PK - 12 Schools
Languages:
- Arabic,Chinese Mandarin,Russian
High school
Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
Gatton Academy STEM + Critical Languages Institute Background
The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky is an 11th/12th grade publicly-funded program. Through a selective process, 100 Kentuckians per grade are accepted. Students are selected from all walks of life, from rural and urban corners of Kentucky (over 25% Appalachian). In a fully-residential environment on Western Kentucky University's (WKU) campus, students complete high school enrolled in early college classes in lieu of traditional 11th/12th grade years. The Academy endeavors to provide advanced students with demonstrated STEM interests a rigorous environment to pursue their learning through college classes, mentored research, and among motivated peers. The model has been recognized by the Washington Post, Newsweek, Intel, the Daily Beast, and others since its 2007 opening.
Our STEM + Critical Language program was imagined in 2012. Through the first Mandarin Chinese track, students had the opportunity to take an increasingly-rigorous, collegiate-level Chinese course each of their four semesters at The Gatton Academy through WKU's Modern Languages department or Chinese Flagship with optional study abroad. Besides their language study, the cohort took the program's demanding STEM curriculum and performed mentored STEM research too. Upon immediate success, the school created STEM + Critical Language tracks in Arabic (2013) and Russian (2017).
The goal of STEM + Critical Languages is simple. STEM professionals are needed to fulfill high-need areas. So too are critical language learners! Students equipped with both skill sets are readied to fulfill an incredible niche to tackle issues of national security and to promote international economic development opportunities.
To date, 77 students have graduated from the tracks (44 Chinese, 21 Arabic, 12 Russian). Another 56 are currently enrolled in the 2020-21 academic year (22 Chinese, 22 Russian, 12 Arabic).
Our STEM + Critical Language tracks are replicable for any high school that has a collegiate partner with critical language offerings.
- Access
- Accountability
- Keys to Access & Accountability
Improve Access for all learners in more languages
Actively Recruit HULs
Yes
Strategies to Recruit HULs
Local recruitment campaigns targeting specific communities or learners
Increase Accountability by effectively meeting all learner needs
Does your program publish description of its language program’s goals and requirements?
Yes
Certain aspects of programming help ensure both Access and Accountability and merit more specific inquiry, including Teaching, Immersion Learning, and Partnerships.
Institution Information
Urbanicity
Urban
Levels
High school
Groups Over 10%
Economically disadvantaged students
Free & Reduced Lunch
10 %
Authorized IB World School
No
Title I School
No
Second Language Requirement
Yes