Wasatch Academy: Difference between revisions

Wasatch Academy
Wasatch Academy
Location
	Mt. Pleasant, Utah; United States
Information
Type	Independent, Coeducational, and College Preparatory School
Established	1875
Founder	Dr. Duncan McMillan
CEEB code	333580
Grades	8-12
Enrollment	250
Campus	Small Town
Color(s)	Black, Orange
Mascot	Tiger
Website	http://www.wacad.org
	Chinese students only

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39°32′40″N 111°27′30″W / 39.54444°N 111.45833°W / 39.54444; -111.45833

Wasatch Academy is Utah’s only independent, coeducational, college preparatory boarding school for grades 8-12. Founded in 1875 by Duncan McMillan, Wasatch Academy sought to improve the lives of the people of the Sanpete Valley through education. McMillan, who famously said, “Let it endure like the Wasatch Mountains, call it Wasatch Academy,” provided educational opportunities where previously none existed.^[1] The current Head of School is Joseph Loftin, who celebrated 20 years of leadership in April 2009.

Campus

Wasatch Academy consists of the Loftin-Lewis Student Center, Craighead Humanities Building, Reemtsma Mathematics and Science Building, the recently completed Anne N. Coltharp Center for Evolving Technologies, the Multi-Purpose Building (which houses the school’s main gymnasium, and its music and visual art classrooms), the Tigers Den Performing Arts Center (with a complete renovation completed in Spring Semester 2010), six residence halls, an administration building, a wellness center, a coffeehouse, and an additional off-campus gymnasium.

The majority of the faculty live in school-owned housing surrounding the campus.

The school also has a new campus in Ruian, China, as a part of a newly inaugurated joint educational venture with Ruian High School. This program, the license for which is the first ever granted by the Chinese Ministry of Education, will provide top Chinese students with a dual diploma, one from Ruian High School and one from Wasatch Academy.

Student body

As an international academy, Wasatch Academy enrolls students from more than 30 nations and upwards of 22 states. The 2008-2009 academic year closed with an enrollment of 231 students total: 7 faculty students, 15 day students, and 209 boarding students.

Countries represented include Afghanistan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Macau, Mali, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Though most of the students are from China.

States represented include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

Academic Program

Academics

Academic classes are structured after the university model, where a passion for learning and a dedication to critical thinking is encouraged through thoughtful participation, leadership, and good citizenship, both morally and ethically. The median student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1.

Wasatch Academy is recognized as a School of Distinction ^[2] by the All Kinds of Minds Institute for its full implementation of and dedication to Schools Attuned methodologies.

- Schools Attuned: All full-time teachers and dormitory parents are certified and trained in Schools Attuned methodologies. Schools Attuned, a teacher training and certification program developed by the All Kinds of Minds Institute, employs a Neurodevelopmental Framework and approach to assess learning strengths and help students gauge how they learn best. This strength-based approach helps students transform their learning and gives them the self-assessing tools required for college.

- Learning Strategies: This specialized program, available to all Wasatch Academy students, provides a setting where professionally-trained teachers work individually with students to reinforce strong points, address perceived weaknesses, and fill in educational gaps to maximize student success.

- Study Halls: Every night from Sunday to Thursday, students devote two hours to completing homework, fulfilling reading assignments, and studying for exams. The school’s built-in study halls ensure that work gets done on time, and help students internalize time management skills needed for college success. Study Halls occur in the residence halls (generalized instruction) and in open classrooms (specialized instruction by topic).

- Tutoring is also available in most disciplines to provide one-on-one support to struggling students.

AP Offerings

In addition to its college preparatory curriculum, Wasatch Academy offers the following Advanced Placement courses: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, United States History, Calculus A/B, Calculus B/C, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics, Psychology and Computer Science.

Extracurricular Offerings and Recreation

Extracurricular course offerings include fencing, rock climbing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, debate, skateboarding, BMX biking, hiking, ultimate Frisbee, kayaking, strength training, student government, horseback riding, canoeing, aikido, iaido, swimming/lifesaving, whitewater rafting, paintball, literary magazine, journalism, and student ambassador and prefect programs. Weekend recreation is emphasized at Wasatch Academy. In addition to the extracurricular courses offered, students may sign up for trips to the movies, dinners, larger malls, amusement parks, skiing/snowboarding trips, and various cultural events. The school offers weekend activities, such as midnight movies and community service projects, on campus as well.

