Published: May 15, 2008 11:01 pm         

Academy at MSU announces expansion to K-12

Dr. Jill Hopkins, head of The Academy at Mountain State University, says the vision of offering a K-12 education has been in place since the independent school opened its doors in 2003.

“(MSU President) Dr. (Charles) Polk has had this vision all along and now the time is here,” Hopkins said.

Beginning next school year, the school will become a full-fledged K-12 institution.

“We’ve had a few open houses so far for the elementary level,” Hopkins said. “There has been a lot of parental interest and inquiries.”

Hopkins said applications for enrollment have already been received.

“We’ll only accept 15 students per class,” she said. “The kindergarten class and fourth grade are filling up fast, but were still accepting student applications for all grades.”

The expansion will not require any new facilities, Hopkins added.

“We have the room at our current facility and we will continue to use the resources available to us at the university,” she said.

Hopkins says that the university is a huge plus for the school and its students.

“The ability to use the university’s library to its computer labs helps our students get acclimated to a university environment as early as the ninth grade,” she said.

The school’s valedictorian this year will graduate with 45 college hour credits.

“All that’s free and those credits will transfer,” Hopkins said.

Also, because the school boasts a 15-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, Hopkins says relationships between the instructors and students are able to flourish.

“Our teachers are excellent and are committed to and believe in the mission of the academy, inspiring students and building confidence and an interest in learning,” she said.

The school currently has 102 students. The expanded grades will almost double that amount.

“We won’t take over 200 students,” Hopkins said.

To request an application packet, arrange for a student shadowing opportunity or take a tour of the facilities, call the academy at 929-1627 or visit the Web site at www.academy.mountainstate.edu.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com