During April and May, representatives from the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will be traveling the state informing the public about the academy and recruiting potential students.
Fall 2014 marks the sixth year that KAMS students join the FHSU community. These exceptional students represent urban, suburban and rural communities from across the state.
KAMS was established by legislative action in 2006 by Kansas Senate Bill 139. It is the state’s premier academic high school program for the state’s best and brightest high school students. Based in part on successful programs in Missouri and Texas, KAMS is a unique residential learning experience that provides high school juniors and seniors a potent blend of: college-level instruction by Ph.D. faculty; a high school diploma and 68 hours of college credit; hands-on research supervised by Ph.D. scientists; leadership development and civic engagement opportunities; co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to develop the whole student; a safe campus and residential environment; and trained support staff. The first KAMS class was enrolled and on campus in 2009.
There are many reasons for high school students to attend the academy.
KAMS adds educational value for students who might not be appropriately challenged in their local schools by providing early access to Kansas’ exceptional post-secondary educational resources. KAMS also enhances the intellectual capital of the State of Kansas through its curricular and co-curricular focus on mathematics and science. KAMS works with Kansas universities to encourage graduates to complete their undergraduate education in-state.
Over two years at FHSU, students receive up to 68 hours of college credit in addition to a high school diploma, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development and civic engagement opportunities, as well as co-curricular and extracurricular activities to develop the whole student.
The application process and acceptance into the academy is very competitive and many qualifications must be met by the students to even be considered for admission.
Prospective students must have completed at least two years of high school with distinction in mathematics or science. However, outstanding academic achievement is not the only criterion for acceptance. KAMS selects students based on drive, interest, maturity, stability, and personal and family commitment. The students must be a high school sophomore or the equivalent to be eligible to apply to KAMS, as well as have a minimum ACT score of 23 or SAT score of 1590. The international students must also have one of the following minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language scores: Paper-based test score of 540, or computer-based test score of 220, or internet-based test score of 70. Each student application is evaluated holistically. Even after being accepted into the academy, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled at the Academy.
Currently, the academy accepts 40 Kansas students and a total of 8 national or international students per year.
KAMS also helps students afford the education by using funding from the state of Kansas to pay for tuition, books, and other necessary aspects.
According to the FHSU website, tuition, fees, and books will be provided by KAMS for up to a total of 68 credit hours for students currently attending a public school in Kansas. In total, this is equivalent to approximately $7,000. However, the parents of Kansas public school students will be responsible for the cost of housing, meals and incidentals. Kansas private school students, non-Kansas students, and International students are responsible for all costs associated with attending KAMS.
All information sessions during April and May are free and open to the public.
April 9, 2014- 6:00 pm
Memorial Union- Trails Room
600 Park St.
Hays, KS 67601
April 10, 2014- 6:00 pm
Hesston Public Library
300 N. Main St.
Hesston, KS 67062
April 16, 2014- 6:00 pm
Hutchinson Public Library- Room 2
901 N. Main
Hutchinson, KS 67501
April 17, 2014- 6:00 pm
Pioneer Memorial Library
375 W. 4th St.
Colby, KS 67701
April 22, 2014-6:00 pm
Manhattan Public Library- Groesbeck Room
629 Poyntz Ave
Manhattan, KS 66502
April 23, 2014- 6:00 pm
Salina Public Library
301 W. Elm
Salina , KS 67401
April 28. 2014- 6:00 pm
Alford D Lionel Branch
3447 S. Meridian
Wichita, KS 67217
May 1, 2014- 6:00 pm
Fort Hays State University Higher Education Opportunity Center
311 N Campus Drive Suite 102
Garden City, Kansas 67846
May 19, 2014- 6:00 pm
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library- Hughes Room 205
1515 SW 10th Ave.
Topeka, KS 66604
May 20, 2014- 6:00 pm
Bonner Springs Public Library
201 N Nettleton Ave
Bonner Springs, KS 66012