Residential Life

The Wasatch Academy Residential Life faculty is dedicated strictly to supporting student life in the residence halls, without separate, external assignments and responsibilities. Residential Life faculty, or Dorm Parents, are trained in the social sciences, and teach a curriculum designed to complement the academic program, educating students about personal care, responsibility for one’s actions and possessions (and consideration of the actions and possessions of others), and topics in growth and development, health and hygiene, and respect and social awareness.

Advisory System

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who hopes to become the student’s academic, social, and emotional advocate. The relationships between advisors and advisees are meant to facilitate academic and social progress. Advisors serve as mentors to students. Advisors remain in close and frequent communication with parents, and carefully observe the social and academic aspects of each student’s life. Advisors provide an additional resource to address any concerns or problems that students may experience.

Athletics

Wasatch Academy is a member of the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) in the 1A category of Utah high schools, as determined by size and geographic region ^[3]. Students are required to participate in at least one competitive sport per year, and are encouraged to be involved in all three seasons of athletics. Certain extracurricular offerings (such as fencing or rock climbing) may satisfy the athletics requirement, provided that the criteria for the number of performances or competitions are met.

Varsity practices are scheduled during the afternoon class. Games and competitions may be scheduled during evenings and on weekends. Students must hold extracurricular eligibility to be allowed to participate in competition.

Student athletes can earn a letter by meeting the criteria set by their coach and the Athletic Department. Letter winners receive their letters at the end of each season.

Boys’ Athletic offerings include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, equestrian, golf, paintball, snowboarding, soccer, tennis, and track and field.

Girls’ Athletic offerings include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, equestrian, golf, paintball, soccer, snowboarding, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Recent athletic accomplishments include:

- Girls Tennis Team placed fourth in state in 2009

- 3 Varsity Snowboarders qualified to compete at the 2009 USASA Snowboarding National Championships at Copper Mountain, Colorado

- Girls Varsity Volleyball Team placed second in region in 2009

- Boys Basketball Team placed first in the region in 2010

Fine and Performing Arts

Creative outlets for students include ballet, jazz, modern dance, hip-hop, Pilates, yoga, choreography, photography, graphic design, interior design, ceramics, stained glass, painting, drawing, sculpture, art appreciation, small group ensemble, guitar, piano, drums, play production, stagecraft, acting/comedy, theatre, and film.

Wasatch Academy recently completed the renovation of a building devoted to the performing arts.

Technology

Wasatch Academy provides a wireless campus in recognition of the global demand for rapid access to information. The school requires its students to use Mac laptops. Faculty tailor assignments to integrate technology and learning. In all grades, the curriculum is vertically sequenced and horizontally integrated through online curriculum mapping. Content and skills are thus scaffolded, and the English, Social Studies, Science, and Art curricula parallel each other where appropriate in an effort to help students make connections between disciplines.

The school’s newly built Center for Evolving Technologies provides students with the same high quality equipment employed by industry professionals. Courses offer include Desktop Publishing, Web Design, Film and Video Editing, Broadcasting, Linux, Computer Fundamentals I & II, Digital Audio Lab, Media Literacy, Digital Music Theory, Advanced Computer Study and Robotics, Intro to Programming, and Computer Gaming Activity. The school plans to offer a course in Programming in the imminent future.

Honor Code Statement

The Wasatch Academy family lives together in a nurturing community where dignity, care, and respect are the norm. As individuals, we contribute our talents, voices, cultures, and perspectives to inspire one another to succeed.

Student Conduct and Honor Code

The Wasatch Academy Honor Code requires that students conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and regard for others. The code also promotes a spirit of freedom that students may not otherwise experience. Students are expected to report observations of inappropriate conduct to the faculty or administration. Specifically, students pledge to follow all school rules, and not lie, cheat, steal, or do physical, mental, or emotional harm to others or to property, nor tolerate the actions of those who do. An Honor Code violation may be considered a major infraction and may be referred to the student-run Honor Council, which acts as a “jury of one’s peers,” working in conjunction with the Dean of Students for most cases or the Dean of Academics for purely academic issues.

Student Leadership and Organizations

- National Honor Society: Wasatch Academy embraces the standards of excellence established by the NHS. Students must qualify scholastically and demonstrate outstanding qualifications in the areas of leadership, service, and character.

- Mu Alpha Theta: Charter member since 2008.

