| Davidson Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
1164 N Virginia St , 89503 United States | |
| Coordinates | 39°32′20″N 119°48′59″W / 39.538830°N 119.816432°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public school |
| Established | 2006 |
| Director | Colleen Harsin (Reno campus) |
| Mascot | Phoenix |
| Website | www |
The Davidson Academy is a school for profoundly gifted students with two accredited options – an online campus for students living anywhere in the United States and Canada and a Reno, Nevada, public school located on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus for students living in the area.[1] The school, founded in 2006, is the first public school of its kind in the nation for profoundly gifted (high IQ) students.[2][3][4] The Reno public school is located in the Jot Travis Building on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. As of the 2021-2022 school year, 144 students are enrolled in the Davidson Academy Reno campus and 98 students are enrolled through the online campus.[5] The Davidson Academy provides each student with a personalized learning plan, designed to educate them and specifically catered to their individual, unique needs. Unlike traditional school settings, the academy's classes do not group students by age, but by ability. The school is designed to provide an educational setting where the abilities, strengths, and interests of highly intelligent young people are encouraged and supported. Eligible candidates must score in the 99.9th percentile on accepted intelligence and/or achievement tests; perform at a required academic level; exhibit intellectual and academic achievement; are, or intend to be, residents of Nevada; and other criteria.[6] As ranked by the Washington Post's Jay Mathews, the Davidson Academy is one of the nation's "Top-performing schools with elite students".[7] The academy was also named the top school in Nevada by MSN.com[8] and academy students scored at the top on state tests.[9]
The average class ratio of students to teachers is currently about 4:1.[10] The academy's directors are Colleen Harsin (Reno campus) and Stacy Hawthorne, Ed.D. (online campus).[11][12]
In 2017-2018, the academy launched an online option. For the most-up-to-date information, see the online campus section of the academy's website.[13]
The school is a division of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a national nonprofit organization established by the Davidsons to support the needs of profoundly gifted children through information resources, networking and educational opportunities, family support, advocacy, and scholarships.[14]
