Frequently Asked Questions

• About the Academy
• Admissions
• Academics

Q: Is The Davidson Academy a boarding school?
No, the Academy is a non-residential, full-time day school. At this time, families not living in the area will need to relocate to Nevada in order for their student(s) to attend. The Academy is currently researching a residential program option for Academy students.

Q: Can a student attend part-time?
No, this is a full-time program.

Q: What is the tuition for the Academy?
The Academy is a free public school. If an Academy student takes University classes above and beyond high school graduation requirements, then their parents must cover the costs associated with these courses (University fee schedule). There is a scholarship fund available to address the needs of students who require financial assistance to pay university courses, fees and books.

Q: Are students grouped by grade level or age at the Academy?
Unlike many traditional school settings, the Academy’s classes are not grouped by age-based grades, but by ability level. Assessments are used to initially place students into appropriate levels and concrete academic benchmarks help staff guide them to more advanced classes when ready.

Q: My child is 14 and has earned a number of high school credits. Do these transfer to the Academy?
It is likely that these credits can be transferred, up to a total of 18 credits from another public or private secondary institution. Academy administrators will consider each case individually and determine what credits can be transferred.

Q: Are students, who have high school diplomas at early ages and are ready for full-time college, considered eligible for the Academy?
No, students with a high school diploma who are ready for full-time college need to apply directly to the college of their choice.

Q: Is daily transportation provided to and from the Academy?
No, parents will need to arrange transportation for their student to and from school each day.

Q: Are the teachers licensed?
Academy courses are taught by a variety of licensed secondary instructors and University professors.

Q: Who are the members of the Academy Governing Board and how often do they meet?
The governing body is comprised of three individuals selected by the Governor of Nevada; four individuals selected by the founding entity (The Davidson Institute for Talent Development); The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (ex officio); and the President of the University of Nevada, Reno (ex officio). Public meetings are held four times a year, once every quarter. See the Governing Board page for dates of the meetings.

Q: Will budget cuts in education affect The Davidson Academy?
The Academy receives Distributed Student Account (DSA) funding at the current level per student as does every other public school in the state. The Academy is not a specific gifted and talented (GT) program, so it is not subject to GT program budget cuts. One-third of the Academy’s budget comes from the DSA funds and the other two-thirds comes from private donations.

Q: How old does a student have to be to apply to The Davidson Academy?
Students who meet the Test Score Criteria and are under the age of 18 may apply to The Davidson Academy of Nevada once they have completed the 5th grade.

Q: What is the selection criteria for admission?
Selection criteria include demonstration of superior intellectual development and academic achievement (as demonstrated by achievement test scores and grade transcripts), motivation, social and emotional maturity, and overall readiness for the environment of an accelerated educational program. See Admissions Overview.

Q: At what grade level does my student need to be in order to qualify?
Any student who is at the sixth grade level or beyond, meets the Test Score Criteria and is under the age of 18 can apply to The Davidson Academy. Students must have completed at least the fifth grade, and meet all other application requirements, before they will be enrolled at the Academy. Please note that our curriculum is accelerated by approximately three standard grade levels.

Q: How do I know when my child will be able to pass the test for admission to The Davidson Academy of Nevada?
There are many testing options available to applicants. Test information is just one aspect of qualifying for The Davidson Academy of Nevada. Check the test score guidelines for the Academy to determine if, in the past two years, your child has taken at least one of the tests listed and if the scores earned qualify. If not, you may want to consider the following information in obtaining testing.

Intelligence test information is addressed in the Davidson Gifted Database article: A place to start: Is My Child Gifted?

Admission/placement exam information may be accessed at the following websites:

• SAT: http://www.collegeboard.com/splash
• ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/
• EXPLORE: http://www.act.org/explore/

Q: Where can my child take one of the required tests?

Local testing options are generally available. These may be located by contacting the appropriate academic talent search, your school counselor, or registering directly with the respective testing agency (see links provided above for the SAT, ACT, and EXPLORE). Intelligence tests are typically administered by licensed psychologists. You may wish to contact your child’s school to learn if such testing is available, or contact your state or local gifted and talented organization for information on appropriate testers in your area.

Q: If my child has a qualifying score on all of the test sections but one, could they still qualify for admission into the Academy?

Many factors go into accepting a student for admission to The Davidson Academy of Nevada, including test scores, transcripts, recommendation forms, interviews and the narrative information included in the application. Test score guidelines are listed on the Test Score Criteria page and will be evaluated in the context of all other materials submitted.

Q: Can out-of-state students apply if they intend to reside in Nevada in the future?

Yes.

Q: How long do you need to live in Nevada in order to be considered a resident?

Once a student is accepted to the Academy and moves to Reno, they meet all residency requirements of the State of Nevada as a student in a public school. This means that the student will pay in-state tuition when taking a University course at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Q: Who determines which students are eligible to attend?

