Gatton Academy Welcomes Prospective Students at Preview Weekend

by Elaine Flynn, Academy Avatar

On September 26, 2009, families from across the state came to visit Gatton Academy for the first of three scheduled Preview Weekends this year. Sophomores and other students from around Kentucky who are interested in the Academy’s atypical approach to high school experienced a day that would give them more information about the Academy than a brochure could give. Students were welcomed by the staff as they learned about the program in greater detail. Next, these students and parents were able to tour Schneider Hall, students home-away-from-home at Western Kentucky University. Ending the day, current seniors and parents of students in the academy welcomed questions during the question and answer panel.

One of the major concerns for students and their parents was the issue of personal safety. Academy staff members responded that the security of students is a top priority—both physically and emotionally. As these families noted, the amount of effort taken to keep students safe is worth every bit of it. Having to scan in and out of the dorm (since the doors are locked to all unless they have a card) and special precautions if signing off campus are just a few of the safety measures here. This was one of the many perks that parents felt comfortable with, allowing their children to attend the Academy; without seeing it first hand, many parents had been skeptical.

During the question and answer panel, prospect students and parents were able to ask about other issues that affect current students and may affect them.  Often times these questions deal with the distance from home, courses, the overall high school experience, and how difficult it was to adjust. The insight given from this panel helps all with decisions about the Academy.

For families who haven’t had a chance to come to a Preview Weekend, these sessions are great ways to find out if the Academy may be the right place to finish high school based on their student’s needs. For some students, this place isn’t where they are supposed to be. They may already get the chance to be challenged, or seeing what the Academy is in person may cause them to realize it isn’t the place for them.  That is why it is strongly encouraged of prospect students to visit Gatton Academy, so that they can get a sense of what it is like to be here. Just like a college visit should make a student feel that you are at the right place, so should the Academy.

Academy director Tim Gott expressed the preparation students need before coming to the Academy and the adventure that is ahead during the closing of the day: “Parents, do your students have enough roots, is it time for them to fly? Students, are you ready to fly?”  Yet, how do you know where to fly if you’ve not seen it yet?

Additional Preview Weekends have been scheduled for November 14, 2009, and January 30, 2010. you will be extremely welcomed. If these days do not fit into your schedules, check www.wku.edu/academy for dates of information sessions closer to students’ hometowns.

Class of 2012, Parents, preview weekend, student panel