Q: Our family is new to Academy. How does enrollment work?听

A: Welcome! Enrollment begins with the submission of a New Academy Student Application. The portfolio-style format provides opportunity for you to share information about your child鈥檚 interests, abilities and learning needs. While Academy does not require assessments or a formal gifted identification, we encourage you to share as much detail as is informative and relevant to your child. Especially helpful are responses to sections 鈥淭ell Us About Your Child鈥� and 鈥淪tudent Quick Takes鈥�. We also love to see student work samples, whether a snapshot of your child鈥檚 artwork or Lego build, or video of their best tap dance routine! If submitted during office hours, you should receive a response within a few short hours, after which time, Part II (Medical/Emergency) will need to be submitted prior to making your course selections in Part III (Enrollment).

To begin a New Student Application, you must first create an account through our 优蜜视频 Community Portal by clicking听. Please be sure to use your parent information (not your child鈥檚).听Once logged in, you may create a Student Contact for your child and begin the application. If you have already created an account and wish to return to your application in progress, click听

Q: Do I have to fill out a full-length application again if my child is a returning student?听

A: No. If you have taken classes with us before, you may submit a Returning Student Enrollment Form听.

Q: My child is academically advanced for their age. How do I determine which classes are the best fit?听

A: Academy classes are grouped by suggested age range and are designed for bright inquisitive minds. Your child’s application should provide information that will help us in determining an optimal match, however, we encourage you to reach out to a team member for advisement as each class is unique in both content and instructional approach. Depending on the individual needs of your child, age range may be flexible.

Q: How are Academy classes structured?听

A: Academy classes provide a safe space for positive interactions with peers, deep-dives into topics that students are passionate about, and project-based mastery. While each individual class is different, classes are designed to be engaging, stimulating, hands-on, interdisciplinary, and fun. Classes are taught by skilled educators and content area professionals who embrace the continual pursuit of knowledge and exploration of ideas. While homework assignments are optional, teachers may ask students to complete some work outside of class to enhance their learning experience.

Q: Where can I find the schedule of classes and tuition fees?听

A: Please visit our Academy page听 to find a calendar view of our in person and online course offerings. You may read the full course description by clicking on the course block, then scroll a bit further down the page to see our Spring 2022 tuition fees listed.

Q: Is financial aid available to families in need?听

A: Yes! Please click听听to submit an inquiry and an Academy team member will reply to you directly to assist.

Q: What if my child is interested in a class, but there are no more spots available?听

A: Placement in requested classes is first come, first serve. However, we do maintain a waitlist for classes in case a student withdraws from a class. We will contact families on the waitlist via email or phone if any spaces become available. We also encourage you to let us know if your child would be interested in an alternative placement should their first choice be unavailable.

Q: What are our options if a class is not a good fit?听

A: Every effort is made to ensure that students have a rewarding first day of Academy and our team would be happy to speak with you about any questions or concerns you may have. No payment is due until your child鈥檚 placement is confirmed with the minimum enrollment, at which time, a non-refundable $50 deposit is required per confirmed class. The tuition less paid deposits is due after the first class meeting. We work closely with families and instructors to ensure each child’s needs are met, however, should your child withdraw before the second class meeting, you are responsible for the deposit amount only. No refunds are given for withdrawals after the second class meeting.

Q: What are your COVID safety protocols?听

A:听For information on 优蜜视频’s current听COVID听safety听protocol, please see our landing page at听. Updates to the Academy section will be shared as we adjust to recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and state and local officials.

Q: Can I arrange a tour of your Learning Center and meet with a member of the Academy team?听

A: Absolutely! We would be happy to meet you. Please call us at (626)403-8900 or email听academy@educationaladvancement.org听to schedule a time to visit.

courses encourage students to take the lead in their learning process. But what do young inquisitive minds find so compelling about the content? Read on for five hallmarks of what makes these, and other fall courses speak to the heart and mind of gifted students, then check out our page for info on the wonderful instructors who bring home the magic!

Academy classes are outside-the-box and taught by experts.

