We can all agree that 2020 has been inarguably different from previous years.听听 This spring our Academy program experienced a sudden pivot to online learning as California began to shut down around us, and for the last nine months we have witnessed the fortitude and flexibility of our staff, instructors, and students as we have all braved this uncharted territory together. While it may be tempting to focus on the negative news reels, it is difficult to do so around here when we see all the amazing accomplishes of our students and teachers. Instead check out this positive reel of student work from our last two sessions, a bright spot for all of us here at 优蜜视频!

Thank you to our Academy community for your resilience during these difficult times. It is your passion, creativity and zest for learning that has made this a year to remember.

In the course of my fifteen years at the Institute for Educational Advancement at the helm of the Caroline D. Bradley (CDB) Scholarship program, I鈥檓 often asked, 鈥淲hat exactly do you do? What鈥檚 a typical workday?鈥� So I鈥檓 here to set the record straight and hopefully provide some answers. First of all, there is no 鈥渢ypical鈥� day which is precisely why I never get bored as the program director of CDB. In short, CDB runs year round with very little down time per se. The CDB team is comprised of myself and my extremely effective and efficient colleague, Mallory Aldrich. We are responsible for the approximately 150 CDB Scholars who are active within the program from 8th grade through high school, as well as maintaining contact with parents, CDB alumni, educators, organizing our CDB Selection Committees and the annual three day Bradley Seminar, collaborating with partner organizations who work with gifted students and assisting people interested in learning about and applying for the CDB Scholarship. Mallory and I are ably assisted by the 优蜜视频 team who help with our marketing, tuition payments, Finalist interviews, development, data collection and all manner of IT assistance.

We base our schedule around an academic calendar beginning anew for the year right after Labor Day in early September with the annual selection of new CDB Scholars. Roughly, the CDB year plays out as follows: the new class of Scholars is announced in early September which begins the cycle of 鈥渧irtually鈥� introducing the nationwide CDB rising 8th graders to each other and learning about them as the exceptional individuals they are. Then begins several months in the fall months of interactive research about high school programs and our follow up with each Scholar as they visit and apply to at least three high schools or programs that best suit their learning styles and academic goals. At the same time, we鈥檙e actively monitoring the transition from middle school to freshman year of high school for the entering 9th grade CDB class, making sure the returning high school Scholars are still well placed at their schools, working with the CDB high school seniors in their college application process, checking with the new class of CDB alumni as they enter college and begin work on the upcoming year鈥檚 CDB application and important program dates, organize our national selection committees who work with us to select that year鈥檚 CDB Finalists and begin sketching out the three day Bradley Seminar which encompasses travel, lodging, meals, activities, workshops and socializing for our entire CDB community of high school students, parents, guest speakers and educators with support from the entire 优蜜视频 team. All of the CDB Scholars are responsible for submitting their midterm and final term grades and teacher comments to the CDB team which is followed by individual feedback we proved to each Scholar. Within the new class, it鈥檚 rare that we are not in touch with them either by phone or email every two weeks to check in and get to know them and how their high school selection process is going.

Winter involves making sure all of the high school and college CDB applications have been completed and submitted within their deadlines, as well as personal recommendation letters and CDB information to all of the colleges being applied to by our college applicant Scholars. The new CDB application is online by now, so in addition to at least three webinars we conduct to provide information and answer questions, we are available to work with prospective applicants, recommenders and schools by phone or email. Plans for the Bradley Seminar are solidifying with the theme selected and agenda being meticulously planned out. Individual Scholars are inquiring about recommendations for summer internships that we will assist with. Winter term grades are coming in and holiday wishes extended back and forth. Scholars are hearing from their Early Decision and Early Action colleges, so that always brings a round of congratulations or calming messages about hanging in there and doing whatever we can to alleviate stress and anxiety on the part of our Scholars. This is also the time we work with any of our high school Scholars who are considering transferring for any number of reasons to a different high school program or looking for an alternate educational experience. One of the exceptional aspects of the CDB program is our flexibility to handle each individual鈥檚 ongoing academic requirements and to advocate for each Scholar should they seek to expand their horizons.

