Must a student be "gifted" to succeed at LPA?

The answer might surprise you, so hang on.

We believe God gifts every student in unique ways; therefore not all students are "academically" gifted. One answer to this question is that an academically talented student is going to have an easier time in an academic setting, just as a natural athlete finds it easier to throw a ball accurately. This simply means that a student with less "natural" academic talent will have to compensate with character traits such as diligence (hard work), perseverance (sticking with it), and humility (seeking help).

Movies love to show the strong character overcomer as the hero, especially in a sports context. The true story of "Rudy" comes to mind; an undersized steelworker's son fights for his dream to play for Notre Dame. "Rocky" is another, with its blue-collar boxer who becomes champion. How about "Invincible?" It's the true story of a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976.

Good news! The structure of the University Model School is stacked in favor of the student. He or she has parent's' help as tutor and encourager. There is additional time on at-home days to pour into assignments that other students might do more quickly. Additionally, classes are small, allowing more attention from the instructor. Then also factor in instructors who care about the students and eagerly respond to a student who wants to learn and who is willing to work hard.

Parental involvement, available personal study time, and small student-to-teacher ratios all allow an average student to achieve an above-average education. What's more, with increased parent support and help to bridge the gap, even a below-average student can achieve an above-average education, although many underperforming or underprepared students wouldn't choose to work that hard.

An interesting question for students and parents to ponder is this:
Would you rather have average grades accompanying a superior education -- one that is challenging, promotes deep thinking, and offers thorough preparation for university-style learning (and life!) --  or  an easier course load and higher grades for the transcript? This doesn't mean that you can't have both, but if you could only choose one, which would it be? The answer will help you decide if the challenging program at LPA is a match for you.