WKU News

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU has been named to The Washington Post’s list of top-performing schools with elite students for the seventh consecutive year.

Since 1998, educational columnist Jay Mathews has ranked Washington-area public high schools using the Challenge Index, his measure of how effectively a school prepares its students for college. The Washington Post has since expanded its research and rankings to high schools across the United States.

The Challenge Index is designed to recognize schools that challenge average students. Twenty-five top-performing schools including The Gatton Academy were excluded from the regular list because, as the newspaper states, “their admissions and standardized test scores indicate they have few or no average students.” Instead, these schools are named to the top performing schools with elite students list.

Once again, The Gatton Academy found itself among the nation’s 25 most distinguished high schools. Schools such as the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, and Stuyvesant High School make perennial appearances on the top-performing schools with elite students list.

Dr. Lynette Breedlove, Director of The Gatton Academy, noted how Academy students can stand academically with students from some of the top schools in United States.

“It is an honor to be recognized along side some of the top schools in the nation,” said Breedlove.  “Our students certainly demonstrate their national competitiveness.  There are high ability students from across the Commonwealth who achieve at exemplary levels.  It is rewarding for Kentucky’s educational opportunities for these students to be highlighted on a national level.”

The Washington Post’s recognition highlighted the strategic partnership between The Gatton Academy and WKU. Gatton Academy students earn more than 60 hours of college credit from WKU during their four semesters in the program while also earning a high school diploma.

Dr. Julia Roberts, Executive Director of The Gatton Academy, praised WKU’s longstanding commitment to the program.

“Being listed as a top performing school with elite students is an honor for The Gatton Academy. Such recognition is a tribute to the faculty at WKU and to the staff at The Gatton Academy,” states Roberts.