The UMS program pays dividends at the university
Since the first graduating class in 2009, Lake Pointe students have been welcomed to college campuses.
What's more, they've been successful there.
LPA seniors have been accepted to a wide range of higher-level programs.
For a list of the grads' chosen colleges, please click to view the lower part of the "SCHOOL PROFILE."
This trend of positive adjustment to college academic and social life mirrors twenty years of successes of other University Model School students from across the nation. Far from an accident, this pattern of positive adjustment to the college-life's increased independence and academic rigor is the result of a combination of factors that are encouraged by the University Model and through Lake Pointe's ministry.
What makes the difference in success ?
To appreciate the differences contributing to success, it's vital to consider what's causing such large-scale failures for many freshmen.
Some sources list the first-year college drop-out at 50%. While it gives a more conservative number, U.S. News and World Report says,
"As many as 1 in 3 first-year students won't make it back for sophomore year.
The reasons run the gamut from family problems and loneliness to academic struggles and a lack of money."
USN&WR doesn't mention immaturity or lack of self-discipline, nor is poor preparation or moral failure stated, but these shortcomings also fell many intelligent students, as is pointed out in an article in the Pittsburg Gazette. (emphasis ours).
The first several weeks of college life are considered critical to a student's success. But many students get off on the wrong foot, experts said.
"I think time-management is probably one of the biggest issues for a lot of kids," said Richard Hanzelka, former president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a membership organization of teachers, professors and other educators.
Allysen Todd, Community College of Allegheny County's dean of academic affairs, said some students are "totally unfamiliar" with the amount of work college requires -- roughly two hours of solo study for each hour of class.
Dr. Todd said students have become accustomed to accessing information with the click of a mouse. They're frustrated when forced to synthesize information, she said, and stunned at the amount of writing required -- especially in courses like accounting where they consider it unnecessary.
10 Difference-makers that LPA encourages and requires
(Please note that the top differnece-makers are not academic!)
- Students are encouraged to love and trust in God as Father-provider, in Jesus as Savior, and in the Holy Spirit as encourager and sustainer.
- High parent-involvement provides the time and context for parents to disciple and to instill biblcial values.
- Constant teaching and encouragment of a biblical worldview offers students hope and purpose.
- In the alternating day schedule gives students follow a college-like schedule -- from the earliest years!
- A work ethic of diligence, working ahead, and pushing through difficulty is cultivated and encouraged.
- Students are constantly taught and encouraged to think, to choose, to defend, and to prove.
- Students concentrate on language. They read -- a lot! They discuss -- a lot! They present -- a lot!
- Constant composition practice pays off. Grads say LPA's outlining and writing training is their best academic help at college.
- Science and math skills focus upon mastering the basics for the next level.
- High academic standards exercise for depth and stamina. Hard work is not postponed until college.
BONUS: #11: LPA's distinctive "ministry and life-prep" electives track courses reinforce students in what college-life will hand them:
- Logic: How to think by seeking truth, rejecting ear-tickling emotion, opinion, and sound bites
- World cultures: How to understand different nations and cultures -- and God's love for them
- Christian worldview: How to understand others' underlying philosophies, by questioning and listening
- Bible survey and systematic theology: How to be equipped for personal Bible study and right theology
- Apologetics: How to represent and to share one's faith
- Personal finance: How to use sound, biblical principles to spend wisely, to reject credit card debt, etc.