University Academy is a K-12 charter school that has been around since 2000. Most schools do not offer grades K-12 all in one building, but that is one thing that makes UA unique. It can be a wind of emotions, especially for the UA staff who have seen students start and finish their K-12 experiences at UA.
This year’s graduating class includes 27 students who are lifetime Gryphons. They will receive a special gray and white cord to wear at graduation.
UA senior Akyra Hearron is one of the students who has not only stuck around since kindergarten, but she has siblings who did, too.
Hearron said, “I expected to be here this long because all of my siblings have done the same.”
Some students may find being at a K-12 school building useful, and some may not like it as much. But there are many benefits from following all the way through to graduation at University Academy.
UA offers four free ACT tests for juniors and seniors and Saturday practices to get students prepared for the real thing, which isn’t common in most high schools. The high school also offers a junior and senior seminar class to help with college and scholarship applications.
In addition, University Academy Foundation provides many opportunities for students and alumni that are unique to UA. While in high school, UAF pays for selected students to study abroad. Then, after graduation, UA’s college students receive mailed care packages and can earn money by submitting their semester transcripts. They can also apply for paid summer internships while in college and receive career guidance and support whenever needed.
Freshman Gabriel Kelly, who has been at UA since kindergarten, said another benefit of being at UA his whole school life is that he doesn’t have to worry about learning another school’s curriculum or rules.
Another part of UA is the memories that students and teachers get to hold onto forever. Kelly said his favorite memory so far from being at UA is the “field days we would have at the end of the school years in elementary.”
Not only do the students have fun memories, but the staff often make fun memories, too. Mr. Shane O’Neal, who is now the Algebra 1 teacher, has been at UA since 2009. He started out as an eighth grade math teacher, and his favorite UA memories are from the many years he hosted eighth grade graduation ceremonies.
Mixed in with the unique benefits and fun memories, though, is a challenging academic curriculum since UA is a college preparatory school. The Upper School vision at UA is: “Through academic excellence, community contributions and social/emotional intelligence, University Academy Upper School will prepare 100% of our students for college.”
All UA students have different experiences, but there’s no doubt that the curriculum is challenging.
Junior Mark Shears, another lifetime student, said, “I would recommend [UA] because it’s a college preparatory school, and not many schools … are college prep in the KCMO area, and many other kids would love to be in the spot you are in.”
Hearron also shared her input on the UA’s educational rigor, saying she knows her hard work as a UA student will better prepare her for college.
Shears and Mr. O’Neal had some advice for students who are new to UA, as not every student starts at the school in kindergarten.
Shears’ advice is “not to slack off your freshman year because your freshman year is really your most important year.”
Mr. O’Neal said, “It’s not always going to be easy, but it will be rewarding.”
Creating history and memories is what UA wants to do, but not only that, the school aims to set up students for as much success as possible. UA’s K-12 community is here to welcome students while giving them memorable years worth their while.
