New high school will be big on sciences
In Utah County, those students will soon have a high school tailor-made for their needs. The Utah County Academy of Sciences is an early college high school that emphasizes mathematics, engineering and the sciences and will provide students with the opportunity to do college-level work in those subjects while attending high school.
The school, which will open for classes next fall, will enroll approximately 100 students per grade, and the curriculum will be largely composed of math, engineering and science classes taught at nearby Utah Valley State College.
UCAS is a public charter school, created in partnership with UVSC and the Alpine, Provo and Nebo school districts as one of six New Century High Schools authorized by the Utah State Legislature. Former Gov. Mike Leavitt and current Gov. Olene Walker urged the creation of these smaller high schools that work with colleges and universities to encourage math, science and engineering.
Students attending UCAS will pay fees similar to those charged in other area public high schools. Athletic, music and drama programs will not be offered by UCAS, but the school will attempt to accommodate participation in certain activities at the students' home high schools. UCAS will have clubs and student body officers, who will plan school activities and dances.
Nielson said the school cannot meet its main objectives and at the same time offer all the programs regular high schools do. "We think if they want to do sports, they're better off in a 4A or 5A high school anyway, where they can really have the competition," Nielson said.
The school is receiving $500,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will mostly cover start-up costs, for its first year of operation. Afterward, the state will take over funding, paying students' tuition at UVSC. The school will be located in a building owned by UVSC — formerly Vineyard Elementary — which UCAS is leasing from the school.
Nielson and UCAS principal Clark Baron call UVSC "an outstanding partner."
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