Butler Community College Offers New Academy Experiences

Butler Community College expands its high school academies from five to eight. The new academies are Pre-Law, Elementary Education and Cyber Security. The five other academies include: Health Sciences, 3D Design, Engineering Technology, and Business & Entrepreneurship. A one-year Fire Science Academy is replacing the public safety unit that is currently being offered. These competitive and rigorous programs offer students the opportunity to earn their associate’s degree from Butler and their high school diploma from their home high school at the same time.

“The opportunities for high school students at these academies are immense,” said Christy Streeter, the Associate Dean over Early College Academies at Butler. “Each day, we see students become engaged and take charge of their learning.” 

Because of both the benefits to local students and the popularity of the academies, Butler will add three new academies next fall.

”I’ve seen how all the students are really being pushed academically in these academies,” said Brad Keirns, assistant superintendent of Rose Hill Schools. “I have seen kids excel. It’s a constantly improving process.”

Students must pass entry requirements, which include test scores, essays and an interview. Each academy provides college classes specific to their program. The academy students go through each program with other area high school students.

“I can easily say joining the academy was the best decision I have ever made,” said Kennedy Henry, 16, a junior at Andover High School and a student at the Health Sciences Academy. “I have made so many new friendships with peers from different schools, and I am learning information that will be useful as I continue my medical education.” 

The academies are:

3D Academy (Andover): Includes classes in video production, interactive 3D technology and gaming.

Business & Entrepreneurship Academy (Andover):  These classes include marketing, high-level math and management courses.

Cyber Security Academy (Andover): Students take courses that ready them to either enter the field or go on to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Elementary Education Academy (Rose Hill): Students will be prepared to apply for the BEST partnership with Emporia State University. The BEST program, an education degree from Emporia, is offered at Butler’s El Dorado and Andover campuses.

Engineering Technology Academy (Andover):  Students are exposed to hands-on engineering courses.

Fire Science Academy (El Dorado): This is a one-year program for seniors. These courses are offered at Butler’s fire science building, which is adjacent to the El Dorado Fire Station. This is not an associate degree program.

Health Sciences Academy (Rose Hill): Students become CNA qualified and take science classes.

Pre-Law Academy (Rose Hill): This academy focuses on social and criminal justice aspects of the law.