(AISGS) is a nonprofit association founded to support independent nonprofit primary and secondary schools that serve gifted learners.
AISGS schools serve gifted learners exclusively or significantly; are independent in their governance, management, and finances; are supported by tuition and charitable contributions; and accountable to their governing bodies, communities, and recognized accrediting bodies.
AISGS School Demographics
AISGS Members
The Nueva School
For 50 years, the Nueva School has led the field of gifted education with a dynamic, inquiry-based approach. We provide what gifted learners need: a community of faculty and peers who understand, nurture, and challenge them. Through project-based learning, social-emotional learning, design thinking, and global citizenship, our students learn to make choices that benefit the world.
Hillsborough Campus
6565 Skyline Blvd., Hillsborough, CA 94010
San Mateo Campus
131 E. 28th Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403
Grades PreK–12
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Open Window School
Open Window School is a nationally recognized K-8 independent school on Seattle's Eastside serving gifted students. Located on Cougar Mountain, our program is dedicated to nurturing gifted children’s social and emotional needs, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and capacity for critical thinking. It's a place where students are “children first and gifted second.
6128 168th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
Grades K-8
Speyer School
At The Speyer Legacy School, students are inspired to be intellectually curious and passionate. They realize their full potential as accelerated learners in a collaborative community that is committed to ethical values and action. Speyer students learn with like-minded classmates and are guided by academically fearless teachers who share and nourish their enthusiasm for knowledge and inquiry.
925 Ninth Avenue New York NY 10019
Grades K-8
The Grayson School
The Grayson School is an innovative, research-based learning institution guided by best practices in gifted education. Offering a PreK through grade 12 program with summer and enrichment classes open to the community, Grayson is the only “all gifted, all day” school of its kind within a 100-mile radius. The Grayson School provides academically gifted students with a setting where they can learn at a pace and level consistent with their abilities, collaborate with like-minded peers, and explore their unlimited potential.
211 Matsonford Road, Radnor, PA 19087
Grades K-12
Acera: The Massachusetts School of Science, Creativity & Leadership
Acera enables gifted learners to become their best selves, learning based upon ability while safeguarding their spirit and innate curiosity. Project-based, interdisciplinary learning and ability-based math groups develop systems thinking, deep understanding and creative problem solving. We catalyze students’ initiative to become innovators, scientists and leaders!
5 Lowell Ave, Winchester MA
Grades K-9
The Avery Coonley School
The Avery Coonley School (ACS) is known as a leader in gifted education. Established in 1906, Avery Coonley offers advanced and gifted learners in preschool through eighth grade a curriculum with the depth, pace, and complexity to challenge them to the fullest. All ACS faculty are experienced with and understand the emotional and educational needs of gifted children and are skilled in differentiating their instruction to support individual learners.
1400 Maple Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Grades PreK3-8
The Evergreen School
Our PS-8th grade program infuses challenging academics with social-emotional skill development and an appreciation of diverse perspectives. We encourage our students to think deeply, take intellectual risks, and tackle complex problems that will prepare them for the future and be ready to contribute to a diverse and dynamic world.
15201 Meridian Avenue N., Shoreline, WA 98133
Grades PS-8
Helios School
Helios is a progressive K-8 school for gifted students. Our program weaves together project based learning, placement-based mathematics, and social emotional learning. The classroom work, the twice-a-year overnight camping trips, our Wilderness Village adventure playground, and curriculum-focused field trips, all help the students become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
597 Central Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Grades K-8
Institute for Educational Advancement
The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to gifted and advanced youth's intellectual, creative, and personal growth. Since 1998, IEA has served over 12,000 students, parents, and educators through whole-child, research-based programs—enrichment classes, summer camps, scholarships, mentorship, professional development, and family resources—that foster optimal challenge, personal potential, and self-discovery. IEA follows the Optimal Match Philosophy, matching students’ assessed needs with the optimal educational resources. Rooted in equity and excellence, IEA supports diverse learners while building a strong sense of community, belonging, and affirmation.
569 S Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
Grades PreK-8
Logan’s mission is to cultivate the curiosities of gifted children; a Logan education is as unique as the children we serve. At The Logan School, the student experience is driven by curiosity, exploration, and independence, an experience that results in a love of learning to last a lifetime.
1005 Yosemite Street, Denver, CO 80230
Grades K-8
Long Island School for Gifted
Founded in 1980 by Carol Yilmaz, LISG has flourished as the only full academic, accelerated program of its kind for gifted children for over 40 years. LISG is a private, co- educational day school for gifted students from Pre-K (age 4) through grade eight.
