Twenty-six rising sophomores from Alamance County high schools will comprise the inaugural class of the Elon Academy, an enrichment program for academically talented students on the Elon University campus that opens Sunday, June 17. Details...
Students and their families will move into residence halls at 2 p.m., before an opening ceremony at 5 p.m., in Whitley Auditorium. Robyn Hadley, executive director of the What’s After High School Initiative with the Alamance-Burlington School System, will deliver the keynote address.
Students will participate in a ropes course challenge session at Cedar Rock Park from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 18. That afternoon, students will visit Belk Library and other campus locations for orientation sessions.
Formal classes begin Tuesday, June 19 with a special opening breakfast from 8 to 8:45 a.m., at Fonville Fountain.
Modeled after similar programs at Princeton, Furman and Vanderbilt universities, the Elon Academy will include academic programs in math, English, social studies, science and technology. Courses include The Brain: A User’s Guide, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to teach students about the human brain and promote the idea that science is fun. In Forensic Math, students will learn problem-solving skills by tackling topics such as geometric probability, coding and graph theory. Other courses include a writing workshop, technology applications, and electives such as music, dance and athletic conditioning.
Students will be exposed to a variety of educational and career opportunities during two field trip days. On Wednesday, June 27, students will visit the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina A&T State University and attend a special etiquette dinner with Brenda Hampton. Field trip stops on Wednesday, July 11 include the Elon School of Law, Guilford County Courthouse, a career exploration workshop at The Depot in Greensboro, and the Burlington Times-News.
Deborah Long, faculty administrative fellow and assistant to the president, serves as director of the Elon Academy. Other administrators include Rich Mihans, assistant director of academic programs; Darris Means, assistant director of student life and leadership development; and Kimberly Johnson, assistant director of college planning. Several Elon students and faculty members, along with other educators in the area, will mentor students and teach classes in the program.
The Elon Academy is a year-round program for students in the Alamance-Burlington School System who have financial need or have no family history of college attendance. The year-round program will combine three intensive four-week summer residential experiences at Elon with a variety of academic activities throughout the school year. The goal is to inspire and empower students to attend four-year colleges or universities, and go on to assume leadership roles in their communities.
Each summer, approximately 25 rising sophomores will be admitted to the academy. These students will continue with the program until their high school graduation. By the third year of the program, about 70 students will be enrolled. All students are enrolled at no cost.