- Amnesty International

- Student Council (STUCO): Executive positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, International Representative, Commissioner of Pep, and Recreation Coordinator.

- Honor Council: Positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, and Member.

- Prefect Program: This is a student leadership program that offers a training course (and continued education) to motivated students who have been at Wasatch Academy for at least one semester and have proven themselves to be model citizens through their responsibility, dependability, and effective skills in communication.

- Athletic Team Leaders: Varsity Team Captains, Team Managers.

- Class Leaders: President, Vice President, Secretary, STUCO Representative.

- Residential Student Advisory Committee

- Student Ambassadors

- Dining Hall Advisory Committee

- Yearbook Editor and Assistant Editors

Graduation Requirements

Overall, students must earn a minimum of 24 academic credits, and must be enrolled for their entire senior year, during which time they must earn a minimum of six academic credits in order to graduate.

Eight Semesters of English and Math: The school requires eight semesters of English (I, II, III, and IV). International students must complete English III to obtain a regular diploma, or English II for an ESL diploma. Students must also complete eight semesters of Math, with a minimum successful completion of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.

Six semesters of History and Science: The school requires six semesters of History/Social Sciences, two of which are dedicated to US History. Freshmen and sophomores must complete a full two-year sequence of Global Studies. Students must also complete six semesters of Science. Two semesters in Biology are required; Chemistry and/or Physics are strongly recommended.

Four semesters of International Languages and Fine Arts: The school recommends six semesters dedicated to the study of a foreign language to all students, with a minimum of four semesters (in the same language) required for graduation. Honors Program students are required to study six semesters of a foreign language. Students must also complete four semesters in Fine Arts.

College Placement

Wasatch Academy has a 100% acceptance rate to colleges and universities.

Recent Wasatch Academy graduates have gained acceptance to:

Lehigh University; Northwestern University; Carnegie Mellon University; Hamilton College; Harvard College; Columbia University; Grinnell College; University of Utah; University of California, Davis; Menlo College; New York University; United States Military Academy at West Point; University of Oregon; Purdue University; Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Mount Holyoke; Lewis & Clark College; Baylor University; Tufts University; Oxford University; Brigham Young University; Sarah Lawrence; University of Washington; Brandeis University; University of California, Santa Barbara; and Emory University.

Notes

^ Glidewell, Donna. It Endures Like the Wasatch Mountains: The History of Wasatch Academy, p.18. Mount Pleasant: Glidewell, 2003.
^ School of Distinction
^ UHSAA Classifications

External links

Media related to Wasatch Academy at Wikimedia Commons

[1] Glidewell, Donna. It Endures Like the Wasatch Mountains: The History of Wasatch Academy, p.18. Mount Pleasant: Glidewell, 2003.

