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Student to Student |
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Greetings Prospective Students,
I’m Angela Xu, and this is my fifth year at The Davidson Academy. I can confidently say that my time here has been the most rewarding and productive in my life, and certainly in my education. While the Academy offers classes that teach advanced material, the most valuable thing it’s taught me is not any piece of information but how to learn, and love to learn. My undertakings were encouraged by the supportive and welcoming students and staff, and I found myself forging friendships linked through common passions. There’s always someone at the Academy who would be glad to help you in any subject imaginable, whether it is to achieve basic understanding or pursue further study. Besides that though, the students are far from boring, stick-in-the-mud academics; on occasion we may have a distasteful amount of math or philosophy coloring our conversation, but wit, fun and friendliness prevail. Most everyone can be classified as generally ‘awesome,’ and though sociability varies as it would anywhere else, we have a fairly normal spectrum of extracurricular interests.
Environment aside, the classes themselves are incredible; the staff works tirelessly throughout the year to create an ability grouped system where we students can pick and choose our classes, within reason. If a class ends up too easy or difficult, a student can quickly be transferred to a more suitable one. While this shifting around has never happened to me, all that means is that every class I’ve been in has been just right to challenge me sufficiently. The teachers are all incredibly interesting people, and it is they more than their subject material that creates the exciting and engaging atmosphere of every class. Everything is up for discussion; even in math, which is traditionally taught by lecture, the students shout out questions and answers, and the teachers make sure they know what’s going on. I can certainly attest personally to the effectiveness of Calculus the
Academy way, which spurred me on to further pursue math at the
University.
Our working relationship with the University of Nevada, Reno is also one of the Academy’s great assets. As a student gets more advanced in a single subject area, they will eventually run out of Academy classes to take; at this point, most students will sign up for a higher level
University course. While this may seem intimidating, especially with much older college students attending the same class, the experience is invaluable. Because of the ability grouping we do, someone who is, for example, very interested in chemistry but not in history won’t be constrained by even the advanced classes the Academy offers, and will be able to pursue his or her interests at much higher levels, even moving to take on internships or research opportunities. While I haven’t undertaken any internship there myself, I know from my friends that it’s quite the exciting prospect.
Even if such things don’t catch your interest, don’t feel left out. While there are very focused people who know exactly where their passion lies, certainly not everyone feels the same way. For the longest time, I liked everything, which as I’m sure experienced people can attest to, is an admirable but impractical sentiment. Eventually though, this directionless enjoyment of learning coalesced into my great interest in economics, which I could not have discovered without the Academy, which allowed me to do more of what I was good at; that is what ability testing and grouping does, and it’s something I appreciate greatly. So don’t worry if you’re not a super specialized kind of person. Your experience at school will let you decide if you want to be one, and how to be one if you do.
In any case, The Davidson Academy is undoubtedly a wonderful academic haven, and even more so a school full of kids, like any other in that respect. It’s a great place to be for middle or high school, where learning is encouraged and never purposefully restricted. I’ve had the best of times here, and I hope, so will you!
~
Angela Xu, Fifth Year Davidson Academy Student
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| Get to Know
Us |
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 Since we are on the same academic
calendar as the University of Nevada, Reno, The Davidson Academy’s
spring semester has just begun, following a month-long break. It is
an exciting time! The past few months have been very busy but
incredibly rewarding. Our students have received numerous honors and
accolades and have participated in a wide variety of activities.
We’ve seen students grow and mature both academically and socially,
and look forward to all the possibilities of the coming semester,
including celebrating graduation for several students.
We
hope you consider applying for the 2012-2013 school year!
~ Colleen Harsin, Director of The Davidson Academy
of Nevada
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Program Updates |
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 2012-2013 Application Available
If you think The Davidson Academy of Nevada may be the right fit
for you, consider applying for the 2012-2013 school year! Visit the
How to Apply page to download the application PDF files.
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
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
Each month during the school year, The Davidson Academy hosts a tour for prospective students and their parents. At these tours, visitors meet current Academy students, parents, faculty and staff, and ask specific questions about the school. Our upcoming school tours will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the following Fridays:
- Jan. 27, 2012
- Feb. 24, 2012
- March 30, 2012
- April 27, 2012
For details, including directions to The Davidson Academy and RSVP information, please visit our
Tours page. If you would like more information, please
contact us at
outreach@davidsonacademy.unr.edu.
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Academics -
Pedagogy |
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Teaching methods at The Davidson Academy focus on thinking
skills and a regard for the uniqueness of each individual
learner. In addition to academic aspects, there is a focus
on social dynamics and interactions. The interpersonal and
instructional dynamics at the Academy accommodate both of
these needs in an atmosphere that is vibrant with
intellectual energy and dialogue. Since students of high
ability are homogeneously grouped, instructors are able to
teach classes at very advanced levels and use methods that
provoke understanding, thought and debate. See the
Pedagogy page for more information.
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In the News |
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 The Davidson Academy was
featured in a
YouTube
video produced by a University of Nevada, Reno student.
Academy student Paul Novak (pictured right) was interviewed and describes a
typical week at the school.
Academy student Ian McKeachie
was recently interviewed in the Family Pulse Magazine article,
Local Teen Publishes First Novel. Ian discusses the inspiration behind his self-published first novel,
Idols of Dust, which chronicles an ill-fated journey of self-discovery for protagonist Paul Prince. Congratulations, Ian!
Academy students Jessica Fuchs and Sarah cHarg were
featured in the
Reno Gazette-Journal for being the
overall winners of the Reno Pairs Tournament at the first Reno Youth Bridge tournament.
Members of the Academy's Pedestrian Safety Project, headed by
the Robots, Rockets, & Radio (RRR)
club, will work with the University of Nevada, Reno Police
Department to present information on improving pedestrian
safety around the campus. The motto of this program, created by the
Academy students is, “Look Up, Unplug, Stay Safe.” Source:
Reno Gazette-Journal
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“My entire experience here has culminated in my acceptance to the accelerated Bachelor/MD program here at at the University
of Nevada, Reno . . . the wonderful teachers and staff at the Academy made the application and preparation process so much simpler and easier, and I truly believe that no matter where your interests lie, they could do the same for you.”
Erik Jensen, Davidson Academy Graduate
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