Joshua Freeman, sophomore at Ava R-1 Public School, has been selected to attend the 2011 Missouri Scholars Academy.
Josh is the son of Sherry Motes and James Freeman of Ava. Josh is a member of the Ava R-1 gifted program and has earned his way into this extremely prestigious academy with his high I.Q. score, outstanding ACT test scores, accomplished GPA, and essay writing skills.
Josh and his gifted program instructor, Karen Davis, worked several long hours after school earlier this semester to complete the application. The application process also involved several of his past and current instructors who were asked to cite evidence of intellectual curiosity, creativity, leadership skills, and maturity of character.
The Missouri Scholars Academy is a three-week academic program for 330 of Missouri’s gifted students who are ready to begin their junior year in high school. The academy is a residential program held on, and partially funded by, the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Additional funds to support the Missouri Scholars Academy are provided by the Gifted Association of Missouri, the Missouri Scholars Academy Alumni Association, and tax-deductible contributions made by alumni and parents of MSA participants.
MSA also acknowledges philanthropic support given by various Missouri businesses and corporations. Now in its twenty-seventh year, the program is administered by University of Missouri officials.
The academy reflects Missouri’s desire to strive for excellence in education at all levels. The program is based on the premise that Missouri’s gifted youth must be provided with special opportunities for learning and personal development in order for them to realize their full potential.
With a carefully selected faculty and staff, a specially designed curriculum that focuses on the liberal arts, and a variety of stimulating extracurricular activities, the academy enables students to be part of a unique learning community. The academy provides a model that all schools can use in building or expanding their own programs for gifted students. Additional information can be found at www.mo scholars.org.
