r By James Hirst
Springville, Utah, April–Merit College Preparatory Academy’s (MCPA) classrooms will be empty during first eight days of school after 2018’s Christmas break. Dr. Jesse Meeks, MCPA Director, explains, “Though school will be in session, regular classes will NOT begin! Instead, our students will participate in out-of-class ‘Expeditions’ and do amazing things!”
“Expeditions” are a great opportunity for students and teachers to explore subjects together that would not fit into a normal school routine. Amanda Kuhnz, MCPA Assistant Director, emphasizes the academic rigor inherent in Merit’s Expeditions, “Teacher-Mentors will design, customize, and administer student Expeditions. Activities will include hands-on learning opportunities, in-depth study, and fun and adventure as students explore new interests and gaze at new horizons.”
Students are able to pick from a number of Expeditions designed by Merit’s world-class faculty:
Trek through Southern Utah on a High Adventure and Leadership retreat; students will repel, rock climb, explore caves, sleep outside while studying leadership, and surviving in the wilderness.
Study American government and the United States Constitution, and then spend several days in Washington D.C. visiting landmarks and meeting real-world government leaders.rDig into an intensive study of cake preparation and decorating strategies, or participate in a master chef competition with instruction by area chefs. Students will visit restaurants, experience demos in actual restaurant kitchens, and earn their Utah Food Handlers Permits.
Voyage through France and learn its language, culture, literature, and cuisine.
Learn how to improve test performance with a scholarly approach and work on the ACT Test. Higher ACT scores increase academic opportunities in the form of scholarships. Students will visit university campuses across the state and learn how to play “the higher education game.”
Participate in a nutrition and exercise boot camp culminating in a 5K or other athletic events. Students will prepare for a sport or work to kick-start their own health program.
Practice physics and then go to amusement parks and meet with real engineers, and then ride rides all day and night to get a real feel for physics in action!
The sky is the limit with Merit’s Expeditions. Merit will offer a variety of choices for students; some may be across the world in different countries and cost thousands of dollars, while others will be local and cost $50 dollars. 7th and 8th graders will stay on campus and rotate between activities. 9th through 12th-grade students get choice preferences — in 4 years there are many amazing things each student will experience.
Join the Merit family, get a great academic college prep education, and experience the real world through meaningful fieldwork and Expeditions.
