By Anvi Kevany, IEA Administrative Assistant
Summer is here and you may be wondering what programs or activities are available for your child to attend. We have done some research for you and compiled a list of fantastic Summer programs that serve gifted youth. All these programs come from the Gifted Resource Center (GRC), Institute for Educational Advancement’s database. The GRC is a free public tool which serves as an online database of resources appropriate for the gifted learner from Preschool through High School. The GRC contains an abundance of resources and information regarding advocacy, gifted programs and organizations, schools, scholarships, supplemental learning opportunities, testing and counseling professionals, and the twice-exceptional (2e) learner.
Below is a sample of some of the resources that offer and provide activities during the summer. More information about these programs, as well as many more that are not listed here, is available on the Youth Programs and Services Guide.
GIRLS WHO CODE SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM 9-12
Girls Who Code offers a free 7-week summer program for current 10th-11th-grade girls to learn to code and get exposure to tech jobs. Each week the program covers projects related to computer science, such as art, storytelling, robotics, video games, web sites, and apps. Participants will also hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops, connect with female engineers and entrepreneurs, and go on field trips. The program culminates in a final project where students build their own product and share it with the class.
DIGITAL MEDIA ACADEMY 6-8 · 9-12
Digital Media Academy is a nationally recognized organization that provides hands-on summer residential and day computer camps for teens as well as youth (ages 9-13).
SUMMER DISCOVERY 6-8 · 9-12
Summer Discovery is a pre-college academic enrichment program offering middle school and high school students a meaningful summer experience with lifelong value. Choose from over 300 interactive courses at 14 different university locations in the United States and abroad. Their summer programs combine academics with social activities, travel, recreation, and sports.
CODEREV K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12
CodeREV Kids provides classes and curriculum for students ages 6 to 18, focused on exploring STEM by learning coding, technology, and robotics. Classes are project-based, allowing students to engage in deep learning through unique creations and hands-on projects. CodeREV offers classes and summer tech camps in a variety of locations throughout Southern California: Santa Monica, Solana Beach, Encino, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach, and Malibu/Palisades.
GIRLS GARAGE K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12
Girls Garage is a one-of-a-kind design and building program and a dedicated workspace for girls ages 9 to 17. Located in Berkeley, California, it offers after-school programs, summer camps, and workshops.
IEA ACADEMY K-5 · 6-8
IEA Academy is a program of the Institute for Educational Advancement which provides students in Kindergarten through 8th grade with advanced learning opportunities that promote exploration and application of knowledge. Classes are taught by content-area specialists and taught at a flexible pace to accommodate the learning needs of gifted and 2e students. Classes are small and grouped by ability rather than chronological age. IEA Academy sessions take place in Pasadena, California and are held seasonally: fall, spring and summer (three sessions hosted each summer).
STANFORD HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER COLLEGE 9-12
Stanford High School Summer College offers academically outstanding high school students the opportunity to take Stanford College courses and earn university credit. Program participants enroll as visiting undergraduates in Stanford’s Summer Quarter and take the same courses, taught by the same Stanford faculty, as matriculated Stanford students.
HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY SUMMER SESSION 6-8 · 9-12
Summer@HPA offers students entering grades 6 through 12 a unique four-week day and boarding experience structured for academic enrichment and designed to make the most of summer and take advantage of our wondrous island-home to 80 percent of the world’s ecosystems. The diverse class offerings integrate environmental stewardship and awareness, and sustainability education and practices.
CTD SUMMER PROGRAMS AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12
From early childhood through elementary, middle and high school, Center for Talent Development (CTD) gifted summer programs encourage gifted kids to explore academic areas of interest and connect with a community of peers. CTD offers life-changing residential and commuter programs providing challenging enrichment, honors and Advanced Placement courses taught in a highly supportive environment.
SUMMER ACADEMY AT OLE MISS 9-12
Summer Academy is a two-week academic program designed to provide US and international rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders the opportunity to have a glimpse of college life for two weeks during the summer. During their stay on campus, students take one of the different classes offered such as Exam Preparation, Debate, Engineering, Arts, or Literature and earn a ½ Carnegie high school credit for this classwork.
THE QUAD MANHATTAN PRE-K · K-5 · 6-8
The Quad Manhattan is an inclusive meeting place for Twice-Exceptional kids – a place where social and executive functioning “life” skills are developed through FUN! Twice Exceptional or 2e children have intellectual or creative gifts, and also have lagging social or executive functioning skills. Developed by experts in medicine, child psychology and gifted special education, the Quad uses kids’ strengths and passions to hide skill development in creative and engaging afterschool classes and activities during our summer camp.
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR DIVERSITY 9-12
Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College programs will show you what college life is all about—from the classroom to what’s happening on weekends. Carnegie Mellon offers Pre-College summer programs in a variety of subject areas, such as math, science, architecture, drama, music, art, and gaming. There are no tuition, housing or dining fees for students selected to attend the Summer Programs for Diversity.
SUMMER WONDERS AUSTIN PRE-K · K-5 · 6-8 · 9-12
Summer Wonders is a nonresidential, full or half-day program that allows students to explore diverse subjects in a challenging, creative environment through an integrative, hands-on, non-traditional approach. Summer Wonders is a specialty program for gifted children entering Pre-K through 6th grade and is held during three different two-week sessions at ACE Academy in Austin, Texas.
IPOETTREE K-5
Gifted student Cassidy Kao published her first book at 8 years old and founded iPoetTree at 12 years old. The nonprofit organization seeks to inspire a passion for writing in kids kindergarten to 6th grade. Cassidy provides a fun and free curriculum, supportive environment for sharing poems, and assistance with becoming a published author like her.
In addition to searching the hundreds of resources in the GRC, you can also download our Scholarships & Competitions Guide and Youth Programs and Services Guide with opportunities for K-12 students. Click here to visit the GRC and check out our curated Guides.
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