Spring is the Bradley Seminar, a highlight of the CDB program for all involved and in April the due date for that year鈥檚 CDB applications when Mallory and I go into lockdown mode to process and read the hundreds of eligible applications that we receive. By early May, we have divided the top tier applications into groups of approximately 55-60 each that will be sent to the members of our mulitple selection committees for their evaluations. The end of May- early June involves Mallory, our 优蜜视频 president and my travel to meet with the selection committees to select that year鈥檚 CDB Finalists who we will spend the summer traveling throughout the United States to interview them as the next phase of the CDB selection process. Spring is also when our Scholars hear the results of their high school and college applications, so it is a time filled with tremendous emotions and a lot of support extended to our Scholars as we support and work with them to finalize their high school and college decisions.

Summer brings extensive travel for the CDB team as well as support from our SoCal staff in conducting local CDB Finalist interviews and helping organize our schedule that extends from June- August when we have the heady experience of meeting a group of awesome and awe-inspiring CDB Finalists and parents from coast to coast. The end of the summer brings the selection of that year鈥檚 CDB class.

Mallory and I function as connectors throughout the work we do during the year. We help new Scholars connect with high school Scholars when they visit new schools that have current CDB Scholars in attendance; we connect CDB alumni and parents with current CDB Scholars looking for potential mentors or having questions to ask of fellow community members regarding their careers, current occupations or life out in the 鈥渞eal world.鈥� We connect organizations interested in the work we do with 优蜜视频 programs and initiatives as well as attend local and national conferences and conduct webinars and monthly gifted support group meetings on site to inform interested people in what CDB and 优蜜视频 are about.

It is impossible to fall through the cracks, so to speak, as a CDB Scholar. Mallory and I simply won鈥檛 let that happen. We work very hard to develop ongoing trust-based relationships with all of our Scholars and communicate regularly with them as additional support systems or advocates when it comes to any issue they might be facing at school鈥攚ith their classes, teachers, peers– or as they navigate finding balance in their often very fully scheduled lives. We work to impart life lessons to the CDB community about being proactive when it comes to their own educational paths, seeking guidance and assistance from teachers and mentors when/as needed and strive to help them develop strategies and skills to alleviate the stresses, anxieties and expectations inherent in being teenagers in general and being at competitive academic environments in particular.

So going back to the first paragraph of this attempt to de-mystify CDB, Mallory and my day always encompasses reading and responding to MANY emails from our Scholars, their parents, admissions officers at the high schools we work with as well as introducing new schools to the CDB program and Scholars. We attend regular weekly meetings that are part of 优蜜视频 as well as appointments outside the office or with visitors by people interested in learning more about CDB who are visiting SoCal and stop by our office in Pasadena, CA. We spend time daily checking in with each other as collaborators in working with an incredibly diverse population of students in how best to support and assist them in areas as varied as course selection to confidence building when it comes to trying new activities or accelerated classes outside familiar comfort zones. We are ever-present cheerleaders, confidence builders and at times deliverers of wakeup calls when needed to help motivate Scholars to get back on track should their grades slip. CDB is a merit-based scholarship program with contractual guidelines that are monitored and enforced. That said, our motivation as the officers of the CDB program is to always work with our Scholars to enable them to be the prime movers on their own academic journeys, accounting for ups and downs as they occur. With many of our students who always expect super-human results from every test and each class grade and teacher comment, we work to 鈥渉umanize鈥� sometimes unrealistic goals and perfectionistic tendencies that can trip up even the most accomplished, high achievers among our cohort.

It is a tremendous pleasure and privilege to get to know and work with the CDB Scholar community and watch these young people develop their full potentials from the 鈥渘ewbies鈥� we meet as middle schoolers, through high school, college and beyond. With nine classes of CDB college graduates since the program鈥檚 inception in 2002, we now have CDB alums who are married, have their own future CDB Scholars and are well into their adult lives. It鈥檚 not many jobs or careers that afford its staff the incredible opportunity to change someone鈥檚 life for the better and to experience tremendous appreciation and gratitude for the largesse of all that the CDB Scholarship offers and the work we do in support of this program and these fabulous young people . I feel truly blessed to experience these rewards on an almost daily basis through my colleagues at 优蜜视频 and the CDB community at large. Perhaps I don鈥檛 skip into work every day, but I am so grateful for the work I get to do and the people I do it with.

优蜜视频鈥檚 online (GRC) contains an ever-growing and robust listing of over 800 resources appropriate for gifted learners from preschool through high school. We carefully research and vet resources that span six categories, including Advocacy, Gifted Programs and Services, Schools, Scholarships and Competitions, Articles and Media, Twice-Exceptional.听 Based on these listings, we鈥檝e also put together downloadable guides that organize these resources by category. So far, we鈥檝e published two guides on and and aim to release a guide highlighting schools for gifted and advanced students throughout the United States.

