Hillsdale Academy Celebrates 25th Anniversary

HILLSDALE, Mich., Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillsdale Academy, 1 Academy Lane, an independent, classical K-12 school located on the campus of Hillsdale College, celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 2 and 3 with special events, including an all-school assembly, a gala dinner, and a public open house.

"Hillsdale College established Hillsdale Academy to teach children the skills needed to be wise and intelligent citizens, to nurture them in the moral qualities and habits of mind needed to be good citizens, and to provide an educational model than can be useful nationwide," said Dr. Kenneth Calvert, Hillsdale Academy headmaster since 2001. "It has lived out that mission faithfully for 25 years, and will continue to do so for the next 25 years and beyond."

Hillsdale Academy is characterized by its rigorous course of study and its strong conviction that the biblical and classical virtues are necessary in the formation of the American citizen. As a result of this academically challenging environment, Hillsdale Academy produces scholars who exhibit excellent performance on standardized tests and matriculate to rigorous colleges and universities. 

In 2015, every Hillsdale Academy student who chose to take Advanced Placement exams scored a 3 (out of 5) or better on every AP exam, besting both the Michigan average of 66 percent and the national average of 61 percent. The ACT reported that 100 percent of 2015 Hillsdale Academy graduates were ready for college-level English composition, compared to the national average of 59 percent.

Between 2001 and 2015, 40 Hillsdale Academy seniors, representing 19 percent of graduates, received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Of those, 23 were named as National Merit Scholarship Finalists, a designation reserved for the top 1 percent of students nationwide.

Hillsdale Academy graduates have attended demanding and prestigious colleges and universities, including the University of Notre Dame, Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Northwestern University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Ohio State University, and Hillsdale College.

Anniversary events include:

• Grandparents Day: Friday, Oct. 2 (11 a.m., Hillsdale Academy)
• Anniversary Assembly: Friday, Oct. 2 (2:30 p.m., Hillsdale Academy)
• Anniversary Gala Dinner: Friday, Oct. 2 (5:30 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner, Searle Center, 300 North West Street)
• Public Open House: Saturday, Oct. 3 (10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Hillsdale Academy)
• Soccer Match vs. Oakdale Academy: Saturday, Oct. 3 (4:00 p.m., Simpson Field, Barber Drive)
• BBQ: Saturday, Oct. 3 (6:00 p.m., Hayden Park, Barber Drive)

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg will give a congressional tribute at the gala dinner. State Rep. Eric Leutheuser and Hillsdale Mayor Scott Sessions will also attend. Other speakers at the gala dinner include Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn, Hillsdale Academy Parents' Association President John Waldvogel, and Hillsdale College Trustee Stephen M. Barney.

At the gala dinner, Mr. Barney will receive the Adam Smith Award in tribute of his excellent work in the reform of American education. Mr. Barney founded the Barney Family Foundation and is a benefactor of Hillsdale College's Barney Charter School Initiative, which supports the launches of classical liberal arts K-12 charter schools nationwide. 

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 2.9 million.

About Hillsdale Academy

Hillsdale Academy is an independent, classical K-12 day school located on the campus of Hillsdale College. A rigorous course of study is combined with the strong conviction that the biblical and classical virtues are necessary in the formation of the American citizen.  The school was established out of the conviction that modern American education was in need of profound reform.

In the Lower School (K-8), students are taught math, reading, writing, history, geography, science, music, and art through traditional instruction. Phonics and a traditional approach to math, including memorization, are among the methods utilized in the Academy classroom. French is required of all students in grades 1–6. Small class sizes ensure personal instruction as well as a "one room schoolhouse" atmosphere.

Upper School students (9-12) complete four years of Latin, math, science, literature, and history. Two years of art and music are also required. In grades 7-12, French is offered as an elective. Students in good standing may take courses at Hillsdale College in their junior and senior years. Athletics and other extracurricular activities provide further opportunities to develop skills and to build a sense of community.

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SOURCE Hillsdale College