Speaking on Business: Utah County Academy of Sciences
The Utah County Academy of Sciences is an early college high school, and 85 percent of students earn an associate degree before graduation.
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
One of the major hurdles we face as a nation is education debt, which is sitting at $1.4 trillion. The Utah County Academy of Sciences, or UCAS, in Orem is a problem solver and has found an effective way to address this challenge as an early college high school. With concurrent enrollment at Utah Valley University, 85 percent of UCAS students earn an associate degree before high school graduation, representing a cost savings of $13,000 per student.
The Utah County Academy of Sciences was established in 2005 as one of 6 early college high schools in Utah in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Jobs for the Future program. Superintendent Anna Trevino says the goal is guiding kids through an academically rigorous environment, with curriculum focused on STEM education. UCAS students start taking classes only at the school and progressively increase class attendance at UVU.
Principal Jared Ferguson says the Utah County Academy of Sciences has seen remarkable success. UCAS has helped over 6,000 students since it launched. One Hispanic student came to UCAS because she was failing in school and involved with gangs. She has now graduated, earned her bachelor’s degree, the first generation in her family to do so, and is supporting her mom and sister’s college education.
Visit online at www.ucas-edu.net.
For Zions Bank, I’m Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Utah County Academy of Sciences
940 W 800 S
Orem, Utah 84058
801-863-2222