The School was founded in 1976 and named for Dr. Martin W. Essex, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1966 to 1976. Now in its third decade, this one-week residential program emphasizes leadership and social responsibility for students with exceptional abilities.

The Essex School fosters personal and interpersonal growth through activities that enhance student academic learning, cultivate leadership and social responsibility, and allow for the exploration of a variety of vocational opportunities.

Gifted eleventh-grade students, who will be seniors during the following school year, are eligible to submit applications to their superintendents. A district’s superintendent is permitted to forward one application for each 10,000 ADM, or fraction thereof, in the school district’s jurisdiction. As part of the application, nominees write a 150-word short answer essay and compose an extended essay of up to 500 words in length. Additionally, applicants select two of their teachers to rate them in the areas of scholarship, leadership and social responsibility. Selection committee members evaluate each student’s essay and teacher recommendations.

The Essex School is held annually at The Ohio State University, during the summer months. The curriculum consists of seminars and workshops in a variety of topics including the arts, sciences and humanities. Students are encourage to participate in extended projects, such as a talent show, a magazine that chronicles the events of the week and a survey study. The overall curriculum is designed to provide enrichment opportunities that reach beyond the average high school experience.