University-Based Special Schools for Gifted Secondary Students

University-based schools provide high ability learners and gifted and talented students with the opportunity to access appropriately challenging curricular experiences, including faculty-mentored research, and learn within a community of like-minded peers who are supportive and motivating. These programs align with research on acceleration as an appropriate and effective way to meet the academic needs of high ability and gifted students. Research with students who have attended university-based schools, particularly those focused on STEM, have found positive long-term outcomes. These include increased likelihood of majoring in STEM fields, completing advanced degrees, and earlier career achievements which could lead to more productive careers. Research has also found that students attending university-based schools feel more connected with their new peers than their peers in their previous schools. Ten university-based schools are described, including both public and private, residential and non-residential, STEM-focused and non-STEM-focused schools.