Xanadu

Xanadu is a summer enrichment program serving gifted and high-achieving students in the metro Atlanta area.

Xanadu is offered by the Office of Gifted and Talented Education in Atlanta Public Schools. The program began over twenty-five years ago.

Xanadu teachers take academic content and turn it into fun and exciting ways for students to be enriched while still enjoying the sunny days of summer! Students are allowed to select courses that are focused on academics and fine arts/athletics. Course offerings include everything from courses like “Xtreme Xperiments” where students explore the science behind lava lamps to courses like “IMPACT” where students work to make a difference in their immediate community and understand the value of their civic contributions.

The program concludes with a culminating activity where parents and the community are presented with student work.

All gifted identified and talented/high-achieving students in the metro Atlanta area who meet program criteria are
eligible to apply to the Xanadu Summer Program.

Yes, children of APS employees can apply for acceptance into the program if they meet program criteria. Students of APS employees pay the APS program fee.

Yes, children of APS charter schools can apply for acceptance into the program if they meet the criteria. Charter students pay the APS Student Program fee.

Xanadu is designed for gifted and high-achieving students. Supporting documentation is required which includes a teacher recommendation AND any one of the following which must be uploaded at the time of registration. Students for whom neither are received will not be considered for acceptance.

• Gifted eligibility report
• Most recent test scores (For example: MAP, Milestones, STAR, or ITBS)
• Most recent report card/progress report. Please note: APS gifted-identified students are not required to upload any additional documents.
• The email address of your child's current teacher. Xanadu will email a request to complete the online student recommendation.
• For APS students, you will need the student number associated with your child (this is usually your child’s lunch number and/or the number they use to log into the APS computer system.) We will not be able to provide this number.
  • APS student demographic information in Infinite Campus will load directly into the application. Any changes to this information must take place at the local school.

Considerations:
Each scholar applying will be admitted based on the scholar’s merit. Xanadu does not give precedence to any child, regardless of whether they have siblings in the program or for prior participation.

Our goal is to ensure each student has a safe, enriching, and fun experience with our program. These students enjoy being challenged and are goal-oriented; they enjoy extracurricular activities and the ability to learn new skills.
Xanadu’s primary focus is to serve students from each cluster within the Atlanta Public Schools district. The selection committee looks closely at the students’ recommendations as well as at the student application, teacher/principal recommendation, school of attendance, and academic performance.

Competition for Xanadu has been growing significantly over the past years. Xanadu caps class sizes to ensure scholars have a positive and safe experience while in the program.

For internet or computer support, every school in APS has a parent center. Please contact your local school. Computer support is also available at your local library.

Please use the Contact Us button on the Xanadu registration portal if you have additional
questions regarding the online application or the registration process. You may also reach the Office of Gifted and Talented Education at (404) 802-7585 or at Xanadu_gifted@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

Our office hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

All payments must be made online through the online school payment portal.

Acceptance or non-acceptance is based on the teacher or principal’s recommendation, a completed application, and program criteria listed above. Notification of acceptance or non-acceptance to the program can be accessed through the online portal (https://apsxanadu.org) in March.

Daily instruction is a combination of academic and fine arts/athletics courses.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide transportation to Xanadu.

1. Specific instructions for online registration, as well as a video tutorial, will be provided to walk you through the online application process. Continue to monitor the website at for additional information.
2. Students accepted into the program will log into the Xanadu portal to rank course preferences. Parents and guardians will approve course schedules before submitting program fees.
3. Online payment will include a 4.0% non-refundable credit card/debit card vendor processing fee. SchoolCash Online Payments is a service that is provided by KEV and its affiliates. Other than the receipt of payments made by you (less applicable fees charged by us and the credit card company), neither the school district, the school, nor any individuals employed by the school district profit from this service.

Courses are assigned based on the completion of the full registration process: application, payment, and course selection. Once a class is full, course placement will be based on second choice and possibly the third choice. There is no guarantee of first-choice course placement.

No. A specific student-teacher ratio is maintained, and changing classes disturbs the ratio. Classes will not be changed once confirmation letters have been sent. Review course descriptions with students before submitting rankings. Once a class is full, course placement will be based on second choice and possibly third choice. There is no guarantee of first-choice course placement. We encourage families to review the course description together before ranking final decisions.

Yes, before care is available. Before care begins at 7:00 am for a drop-in fee of $5.00 per student/per day. Beforecare is sponsored by XANADU. Please note, payments for beforecare are separate from Xanadu tuition.

Yes, aftercare is available. Aftercare is sponsored by Preferred School Care. Parents must register with Preferred School Care before the 1st day of Xanadu. The registration fee is $20. Aftercare begins at 3:00 pm and ends at 6:00 pm daily. The after-care program focuses on technology, visual arts, fitness, and character education. After-care program
participants will receive an afternoon snack. The fee for aftercare is $70.00 per week Preferred School Care is a private entity and accepts all forms of payment for their services. Please note that payments for after care are separate from Xanadu tuition. Preferred School Care does not offer drop-in services.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the programming fees for each student.