[2] School of Distinction

[3] UHSAA Classifications

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 '''Wasatch Academy''' is Utah’s only independent, [[coed]]ucational, [[university preparatory school|college preparatory]] [[boarding school]] for grades 8-12.  Founded in 1875 by Duncan McMillan, Wasatch Academy sought to improve the lives of the people of the Sanpete Valley through education.  McMillan, who famously said, “Let it endure like the Wasatch Mountains, call it Wasatch Academy,” provided educational opportunities where previously none existed.<ref>Glidewell, Donna. ''It Endures Like the Wasatch Mountains: The History of Wasatch Academy'', p.18. Mount Pleasant: Glidewell, 2003.</ref>  The current Head of School is Joseph Loftin, who celebrated 20 years of leadership in April 2009.
+==Campus==
+Wasatch Academy consists of the Loftin-Lewis Student Center, Craighead Humanities Building, Reemtsma  Mathematics and Science Building, the recently completed Anne N. Coltharp Center for Evolving Technologies, the Multi-Purpose Building (which houses the school’s main gymnasium, and its music and visual art classrooms), the Tigers Den Performing Arts Center (with a complete renovation completed in Spring Semester 2010), six residence halls, an administration building, a wellness center, a coffeehouse, and an additional off-campus gymnasium.
+The majority of the faculty live in school-owned housing surrounding the campus.
+The school also has a new campus in [[Ruian]], [[China]], as a part of a newly inaugurated joint educational venture with Ruian High School.  This program, the license for which is the first ever granted by the [[Chinese Ministry of Education]], will provide top Chinese students with a dual diploma, one from Ruian High School and one from Wasatch Academy.
+[[File:Winter Panorama.jpg|thumbnail|center|1000px|]]
 ==Student body==
@@ Line 39: / Line 48: @@
 States represented include [[Alaska]], [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[Florida]], [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]], [[Idaho]], [[Illinois]], [[Iowa]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Missouri]], [[Nevada]], [[New Jersey]], [[New Mexico]], [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], [[Oregon]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Texas]], [[Utah]], [[Virginia]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], and [[Wyoming]].
+==Academic Program==
+===Academics===
+Academic classes are structured after the university model, where a passion for learning and a dedication to critical thinking is encouraged through thoughtful participation, leadership, and good citizenship, both morally and ethically.  The median student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1.
+Wasatch Academy is recognized as a School of Distinction <ref>[http://www.allkindsofminds.org/sa/SchoolsofDistinction_list.aspx#UT ''School of Distinction'']</ref> by the All Kinds of Minds Institute for its full implementation of and dedication to Schools Attuned methodologies.
+:- '''Schools Attuned''': All full-time teachers and dormitory parents are certified and trained in [[Schools Attuned]] methodologies.  Schools Attuned, a teacher training and certification program developed by the All Kinds of Minds Institute, employs a [[Neurodevelopmental Framework]] and approach to assess learning strengths and help students gauge how they learn best.  This strength-based approach helps students transform their learning and gives them the self-assessing tools required for college.
+:- '''Learning Strategies''': This specialized program, available to all Wasatch Academy students, provides a setting where professionally-trained teachers work individually with students to reinforce strong points, address perceived weaknesses, and fill in educational gaps to maximize student success.
+:- '''Study Halls''': Every night from Sunday to Thursday, students devote two hours to completing homework, fulfilling reading assignments, and studying for exams.  The school’s built-in study halls ensure that work gets done on time, and help students internalize time management skills needed for college success.  Study Halls occur in the residence halls (generalized instruction) and in open classrooms (specialized instruction by topic).
+:- '''Tutoring''' is also available in most disciplines to provide one-on-one support to struggling students.
+===AP Offerings===
+In addition to its college preparatory curriculum, Wasatch Academy offers the following [[Advanced Placement]] courses: English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, United States History, Calculus A/B, Calculus B/C, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics, Psychology and Computer Science.
+===Extracurricular Offerings and Recreation===
+Extracurricular course offerings include fencing, rock climbing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, debate, skateboarding, BMX biking, hiking, ultimate Frisbee, kayaking, strength training, student government, horseback riding, canoeing, aikido, iaido, swimming/lifesaving, whitewater rafting, paintball, literary magazine, journalism, and student ambassador and prefect programs.
+Weekend recreation is emphasized at Wasatch Academy.  In addition to the extracurricular courses offered, students may sign up for trips to the movies, dinners, larger malls, amusement parks, skiing/snowboarding trips, and various cultural events.  The school offers weekend activities, such as midnight movies and community service projects, on campus as well.
+===Residential Life===
+The Wasatch Academy Residential Life faculty is dedicated strictly to supporting student life in the residence halls, without separate, external assignments and responsibilities.  Residential Life faculty, or Dorm Parents, are trained in the social sciences, and teach a curriculum designed to complement the academic program, educating students about personal care, responsibility for one’s actions and possessions (and consideration of the actions and possessions of others), and topics in growth and development, health and hygiene, and respect and social awareness.
+===Advisory System===
+Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who hopes to become the student’s academic, social, and emotional advocate.  The relationships between advisors and advisees are meant to facilitate academic and social progress.  Advisors serve as mentors to students.  Advisors remain in close and frequent communication with parents, and carefully observe the social and academic aspects of each student’s life.  Advisors provide an additional resource to address any concerns or problems that students may experience.
+===Athletics===
+Wasatch Academy is a member of the [[Utah High School Activities Association]] (UHSAA) in the 1A category of Utah high schools, as determined by size and geographic region <ref>[http://www.uhsaa.org/Directories/Regions&Classifications.pdf UHSAA Classifications]</ref>.  Students are required to participate in at least one competitive sport per year, and are encouraged to be involved in all three seasons of athletics.  Certain extracurricular offerings (such as fencing or rock climbing) may satisfy the athletics requirement, provided that the criteria for the number of performances or competitions are met.
+[[Varsity team|Varsity]] practices are scheduled during the afternoon class.  Games and competitions may be scheduled during evenings and on weekends.  Students must hold extracurricular eligibility to be allowed to participate in competition.
+Student athletes can earn a [[Varsity letter|letter]] by meeting the criteria set by their coach and the Athletic Department.  Letter winners receive their letters at the end of each season.
+Boys’ Athletic offerings include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, equestrian, golf, paintball, snowboarding, soccer, tennis, and track and field.
+Girls’ Athletic offerings include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, equestrian, golf, paintball, soccer, snowboarding, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
+Recent athletic accomplishments include:
+:- Girls Tennis Team placed fourth in state in 2009
+:- 3 Varsity Snowboarders qualified to compete at the 2009 USASA Snowboarding National Championships at Copper Mountain, Colorado
+:- Girls Varsity Volleyball Team placed second in region in 2009
+:- Boys Basketball Team placed first in the region in 2010
+===Fine and Performing Arts===
+Creative outlets for students include ballet, jazz, modern dance, hip-hop, Pilates, yoga, choreography, photography, graphic design, interior design, ceramics, stained glass, painting, drawing, sculpture, art appreciation, small group ensemble, guitar, piano, drums, play production, stagecraft, acting/comedy, theatre, and film.
+Wasatch Academy recently completed the renovation of a building devoted to the performing arts.
+===Technology===
+[[File:CET 1 3Nove2009 IMG 8077.jpg|thumbnail|left|220px|The Anne N. Coltharp Center for Evolving Technologies, Wasatch Academy, built 2009.]]
+Wasatch Academy provides a wireless campus in recognition of the global demand for rapid access to information.  The school requires its students to use [[Macintosh|Mac]] laptops.  Faculty tailor assignments to integrate technology and learning.  In all grades, the curriculum is vertically sequenced and horizontally integrated through online curriculum mapping.  Content and skills are thus scaffolded, and the English, Social Studies, Science, and Art curricula parallel each other where appropriate in an effort to help students make connections between disciplines.
+The school’s newly built Center for Evolving Technologies provides students with the same high quality equipment employed by industry professionals.  Courses offer include Desktop Publishing, Web Design, Film and Video Editing, Broadcasting, Linux, Computer Fundamentals I & II, Digital Audio Lab, Media Literacy, Digital Music Theory, Advanced Computer Study and Robotics, Intro to Programming, and Computer Gaming Activity.  The school plans to offer a course in Programming in the imminent future.
+===Honor Code Statement===
+The Wasatch Academy family lives together in a nurturing community where dignity, care, and respect are the norm.  As individuals, we contribute our talents, voices, cultures, and perspectives to inspire one another to succeed.
+===Student Conduct and Honor Code===
+The Wasatch Academy Honor Code requires that students conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and regard for others.  The code also promotes a spirit of freedom that students may not otherwise experience.  Students are expected to report observations of inappropriate conduct to the faculty or administration.  Specifically, students pledge to follow all school rules, and not lie, cheat, steal, or do physical, mental, or emotional harm to others or to property, nor tolerate the actions of those who do.  An Honor Code violation may be considered a major infraction and may be referred to the student-run Honor Council, which acts as a “jury of one’s peers,” working in conjunction with the Dean of Students for most cases or the Dean of Academics for purely academic issues.
+===Student Leadership and Organizations===
+:- '''[[National Honor Society]]''': Wasatch Academy embraces the standards of excellence established by the NHS.  Students must qualify scholastically and demonstrate outstanding qualifications in the areas of leadership, service, and character.
+:- '''[[Mu Alpha Theta]]''': Charter member since 2008.
+:- '''[[Amnesty International]]'''
+:- '''Student Council (STUCO)''': Executive positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, International Representative, Commissioner of Pep, and Recreation Coordinator.
+:- '''Honor Council''': Positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, and Member.
+:- '''Prefect Program''': This is a student leadership program that offers a training course (and continued education) to motivated students who have been at Wasatch Academy for at least one semester and have proven themselves to be model citizens through their responsibility, dependability, and effective skills in communication.
+:- '''Athletic Team Leaders''': Varsity Team Captains, Team Managers.
+:- '''Class Leaders''': President, Vice President, Secretary, STUCO Representative.
+:- Residential Student Advisory Committee
+:- Student Ambassadors
+:- Dining Hall Advisory Committee
+:- Yearbook Editor and Assistant Editors
 ==Graduation Requirements==