MOREHEAD — In a significant boost to higher education, Morehead State University’s Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics is set to grow exponentially, thanks to both the Kentucky General Assembly and the continued support from Dr. Joe Craft and Ambassador Kelly Craft.
MSU President Jay Morgan expressed his gratitude: “We are very appreciative of the Commonwealth and General Assembly for providing funds to grow the Academy and to the Craft Family for their generous sponsorship and support of an additional 40 more students.”
With this expansion, the Craft Academy will become the largest in the state, with the opportunity to enroll 240 students.
“The Crafts have been unyielding in their support of our students, and it is appreciated,” said Morgan.
The expansion announcement came Aug. 29 during an open house event, which saw Joe Craft address the 177 students of Craft Academy. Visitors were also treated to a firsthand view of the Academy’s upgraded facilities within the Alumni Tower. Highlights of this modernized learning environment include an extensive maker space, state-of-the-art study spaces, a cutting-edge computer lab, and tools tailored to foster advanced learning.
Since its inception in 2015, the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics has successfully graduated seven batches of students. Its excellence is not just locally recognized; reviews often place the Academy among the top high schools in the nation. The majority of its student body hails from areas east of I-64, with a significant portion coming from eastern Kentucky.
Tailored for Kentucky’s academically exceptional students, the Craft Academy provides a unique dual-credit opportunity. Enrolling in this program allows high school juniors and seniors to experience postsecondary residential life while completing their junior and senior high school years via college courses. The Academy’s curriculum, rich in project-based STEM+X courses and hands-on learning experiences, emphasizes innovation, design, creativity, and civic and regional engagement, ensuring students are primed for academic and real-world challenges.
For more insights into the Craft Academy and its offerings, interested parties can explore moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy, send inquiries to craftacademy@moreheadstate.edu, or connect directly at 606-783-2093.