At Woodford County High School

At Woodford County High School

THE

Academy

at Woodford County High School

…the Gold Standard

science, technology, engineerinG, and math

fine and perfOrming arts

Liberal arts

providing a rigorous eDucational opportunity

in collaboration with Georgetown College

Description and Purpose of

The Academy at Woodford County High School

  • The Academy promotes academic excellence and a rigorous educational opportunity all four years of high school.
  • The Academy is structured around two broad areas of study: STEM(science, technology, engineering, and math)and Liberal Arts.
  • The Academy creates opportunities for students to pursue a pathway of interest through electives while receiving a well-rounded core educational foundation.
  • All Academy students take hallmark courses that are collaborative in nature to promote critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. Addressing the Academy’s purpose to provide a well-rounded education, these courses require students to research, design, implement, and present projects in the sciences and liberal arts.
  • The Academy offers the only “at home and on campus” college experience in Kentucky.
  • This “early college” experience is only available to Academy seniors.
  • Academy seniors attending Georgetown can earn up to 20 hours of college credit.

Advantages of The Academy

  • The Pre-Academy and Academy are unique academic ventures that provide more students with enrichment opportunities.
  • Academy students build distinctive academic qualifications.
  • Academy students who attend Georgetown integrate fully with college students in higher level courses.
  • Academy seniors attending Georgetown benefit from a 78% tuition discount compared to other Georgetown College students and a 43% discount compared to University of Kentucky students.
  • The Academy creates a senior year experience that is unique, rigorous and that caters to the student’s interests.
  • The Academy expands opportunities for students to work closely with instructors and professionals in specialized pathways.
  • Academy students are invited to attend specific events to meet with college admissions counselors and professionals.
  • Since enrollment in the academy is through a selective application process, students in “The Academy” will be able to highlight this appointment on applications for college admissions and scholarships.
  • Academy students receive special recognition at graduation.

The Pathway Framework

Liberal Arts / STEM / Fine Arts
International Studies
Students who have a propensity for foreign language and/or studying different cultures. / Biotechnical/Biomedical
Students interested in pursuing medical, agriculture, or science fields. An emphasis will be placed on Advanced Placement science classes. Students who are strong in math and science. / Instrumental Music
Vocal Music
Visual Art
Theater Arts
Students who enjoy and show talent in the area of instrumental or vocal music, visual arts or theater arts. Students will participate in performance events as well as advanced fine arts courses. As part of The Academy, all students are expected to complete a rigorous curriculum in addition to the selected arts courses.
**A special application process involving an audition and/or a portfolio is required.
Social Sciences
Students who desire a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum. An emphasis will be placed on advanced placement courses from a variety of subject areas. / Engineering
Students interested in pursuing engineering as a career. An emphasis will be placedon engineering electives as well as on Advanced Placement math and science courses. Students adept in math, science, and technology.
Communications and
Media Arts
Students who excel in written and oral communication. An emphasis will be placed on English electives such as: media, newspaper, yearbook, etc.
  • Pathways are simply areas of emphasis that a student may be interested in pursuing as part of their high school curriculum through their elective and/or core choices.
  • Pathways are NOT necessarily the majors that a student will pursue in their college careers but are designed to allow exploration of those fields.

The Application Process

The Academy System is a two-step application process at the high school.

Step 1: 8th Grade Application Process

The first application is completed by 8th graders interested in applying to The Academy at Woodford County High School.

Students applying for The Academy for the 2015-2016 school year must submit the following by February 9, 2015.

  • Academy Application
  • Current school schedule
  • 8th grade 1st semester report card

All paperwork can be submitted to the WCMS or WCHS Guidance Office:

Woodford County High School

Guidance Office

180 Frankfort Street

Versailles, KY 40383

Additional pieces to be submitted

  • Teacher recommendations (2 recommendations are required)-Teachers must submit recommendations by February 27, 2015 to WCMS or WCHS guidance.
  • Additional audition/portfolios are required for Fine Arts students.

Fine Arts students will be contacted in April for audition/portfolio submissions.

Notification of selection decisions will be made by mail to all applicant’s homes in early May.

Step 2: 11th Grade Application Process

The second application is completed by 11th graders who wish to be considered for attendance at Georgetown College in their senior year.

Students applying for the “Early College” experience at Georgetown College for the 2015-2016 school year must submit the following by April 20, 2015.

  • Early College Application
  • PLAN/ACT Test Record

Additionally, student must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum ACT Composite Score: 26 or PLAN equivalent
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Completion of at least 4 AP Courses(5 AP courses will be required for class of 2017 and beyond)

**In the fall of 2014, a pilot group ofstudents were selected to attend Georgetown College; in the fall of 2015, as many as 40 students will be able to attend.

The Academy 4-Year Plan

Minimum
Requirements / 9th / 10th / 11th / 12th
English
4 credits / (Adv) English II / (Adv) English III
or AP English Lang / (Adv) English IV,
AP English Lang
or AP English Lit / Senior English Capstone
at WCHS or GC
Math
4 credits / (Adv) Geometry
Or
(Pre-AP)Algebra II / (Pre-AP)Algebra II
Or
(Adv)Pre-Calculus / (Adv) Pre-Calculus,
AP Calculus,
or AP Statistics / AP Calculus AB or AP Calc BC/Calc II,
AP Statistics
or math at GC
Science
3 credits / (Adv) Int Science I,
(Adv) Int Science II / (Adv) Int Science II,
(Adv/AP) Biology
Or
AP Chemistry / (AP) Biology,
(Adv) Biology,
(AP) Chemistry,
or (AP) Physics / Elective
Social Studies
3 credits / (Adv) Gov’t/Econ
AP Gov’t/Econ / (AP) World History
AP World History / (Adv) U.S. History
(AP) U.S. History / Elective
Health/PE
1 credit
*typically completed in 9th / Health/PE / Elective / Elective / Elective
Arts&Humanities
1 credit
*typically completed by 10th / Elective / Arts&Humanities / Elective / Elective
General Electives
10 credits / Elective / Elective / Elective / Elective
Signature
Academy Electives
2 credits / Foundational
Academy Elective / Foundational Academy Elective / Elective / Elective
Total Credits = 28 / **sample 4-year plan for Class of 2019**

*12th grade Academy student@WCHS: Students will complete 4 Capstone courses on campuse at WCHS.

*12th grade Academy student@GC: Students studying at Georgetown College will complete up to 20 hours of college course work and at least 2 high school courses.

**Sample 12th grade daily schedule of senior Academy students attending Georgetown College

Block / Black Day Schedule / Gold Day Schedule
1st / Classes at Geogetown College / Classes at Geogetown College
2nd
3rd
4th / Class at WCHS-
Student can select from any course offered during this block:
core classes(eng, math, sci, social studies), performance classes(band, art),
career&tech classes(foods, ag, eng, business), AP courses, media, or school service / Class at WCHS-
Student can select from any course offered during this block:
core classes(eng, math, sci, social studies), performance classes(band, art),
career&tech classes(foods, ag, eng, business), AP courses, media, or school service

Monday,Wednesday,Friday: 2 classes at Georgetown College + 1 class at WCHS

Tuesday, Thursday: 1 class at Georgetown College + 1 class at WCHS

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