Kentucky has created two separate dual enrollment/credit opportunities for high school students in the state. One is called Gatton Academy (http://www.wku.edu/academy/index.php) and is on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Gatton has expanded and now admits an incoming class of 100 students each year. The other is Craft Academy (http://www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy/) on the campus of Morehead State University.
The programs are very selective based on test scores and other academic criteria. Students apply during their sophomore year and if ultimately accepted they leave their high school and become full-time students at the respective college campus for their final two years of high school. They live in a separate dorm dedicated to the high school group, but they are taking college courses (with a STEM focus) alongside other undergraduates.
The entire cost of the program (tuition and fees, housing, meals, books, everything) is free to the accepted student and their family. The state fully funds the costs of each program.
Beyond just the ability to take a full slate of college level coursework, the kids get opportunities to do research, they are supported in applying for prestigious scholarships and competing in the various science competitions (Intel, Siemens, etc.), and there is the possibility to study abroad during summer and winter terms.
I am interested in knowing - if your son or daughter was eligible for the program and had a shot of getting in, would you support them in applying if they were interested? How would you evaluate this? What are the pros and cons in your opinion? Academically? Socially?
http://www.wku.edu/academy/documents/14-15_profile.pdf
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