By Rebecca Blessing
rebecca.blessing@education.ky.gov

In its sixth year, the Falcon Academy is a dual credit program at Hickman County High School that provides the opportunity for juniors and seniors to earn college credit while still in high school.

Students may choose from 35 courses offered through Western Kentucky Community and Technical College and Murray State University. Students also may earn credits toward industry certification through the Fulton County Area Technology Center.

The academic expectations for student achievement in this program are high and students need a certain level of individual motivation to participate. All courses are rigorous and taught by qualified personnel. In addition, students are required to take an exit exam upon completing the course.

District leaders credit the program with increasing student engagement in school and providing students who might not otherwise be able to afford college, the opportunity to get a head start on earning college credit at no cost to the student.

Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt recently visited Hickman County and talked with some of the participants of Falcon Academy about dual credit and their plans for the future.

Falcon Academy is in its sixth year at Hickman County High School. It is a dual credit program that district leaders credit with increased student attendance, a decrease in office discipline referrals and an increase in the district's graduation and college- and career-readiness rates. Photo by Becky Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016.

Falcon Academy is in its sixth year at Hickman County High School. It is a dual credit program that district leaders credit with increased student attendance, a decrease in office discipline referrals and an increase in the district’s graduation and college- and career-readiness rates.
Photo by Rebecca Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016.

Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt recently spoke with students enrolled in the Falcon Academy. All were enthusiastic about their experience, with some students admitting they thought college was out of reach until they started earning credits through the program. Photo by Becky Blessing, Feb. 2, 2016

Commissioner of Education Stephen Pruitt spoke with students enrolled in the Falcon Academy. All were enthusiastic about their experience, with some students admitting they thought college was out of reach until they started earning credits through the program.
Photo by Rebecca Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

The Falcon Academy gives students a head start on their postsecondary education while saving them money. What makes this dual credit opportunity unique is that it doesn’t cost students a penny. In addition to no-cost tuition that is offered as a result of the community’s support, the Hickman County Board of Education pays for the full expense of textbooks for students enrolled in the academy. Photo by Becky Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

The Falcon Academy gives students a head start on their postsecondary education while saving them money. What makes this dual credit opportunity unique is that it doesn’t cost students a penny. In addition to no-cost tuition that is offered as a result of the community’s support, the Hickman County Board of Education pays for the full expense of textbooks for students enrolled in the academy.
Photo by Rebecca Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

The community is clearly behind Falcon Academy. At a luncheon thanking the more than 65 sponsors, Four Rivers Scholarship Foundation founder Robbie Rudolph said, “We’ve changed the culture, we’ve created hope that all our students can go to college.” Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt said the Falcon Academy is a model for the rest of the state and the nation. Photo by Becky Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

The community is clearly behind Falcon Academy. At a luncheon thanking the more than 65 sponsors, Four Rivers Scholarship Foundation founder Robbie Rudolph said, “We’ve changed the culture, we’ve created hope that all our students can go to college.” Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt said the Falcon Academy is a model for the rest of the state and the nation.
Photo by Rebecca Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

Since its inception in 2010, students enrolled in the Falcon Academy have earned thousands of college credits and saved more than $1.5 million as a result of taking college classes while still enrolled in high school. Some students have even been able to graduate from high school with a diploma and an associate degree. Photo by Becky Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016

Since its inception in 2010, students enrolled in the Falcon Academy have earned thousands of college credits and saved more than $1.5 million as a result of taking college classes while still enrolled in high school. Some students have even been able to graduate from high school with a diploma and an associate degree.
Photo by Rebecca Blessing, Feb. 4, 2016