It’s not easy being a twice exceptional (2e) student. Being gifted in one area, whether that’s math, English, or something else, while simultaneously having some sort of learning difference can be a disorienting experience. It’s confusing for a child to receive so much praise in one area and struggle so much in another.
At a formative age, during which so much rests on fitting in, being so different from their peers in two areas can negatively impact 2e students’ sense of self and belonging. This, in turn, can sometimes lead to anxiety, depression, checking out emotionally during class, and even school withdrawal.
As a parent, it’s natural that you want to find a school that is a good fit for your 2e child. When considering the factors to take into account when looking for the right school, most parents will consider practical criteria, like location and tuition cost. You may also have thought about whether a school is accredited to teach twice-exceptional students — although it’s worth noting that accreditation doesn’t necessarily say anything about the quality of teaching.
While these factors are important, the criteria that will have the largest impact on the social and academic outcomes for your child are:
- Personalization: Twice-exceptional (2e) is a broad term, and each 2e student has unique learning preferences. Schools with smaller class sizes are generally better equipped to accommodate these needs, as teachers can dedicate more time and attention to each student. Additionally, staff who specialize in teaching students with alternative learning styles can implement specific techniques, such as sensory breaks, to support individual preferences. Scheduling classes that align with a 2e student’s strengths while also addressing their weaknesses can be motivating, though this personalized approach isn’t available in every school.
- Social-emotional learning: School is about more than just academics; many 2e students struggle with peer connections. It’s helpful when staff create opportunities and spaces for 2e learners to connect. Being part of a community where all children have some form of learning difference, each respected in its own way, can be invaluable. This support is often lacking in traditional schools that primarily cater to neurotypical students.
- Post-secondary counseling: The challenges of being 2e extend beyond school. It’s wise to consider schools that acknowledge this reality and provide guidance for the future. Such support could include help in finding colleges that cater to 2e students or guidance on pursuing careers where your child’s unique gifts will be celebrated.
With these criteria in mind, this article discusses schools that are a good fit for 2e students. We’ll begin by presenting our own school, Fusion Academy, which provides a unique model of 1-to-1 learning across 80+ campuses in 18 states. Additionally, we’ll share examples of 2e schools in states where Fusion is not yet available.
Fusion Academy: 1-to-1 Learning That Can Accommodate 2e Needs
Fusion Academy is a private middle and high school with a unique model of personalized education. Students have 1-to-1 classes with their teachers, meaning that teachers can adapt the curriculum according to students’ individual needs. Any student can benefit from increased attention, but this is particularly valuable for 2e students. It allows them to excel in their area of giftedness while receiving support for their learning differences, an approach often unavailable in traditional schools.
We have campuses in 18 states — including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.
Click here for a full list of Fusion’s 80+ campuses to find the one closest to you.
Parents may prefer online schooling if their family travels frequently, has homes in multiple states, or enjoyed remote learning during COVID and wish to continue with it. For families like these, we offer online classes through Fusion Global, with the option to combine in-person and online learning in a hybrid model.
Students can attend school part-time or full-time, depending on their needs. Beyond our middle school and high school programs, we also provide private tutoring, post-secondary counseling, and remedial support in math and reading.
Keep reading to find out more about the specific ways in which Fusion can benefit 2e students.
Personalization
Fusion’s 1-to-1 approach allows teachers to tailor learning to the preferences of each individual 2e student in a way that just isn’t possible in a school with larger class sizes.
While teachers in traditional schools may see over a hundred students daily, Fusion teachers rarely teach more than 7 or 8. This gives them the time and emotional bandwidth to focus on each child’s unique needs.
For 2e students, receiving individualized attention in their area of strength can feel energizing and validating. Additionally, navigating challenges in a 1-to-1 setting removes the social awkwardness or shame they might experience in front of peers, creating a supportive environment for their growth.
Here are some specific examples of evidence-based, multi-sensory strategies that Fusion teachers use in the classroom to tailor lessons to 2e students’ needs:
- Mnemonic tools can help some 2e students remember important concepts.