165 Pidgeon Hill Rd, South Huntington, NY 11746
Grades PreK–8
Mirman School
Mirman School embraces, supports and values the many facets and faces of giftedness as we nurture our students’ abilities to reach their highest potential. As an educational institution, we are committed to personalizing our curriculum through depth and complexity, while celebrating the intellectual, creative, and kinesthetic dimensions of childhood and adolescence.
16180 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Grades K-8
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Quest Academy
Quest Academy, located in Palatine, Illinois, is a private, independent school for gifted students from preschool through eighth grade. Since 1982, we’ve provided an innovative, challenging curriculum that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. With a 7:1 student-teacher ratio, we offer personalized instruction, engaging students at their level. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates STEM, humanities, and the arts, creating a dynamic learning environment that nurtures both academic excellence and character development. Fully accredited, Quest empowers bright learners in a supportive, like-minded community.
500 North Benton Street, Palatine, IL 60067
Grades PreK-8
The Roeper School
The Roeper School, a renowned leader in PreK–grade 12 gifted education, offers an individualized, inquiry-based program nurturing the whole child. We foster strong student-teacher connections, prioritize student choice, and value diverse voices. Here, gifted students find intellectual challenge, deep exploration of passions, and a safe, inclusive community where everyone is heard.
Lower School Campus:
41190 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills MI 48304
Middle & Upper School Campus:
1051 Oakland Ave, Birmingham MI 48009
PreK–grade 12
The Sage School
For over 35 years, The Sage School has been known as New England’s leader in gifted education. Dynamic faculty nurture and inspire students to reach their potential as curious and creative thinkers, lifelong learners, and global citizens. With a timeless and innovative curriculum—blending accelerated academics, social-emotional growth, project-based and real-world application—Sage empowers students to engage deeply and make a positive impact.
171 Mechanic Street, Foxboro, MA 02035
Grades PreK–8
Science & Arts Academy
Science & Arts Academy (SAA) is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational, not-for-profit day school for gifted students in Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade. We are highly regarded throughout the Chicago area for our challenging and inspiring curriculum, small classroom setting, and expertise and knowledge in supporting gifted children.
1825 Miner Street Des Plaines, IL 60016
Grades JK-8
Seattle Country Day School
Curiosity is a superpower, and SCDS fosters it through guided inquiry, a teaching method that engages gifted students in exploration and analysis. Our warm, welcoming classrooms also help students consider their identities and values while building empathy and awareness. SCDS: rooted in inquiry, dedicated to equity, founded in 1964.
2619 4th Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109
Grades K-8
Sycamore School
At Sycamore, gifted learners are known and loved. They find an intellectual and social peer group at Sycamore. Sycamore teachers develop our curriculum, incorporating current research and best practices in gifted education. Numerous student activities and dedicated staff meet our students’ social and emotional needs. At Sycamore, gifted students thrive.
1750 West 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
Grades PreK-8
Tessellations School
Tessellations is a progressive, independent school serving gifted learners through a whole-child approach that blends deep academic challenge with social-emotional support. Through experiential learning, interdisciplinary projects, and a project-based model, students develop curiosity, courage, and compassion. Tessellations celebrates each child’s individuality, nurturing intrinsic motivation, and guiding students to become thoughtful, confident, creative, and empowered contributors to their communities and beyond.
1170 Yorkshire Dr, Cupertino, CA 95014
Grades PreK–12
AISGS Representative Activities
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Hosted Heads Affinity Group meetings since 2021
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Hosting 9th Semi-Annual Parent Education Zoom Spring 2025
Past Topics:
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Parenting Tips and Tricks
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Common Sense Media: Pressures and Stresses
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Avoiding Stress and Overscheduling
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Navigating Difficult Conversations
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Supporting Highly and Profoundly Gifted Students
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Supporting 2E Children
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The first AISGS conference is expected in February 2026, preceding NAIS Seattle 2026
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The Innovative Learning Conference (ILC) Fall 2023 (launched in 2007 as the Gifted Learning Conference) hosted 500+ participants from 60+ private and public schools and districts from California, the United States, and internationally. The next ILC is scheduled for March 2026
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Launching additional school leader affinity groups in 2025
AISGS schools strive to share leadership and management guidance and best practices, professional development opportunities, and data to build and enhance thriving schools and communities. We value life-long learning and collaboration; diversity and inclusion; and accountability, aspiration, and ethical practices for our schools, boards, and communities.
Find out more by joining our mailing list below.
AISGS Founding
School Heads from The Nueva School, Open Window School, Speyer School, and Grayson School met at NAIS Philadelphia 2020 and NAGC New Mexico 2019 to catalyze a new collaboration between their schools and other independent schools serving gifted students.