PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGELessons Learned at the Gatton Academy

THE NUMBERS

100 students start kindergarten 78 graduate from high school 52 students will start college 37 will return the second year 30 will complete a 4 year degree within 6 years

Sources: HS Graduation Rate - 78.1%, USA Today, Jan 23, 2013; Percentage entering college - 66%, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012; Percentage of bachelor’s degrees finished in 6 years – 58% National Center for Education Statistics 2010.

WHAT ARE SCHOOLS PRESENTLY DOING

AP courses

IB curriculum

Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit

But same model of high school for the past century

THE CS—21ST CENTURY SKILLS

Context Critical reasoning Creative thinking Communication skills Collaboration skills Compassion Content that is relevant and meaningful

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL DYNAMICS

What is fundamentally different between high school and college?

How do students make the transition to autonomy and choice?

How do students see themselves in the college environment?

What is their motivation to complete a degree?

GATTON APPROACH

Academically: Raise the roof, or, just remove it Provide relevant/contextual opportunities Hold students accountable Provide substantial support Broadening the choice of available courses Encourage students to explore interests

GATTON RESEARCH PROGRAM

Mentored research projects Summer Programs Competitions Scholarships

GATTON ACADEMY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Costa Rica England Greece/Italy STEM + Arabic and STEM + Chinese Community-wide Experiences National Security Language Initiative for Youth

scholarships

GATTON APPROACH

Socially/Emotionally: Treat students like young adults Provide strong counseling services Teach appropriate skills and behaviors Hold students accountable for their own behavior

STILL… A COLLEGE TRANSITION IS AHEAD

Naviance Family Connection Method Test Prep Not Just College-Prep Focused…

Graduate School-Prep Focused