Our Mission
More than a learning center, Ardent is an open community to connect gifted youth from all sides — public, private, and home schools. We partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and businesses to provide meaningful development opportunities for each of our students.
We incorporate hands-on coaching techniques with top educational programs, designed to challenge brilliant minds. In addition, we offer support to build character, develop talents, discover passions, promote collaboration, and apply leadership to recognize each student's unique qualities and abilities.
Through individual excellence and team building, Ardent provides a nurturing environment for gifted youth to explore, expand, and excel in their journey of learning.
Our Founder, Dr. James Li
An accomplished researcher in instructional design, a professor of educational computing, and a founder of award-winning e-learning and knowledge management companies, Dr. Li has over twenty years of professional experience in designing and delivering innovative learning solutions for many leading corporations worldwide. Combining his expertise in training the 21st century workforce with a lifelong passion in learning, Dr. Li has advocated for gifted education through direct personal involvement over the years. Consequently, he soon found his calling in identifying and educating talented youth.
Dr. Li received his Ph.D in Educational Psychology and Technology and M.S. in Computer Science from University of Southern California. He has a B.S. in Physics and Informatics from East China Normal University, Shanghai. In 1982, he won a national scholarship competition to study in the United States. As a business executive, his company was ranked one of the top 500 fastest growing technology companies in 1999 and won the multimedia company of the year award in 2001. Before starting his own business, Dr. Li was a professor at Utah State University. As a scholar, he has published more than 30 articles, 3 book chapters, and over 100 conference presentations on topics ranging from instructional design, educational computing, object-oriented programming, and artificial intelligence.