- Color coding is effective for organizing information for visual learners, especially when associating a particular pattern or fact with a specific color.
- Flashcards assist dyslexic students with phonetic training.
- For students who prefer listening to texts instead of reading, audio-visual files can bring the material to life.
- If a student feels restless during class, they are free to run a lap around the school or engage in other activities that help them focus. Some kinesthetic learners enjoy working on problems while dancing.
- With no one else in the class to distract them, students may use fidget spinners if it helps them concentrate.
- Some 2e students may be sensitive to harsh fluorescent lighting common in most classrooms. If this is the case, the teacher can easily modify the lighting accordingly.
- Because teachers aren’t required to cater to the average student, they can focus on challenging the 2e student in their area of difficulty. This helps the student progress more quickly than they would in a regular school environment.
A 2e learner’s schedule can be tailored to fit their preferences. For example, if a student struggles with English, we might schedule English classes 3 days a week to minimize learning loss, while other subjects could meet twice per week.
Alternatively, we could place the challenging English class next to a preferred elective, like astronomy. This approach aligns with our motto, “Love, Motivate, Teach,” emphasizing the need to engage and respect students before effective teaching can occur.
Looking at the schedule weekly rather than daily, some 2e students may not thrive in a traditional Monday-to-Friday, morning-to-afternoon format. Students with ADHD might struggle to remain still for extended periods, while gifted athletes may have training conflicts that prevent daily attendance.
Fusion can create flexible schedules that accommodate these needs. However, once established, schedules typically remain fixed and cannot be changed arbitrarily each week.
Social-Emotional Learning
For 2e children, being in a regular classroom can be a vulnerable and emotionally challenging experience. For instance, if a student excels in science but struggles reading at their grade level, their reading difficulties may become apparent during a science class. This exposure can result in feelings of shame and isolation among their peers.
These feelings are especially painful for 2e students, who are inherently intelligent and acutely aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They often feel misunderstood, leading to confusion and frustration over being skilled in one area while lagging in another. Unfortunately, these negative experiences accumulate over the years in a regular school setting, significantly impacting 2e students’ social and emotional development.
At Fusion, 2e students often feel more accepted than in a typical school, largely because the entire community is alternative — everyone has their own story and struggles. The school fosters a welcoming and supportive environment, where every class begins with a check-in to assess students’ emotional well-being and their feelings about learning.
Fusion teachers are specifically trained to help students connect with like-minded peers. For instance, if a teacher notices that a 2e student excels in math but struggles with social skills, they might introduce that student to another who enjoys chess, fostering a potential bond over their similar temperaments.
Outside the classroom, Fusion supports the social needs of 2e students. In particular, each campus has two Homework Cafés: one quiet and one social. In the social café, students can collaborate on projects and explore hobbies with like-minded peers. Activities include student government, photography, movies, chess, video games, D&D, yoga, and more!
Specific benefits of the two Homework Cafés for 2e students include:
- The flexibility to switch between the social and quiet cafés to meet their sensory needs at any moment.
- The option to do homework in a social environment with music and friends if that enhances their focus.
- The choice to work in a quiet, distraction-free environment when needed.
- Supervision from teachers who ensure students aren’t becoming overwhelmed.
- The opportunity to pursue hobbies they excel at, which builds confidence and self-esteem. Engaging in these activities with peers allows students to earn respect for their talents.
Beyond the Homework Cafés, Fusion campuses often organize day trips or excursions, typically on Fridays. Activities include rock climbing, hiking, community service, neighborhood clean-up efforts, and volunteering at animal shelters.
Additionally, we have our Global Neighborhood, a Fusion-wide community that connects students from all campuses, including those in virtual settings.
Within the Global Neighborhood, students always have exciting and engaging opportunities to look forward to, including clubs, competitions, events, in-person field trips, and more. It’s designed to allow students to choose how they want to engage with the Fusion community.
