THE SUCCESS ACADEMY-A COOPERATIVE PUBLIC SCHOOL-UNIVERSITY EFFORT

At the opening of fall semester 2005, the Iron County (Utah) and Washington County (Utah) School Districts in cooperation with Southern Utah University (SUU) and Dixie State College (DSC) opened a new chapter in cooperation and academic achievement in southern Utah. The SUCCESS Academy (Southern Utah Center for Computer, Engineering and Science Students) is a charter, early college high school that is funded by the Utah Partnership with seed money for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The first class was composed of high school freshmen and sophomores. Each year as the students advance, a new freshman class is added. The first graduating class of 20-25 will be spring 2008. Students attend classes on the college campus half a day and regular high school campus half a day. Upon successful completion of the program, students will graduate with both a high school diploma and an associates degree.

The SUCCESS Academy has offered SUU Department of Geosciences a unique opportunity to develop an early relationship with the high school students involved. The Department of Geosciences and Geology Club/Sigma Gamma Epsilon have cooperatively sponsored several nearby field trips for the students. These have had excellent participation by both SUCCESS Academy and SUU students. The hope is that having high school students getting to know college students one-on-one will yield long-term benefits to both groups.

Faculty members have also had an opportunity to work one-on-one with SUCCESS Academy students on Science Fair projects. This relationship has produced some outstanding projects that should eventually yield publications.

Over all the SUCCESS Academy appears to be a success for all concerned.