What it Takes to Be the Best

Josh Stewart

Recently, the Gatton Academy was named America’s top high school by The Daily Beast for the third year in a row. This astounding accomplishment was made possible by the hard work and commitment of each and every Gatton Academy student and staff member. It is thrilling to receive such a high commendation yet again.

For the students of Gatton, though, national rankings aren’t necessarily our top priority. For us, rankings come less as a goal we set to achieve, but more as a result of each person’s hard work and diligence. Dr. Lynette Breedlove, the Director here at Gatton, says, “It’s a bonus.” For us, this is a reward for the countless hours of studying and research each student participates in. It is a reward for the work and dedication each staff member invests in every student. It is a validation of the excellence we strive for each and every day.

One of the major contributing factors to which we can attribute our success is the outstanding support system we have as students. “It’s important to be student-centered,” says Dr. Breedlove. “The focus is on providing opportunities and support for students. The environment and partnership we have with WKU provides an opportunity for students to thrive and reach their optimal level of challenge. For very talented kids, you need to provide a supportive structure. It is important to maintain a good balance of providing for emotional needs and academic challenge.” We are not only attending college two years early as juniors and seniors in high school, we are doing things such as undergraduate research and studying abroad. Out of the 66 students in the class of 2015, 85% have studied abroad. We have Siemens Competition semi-finalists; we have numerous Goldwater recipients; we have National Merit Scholars. The talent displayed throughout the student body is simply astounding.

And of course, this is also a very prestigious honor. Dr. Breedlove says, “It’s exciting and I’m thrilled for the staff and the students because I think it increases available opportunities.” This ranking helps students in their search for internships, competitive scholarships, and colleges. Our applications stand out because those reviewing the applications know what Gatton Academy students have achieved and are capable of accomplishing. They know that we have what it takes to make Gatton Academy the number one public high school in the United States. It gives us a competitive edge. It is an example of how we can do anything we set our minds to, because how many students can say that they go to the number one high school in America? The answer is 128 of Kentucky’s best and brightest.