Davidson Academy
A school for profoundly gifted middle and high school students, run by the Davidson Institute. Davidson Academy Online teaches live, ability-grouped classes to students across the U.S. and Canada; Davidson Academy Reno is a free in-person day school in Nevada.
What is Davidson Academy?
Davidson Academy is a school for profoundly gifted students, run by the nonprofit Davidson Institute in Reno, Nevada. It has two campuses. Davidson Academy Reno is a free public day school on the University of Nevada, Reno campus for Nevada residents. Davidson Academy Online is a private online school, open since 2017, for middle and high school students living anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
The core idea is simple: kids are grouped by what they're ready to learn, not by birthday. A 12-year-old can sit in a calculus seminar with 15-year-olds who think at the same pace.
How it works
Davidson Academy Online is synchronous. Each core course meets live for about three hours a week by video, and most courses use a flipped model: students read or watch material first, then use live time for discussion and problem solving. The school profile says each course also takes about 5–7 hours of work a week outside class.
- Full-time students take at least four graded courses each semester.
- Enrollment for 2026–27 was 99 students, so classes are small.
- Students can also enroll for a single course.
- Dual enrollment with the University of Nevada, Reno lets advanced students earn college credit.
Parents don't teach, but they do help a young teen manage a demanding schedule and time zones.
What it covers
The diploma requires 24 credits and a 3.0 GPA. Courses run from high school foundations to undergraduate-level work.
| Area | Diploma credits | Sample courses |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | Rhetoric, British Literature, Advanced Rhetoric |
| Math | 4 | Geometry through Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Intro to Real Analysis |
| Science | 3 | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, plus advanced versions with labs |
| History | 3 | World, U.S., Government, Asian Studies |
| World language | 3 | Chinese I–VI, Spanish through practicum |
| Other | 7 | PE, health, financial literacy, arts and electives |
There are no AP courses, though many students self-study and sit AP exams.
Who it's best for
Davidson fits students who meet the 99.9th percentile test bar and want real-time discussion with peers like them. It's a poor fit for families who want flexible hours, for strong students who don't qualify, or for kids who aren't ready for a college-like workload. If you are weighing options for a gifted child, browse more online schools and the best accredited online schools.
Pricing at a glance
For 2026–27, families outside Nevada pay a personalized tuition up to $17,000 for high school or $13,000 for middle school, based on income through FAST. A single course costs $5,000. Nevada residents have full-time tuition waived. Textbooks and lab kits cost extra.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Davidson Academy Online is an accredited private school, and some ESA and private school scholarship programs let families spend funds on private school tuition. Each program decides which schools qualify, so check the rules on your state scholarship page, such as Arizona or Florida. You can save Davidson to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- Stanford Online High School is also live and academically intense, but admits highly able students more broadly and charges higher full tuition.
- Laurel Springs offers more flexible, self-paced pacing with gifted options.
- Art of Problem Solving and CTY Johns Hopkins are good part-time choices for gifted kids who stay in their current school.
- Sora Schools is a project-based online school for students who want more choice and less test-based admission.
For a wider view, browse all accredited online schools.
Who Davidson Academy is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Profoundly gifted students who are bored or isolated in regular classes
- Families who want live discussion with intellectual peers, not a video course
- Nevada families, who can attend online or in Reno with tuition waived
- Students ready for college-level work and dual enrollment
Look elsewhere if
- Bright students who don't meet the 99.9th percentile test requirement
- Families who need a self-paced or flexible-hours program
- Elementary-age children below an advanced middle school level
- Students who want AP courses taught in-house (Davidson doesn't offer them)
Davidson Academy pros and cons
Pros
- Peers who learn at the same speed, grouped by ability rather than age
- Accredited by ACS WASC, with NCAA and UC a-g approved courses
- Live seminar-style classes with small class sizes
- Income-based tuition and free tuition for Nevada residents
- Dual enrollment with the University of Nevada, Reno
Cons
- Very selective; requires qualifying IQ or achievement test scores
- Fixed live class times can be hard across time zones
- Maximum tuition is high for families outside Nevada
- Only open to students living in the U.S. or Canada
- No AP courses; students self-study if they want AP exams
What’s included
- Live synchronous classes, about three hours per course each week
- Students grouped by ability, not age
- Accredited by ACS WASC; core courses NCAA approved and UC a-g approved
- Dual enrollment agreement with the University of Nevada, Reno
- Full-time or single-course enrollment
- Tuition waived for Nevada residents; income-based flexible tuition for others
Davidson Academy levels
Applicants must meet a qualifying score on one of Davidson's accepted IQ or achievement tests (separate lists for ages 12 and younger and 13 and older), show core skills at an advanced middle school level or higher, and complete an application review and assessment.
Official Davidson Academy placement test ↗How much does Davidson Academy cost?
Davidson Academy Online uses a flexible tuition model. Each family's tuition is set from income, cost of living where they live, number of dependents and other factors, through the outside service FAST. The published 2026–27 maximums for families outside Nevada are $17,000 for high school students (over 14 on September 30, 2026) and $13,000 for middle school students. Single courses cost $5,000 each regardless of state. Full-time tuition is waived for Nevada residents with a Nevada Real ID.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time high school (non-Nevada, max) | $17,000/yr | Yearly | $1,416.67/mo |
| Full-time middle school (non-Nevada, max) | $13,000/yr | Yearly | $1,083.33/mo |
| Single course | $5,000/yr | Yearly | $416.67/mo |
Free trial: No trial. Admission is selective and based on qualifying test scores and an application review.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
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Davidson Academy FAQs
Is Davidson Academy accredited?
Yes. Davidson Academy Online is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), according to its 2026–27 school profile. All its core courses are NCAA approved and approved for UC a-g credit.
How much does Davidson Academy Online cost?
For 2026–27, families outside Nevada pay up to $17,000 for high school or $13,000 for middle school, with the actual amount set by income through FAST. A single course is $5,000. Nevada residents have full-time tuition waived.
Is Davidson Academy free?
It is free for Nevada residents. Full-time online tuition is waived with a Nevada Real ID, and the Reno day school is a public school. Families in other states pay flexible, income-based tuition.
What test scores do you need for Davidson Academy?
Applicants must reach a qualifying score on one of the accepted IQ or achievement tests listed on Davidson's eligibility pages. The school describes its students as scoring in the 99.9th percentile. Applicants must also be 16 or younger when they apply.
Is Davidson Academy the same as the Davidson Academy in Nashville?
No. The Davidson Academy covered here is the Davidson Institute's school for profoundly gifted students in Reno, Nevada, and online. A separate Christian private school in the Nashville, Tennessee area uses the same name.
Can students outside the U.S. attend Davidson Academy Online?
Only students living in the United States or Canada can enroll. The 2026–27 profile lists students from 24 states or provinces and two countries.
When is the Davidson Academy application deadline?
The 2027–28 application opened September 15, 2026 and closes January 14, 2027, according to the eligibility page. FAST tuition applications have their own earlier deadline.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: