EXPLORE Test to be offered at Academy in October

Davidson Academy In conjunction with the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), The Davidson Academy will serve as a test site for the two-hour EXPLORE® test on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The EXPLORE® test, developed by ACT for 8th graders, is an effective above-level test for younger students (grades 4-6), and provides the opportunity to demonstrate their advanced abilities. An EXPLORE® test score can be used in the context of eligibility criteria for the Davidson Young Scholars program as well as The Davidson Academy. Parents or teachers of students who are very talented in mathematics can use the EXPLORE scores as part of IDEAL Solutions for Math Acceleration, which is a web-based system for making decisions about math acceleration.

The goal of BESTS is to discover students who need further educational challenge to fully realize their academic talent. To register, visit here and click on “Register” under the EXPLORE menu on the left side of the screen. The cost is $58 per student and the deadline to register for this specific test location is Monday, Oct. 3.

Also, The Davidson Academy will be hosting a public tour the day before the Explore Test, on Friday, Oct. 21.

 
   Davidson Academy Residential Option
Davidson Academy
The beginning of the 2011-2012 school year will also mark the first year of The Davidson Academy's Residential Program! Residential students live with local host families during the school year so their families do not have to move to Reno in order for them to attend the school. All residential students are required to pay room and board fees. Tuition will also be required for out-of-state students. However, in-state students will be able to attend the Academy tuition-free. To apply, a completed Davidson Academy Application along with a Residential Interest Form are due by the Dec. 1, 2011 deadline.


 
 

“When it comes to the Academy, I find myself at a loss for words. The Academy has been such an amazing experience for me that I can’t even begin to explain what I feel about this school, and the gratitude I want to express to the people who gave me this opportunity.”

Ian McKeachie, Fourth Year Davidson Academy Student, Author of Idols of Dust

 


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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
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