Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY)

EPGY is Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth, which serves students in grades K-12 through distance learning. Using computer-based multimedia, students receive audio lectures combined with text and graphics. The computer screen is used as a chalkboard and students proceed through the course at their own pace. Student responses are regularly evaluated by software programs, and offline work is also done and mailed to the teacher. Instructors are available to help students through e-mail and by phone, and they monitor progress and review assignments. Weekly virtual classroom sessions are required for English classes and encouraged for others.

EPGY courses are available in the areas of mathematics, English, humanities, physics, computer science and music. Courses begin the first of each month and are billed on a 3-month basis, so if a student does not complete the course within 3 months, the option is to pay for another 3 months or withdraw from the course.

The application deadline is one month prior to the requested start date. Student applicants must demonstrate a high degree of ability with high scores on previously taken standardized tests (e.g., K-7 math – 95%+ on standardized math test, students in higher level math courses must show SAT math score of 540+ or ACT math score of 20+). Students who succeed in EPGY courses will be independent, self-motivated learners.

Costs vary, anywhere from about $500 to $700 per course, with additional charges for registration, one-time application fee, one-time optional transcript fee and shipping and handling fee for materials. Textbooks, when required, are generally purchased by the student through the Stanford bookstore.

Students interested in school credit for classes taken should talk to an Eden Prairie school counselor or g/t coordinator before registering, and then follow up with a transcript request when the coursework is completed.

Students can also register for some EPGY courses through the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development, and may desire to do so if they have participated in Midwest Talent Search. For more information about this option, see www.ctd.northwestern.edu

Also offered is the education program for Gifted Youth Online High School at Stanford University. More information can be found at epgy.stanford.edu/ohs

For more information about EPGY, see their website at epgy.stanford.edu/index.html