Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics explained

Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
Motto:Imagining. Inventing. Impacting Kentucky.
Address:260 University Blvd.
City:Morehead
State:Kentucky
Zipcode:40351
Country:USA
Pushpin Map:Kentucky
Director:Carol Christian
Ceeb:181849
Type:Public, boarding, dual enrollment
Grades:1112
Athletics:Intramural only
Colors:Blue and Gold
Enrollment:146
Enrollment As Of:April 2021

The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics (simply Craft Academy) is a two-year residential early college high school serving approximately 146 academically exceptional high school juniors and seniors at Morehead State University (MSU). The students live in Craft Hall and earn dual credits as they complete their last two years of high school at the Academy while at the same time taking at least 60 credit hours of college-level courses, with tuition, room and board, and meal plan all free of charge. The Academy is funded in large part by Joe Craft and Ambassador Kelly Craft, who have donated over $10 million to the Academy, the largest donation in MSU history.

Founding and funding

Kelly Craft and Joe Craft co-founded the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics in 2015.[1] It is a two-year residential early college high school serving approximately 146 academically exceptional high school juniors and seniors at Morehead State University (MSU).[2] When students complete the two-year program, they will have earned both a high school diploma and at least 60 college credit hours, free of charge.[3] Tuition, room and board, and meal plan are free for students.[4]

The Crafts' initial $4 million pledge in support of the Academy was the single-largest cash gift in the history of MSU.[5] In 2019, Joe Craft and his wife Kelly Craft committed an additional $3.5 million across five years.[6] By 2019 they had committed over $10 million to the Academy.[6] Their contributions to the Academy are the largest donation in MSU history.[2]

The Academy is supported by a public-private partnership between the Crafts and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.[7]

History

Students live in Craft Hall on campus and take MSU classes during their time at the Academy, graduating with a Craft Academy high school diploma as well as at least 60 hours of MSU college credit.[8] The Craft Academy specializes in providing "a unique academic and social high school experience that will better prepare [students] for college".[9]

The first graduating Class of 2017 included 55 students. The Academy originally admitted 60 students to each of the first five classes, but has begun increasing class size in accordance with an increase in state funding.

In 2019, the Academy graduated its third class, with an average ACT score of 31.[10] Of its 50 graduates, 35 scored 31 or higher.[10]

In 2021, it was named among the top elite public schools in the nation by The Washington Post Education Editor Jay Mathews, and was certified by Cognia, provider of assessment services, as an elite STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program.[2]

The Academy admitted 69 students to its Class of 2023.[11]

The Academy was formerly located in Grote-Thompson Hall, but has since moved to the recently renovated Craft Hall (formerly Alumni Hall).

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Life As Trump's Envoy In Ottawa Hasn't Been Easy On Kelly Craft, Friends Say. July 4, 2018. HuffPost Canada. Althia Raj.
  2. Web site: Morehead State University: Morehead State's Craft Academy continues to grow. April 22, 2021. Morehead State News.
  3. Web site: First Class Opportunity. Jackie Hollenkamp. Bentley. February 3, 2021. Kentucky Monthly.
  4. Web site: Craft Academy launches its first graduates. July 2017. Madelynn Coldiron. KSBA.
  5. Web site: Morehead State to start residential high school for gifted students . Lexington Herald Leader. 2017-08-03.
  6. Web site: Morehead State receives additional $3.5M commitment for Craft Academy . Lane Report. October 18, 2019 . 2020-11-17. en-US.
  7. Web site: James. Mike. Plans for Craft Academy unveiled. April 11, 2014 . 2020-11-17. The Independent . en.
  8. Web site: Morehead State University: Craft Academy. moreheadstate.edu. 2017-08-03.
  9. Web site: Craft Academy - Prospective Students. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180803185920/http://www.moreheadstate.edu/Academics/Craft-Academy/Prospective-Students . August 3, 2018 . 2020-11-17. moreheadstate.edu.
  10. Web site: Morehead State to receive additional money for the Craft Academy. Tom. Kenny. October 19, 2019. WTVQ.
  11. Web site: Craft Academy announces Class of 2023. Hagan. Wells. May 27, 2021. WTVQ.