Hacker Calculus (Ages 12-14) with Joan Horvath and Rich Cameron

Students in this class will take an intuitive approach to calculus with minimal algebra and lots of 3D prints! Students will start off with models the instructors have developed and go beyond by learning to modify them and develop their own.

Siri, What鈥檚 Natural Language Processing (Ages 12-14) with Melissa Roemelle

This course will introduce students to the endeavor of using computers to analyze human language. Students will apply techniques in math, logic, and computing to intuitive exercises such as judging whether a word in an essay is misspelled or determining whether a social media post conveys positive or negative emotion.

courses feed students鈥� curiosity through interdisciplinary discovery.

Math for Future Engineers (Ages 6-9) with Maria Melkumyan.

How do engineers design strong bridges, efficient transportation, and sturdy skyscrapers? Math! This class will explore the foundations of math that relate to engineering and will apply those topics to building projects.

Ka-Pow! Graphic Novels and The Hero’s Journey (Ages 9-12) with Alessandra Santucci.

This course will teach the tools necessary to balance art and language to construct narratives that bring the Hero鈥檚 Journey to life, from epic tales of adventure and allies to adversity and triumph! Students will learn and apply elements of creation unique to graphic novels including storyboarding, page layout, panel transitions, text distribution, and more to develop their own characters and stories.

They are collaborative and solution-oriented.

Govern and Sustain Your Own Country: Systems and Sovereignties (Ages 9-12) with Anita Russell.

Students in this class investigate what makes a country prosper and thrive, they will challenge themselves to build a system that will sustain a country of their own design. Through group discussion and creative projects, students will determine what laws their country will need, how will they make sure people follow them, and what will make their country flourish amidst inevitable challenges.

Final Appeal: To Kill a Mockingbird and the First Amendment (Ages 9-12).

This class will follow the award- NAGC curriculum by Dr. Shelagh Gallagher, which incorporates case study and problem-based learning specifically designed for gifted learners. Students will investigate a court case in which a teacher has been fired for using the novel To Kill a Mockingbird in her class and take on the role of members of the court of appeals who must decide the case by diving into the nuances of the First Amendment.

They are student-centered.

Executive Functioning: Training the CEO of Our Brain (Ages 10-14) with Amy Gilbertson.

In this course, students will gain empowering tools on how to approach their academic and personal lives with a sense of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. We will cover topics such as learning styles, motivation styles, time management, stress, effective leadership, communication, and how to break down goals into positive, sustainable action steps.

Active Algebra 2 (Ages 9-12) with Ellen Brown.

In this course, students will supplement mathematical exercises with brain breaks that support concentration, memory, and relaxation. Algebra concepts such as solving inequalities, factoring and building fluency with math symbols will be practiced with puzzles and independent exercises, while breathing techniques and movement exercises will be introduced at optimal intervals to bring body-mind awareness into the equation. Algebra 1 is not a prerequisite for Active Algebra 2, though please see the full description on our Course Description page for recommended background knowledge.

Academy courses encourage building, tinkering, art, experiments, role-playing, debate and in-depth discussion!

STEAM Building (Ages 6-9) with Cynthia Molt.

In this course, students will hone their creative engineering skills by building, testing, and improving upon their original designs for marble runs, bridges, catapults, and more. We will use the engineering design process, integrated with both artistic elements and advanced physics topics to create products that meet specific guidelines.

Secrets of the Snake (Ages 9-12) with Grayson Kent.

Take a lesson from Plato: Courage is knowing what not to fear! In this class, students will learn all about snakes, from their evolution and biodiversity to their locomotion and senses, to their colors and patterns and rightful place in the labyrinth of human history, religion and folklore. Students will have the opportunity to interact with live pet serpents, then build on their experience and knowledge to construct an original serpentarium.

If you and your child are curious to learn more about these or other , please don鈥檛 hesitate to call us at (626) 403-8900 or email academy@educationaladvancement.org.

The Fall Academy application deadline is August 26. to learn more and to submit your application today!

Looking for ways to keep your gifted child active and engaged this summer? We鈥檝e got the answer for you:听 . We鈥檝e put together our top 10 reasons for you to enroll your gifted and talented child for one of our two-week Academy classes this summer.