Below is a list featuring 10 gifted schools in California that will be shared in our upcoming guide:

(Grades 6-12)

Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, located in Eagle Rock, California. ERHS serves students in grades 7 鈥� 12 through a comprehensive junior and senior high school, as well as a Magnet program serving gifted, high ability, and highly gifted students in grades 7 鈥� 12.

(Grades 6-8)

Portola Highly Gifted Magnet, established in 1979, shares the campus of Portola Middle School. It is the only middle school program in LAUSD designed specifically to meet the needs of highly gifted students.

(Grades K-8)

GATE Academy is a year-round day school dedicated to educating academically-gifted students in grades K鈥�8 with an inquiry-based curriculum. They cluster motivated and cognitively gifted students in small groups with their intellectual peers and provide them with an inquiry-based, accelerated, self-paced curriculum in a school environment that celebrates them for who they are.

(Grades K-8)

Learning at Helios School takes place through meaningful authentic projects which may include field work, inquiry, discovery, direct instruction, and interaction with the environment. This project-based learning environment offers the rigor, depth, and complexity gifted learners need. Equally important, Helios students thrive socially.

(Grades 6-8)

The Knox School of Santa Barbara is private school serving K through 8th grade and specifically designed for the gifted learner. They seek to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where, alongside an engaging and challenging curriculum, the social and emotional needs of gifted and talented students are respected and compassionately supported.

(Grades K-8)

Mirman School is an independent, co-educational day school for highly gifted children in grades K-8 located in Los Angeles. They cultivate the boundless potential of highly gifted children, nurture their passions and talents, and develop a diverse community of creative and constructive lifelong learners.

(Grades 9-12)

The Highly Gifted Magnet (HGM) was established in 1989 as part of the voluntary integration program of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Its goals are twofold:听integration and a college preparatory curriculum that serves students who have an LAUSD intellectual assessment exam scoring in the 99.5%-99.9%.听 HGM students receive the benefits of a small academic program 鈥� a core of teachers and a small student body who know each other well, mixed with the advantages of attending a public, urban high school.

(Grades PreK-12)

Since 1967, Nueva has offered an innovative and award-winning learning experience specifically designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. By creating an inspiration community-based environment, Nueva seeks to unlock the passions, purpose, and potential in each student while inspiring a lifelong love of learning.

(Grades 6-8)

Walter Reed Middle School is a traditional school in North Hollywood, CA that implements a gifted curriculum model designed to offer a full program for many needs, including an IHP (Individual Honors Program) and a comprehensive program for students with challenging needs.

(Grades 9-12)

Whitney High School is a public magnet school in Cerritos, California serving students 7th through 12th grade, offering alternative education for high achieving students selected throughout the district. WHS strives to develop intrinsically motivated, collaborative learners who approach their education purposefully and creatively, preparing academically proficient students for entrance to and success at their best-match university.

Interested in exploring more schools and resources? Head over to our today!

If you鈥檇 like to help support 优蜜视频鈥檚 mission and increase your brand鈥檚 visibility nationwide, consider in our upcoming resource guide!

The schools listed above are not sponsored or endorsed by the Institute for Educational Advancement.

优蜜视频 recently hosted a Gifted Child Parent Support Group Meeting that featured a homeschooling parent panel where local parents shared their experiences and perspectives 鈥� both positive and negative 鈥� on homeschooling their gifted student. As part of the discussion, panelists and attendees shared gifted homeschooling resources and recommendations (below) which have stood the test of time and experience with their highly able learner. Many of these resources are local to the Los Angeles and Pasadena, California area, but many are offered nationwide as well.

For All Gifted Learners:

Schools for Gifted Learners:

(project-based learning; not specifically gifted)

Colleges & Universities:

Evening and Weekend Lectures at Local Colleges and Universities (see individual school websites for calendar list of events)

P.E. Options for Homeschoolers:

Local Parks and Recreation Departments (see your local city鈥檚 department website for offerings)

Curriculum, Charter Schools & Online Resources for Homeschoolers:

(优蜜视频 is a vendor)

Homeschool L.A.

Local Public Library (homeschoolers can get a special library card for educators)

(优蜜视频 is a vendor)

Meetup Groups and Additional Social Opportunities:

听

Like this post? to receive more information and resources about gifted youth straight to your inbox.

Are there any resources you have found helpful in homeschooling your gifted child? Please share in the comment section below.

