CRITERIA
A Caroline D. Bradley Scholar is a young student who excels academically, displays a genuine quest for knowledge, thrives in the discovery process, is a leader among peers, and embraces the ideals of integrity, service, and honesty. CDB targets exceptionally gifted young people who seek a rigorous, diversified high school program but need assistance finding or attending the appropriate learning environment that will help them work towards and achieve their full potential. Through a highly selective, in-depth portfolio application and interview process, CDB annually identifies exceptional 7th grade students from across the country who best meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrates exceptional academic ability and achievement
- Has scored in the top tier in one or more of the major academic areas of school-administered, nationally-normed standardized test for the past two years
- Strives for excellence and continually seeks more rigorous academic challenges
- Demonstrates leadership abilities
- Exhibits creative thinking
- Is extremely curious and has a thirst for knowledge
- Exhibits a passion for learning
- Is highly motivated
- Embraces the merits of integrity and honesty
- Demonstrates a high level of maturity and a strong sense of self
- Seeks an accelerated, diversified high school program
- Is a U.S. citizen who is going to attend a high school program based in the U.S.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicant must be a current 7th grade student or plan to graduate from high school in 2030.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen who resides in the United States of America. While the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is merit-based, it targets those exceptionally gifted young people who need assistance finding the optimal high school environment or may experience other challenges (both external and internal to the applicant) that prohibit attending an appropriate school.
- As with all IEA programs, the scholarship committee does not discriminate with regard to race, culture, socioeconomic background, gender, geography, or educational background. Scholars are identified for both their academic ability and personal character.
- Caroline D. Bradley Scholars are expected to maintain strong academic standing and demonstrate behavior that is reflective of their personal best. Each Scholar enters into a contractual agreement with IEA detailing his or her commitment to a high level of academic and personal performance. In addition, each recipient is expected to provide ongoing feedback to IEA regarding his or her experiences, goals, and aspirations as well as diligently report any problems or areas that require additional support or advocacy.
SELECTION PROCESS
All applicants must submit an application by April 23, 2025 8 PM Pacific Time. See Application for a detailed description of all application materials. Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee, after which Finalists will be identified and participate in a personal interview. Finally, the IEA Scholarship Team will select up to 30 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars for the 2025 year.
“The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has given me all the opportunities I dreamed of and many more I couldn’t dream up.”
– Caroline D. Bradley Scholar
CURRENT SCHOLARS
Want to know more about our Scholars? Get to know some of them in the gallery below.
THROUGH THE CAROLINE D. BRADLEY SCHOLARSHIP, I’VE MET OTHER STUDENTS WHO SHARE MY LOVE OF LEARNING AND HAVE HIGH GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THEMSELVES. THEY’VE BECOME MY LIFELONG FRIENDS.”
– Caroline D. Bradley Scholar
“IEA GAVE MY CHILD SO MUCH MORE THAN TUITION FOR HER PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL. IEA GAVE HER A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, A DEVOTED MENTOR WHO WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR ADVICE AND SUPPORT, AND THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE BESIDES HER PARENTS BELIEVE IN HER AND WANT HER TO SUCCEED.”
– Parent of Caroline D. Bradley Scholar