For example, they can opt for a more relaxed experience in the virtual Zen Zone or global art gallery (showcasing their artwork), or they can participate in more active options like live virtual events and in-person regional trips.
Post-Secondary Counseling
Being 2e is a lifelong experience that can present ongoing challenges, such as feeling out of place, finding a job that celebrates their unique gifts, and managing independence.
Access to post-secondary guidance is crucial. Fusion provides this as an add-on service, but all part-time and full-time students receive one free session. This differs from most regular schools, where students may not have the opportunity to work with counselors who can recommend post-secondary options.
Fusion has dedicated post-secondary counselors nationwide who are passionate about helping students explore their paths after high school, whether that involves college, vocational school, a gap year, a transition program, or employment. They provide one-to-one support and personalize sessions according to each student’s goals.
For older students, counseling typically focuses on college preparation. For younger students, the focus might be on starting to plan post-secondary options (which don’t necessarily have to be college).
Specific ways that post-secondary counseling can help students include:
- Resume creation
- Selecting schools and college courses, particularly programs that suit their unique learning styles
- SAT and ACT testing practice
- Support in finding scholarships
- In-personal interview preparation
- Job interview coaching
Fusion students have been accepted at numerous prestigious colleges nationwide, including Stanford, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt.
Other Schools for 2e Students
Fusion is currently available in 18 states, including most of the most populous ones. If you reside in a state where Fusion isn’t available or are interested in exploring other options, we’ve compiled a list of schools that cater to 2e students in those areas.
Please note that the concept of 2e is most recognized by educational professionals in urban areas, so if you live in a more rural area, your state may not be included in this list. If your state isn’t mentioned here, consider exploring remote learning options or, if feasible, relocating to a state with a suitable 2e school.
Louisiana: Brighthouse Learning Academy
Brighthouse Learning Academy is a school for twice-exceptional children between 5th and 12th grade that’s based in Abita Springs, Louisiana. This is a small, family-run school that offers classes between 8am and 2pm Monday through Thursday, with the option to use Fridays for extracurriculars or join weekend events offered by the school.
Staff at Brighthouse are specifically trained in how best to support 2e students. For example, they draw on visual and kinesthetic teaching methods, as well as the latest science about socio-emotional learning and meta-cognition. Besides classes, each student has access to a counselor where they can learn life skills like emotional regulation, critical thinking, how to build relationships and mindfulness.
Michigan: Brightmont Academy
With one campus in Birmingham, MI and Plymouth, MI, Brightmont Academy offers one-to-one classes for students in grades K–12. Although this school isn’t specifically for 2e learners, its staff has significant experience in helping students with different learning styles, disabilities, and mental health challenges progress academically.
Brightmont’s educational philosophy focuses on building mastery, which is psychologically proven to lead to increased feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem. This is doubly beneficial for the well-being of 2e students: both in terms of having their talent recognized and in terms of making progress in their weaker areas. Besides full-time learning, the school also offers skill-building programs, a reading intervention and test prep.
Nevada: Davidson Academy
The Davidson Academy is a public middle and high school located in Reno, Nevada. The school was ranked as the best public school in America by Niche in 2024 and attracts gifted and exceptional students from across the world. Admission requires students to score in the 99.9th percentile on intelligence tests, resulting in a student body that is both highly gifted and exhibits asynchronous development — two key characteristics of 2e learners.
The school is unusual in that it offers classes grouped by ability rather than age. This allows 2e students to progress more quickly in their specialist field, as well as being surrounded by peers who are equally gifted. Since 2017, Davidson has also been offering this model of education online, as well as in person.
New Hampshire: Hampshire Country School
Hampshire Country School (HCS) is a boarding school in Rindge, NH, for 2e boys aged 8 to 17, primarily serving students in grades 4 to 9. HCS has pioneered the concept of “milieu therapy,” which emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of a healthy environment. The school is situated in a peaceful, rural setting, allowing boys to engage in activities like camping, exploring forests, working on a farm, and hiking.