听

Scientists @ Work 鈥� Advanced Research Workshops

San Marino, California

Offered March through May 2015

Scientists @ Work evening workshops are designed to advance students鈥� intellectual curiosity through access to new knowledge from research scientists in the Los Angeles area. Working with a professional scientist, students will be introduced to the skills needed to be a successful scientific researcher in areas such as coding, mechanical engineering, or advanced physics.

These evening workshops led by Caltech researchers will include a lecture, seminar, and hands-on learning experience. Space will be limited.

Tuition*: $25 per workshop or $60 for 3 workshops

Summer Apprenticeship 2015

Los Angeles and Pasadena, California

June 22-August 7, 2015

优蜜视频鈥檚 summer Apprenticeship Program is more than an internship 鈥� it鈥檚 a place where high potential students can advance their intellectual passions with incredible mentors. Apprenticeship 2015 is non-residential and will provide opportunities for immersion in engaging research and the chance to meet peers with shared interests. Apprentices will work as professionals during the day, and in the evening, they will enjoy weekly social gatherings and workshops with lead college advisors, counselors, and other experts.

Local gifted high school students are invited to apply for this prestigious experience. Apprentices will be placed at Caltech, USC, and Children鈥檚 Hospital Los Angeles, where they will work with a team of professionals to gain hands-on, intellectually stimulating advanced research experience in a field of their choice.

Summer Apprenticeship is a place for students to develop their passions alongside helpful professionals.

Tuition*: $1,400

Academy for High School

San Marino, California

April 6-May 30, 2015

As our students grow, we grow. For the first time, will offer STEM classes for high school students during the Spring Session. These challenging enrichment classes focus on exploration and application of knowledge and are taught by content area specialists. Schedules will be announced in early March 鈥� stay tuned for more details!

These are amazing opportunities for young adults. As one 2014 Apprentice said:

鈥淭he experience of actually doing work in astrophysics, rather than just learning things in a classroom, was a very valuable experience that taught me a lot about the environment and the world of work and research. I also discovered that I would want to be in that environment, something that is hard to determine when just learning about astronomy in the regular classroom.鈥�

In addition to these new and updated program offerings in the Los Angeles area, 优蜜视频 continues to provide our Yunasa and Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship for teenagers nationwide.

• 优蜜视频’s awards highly gifted applicants with a four-year scholarship to a high school that fits their individual intellectual and personal needs. Students apply in 7th grade.

• 优蜜视频’s pioneering and award-winning unite highly able youngsters ages 10-15 with experts in the social and emotional development of gifted children. In a nurturing setting campers explore and grow the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical aspects of their lives.

*Financial aid for all 优蜜视频 programs is available to families in need.

The Apprenticeship Program is not sponsored or endorsed by Caltech, UCLA or USC.

to receive more information and updates on 优蜜视频 programs for gifted high school students.

Please share this information with any friends, parents, students, teachers, and administrators who may be interested.

After an opening reception featuring cocktails and delicious hors d鈥檕euvres catered by Matt Roman, attendees enjoyed a guest lecture by 优蜜视频 parent and friend Dr. Steve Hindle. Dr. Hindle presented a comparative talk on the English and American Civil Wars, making parallels between the takeover of the British monarchy by Oliver Cromwell and the leadership of the confederacy under Jefferson Davis. Most interestingly, Dr. Hindle contrasted the memorialization of these national figures, noting the immense differences in which these notorious historical leaders have been remembered in their respective native lands. As a social and economic historian particularly interested in micro histories, Dr. Hindle was adept at keeping his audience interested and laughing while probing beneath the surface of any layman鈥檚 general knowledge of historical events. 优蜜视频 is grateful to have like-minded individuals like Dr. Hindle, who are eager to promote learning for the sake and love of learning, as members of our community.

We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude to the volunteers who helped make this evening possible: Dr. Steve Hindle, for his fascinating lecture; CDB Scholar Michelle for her musical performance on flute during the reception; CDB Scholar Jarett and Apprenticeship Alumnus James for their help throughout the event; Matt Roman for the wonderful hors d鈥檕euvres; and Kevin Malone for the excellent bar service.

If you were unable to attend the event but are interested in supporting the social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of gifted youth, please consider making a donation to 优蜜视频 today. Your support will provide opportunities for more bright young minds to flourish and grow.

Thank you again to all of our donors, guests, and volunteers. Your participation in this event has played an integral part in our fundraising efforts for this year to help us continue to provide unique and valuable programs and services to bright young minds. We couldn鈥檛 do it without you!