This fall, Stanford University will open the first online gifted high school offering courses to 30 sophomores, juniors, and seniors admitted through their spring 2006 application process. At full capacity, the Education Program for Gifted Youth Online High School (EPGY-OHS) a "three-year, fully-accredited, diploma-granting, online, independent high school," will enroll a total of 300 students from across the United States and around the world. And students need not choose between their hometown high schools and OHS. Through a "joint-enrollment program," students will be able to take half of their courses through their hometown high schools, and the other half through OHS.
EPGY-OHS is designed to meet the needs of gifted students in both curriculum and learning environments empowering students to "realize their potentials and develop their abilities" in ways that might not be possible in traditional schools. A sample schedule for an eleventh-grade student enrolled in EPGY-OHS with an emphasis in advanced work in the natural sciences might include courses such as: AP Calculus; AP Physics C; AP U.S. History; Core: Grammar, Rhetoric, Argument, and Chinese II, while a sample schedule for an eleventh-grade student focusing on advanced work in the humanities might include: Pre-calculus; AP Chemistry; AP U.S. History; Core: Grammar, Rhetoric, Argument; Latin II, and AP Music Theory.
in a series of pdf documents, the online overview outlines pertinent program information including curriculum goals and features and the following description of students who may be interested in admission:
- "Gifted students who would otherwise enter college without high school diplomas,
- Gifted students in rural areas or overseas,
- Gifted students who are home schooled,
- Gifted students in Title I schools,
- Gifted students who are satisfied with some aspects of their local schools, but who want a more intensive academic program in certain subjects,
- Gifted students interested in serious academic pursuits divergent from the standard high school curriculum"
There is an eight-page application for admission to the EPGY-OHS that reads, not surprisingly, like a college application. Applicants are required to provide transcripts, test scores, and a $50.00 application fee. Additionally, students should be prepared to provide information regarding former online classes, summer programs, academic competitions, extra-curricular activities, community service hours, and essay-responses to biographical inquiries. Foundation and explanation in support of an applicant's gifted qualifications are also required. The applicant is also given an opportunity to present any additional applicable information to the admissions office. Financial aid is available.
Linda Mocilnikar - I have nineteen years of personal and professional experience with gifted advocacy and other topics of interest regarding the best and ...
