Class of 2024 College Acceptances

• Scholarship/Tuition
  Texas Academy students receive a scholarship that covers 15 credit hours per fall and spring semester. Students choosing to exceed the 15 hours are required to cover those additional expenses. Eligible students may file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help with those costs. All students are required to purchase their books and supplies, as well as cover room and board expenses if choosing to live on campus.
• Distinguished Achievement Plan
  Texas Academy strives to ensure that all students are provided the opportunity to pursue the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). This is accomplished by successful completion of the four by four curriculum in addition to 1 PE credit, 3 LOTE credits and 4.5 credits of electives. A student may also become a DAP graduate by completing a minimum of 4 credits in Math, including Algebra II, a total of 4 credits in science and at least one endorsement set by the TEA. For more information regarding endorsements and graduation plans, refer to the Graduation Toolkit published by the Texas Education Agency.
• Honors Courses

  All Texas Academy students have the option to take honors courses while enrolled. 

  As a Reaud Honors College scholar, you will be empowered to achieve your maximum intellectual and personal potential in our welcoming and supportive community of students from all academic disciplines at Lamar University’s five undergraduate colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business; Education and Human Development; Engineering; and Fine Arts and Communication. 
  
  Our college helps you develop essential marketable skills—networking, teamwork, self-presentation, problem solving—and leadership skills—communication, delegation, creativity, trustworthiness—in ways that will complement your major and prepare you for a career, graduate school, or wherever your path takes you.

• Texas Academy Student of the Year Awards and Academic Recognition

  Texas Academy Student of the Year Awards

  In order to be eligible, students must meet the 3.5 overall GPA requirement, complete 12 service hours each semester, and have no disciplinary record with the exception of occurrence(s).

  Texas Academy Student of the Year for Academic Achievement

  The TA of the Year for Academic Achievement is an award created for students of the Texas Academy to acknowledge one student who has demonstrated exemplary academic achievement during their time at the Academy. The award will be presented at the luncheon ceremony, and it is a commendation and validation of academic success and will be something that the student can put on a personal resume as an indication of their hard work and dedication. 

  Texas Academy Student of the Year for Leadership

  The TA Student of the Year for Leadership is an award that acknowledges the Texas Academy student who best excels as a leader displaying creativity, innovation, and long-term effectiveness in advancing the mission of the Texas Academy. The award will be presented at the luncheon ceremony, and it is a commendation and validation of the leadership abilities of the student and will be something they can put on a personal resume as an indication of their hard work and dedication. 

  Texas Academy Student of the Year for Service

  The TA Student of the Year for Service is an award that acknowledges the Texas Academy student who demonstrates an ability to build community between the Texas Academy and at least one partner from within the Lamar University or the greater Southeast Texas area. The award will be presented at the graduation ceremony, and it is a commendation and validation of the community relationships built by the student and will be something they can put on a personal resume as an indication of their hard work and dedication. The TA Administration team will review candidates for this award based on service hours and involvment both inside and outside of the academy.

   

  Lamar University Deans and Presidents List

  Students whose semester GPA is a minimum 3.5 are included on the Dean's List of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students with a 4.0 GPA are included on the President's List. 

  Any student whose academic record includes an "I" (Incomplete) is ineligible for Dean's and/or President's List consideration until the course requirements have been met and the grade officially recorded. 

• Pathway to Major

  All students choose their own pathway. Our advisor works diligently to review and customize each degree plan by the students needs. Once a student completes all courses required for highschool our goal is to guide the student into courses for their particular path or major. 

  For the students first semester, our advisor will pre-register them for their courses. Starting their second semester, the student continues to meet with the advisor to map out their desired courses, however, the student is responsible for registering themself for courses with the guidance of the advisor. This helps with the transition from high school to college life. 

   

• Class Attendance

  We are proud to offer high-achieving high school students the opportunity to earn college credits for free. Since the Texas Academy is a Texas legislative program, funding is contingent on demonstrated attendance. Students must attend all classes, regardless of any professors' absentee policies. Regular and punctual attendance is required. 

  If a student must be absent, the student must report the absence in writing to the director within three class days of the absence. Absences not reported will be recorded as unexcused. 

