About the Center for Gifted Education

A Distinctive Resource

Established in 1981, the Center for Gifted Education is one of only 17 comprehensive gifted education centers in the U. S. and the only one of its kind in Missouri. The Center is located on the Drury University campus in the School of Education and Child Development, home of the longest standing teaching preparation programs in Missouri. The Center is staffed with a team of educators who have extensive training in gifted education. Programs serve students at all age levels – pre-kindergarten through master’s.

Student Development and Achievement

• Each summer more than 700 children from pre-kindergarten through high school attend Drury’s residential and nonresidential pre-college programs – Summer Pals, Summer Quest, Summerscape and Drury Leadership Academy.
• Each year Drury hosts the Duke Talent Identification Ceremony recognizing over 400 seventh graders from around the state who scored high on the ACT or SAT.
• Drury sends representatives to the Missouri Gifted Association State Conference and the National Association of Gifted Conference every year.

Teacher Development and Success

• The Center is one of the hosts for the Gifted Association of Missouri Fall Conference, a day-long event that brings together gifted education educators for workshops and seminars.
• Drury offers graduate credit for Missouri gifted education certification and a Master in Education with a concentration in gifted education. The capstone research experience offers student-led research opportunities for individuals seeking to expand understanding of the needs of gifted learners.
• Consulting services are available to school districts.