When you have a bright child who learns at lightning speed, locating resources to provide her with the right educational environment and support isn't just helpful — it can be vital.
According to the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, gifted children often experience underachievement, distractability and behavioral problems without the proper mental stimulation. But these emotional and behavioral issues typically improve with an appropriate learning environment and the right psychological support.
Luckily, Atlanta has an increasingly growing list of schools, camps, classes and services for the enrichment of your gifted child.
This list can help exceptional children excel at their own speed and receive the best education, emotional support and learning opportunities Atlanta has to offer.
Metro area schools for the gifted
- Atlanta Gifted Academy. 567 Seminole Drive NE, Marietta, Ga. 30060. 770-726-0123. www.atlantagiftedacademy.com. Private academy serving children with 130 or above on intelligence tests.
- Fulton Science Academy. 3035 Fanfare Way, Alpharetta, Ga. 30009. 678-366-2555. www.fultonscienceacademy.org. Private academy for pre-K through 12th grade serving advanced and gifted students.
- The Dinoff School. 128 N. 5th St., Griffin, Ga. 30223. 678-603-1052. www.thedinoffschool.com. Private school serving both academically and creatively gifted students.
Gifted Saturday programs
- Georgia State University Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders. Georgia State University Campus, 1 Park Place, Suite 821, Atlanta, Ga. 30303. 404-413-8029. www.saturdayschool.education.gsu.edu. Scholastic enrichment program for gifted students, held on Saturdays at the GSU campus.
- Georgia Tech K.I.D.S. Club. Georgia Institute of Technology Campus, North Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30332. 404-913-5437.www.ceismc.gatech.edu. Exciting hands-on STEM classes for kids at the Georgia Tech campus, including chemistry, programming and robotics.
Gifted camps and classes
- Xanadu Summer Program for the Gifted. Price Middle School, 1670 Benjamin Weldon Bickers Drive SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30315. 404-802-7585. www.atlantapublicschools.us. Offering science, literature, art and fun hands-on summer activities for gifted and talented students.
- SIG Summer Institute for the Gifted at Emory. Emory University Campus, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30322. 866-303-4744. www.giftedstudy.org. Advanced academic summer program offered to gifted students ages 5-17 at Emory.
- Georgia Tech CEISMC Summer PEAKS Program. Georgia Institute of Technology Campus, North Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30332. 678-929-7639. www.ceismc.gatech.edu. Offering computer programming and robotics summer program for gifted children.
- SCAD Pre-College Summer Programs. Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta Campus, 1600 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30309. 800-869-7223. www.scad.edu. College course opportunity for advanced students interested in pursuing a career in the arts.
- Club SciKidz. 106 Hartwood Drive, Woodstock, Ga. 30189. 678-398-7683. www.clubscikidz.com. Interactive summer science classes and enrichment opportunities in programming, chemistry, physics, robotics and engineering.
- Emagination Computer Camp. Georgia Institute of Technology Campus, North Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30332. 877-248-0206. www.computercamps.com. Well-rounded creative computer camp offering 3D modeling, animation, digital music, web development, java, game design, app development, and more.
- Amario's Art Academy for the Gifted and Talented. 1087 Cleveland Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30344. 404-559-1695. www.amariosartacademy.com. Camp for gifted artists in the Atlanta area, with classes in comic book creation, life drawing, animation, design and app development.
- The Georgia Governor's Honors Program. rparmer@georgia.gov. 404-463-0373. www.gosa.georgia.gov. Residential summer program (mid-June to mid-July) for gifted high school kids. Areas of nomination include world languages, visual arts, science, math, engineering, agricultural science, communicative arts, social studies, dance and theater.
Gifted testing centers and psychologists
- Dr. Spomenka Newman. 4500 Hugh Howell Road, Suite 620A, Tucker, Ga. 30084. 770-315-4554. www.psychologist4kids.com. Psychological services for gifted children, including comprehensive assessment, individual and family therapy, evaluation of twice-exceptionalities and consultation.
- Dr. Cortney Weissglass. 1409 North Highland Ave., Suite J, Atlanta, Ga. 30306. 404-913-4824. www.weissglasspsych.com. Comprehensive intelligence testing, individual and family therapy.
State-wide gifted resources and advocacy
- Georgia Association for Gifted Children. 1579-F Monroe Drive, Suite 321, Atlanta, Ga. 30324. 404-875-2284. www.gafgc.wildapricot.org. State-wide support, resources and advocacy for gifted children.
- MENSA In Georgia. locsec@georgia.us.mensa.org. www.georgia.us.mensa.org. Georgia chapter of American MENSA, for children and adults with intelligence test scores within the top 2 percent of the population. MENSA offers a variety of social gatherings, support and advocacy across the state.
Having trouble finding the gifted resources you're looking for? Some people ask, "Is Georgia giving brightest kids enough attention?" What do you think?
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