The admissions committee is comprised of a broad-based team of professionals who have expertise in the educational needs of profoundly gifted learners.

Q: Can my child reapply to The Davidson Academy if their application has been declined in the past?

Yes, candidates may reapply. However, it is important to note that The Davidson Academy of Nevada will not reconsider an admissions decision during the year in which the applicant was denied admission. The Davidson Academy of Nevada will accept no requests for reconsideration of, or consider additional information related to, an admissions decision once the admissions decision has been made. However, unsuccessful applicants may re-apply for admission for the next academic school year following the academic school year in which the applicant was denied admission.

Q: What is the review process for applications since supporting documentation, such as letters of recommendation or test scores, will not necessarily be submitted at the same time?

If an application is received by the application date, it will be reviewed that month if supporting documentation is received in a timely manner. If supporting documents are received after the middle of the application month, the application will be reviewed in the month following the receipt of the necessary documentation. If the application is submitted on the final submission deadline, all supporting documentation needs to be received in a timely manner in order to be considered for the following academic year.

Academics

Q: How is the program different from other schools?
The Davidson Academy focuses on the individual needs of each student. Learning opportunities focus on mastery; higher order and critical thinking skills; community engagement; and, personal development and responsibility (see Academic Overview).

Q: Are students able to choose from the various options, i.e. classroom, University, or independent coursework?
Each student has a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) based upon her or his abilities, needs, readiness and passions. The plan is created as a collaborative effort between the student, parents, and Academy faculty and staff. This plan may include multiple learning options such as small group classroom learning, undergraduate university courses, graduate level courses, independent study with a mentor or professional, or college level research based on students' demonstrated abilities. Tutors and mentors are available to assist students who are interested in pursuing subjects in greater depth or who need additional coaching.

Q: When are students able to take University courses?
The point in which a student may take a University course depends on his or her educational needs and readiness to excel in a college learning environment, as determined by academic benchmarks and the Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) process. Once students have completed the core academic requirements set by the Academy or have room in their schedules for electives and are deemed ready for university level work they have the option to enroll in university courses.

Q: Do students learn on their own or with other students?
Each student has the opportunity to learn in group settings with other students, as well as through independent study.

Q: What type of homework is required of students?
The homework is an extension of classroom discoveries and interactions. It is not busy work, but meaningful assignments that engage students in applying information and skills for mastery. Students are responsible for prioritizing their homework assignments and managing their time. The Academy staff is available to guide students with their study skills.

Q: How big are Academy classes?
The average class ratio is around 12:1. As the Academy grows these numbers may change, however the Academy’s focus on our core value of Pursuit of Knowledge will not waiver.

Q: Do Academy students receive support and guidance to manage their often intense feelings, emotions and perfectionistic tendencies?
Yes. A component of the learning community at The Davidson Academy is based on exploring, discussing and supporting the social and emotional needs of students. Our staff has been trained in these areas, and are available daily to guide and support students.

Q: How does the Academy work with 2e students?
Currently, there are students with Section 504 plans and accommodations. Regarding the learning/teaching style, the Academy considers goodness of fit for the student as a whole. The lessons are as diverse as the instructors. There are many hands-on learning experiences, as well as discussion and lecture-based courses. The Academy has many fixed goals and is flexible in meeting them.

Q: What is the Personalized Learning Plan process?
The purpose of the Personalized Learning Plan is to deepen and strengthen the learning experience for all Davidson Academy students. Personalized Learning Plans are consistent with The Davidson Academy philosophy of treating students as individuals who are invested in their own learning.

The plan is an adaptable document that is used to guide students through a rigorous core curriculum and help them make elective decisions based upon their interests and commensurate to their levels of ability, achievement, and motivation. Students, with adult guidance, including staff and parents, propose ideas for the personalization process. Personalization is not “doing your own thing” or altering the core; it is the core experience with a variety of options based on student interest and competence. Personalization also refers to adapting individual classroom experiences to provide students with a pace and depth appropriate to their abilities and interests.

Q: What roles can parents play to support the Academy and the education of their student(s)?
Parents are key to guiding and supporting their child(ren) to take responsibility for their learning and to make the most of this unique educational opportunity. Parents are also encouraged to be active participants in helping the Academy achieve its mission and goals. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to lead specific projects such as supporting extracurricular activities and fundraising.

Q: What benefits can the Academy provide after graduation?
Once students have earned their Davidson Academy of Nevada high school diploma, they will have the option to become fully matriculated students of the University of Nevada, Reno, enrolled in the University’s Honors Program. These students will continue to have access to Davidson Academy resources and the Academy’s facility until the end of the semester in which they turn 18.

Q: When is school in session?
Please consult the School Calendar.