• Class Registration

  First-Year Students: After the Texas Academy evaluates student transcripts, the counselor registers students for their first semester course load. For all other semesters, students will register per Lamar University guidelines. 

  All Students: Prior to registration for the upcoming semester, students are required to meet with the Advisor. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their class options with their parents. After students complete the advising process, they will select their class times and the administration will complete the registration process. 

  NOTE: All courses, including electives, must be taken in standard format (none can be taken online). 

• Adding, Dropping and Retaking Courses

  Any change in a student's course load and schedule requires written approval of the Texas Academy director.

  Texas Academy students may not drop a required course. Students must complete a student drop request form available from the counselor, get written parental approval and obtain written approval of the Texas Academy director. After approvals are obtained, the counselor will complete a Lamar University drop form for the student to process. Students are responsible for knowing appropriate deadlines as published on the Lamar University website. 

  Texas Academy students may repeat courses for credit with the approval of the Texas Academy director. Lamar University's course repetition/grade replacement policy applies. 

  Note: Students are responsible for the total costs of any repeated course. Students may also be required to pay all tuition and fees for a dropped course. Undergraduate students are not permitted to drop more than six courses. 

• Academic Probation

  One of the main goals of the Texas Academy experience is academic success. Texas Academy academic probation is designed to focus effort on reaching this goal. A student may be placed on academic probation for one of the following reasons: 

  • Failure to maintain a 3.0 semester GPA in any fall or spring semester
  • Progress report(s) that indicate poor academic performance (less than a "C")
  • Excessive absences (more than three unexecused per semester)
  • "D" or "F" in any course, regardless of overall GPA

  Students who do not maintain a cumulative or semester GPA of 3.0 risk dismissal from the program. 

  Note:  Mini sessions and summer sessions may not be used to eliminate academic probation status. 

  While on academic probation, the student:

  • Must attend study hall/tutor sessions Monday through Thursday at the designated time
  • Must meet weekly with the counselor for an academic conference
  • Must sign and abide by the Texas Academy Academic Probation Contract
  • May be removed from leadership office in Texas Academy organizations
  • May be required to meet weekly with the Academic Counselor
• Valedictorian and Salutatorian

  For every graduating class, the Texas Academy will recognize a valedictorian and salutatorian based on the unweighted cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) of the high school freshman, sophomore, junior, and the fall semester of senior year (7 semesters). 

  To determine a students combined GPA to be considered for Valedictorian and Salutatorian, TA will take the exact grades reported on the former high school transcript on a numerical scale and divide by the # of grades reported. Example - if all former high school grades add up to 3357 and 34 courses were taken, the average of that calculation is divided by 100 and multiplied by 4 to get the overall high school GPA of 3.94941176. This is the first number used in the overall combined GPA calculation.

  Grades reported on the Lamar University transcript (alpha scores, A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.) will be reported as is. If a student has earned a 4.0 for all LU courses, the 4.0 is used as the second number in the overall combined GPA calculation.

  The overall combined GPA would be 3.974705882.

  In order to be eligible, the student must have taken a minimum of 45 Lamar credit hours during the regular long semesters (Fall/Spring only) while enrolled within the Texas Academy at Lamar University. Students who enter the program as a senior are ineligible due to lack of hours.

  Lamar University courses must be completed by the end of the fall semester before graduation with no class drops for consideration. Summer and mini semester courses will not be used in calculating GPA and credit hours for valedictorian and salutatorian recognition. Any student who drops a course will not be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian recognition.

  Note: The title of Valedictorian takes into consideration 7 complete semesters whereas the highest-ranking graduate takes into consideration 8 complete semesters; therefore, the Valedictorian may NOT always be the highest-ranking graduate.  

  Note: The Texas Education Code lays out that grading policies are determined by the local school district; under that authority the averaging of semester grades is a local decision. 

• Highest Ranking Graduate
  The State of Texas Highest Ranking Graduate Scholarship will be awarded to the student with the highest cumulative GPA after completing eight semesters with a minimum of 60 credit hours at Lamar University. In case of a tie for highest ranking graduate, additional criteria will be considered — such as number of courses taken, difficulty of courses (level, prerequisites, etc.) and the number of honors courses completed — to decide the recipient of the State of Texas Highest Ranking Graduate Scholarship.