Kentucky's premier residential STEM academy for gifted juniors and seniors, tuition-free and ranked #1 nationally.
Gatton Academy students complete dual-enrolled coursework at Western Kentucky University, attending lectures and labs alongside university students. All students must complete core STEM courses including trigonometry, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science, with at least one subject taken at an advanced level. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better and earn at least 60 college credit hours before graduating with an Associate Degree of Interdisciplinary Studies. The academy also offers STEM+ Global Studies, allowing students to study languages including Mandarin Chinese, Russian, German, Spanish, Japanese, and American Sign Language.
Students are encouraged to participate in research during the academic year and through summer internships. The academy offers a Research Internship Grant (RIG) that funds on-campus summer research opportunities. Past students have leveraged their research experience to apply for prestigious awards such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search and Goldwater Scholarship. Study abroad opportunities are available in Costa Rica (biology credit) and England (English credit), with visits to marine biology stations, nature reserves, and literary landmarks.
Applicants must be Kentucky resident high school sophomores who have completed Geometry and Algebra I/II, with a minimum ACT math score of 22 or SAT math score of 540. Selection is based on standardized test scores, academic grades, STEM career interest, essay responses, interviews, and teacher recommendations. Approximately 350 sophomores apply annually; roughly 150 are invited to interview, and approximately 95 are offered admission (roughly 50% male, 50% female).
Students reside in Florence Schneider Hall, a 1929 building retrofitted in 2007, which offers common spaces for study and socialization. The academy sponsors clubs, organizations, and performance groups through WKU. Students may not rush social fraternities or sororities. Approximately 67% of graduates attend four-year universities, with many choosing Western Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, or University of Louisville. In 2019, Gatton Academy students significantly outperformed other Kentucky high schools on the ACT.