2. Rigorous content. Each 优蜜视频 Academy class is carefully designed to be stimulating, challenging and intellectually rigorous. Activities are often interdisciplinary and all integrate hands-on, inquiry-based learning environments, stimulating curiosity through discovery and exploration. One student relates: 鈥淚 normally just memorize information, but in [my Academy] class I had to think up my own answers to questions.鈥�
3. Something for every learner. Whatever topics your gifted child is currently into, 优蜜视频 Academy has a class that will interest and engage them. Are you the parent of a future engineer? How about 鈥淏uilding with Electrical Circuits鈥� or 鈥淎lgorithms for Beginners鈥�? Is your child interested in health and medicine? How about 鈥淏rain Function: Zooming In to Cells & Out to Systems鈥� or 鈥淕enes and Genetics鈥�? Does your child have an exceptional artistic side? What about 鈥淗ow to Write Scripts like the Greats鈥� or 鈥淒issolving Boundaries: The Intersection of Poetry & Art鈥�? Check out our class descriptions .
4. Creativity is fostered. Too often in a school setting, students aren鈥檛 able to express themselves creatively or artistically. 优蜜视频 Academy courses are designed specifically to not just intellectually challenge students, but to inspire imagination and inventiveness. According to a 鈥淗ow to Write Scripts Like the Greats鈥� student: 鈥淭his [优蜜视频 Academy class] challenged me to be more creative.鈥�
5. Small class size. 优蜜视频 Academy classes are capped at ten students, with most averaging six students in total. This means more 1:1 time with teachers and personalized attention and differentiated instruction for your child. In the words of one student, 鈥淚 am in a big class at school so I get more one on one attention [at 优蜜视频 Academy].鈥�
6. Expert, passionate teachers. Academy teachers have extensive expertise in the content area of their course. Their enthusiasm and passion drives their participation in the Academy, and they receive special training in working with gifted students. Remarked one teacher: 鈥淥ne student enjoyed their experience so much that they didn’t want to leave class! It was a highlight of my teaching career!鈥� Read about our Academy teachers .
7. Beyond academics. 优蜜视频 Academy classes go beyond traditional academic topics and encapsulate of providing opportunities for the whole child to grow. Classes incorporate, and indeed some focus solely on, practicing mindfulness, building emotional literacy and establishing social connections. about how practices like mindfulness can help your gifted child.
8. Real-life, applicable content. Sure, our 优蜜视频 Academy classes cover really cool and interesting topics, but they also provide useful information, tools and strategies that students can implement in their lives immediately and in the future. According to one Academy teacher, 鈥淢ost rewarding [for me is] seeing students master information that I know will come in handy as they grow.鈥�
9. Valuable feedback for parents. Every 优蜜视频 Academy teacher provides parents with an assessment on their child鈥檚 strengths in relation to learning objectives, subject mastery and learning abilities. Parents also receive next step targets to continue, expand on and maintain the learning after the class ends.
10. Feel part of a community. The unique needs of gifted children often set them apart from their student peers in school. Joining the 优蜜视频 Academy means joining a community in which other members face similar challenges and have the same needs and experiences. One 优蜜视频 Academy student relates 鈥淎t 优蜜视频 Academy I’ve enjoyed working with people that have the same interests as me!鈥� And bonds form between students and their teachers, as related by this 优蜜视频 Academy teacher: 鈥淚 deeply enjoyed connecting with the students at 优蜜视频 and exploring the subjects with a shared enthusiasm and excitement!鈥�
11. Scholarships and discounts available! On a tight budget? No problem! 优蜜视频 has not turned away anyone requesting our programs and services because of a financial hardship. Our generous supporters allow us to provide financial assistance to those who need it. (If you鈥檙e interested in becoming one of these supporters, today!)

The deadline to register for 优蜜视频 Academy鈥檚 Summer Session II (July 10-21) is July 5^th and for Summer Session III (July 24-August 4), the deadline to register is July 17^th.

Don鈥檛 wait any longer!