Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 5

Caleb and Ben's classmates work on a project with AP Chemistry teacher Beth Bussiere. Rigor is a defining characteristic of this program. Students must start early and be committed to the program requirements and demanding coursework throughout their four years at Thornton Academy. In addition to completing the courses, students must receive passing grades (3 or higher) on all eight of their AP exams. This is no easy feat; most TA students only opt for a couple of AP courses. Ben and Caleb both agree that the hardest part was organizing the program and fitting all the necessary classes into their busy schedules. Luckily, they had help from dedicated TA employees. Ben says that guidance counselor Lucretia Wallace “was the MVP in the whole thing." She helped Ben stay organized, decide which classes he needed to sign up for, and met with him frequently to check in and keep him on track. Ben and Caleb faced a hurdle during their senior year; two of the required courses: AP Physics C and AP Computer science were scheduled for the same block. Physics teacher Matt Amoroso saved the day and allowed the students to complete the coursework for AP Physics during a block of another physics class. He recorded the lessons each morning so Ben and Caleb could watch them in the afternoon, and worked with them outside of the normal school day so they could learn the material and were prepared for the AP exam. When asked why they decided to complete this program, both students commented on their desire to skip a year of college, and the tuition payments that accompany it. Ben is already looking ahead at how much money he will save, and Caleb says, “frankly skipping a year of college is just such an unimaginably good deal that I thought I'd be stupid to skip out on it. They had the program I wanted and apparent connections with NASA, who I hope to be able to work with, if not for, at some point, so I thought it was just an extremely killer deal.” Know a future engineer? Start early! Parent Tim Leary recommends taking as much math as possible, as early as possible. With eight required Advanced Placement classes, planning and advice from the Guidance Department at TA is necessary to keep students on track. All students are invited to consider this unique partnership between Thornton Academy and University of Maine. Save tuition from one year of college! Contact: Marsha Snyder, Associate Head of School [email protected] 207-602-4403. 5