NOMINATION PROCEDURES AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Each public school district and private school in Missouri is eligible to nominate at least one sophomore student for the Academy. Larger schools have the option of nominating more than one student on a prorated basis according to enrollment. Nominees must be Missouri residents enrolled in eligible Missouri schools. Schools nominating students for the Academy are required to provide specific information to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A special selection committee appointed by the Department screens and evaluates nominations. Participants are selected on the basis of the following criteria and factors: Student scores from selected individual intelligence and aptitude tests Grade point average Student essays Evidence of leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving ability and initiative Projected benefits to the student for participating in the Academy Commitment to remain at the Academy throughout the entire three-week experience