The following resources for gifted children have been used by Palo Alto parents and teachers. These programs are not affiliated with PAUSD and their listing here does not imply endorsement.
Organizations for the Gifted
- California Association for the Gifted
- Lists conferences, resources for parents, political information, and more. Includes a list of educational Internet resources, reading lists, summer camps, organizations, journals, programs, information clearinghouses, and free and low cost materials.
- National Association for the Gifted
- Less parent-friendly than California Association for the Gifted, this site includes public policy and national program information as well as an annual holiday toy list for gifted kids.
- Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
- Updated every few days, this comprehensive site includes a guide for first time users and sections for kids, parents and educators. Check out the kids' section for lists of contests, books, software, toys, magazines, and online resources, and the educators' section for professional literature, curriculum units, and educational theories.
- Gifted Development Center
- A private, non-profit organization providing email and phone counseling as well as general information about gifted children and adults. The Center particularly focuses on visual-spatial learners, highly gifted children, and home schooling. Their site includes an archived ongoing parent forum on topics such as emotional development, acceleration, parenting, and gifted/learning disabled.
- California Gifted Network
- Davidson Institute for Talent Development
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
- Families of the Talented and Gifted (TAG)
- San Francisco Regional Mensa
Enrichment Programs
Online Programs:
- Standford University Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY)
- Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS)
- Art of Problem Solving
Summer Programs:
- Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University (grades 5-12)
- Administers camps nationwide (including Stanford). Students must qualify through talent search tests held each fall. There is a talent search for grades 2 - 4, but no local camps. The Center also offers counseling, publications, and assessments.
- U.C. Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program
- Offers three (elementary level) and six (grades 7 - 12) week-long classes for talented youth. Students must qualify.
- ID Tech Summer Computer Camps – California Locations
- Education Unlimited – Residential and Day computer camps
- ASA Pre-College at UC Berkeley – Residential and Day camp
- Summer Institute for the Gifted – Residential and Day programs, grades K-12
- Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
- Academic Talent Development Program, grades K-11
- Gifted Students Academy – UC Irvine
- Summer Odyssey at Dominican University
- Baywood Learning Center
- Lawrence Hall of Science – Day camps for gifted students
- Summer Science Program (SSP) – a residential enrichment program for gifted high school students in Ohai, California
Talented Searches
Contests for Kids
- Tech Challenge through the Tech Museum in San Jose
- Build something to solve a specific challenge! Contest held in spring for grades 5 - 12. Registration begins in January.
- Destination Imagination (offshoot of Odyssey of the Mind)
- Holds a creative problem-solving contest in spring for grades K - college.
