The goal of the OPPTAG program is to match students with appropriate learning experiences and emphasize an approach to teaching that underscores strengths and encourages high achievement. Additionally, all programs offer extracurricular enrichment experiences that broaden students’ knowledge of the world.
The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a creative writing program for high school students at the University of Iowa, housed in the Magid Center for Undergraduate Writing. The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio offers a summer residential program as well as online courses. The Studio gives promising high school-age creative writers the opportunity to share their writing with teachers and peers, receive constructive critique, participate in writing exercises and activities, and attend (actually or virtually) readings and literary events.
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 sixth grade. Cassidy provides a fun and free curriculum, supportive environment for sharing poems, and assistance with becoming a published author like her.
IXL is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $190 million in scholarships to nearly 2,500 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided over $100 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-performing 7th grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities.
Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) conducts an annual student Essay Contest to foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen’s work. The contest is open to students world-wide ranging from high school to graduate level students. Scholarship awards range from $250-$1,000.
JAGC (pronounced Jag-C) works in positive partnership with the Jeffco School District’s Gifted & Talented (GT) Department to provide leadership by promoting information about the educational and social-emotional needs of our advanced students.
Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia is a place where producing leaders for a self-governing people has always been a primary goal. The undergraduate scholarship program has been attracting and cultivating undergraduate leaders since 1980, providing them sufficient financial support so that they are free to develop their talents and to use them for the good of the University community.
The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) identifies and develops the talents of the most advanced K-12 learners worldwide. Since 1979 CTY has identified young people of great academic promise though their annual Talent Search, and nurtured their intellects and personal growth through Summer Programs, CTYOnline courses, and other services and resources.
Through an introductory course in Service, Leadership & Community Transformation, students are challenged to learn in new ways and apply their skills in real-world settings. Several times a week, in their class groups, students engage in service projects that span neighborhoods, organizations, and approaches to addressing social problems. A series of all-campus guest speakers allows students to hear from top government, business and nonprofit leaders about their experiences, perspectives, and advice for young people wanting to create change. Over the course of the program, students identify a need in their community and create a plan to address it, applying the tools they learned throughout the course to an area of personal interest.
CTY’s program at Princeton University is a three-week residential summer program for academically talented high school students grade 10 and above. The program focuses on key global issues in the 21st century and is geared both to the students’ high abilities and to their need for peers who share their academic abilities and their love of learning.
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all high school students interested in the American Revolution to participate in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. The contest is open to all students attending home schools, public, parochial, or private high school students in that same grade range. While the preliminary rounds of the contest begin at the local level, students may eventually advance to the state or national levels, eventually held in June during the annual SAR Congress.
The Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is the culmination of the Junior Duck Stamp educational program. After studying waterfowl anatomy and habitat, students may express their newfound knowledge by drawing, painting or sketching a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species. Because students express themselves best in different formats, the conservation message contest gives them an opportunity to use the written word to express their knowledge. Students from across the United States submit their artwork to their state, territory or district competition. The “Best of Show” from each competition is submitted to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, where a panel of judges will select one image to become the next Junior Duck Stamp.
The Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS) Program is designed to challenge and engage students (Grades 9-12) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Individual students compete for scholarships and recognition by presenting the results of their original research efforts before a panel of judges and an audience of their peers.
The Juniper Institute for Young Writers in a nine-day creative writing programs for students who have completed their sophomore, junior, or senior years of high school. Hosted by the University of Massachusetts MFA Program for Poets and Writers, the Institute offers students a unique opportunity to participate in intensive creative writing workshops, craft sessions, and studio courses designed especially for young writers.
