Skip to main content

Davidson Academy Courses

In 2006, the Davidson Academy opened on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno as the first free public school of its kind for profoundly gifted students. The Davidson Academy’s classes group students by ability rather than age, offering middle and high school-level curricula for exceptionally gifted students ages 9 and up. Our unique approach to learning has attracted families from across the country and the globe.

The Davidson Academy is designed to be much more than just a school. Students experience friendship with like-minded peers, extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and more. The Davidson Academy is a fully-accredited school for exceptionally gifted students and has centered on interpersonal and instructional-based learning, creating a vibrant atmosphere with intellectual energy and dialogue. As the school has grown, the Academy has evolved to offer an increasing number of opportunities, while still providing a laser-sharp focus on the individual student.

Language Arts

4 Credits

Gifted classes in writing, comprehension, critical theory, and linguistic analysis.

  • Advanced Rhetoric
  • American Literature
  • British Literature
  • Critical Theory
  • Rhetoric and Literary Analysis
  • Science Writing and Communications

Mathematics

4 Credits

Gifted classes in algebra, calculus, geometry, and statistics.

  • Algebra II
  • Algebra II/Pre-Calculus
  • Calc I, Calc II, Calc I/II, Calc III (semester-long)
  • Calc III (year-long)
  • Geometry
  • High School Plane Geometry
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Statistics

Science

4 Credits

Gifted classes covering many different scientific fields of study such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geosystems.

  • Advanced Biology & Lab
  • Advanced Chemistry & Lab
  • Advanced Geosystems
  • Advanced Physics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Physical Science

History

3 Credits:

  • 1 World
  • 1 U.S.
  • 1/2 Gov
  • 1/2 Economics

    • Gifted classes in history cover both domestic and international topics.

    • Asian Studies
    • History of the United States
    • Patterns in Modern History
    • Principles in American Government and Economics
    • Understanding the Post-9/11 World

    Foreign Language

    3 Credits

    The Academy offers many different foreign language classes at various skill levels.

    • Chinese I
    • Chinese II
    • Chinese III
    • Chinese III/IV
    • Chinese V/VI
    • Japanese 1A
    • Spanish Fundamentals I/II
    • Intermediate Spanish I/II
    • Advanced Spanish I/II

    Electives

    5 Credits

    The Davidson Academy offers over 40 different gifted electives classes which change yearly based on student interest. Students may design and teach their own elective courses as approved by the administration.

    We separate our electives classes into 3 categories: the arts, physical education, and miscellaneous.

    Electives: The Arts

    • Art
    • Art: Drawing and Painting
    • Choral Ensemble
    • Creative Writing
    • Improv
    • Introduction to Acting
    • Music Theory
    • Photography
    • Poetry: Writing and Workshop
    • Writers' Workshop

    Electives: Physical Education

    • Fitness
    • Kung Fu
    • Rock Climbing
    • Yoga
    • Zumba

    Electives: Miscellaneous

    • Animation
    • College Seminar
    • DECA
    • English Student Aide Workshop
    • Introduction to Graphic Art
    • Introduction to Robotics
    • Journalism Lab
    • Life Skills
    • Machine Learning/AI
    • Math Competition Preparation
    • Meaning of Life
    • Military History
    • Mindfulness
    • Peace Theory
    • Programming with Java
    • Programming with Python I and II
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Science Olympiad
    • Speech and Debate
    • Student Council
    • Thought Experimentation
    • Yearbook

    Dual Enrollment: University of Nevada, Reno

    Currently, students are taking one or more courses at the University of Nevada, Reno, or other institution in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) under our dual enrollment agreement. These courses include the following:

    • ARA211 Second Year Arabic I
    • ARA305 Arabic Comp and Conv I
    • ART261 Survey of Art History II
    • BCH405 Molecular Biology
    • BIOL105 Intro to Neuroscience
    • BIOL223 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • BIOL223L Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab
    • BIOL300 Principles of Genetics
    • BIOL471 Neurobiology of Mental Illness
    • CEE204 Natural and Engineering Environmental Systems
    • CHEM292 Selected Topics in Chemistry
    • CHEM341 Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I
    • CPE201 Digital Design Lecture and Lab
    • CRJ222 Criminal Law and Procedure
    • CRJ311 Forensic Science
    • CS135 Computer Science I Lecture and Lab
    • CS202 Computer Science II Lecture and Lab
    • ECON102 Principles of Microeconomics
    • ECON103 Principles of Macroeconomics
    • ECON441 Intro to Econometrics
    • ENG301 Understanding Arguments
    • ENG427A Women and Literature
    • ENG433A Shakespeare: Tragedies and Histories
    • ENG488 Ethics in Literature
    • ENGR100 Introduction to Engineering Design Lecture and Lab
    • ENV101 Introduction to Environmental Science
    • FREN111 First Year French I
    • FREN211 Second Year French I
    • GER111 First Year German I
    • HIST211 History of East Asia I
    • ITAL111 First Year Italian I
    • JPN211 Second Year Japanese I
    • JPN307 Pronunciation and Kanji
    • MATH283 Calculus III
    • MATH285 Differential Equations
    • MATH295 Proof Writing for Math/Stat Majors
    • MATH310 Introduction to Analysis I
    • MATH330 Linear Algebra
    • MATH331 Groups, Rings, and Fields
    • MATH419 Topics in Analysis
    • MATH430 Linear Algebra II
    • MATH439 Topics in Algebra
    • MATH485 Graph Theory and Combinator
    • MATH486 Game Theory
    • MICR453 Immunology
    • MUS211 Sightsinging and Dictation
    • MUSA129 Piano-Lower Division
    • MUSA141 Viola-Lower Division
    • MUSA173 Voice for Non Majors
    • MUSA329 Piano-Upper Division
    • PHIL207 Intro Soc/Political Philosophy
    • PHIL210 World Religions
    • PHYS151 General Physics and Lab
    • PHYS182 Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
    • PSC207C Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
    • PSC210 American Public Policy
    • PSC304 Legislative Process
    • PSY101 General Psychology
    • PSY240 Introduction to Research Methods
    • PSY261 Intro to Social Psychology
    • PSY403 Physiological Psychology
    • PSY413 Measuring the Human Brain
    • SPAN112 First Year Spanish I
    • SPAN212 Second Year Spanish II
    • SPAN305 Spanish Composition I
    • SPAN309 Spanish Conversation
    • SPAN761 20th Century Spanish Literature
    • STAT352 Probability and Statistics Lecture and Discussion
    • STAT461 First Course in Probability
    • WMST250 Intro to Feminist Theory

    How to Apply

    The 2024-2025 application is now available! See details about the application process to prepare for the 2025-2026 application.

    Application details

    Graduation Requirements

    The Davidson Academy Diploma is considered an advanced high school diploma in the state of Nevada. Diplomas are awarded based on the following requirements:

    • Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0
    • 28 total credits required – 23 required, 5 electives

    Curriculum

    The primary focus of the Davidson Academy’s curriculum is for Academy graduates to leave with a solid, broad-based foundation of knowledge.

    Visit our curriculum page

    Davidson Academy Accreditation

    The Davidson Academy is accredited by AdvancED, which recently merged with Measured Progress to form Cognia. The Academy has constantly been recognized for promoting and maintaining a well-balanced education program and for meeting or exceeding standards considered essential for quality education.