Search Database

Support: Talent Searches

• Printed Materials: Online Documents

  Talent Search Opportunities

  Compiled by the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, this comprehensive table provides a schedule of Talent Search programs in the United States. Much of the information is applicable to summer programs.

• Schools & Programs: College Affiliated

  Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) – University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)

  BESTS is designed to identify, via above-level testing, students in grades 4-9 who need further educational challenge to fully realize their academic talent. Above-level testing is an educational procedure in which a test developed for older students is administered to younger students. BESTS students are eligible to participate in Belin-Blank Center precollege programs. The Center currently offers ten different summer programs as well as an academic-year program that takes place on selected Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters.

  Center for Bright Kids' Western Academic Talent Search (WATS) (Westminster, CO)

  Formerly known as Rocky Mountain Academic Talent Search, the Center for Bright Kids (CBK) offers K-12 enrichment and acceleration programming for high interest and high ability kids. Their focus is not only on how kids think and learn, but how they discover ways to navigate the world while thinking and learning differently. CBK has offered the Western Academic Talent Search, Summer Programs, and other youth programs for 28 years.

  Center for Talented Youth (CTY) - Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

  The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University focuses on the needs of students with exceptionally high academic abilities. These students need special attention: greater academic challenges, interaction with intellectual peers, and teaching strategies designed especially for the gifted.

  College of DuPage Talent Search Program (Glen Ellyn, IL)

  The College of DuPage offers gifted students in grades 3 - 12 the opportunity to take courses in math, science, information technology, problem solving, literature, language and writing. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this talent search admits students who score in the 95th percentile or higher on a qualifying standardized test.
  

  Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) - Duke University (Durham, NC)

  The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) identifies academically talented children through the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search and the 7th Grade Talent Search, providing resources, enrichment activities, and advice to ensure students reach their highest potential. TIP also offers educational programs for students in grades four through 12, including residential summer programs, weekend programs during the academic year, distance learning programs, and independent learning options.

  Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) - Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)

  The Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) at Purdue University conducts research into the psychology of gifted and talented individuals and effective educational practices for high ability youth. Super Saturday and the GERI Summer Camps, GERI's youth talent development programs, provide challenging learning opportunities and a healthy social environment to a diverse population of high ability children and teens.

  Iowa State University - Office of Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted (Ames, IA)

  This organization, located at Iowa State, is designed to match exceptional students with advanced learning opportunities well-suited for their advanced needs. Some of the services OPPTAG offers are: A talent search program, summer and academic year programs for students (grades 2-11) and links for helpful resources. Students will find each of the three summer programs challenging: CY-TAG, which addresses individual needs and learning styles; Explorations!, which covers areas of study usually not taught in a high school curriculum; and Adventures!, designed for those who excel academically at a very young age.

  Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS), Center for Talent Development (CTD) (Evanston, IL)

  NUMATS serves students in grades 3 through 9 in the Midwest and beyond. Through above-grade-level testing, NUMATS accurately identifies student ability; matches high-achieving students with appropriately challenging programs and resources, and serves as a gateway to programs and resources for gifted students both at Northwestern University as well as nation-wide. NUMATS also provides support to the parents and educators of academically talented students.

  Sacramento State Academic Talent Search (CA)

  Academic Talent Search (ATS) is sponsored by California State University Sacramento and is designed for high achieving students currently enrolled in sixth through ninth grade. The benefits of ATS include: providing students with an opportunity to accelerate their learning in traditional subjects like mathematics and to experience new topics which are not always available in regular schools; the ATS teaching staff includes University faculty, community college professors, high school instructors and industry professionals; through ATS, students have the opportunity to experience a collegiate environment.

  The Center for Gifted Studies - Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, KY)

  Located on the Western Kentucky University campus, The Center for Gifted Studies has been serving children who are gifted and talented, their educators, and their parents for more than 35 years. The Center provides exciting educational opportunities for gifted young people, including residential summer programs for sixth through tenth graders. It also provides professional development for teachers, including one of the largest Advanced Placement Summer Institutes in the country and a Master’s Degree in Gifted Education and Talent Development.

  The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies - University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS)

  In 2004, The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Center for Gifted Studies was established in 1979 and provides services for children and youth in grades kindergarten through 12 and support for teachers at the undergraduate and graduate level.

  TRIO Educational Talent Search - Utah Valley University (Orem, UT)

  Educational Talent Search is a federally funded program that identifies and serves individuals interested in post secondary education or vocational training. Academic counseling: educational planning, (SEOP), study skills, time management, learning styles, ACT preparation, and tutoring are also available.

  Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY), (Madison, WI)

  Residential:

  • Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)- Gifted high school students (grades 9-12) have the opportunity to participate in a three- week residential academic camp on the UW- Madison campus. Commuter option and scholarships available.
  • Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP)- A head start to an accelerated high school experience for upper-middle school students (grades 7-8). Both residential and commuter options available.
  • Young Students Summer Program (YSSP)- Academic camp with a week-long focus for elementary students (grades 4-6). Residential and commuter options available.

  Commuter:

  • Precollege Academic Campus Experience (PACE)- Day program for students in grades 5-8 to experience a head start to high school academics.
  • Growing Early Minds (GEM) – Exploration day program offered in Winter and Summer sessions for students in grades 1-4.

  Wisconsin Mathematics, Engineering and Science Talent Search - University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI)

  This Talent Search creates five sets of five problems each and distributes them to high school and middle school students in the state of Wisconsin and throughout the world. Each year, top Wisconsin performers in the Talent Search will be eligible to compete for the Van Vleck Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The scholarship will pay $6,000 per year for four years.

• Summer Programs: Southern Region

  Southern Methodist University (SMU) - Educational Talent Search (Dallas, TX)

  SMU provides academic, career and financial counseling to students as they graduate from high school, transition to college and pursue their degrees. The staff helps students identify possible careers and understand the educational requirements for their careers. They also help students manage the college application process and complete financial aid applications.

  Vanderbilt Program for Talented Youth (Nashville, TN)

  Vanderbilt University offers an intensive, enriched, three-week summer residential program for academically talented youth who are currently in grades seven through eleven. The goal of Vanderbilt PTY is to provide a stimulating and challenging intellectual environment, along with a full program of social and recreational activities. Students can be expected to learn at a high level, to have lots of fun, and to form lasting friendships.