This environment is particularly suited for overactive, impulsive boys who may struggle to fit into traditional schools. Many students are so gifted that they relate more easily to adults than to peers. These boys benefit from the additional adult attention they receive in a tranquil setting.
Most students stay for 3 to 5 years before transitioning to other educational opportunities.
New Mexico: New Mexico Connections Academy
New Mexico Connections Academy (NMCA) is an online public school for students in grades 4–12 that offers personalized education. They offer 2e programs for students who are in elementary and middle school. Teachers and parents can collaborate on creating a personalized learning plan for each student, allowing 2e students to flourish in the area in which they’re strong and receive extra support where they’re behind grade level.
NMCA is unusual in that it frames the role of the parent in supporting their child’s learning as a “learning coaching.” Given this is an online school, parents are expected to create a safe and stimulating learning atmosphere at home, as well as help structure each school day using an online scheduling tool. For 2e students who feel more comfortable at home than in a school environment, this could be a good fit.
Oregon: ACCESS Academy
ACCESS Academy is an alternative public school for highly gifted students in grades 1 through 8, located in Portland, OR. To apply, students must score in the 99th percentile in reading, math, or IQ. The school serves 350 students and organizes classes based on ability level rather than traditional grade structures.
In terms of socio-emotional learning, ACCESS supports 2e learners by placing them in a community of like-minded peers, reducing feelings of isolation. The school employs two counselors to accommodate learning disabilities and enhance students’ emotional intelligence. Additionally, students have opportunities to socialize through a variety of clubs and after-school programs.
Pennsylvania: Grayson School
The Grayson School is a private school in Radnor, PA that caters to gifted students in grades K–12. It offers an accelerated, research-based curriculum where students are grouped by a mix of age and ability. The faculty is specially trained in gifted education, creating an environment where 2e students feel more at home.
To support those with learning difficulties, the school employs a dedicated psychologist, and the 4:1 student-teacher ratio allows for better accommodation of diverse learning styles compared to typical schools. Uniquely, Grayson also has a board of education luminaries, many specializing in social-emotional learning, whose research often informs the school curriculum.
Rhode Island: The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center
The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center (commonly known as The Met) is a network of six public high schools in Providence and Newport, RI. Its educational approach focuses entirely on each student’s individual interests and unique needs. This often results in a personalized curriculum combining personal projects and internships, unconstrained by a traditional school day or year.
This methodology is particularly beneficial for 2e students, allowing them to pursue their primary interests while receiving remedial support in areas where they may struggle. Additionally, 2e students can benefit from Met’s emphasis on building life skills, fostering healthy relationships, and starting to develop a professional network.
Utah: Heron School
Heron School is a private school for neurodivergent and 2e students aged 13–18 based in Moab, UT. In order to best prepare students for life after school, Heron aims to balance academic rigor with support for divergent social and emotional needs. It achieves this by combining a small classroom size with project-based courses and online coursework.
Specific learning differences that Heron is set up to accommodate include autism, dyslexia, executive functioning disorder and ADHD, but the school is highly inclusive and welcomes learning styles beyond these as well. This is a good fit for 2e students, who might otherwise struggle to feel accepted by more neurotypical schools that don’t necessarily have the resources to accommodate their preferences.
Wisconsin: Eagle School
Eagle School is an independent school for gifted children in grades K–8, located in Fitchburg, WI. It offers an accelerated curriculum, enabling 2e students to delve deeply into their areas of interest without being hindered by unnecessary repetition or rote learning. Admission requires students to take an IQ test to evaluate their intellectual functioning.
For social-emotional support, students have access to counselors who assist with personal growth and social integration. Additionally, 2e students may benefit from the school’s natural campus setting, surrounded by woods, wetlands, and parks.
A School Environment Where 2e Children Are Celebrated
If you’re in one of the 18 states with a Fusion campus, consider checking us out. We offer personalized learning through 1-to-1 classes, social-emotional development, and post-secondary counseling — all of which are tremendously beneficial to 2e students.
Reach out today to learn more or schedule a visit to one of our campuses.
