Gatton Academy Named to Newsweek’s List of ‘Pubilc Elites’

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University has been named to Newsweek’s 2009 list of “The Public Elites.”

Each spring, Newsweek recognizes the top 5 percent of public schools as measured by the Challenge Index ratio devised by Washington Post Education Columnist Jay Mathews. The ratio is the number of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a school in the previous year divided by the number of graduating seniors.   This year, Newsweek recognized 1,500 schools from across the country.

The Challenge Index is designed to recognize schools that challenge average students. Top-performing schools, such as The Gatton Academy, were excluded from the regular list of well-performing high schools because of their exceptional quality.  Specialized schools are, instead, acknowledged by The Public Elites.

Though 15 Kentucky high schools appear on Newsweek’s list of top-performing high schools, Dr. Julia Roberts, executive director of the Gatton Academy, noted the Gatton Academy marks the first occasion in which a Kentucky high school has been recognized as a member of The Public Elites.

“What an incredible honor for the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky to be named one of Newsweek’s Public Elite Schools,” Dr. Roberts said. “The Gatton Academy’s goal is to provide exceptional educational opportunities to young people from across the Commonwealth who are talented in science and mathematics.  Such an honor will help spread the word of the quality of the education at the Gatton Academy.”

The Gatton Academy now finds itself among the nation’s most distinguished high schools.  Schools such as the Bronx High School of Science (New York), Illinois Math Science Academy, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and Thomas Jefferson High School (Virginia) make perennial appearances on the list.  These schools, along with the Gatton Academy, are members of the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary Schools of Math, Science, and Technology (NCSSSMST).

According to Tim Gott, the Gatton Academy’s director and NCSSSMST board member, Kentucky’s outstanding students have emerged as leaders in academics, research, and service among many of the nation’s brightest young minds.

“A major affirmation for our program is that we are listed with several schools that are NCSSSMST members,” Gott said.  “Working with NCSSSMST provides a phenomenal support network that allows our students to be peers with other outstanding students from across the nation.  Early on, we used these other schools as role models in developing our program.  It is extremely gratifying to find ourselves rising to the same standard as these outstanding institutions.”

A unique element of the Gatton Academy is that all coursework is provided through WKU.  As part of the rigorous curriculum, students earn more than 60 hours of college credit during their four semesters in the program while also earning a high school diploma.

“One of the major elements of our success is our partnership with WKU,” Gott said. “Through the outstanding faculty and staff on campus, we are able to remove the ceiling of learning so that all students can engage in appropriately challenging coursework.  Likewise, our students can participate in authentic research that addresses relevant issues in areas such as alternative energy sources, environmental factors, new frontiers in astrophysics, and biomedical applications.  These relationships through WKU are enabling our students to emerge as key voices in the future of science and math.”

Corey Alderdice, assistant director for admissions and public relations, said the Gatton Academy is an educational possibility for high-ability Kentucky students from across the state.  All Kentucky sophomores are welcome to apply to the program through a competitive admissions process.  To date, the Gatton Academy has admitted students from 87 of the 120 counties across the Commonwealth.

“Though Newsweek’s list is called ‘The Public Elites,’ the Gatton Academy is not an exclusive opportunity,” Alderdice said.  “We’re proud that our program represents the diverse geography, ethnicity, and social backgrounds of the state.  This is truly Kentucky’s academy.”